I used these in a custom closet build-out that I crafted because they were cheap and I figured if I could get away with using something cheap that didn't require me to run new electrical all over the place, I should -- since I don't use the lights in this situation much anyway.
PROS:
- Cheap
- Works well
- Good light if you don't use it a lot
- Easy to install
CONS:
- Cheaply made
- Light dims quickly
- Falls off of surfaces that aren't perfectly smooth
- Sucks battery juice quickly
Bottom line is, I would buy these again. They work well, and as advertised only require a gentle tap to turn them on and off. I also like them because I can use them situationally -- for example, if I only want them on in the top center tie box and the two sides, plus only the top rack in the shoe rack, I can do that, instead of turning the whole system on. If I only want to leave the tie box light on for atmospheric light at night, I can do that instead of getting blazing light coming out the closet. If I want to see the whole bloody thing lit up, it's gorgeous, but I don't leave it like that for very long.
The lights are bright -- at the beginning, for the first maybe 20 hours of use. The next 40, they're considerably dimmer. After that, they're specks of light. I'm still trying to burn out a puck, and it hasn't died yet (well over 100 hours at this point) but I can barely see it anymore. They also mount easily, with a circle of double-stick foam tape in the back -- problem is, it's not a high strength tape and if you're mounting it to a surface that isn't completely smooth, the whole puck will fall off once in a while. I solved that problem by using strips of a high-strength mounting tape. If they fall off and hit the ground though, the housing will crack -- and can be superglued back together easily.
One trick I learned is to rotate the lights. They have a bottom mounting surface, and then the actual puck light mounts onto that by inserting and twisting. As the lights you use most dim out, just twist them out and replace them with the ones that you barely use, and you'll maintain brightness where you want it for longer. I also maintain a few battery chargers, so once in a while when the lights start getting dim, I throw them in the charger and replace them with fresh ones. Constantly buying new AAA's would be prohibitive.
You can also color the lights, like an oldschool color filter, to get a warmer light. I tried it with a thick orange sharpie to get a warmer color temperature, but eventually I just scrubbed it off because I liked the look of the cooler color temperature better (in the picture). You also need very even coverage with no darkened lines or it'll show up in the beam.
These lights are cheap, but they work for what I need them to do, are easily replaceable, and I will buy these again.
| Brand | LIGHT IT! by Fulcrum |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fulcrum |
| Part Number | 30010-301 |
| Item Weight | 4 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 10.2 x 5.25 x 2 inches |
| Item model number | 30010-301 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Assembled Height | 2 inches |
| Assembled Length | 10.2 inches |
| Assembled Width | 5.25 inches |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Style | Cottage |
| Color | Silver |
| Shape | Round |
| Material | Metal |
| Finish Types | Silver |
| Number of Lights | 3 |
| Included Components | Double-stick tape • Screws and drywall anchors |
| Voltage | 5 Volts |
| Special Features | Not Dimmable |
| Shade Color | Silver |
| Light Direction | Downlight |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Switch Installation Type | Adhesive |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Type of Bulb | LED |
| Wattage | 1 watts |
| Color Temperature | 50 Degrees Celsius |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | 0.11 |
