JULY 2011
Interior Lighting – Jul 2011.
In keeping with the theme of lowest possible electrical usage, I wanted to replace all of our interior lights with LEDs. I tried about half a dozen LED replacement type bulbs (the most popular ones, not the really cheap ones) that would fit into our existing fixtures. I was never really happy with any of them. Some were bright but the harsh white color was annoying. Others had OK color but were not very bright. Plus, both types of fixtures, overhead and reading, were faded, cracked and corroding.
On Adagio we had used Alpenglow compact fluorescent and really liked them. While researching replacements for Indigo we saw Alpenglow had recently come out with a couple of LED models. We decided on the overhead rectangular, wood trimmed models that feature a white light high and low setting and a red light (night vision) high and low setting. They are hands down better than all of the other LEDs that we have seen, and have the same warm color as incandescent bulbs – no really. The reading lights are also bright and have a warm color making reading easy on the eyes. We couldn’t be happier.
Marya's note:
I purchased the 'reading light' initially for the night vision option. Upon receipt I realized the base was too large (due to the added night vision components Alpenglow told me), and we would have had to redo the wood mounting pads. Not an option. I returned it for a 'berth light'. Although the fixture itself is a bit larger and there is no night vision, the base matches perfectly with no work-around required. That's my kind of replacement job. In addition, I was reluctant to buy their 'titanium' option as the gold color looked a bit fake...probably because they were so bright and shiny next to my faded originals. I almost bought the chrome version to match the portholes, but opted for the more old-school "shippy" look and am quite happy with my choice.
I also initially purchased an overhead in medium teak but it didn't match the wood on the boat. Alpenglow explained to me that although our boat may be teak, the natural aging process causes a reddish hue, while their newer teak is a bit more golden hued. I returned and replaced it with a mahogany medium and it matched. They were great about answering my questions and letting me return and replace both items to make sure I got the look I wanted before I purchased the final quantity of each. Awesome customer service. (Having worked for a lighting fixture manufacturer for over 16 years, I know lighting industry customer service. It doesn't get much better.)
In keeping with the theme of lowest possible electrical usage, I wanted to replace all of our interior lights with LEDs. I tried about half a dozen LED replacement type bulbs (the most popular ones, not the really cheap ones) that would fit into our existing fixtures. I was never really happy with any of them. Some were bright but the harsh white color was annoying. Others had OK color but were not very bright. Plus, both types of fixtures, overhead and reading, were faded, cracked and corroding.
On Adagio we had used Alpenglow compact fluorescent and really liked them. While researching replacements for Indigo we saw Alpenglow had recently come out with a couple of LED models. We decided on the overhead rectangular, wood trimmed models that feature a white light high and low setting and a red light (night vision) high and low setting. They are hands down better than all of the other LEDs that we have seen, and have the same warm color as incandescent bulbs – no really. The reading lights are also bright and have a warm color making reading easy on the eyes. We couldn’t be happier.
Marya's note:
I purchased the 'reading light' initially for the night vision option. Upon receipt I realized the base was too large (due to the added night vision components Alpenglow told me), and we would have had to redo the wood mounting pads. Not an option. I returned it for a 'berth light'. Although the fixture itself is a bit larger and there is no night vision, the base matches perfectly with no work-around required. That's my kind of replacement job. In addition, I was reluctant to buy their 'titanium' option as the gold color looked a bit fake...probably because they were so bright and shiny next to my faded originals. I almost bought the chrome version to match the portholes, but opted for the more old-school "shippy" look and am quite happy with my choice.
I also initially purchased an overhead in medium teak but it didn't match the wood on the boat. Alpenglow explained to me that although our boat may be teak, the natural aging process causes a reddish hue, while their newer teak is a bit more golden hued. I returned and replaced it with a mahogany medium and it matched. They were great about answering my questions and letting me return and replace both items to make sure I got the look I wanted before I purchased the final quantity of each. Awesome customer service. (Having worked for a lighting fixture manufacturer for over 16 years, I know lighting industry customer service. It doesn't get much better.)
