Fluro versa-lite v LED versa-lite

I personally would go for the fluro, they are brighter for a given power and the tube is cheap to replace. Also the tube is easy to spray paint yellow to keep away the insects. LED's seem to have a low light output that does not cover a great area like a fluro.

I agree. I don't have any experience with the Versa-lite brand but I tried a Primus LED light for one night camping and took it back to get myself a good old fluoro. I found the LED light only shone in one direction while the fluoro is good for shining light in all directions - far more useful IMO.

I would go the versa-lite fluro, I have had one for years and had no problems.

Having said that, I also use an LED that throws heaps more light, biggest problem is the cost difference

I would not think that LED is going to achieve that. I would be looking for the fluro and still consider using the gas light.

We have both and the gas light provides great lighting and has the added bonus of being able to be dimmed, although i can understand that a gas light on a pole would prove troublesome with the kids.

We have a coleman gas light that can be used with the cans of gas and you just hang it from where ever for great light.

On the fluros we have ARB fluro lights that you can buy for alot cheaper then the versa light.

Indeed - the best camp light I had was a Piranha 12v fluoro (same design as the Versalite) - when it fritzed after many good years of service, I bought an LED light of roughly the same physical size - uses much less power while very bright but as mentioned is very directional - not really any spread at all - great as a worklight, but no good as an 'area' illuminator.

After using many camping lights over the years i now use 2 narva inspection lamps No 71312
narva
They hold a charge for 4 hours and while one is being used one can be recharging . I might even get another one .

The LED lights in the tubular format (Versalite and similar) produce much more light output with less power consumption and are more robust than fluros.

However they are more expensive to purchase and do have directional light output.

My solution to the directivity was to use coarse sandpaper to roughen the enclosing clear cylinder. This resulted in an ideal spread of light.

Not sure if all are aware but versa will fix there fluro lights free of charge including postage no matter how old.They recently fixed one of mine that was about 15 years old.i recently bought an arb fluro thinking it was a versa but its a chinese copy.The guy at versa is a real character and you dont see this kind of service very often these days.
Cheers Graeme.

Bang for bucks and light output a fluro wins hands down for general lighting.

A fluro puts out 110 lumens per watt compared to a cheap LED that puts out 55 lumens per watt.

An LED light will seem brighter then a fluro as LED's have a narrow focused light output compared for fluros that have a scattered light output.

Is you want a light to use for reading or where you need a focused narrow beam a LED is the best choice.

If you want a light to use outside whilst camping, for cooking or to light up a reasonable area a fluro will run rings around a LED.

Remember a 11 watt Versu Light will draw on average .6 to .75 amps per hour and most times when camping you will only use the light for about 3 hours a night.

It will take you 60+ hours of use to flatten the average aux battery.

Some people think LED's are the best thing you can have but in the real world they are far from it.

Yep, Versalite. The super-bright LEDs are too directional and still quite expensive. Perhaps one day they'll be a lot cheaper, but till then, get a Versalite CFL. My experience is they seem to perform lots better for light output than other CFLs I have used.
And avoid buying the cheap $10 straight tube flouros - they don't last - just get dimmer and dimmer.
cheers
Gerry

Thanks guys for your feedback.

I was aware of the common issues with most LED lights, but was wondering if they had overcome some of these in particular the amount of light they throw.

Time to think whether we stay with the current gas lantern on the pole or head towards the versa-lite fluroescent. Mind you I wish it also came out with its own rechargeable battery as part of the unit.

many thanks once again

The 'common' LED's are old technology.

SMT LED's are the way of the future and all incredibly bright.Check out LEDlenser brands for incredible torches.

www.ledlenser.com.au

I replaced my interior Hilux light with a Narva Fluro and wow what a difference. The new leds coming to market from companies like ""CREE"" are ground breaking in terms of output and brightness.

A different slant on the theme
For a lot less $$ and with good camp lighting effect and very low current draw relitive to light output.

It uses a 12 Watt, 12 Volt low energy globe, equivalent to a normal ~75w household light globe.
Globe ~$19, 12v plug ~$10, lamp ~$29 (total ~$58 = 75 Watt)

Image Could Not Be FoundMaîneÿ . . .

Years ago I brought a pyramid shaped lamp cover with a double "D" fluoro in it from WA Solar Supplies. The inside of the pyramid is lined with highly reflective foil, its been a brilliant light. I recently replaced the fluoro with a couple of masthead LED's and it's still a brilliant light, I guess its cause of the pyramid cover. And then theres the no/minimal bugs advantage