I Hate LED Christmas Lights, Also Cheap Traditionals. Solutions? (cost, standard, vent)

[swilliamsny]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

In which case, deal with the shortcomings of "traditional" lights, or have no lights at all. I think the OP is in search of a unicorn.

Although I certainly was griping about the lights, I was also looking for suggestions for a fix. Several posters offered up ideas and possible solutions, and it is very appreciated. Thank you to those who did.

[waltcolorado]

No, it’s not. But there is plenty of science based evidence supporting photophobia & migraines:

Quote:
We conclude that visual flicker not only causes discomfort but also exerts measurable effects on contrast processing in the visual pathways in migraine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3571449/
Quote:
Evidence for modulation of the trigeminovascular pathway by light and identification of the pathway through which photic signals converge on the nociceptive pathway that mediates migraine headache provide first set of scientific data on the mechanism by which light intensifies migraine headache.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21467933

That first link only tested to 30 hz and LED lights will "flicker" at exactly 60 hz which is twice the maximum rate in the link.. I think they only tested to 30 hz because of the method used. Second link had nothing to do with flicker as far as I could tell, only light.

Last night my wife and I stared at LED Christmas lights to see if could detect any flicker. We could not nor felt any sort of discomfort at all. But neither of us get migraines. FYI, I can detect 50 hz flicker, used to be involved in video consumer electronics and the European TV picture rates are 50 / 25 hz and I could see the flicker.

You normally have a lot of 60 hz and 30 hz flicker in the home regardless of LED lights. Curious if that also bothers people who are sensitive to LED Christmas lights?

If the lights are giving you migraine headaches.. that is certainly something to be sympathetic about.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

No they don’t, they have a sort of cold bluish color to them that I hate, and they also tend to flicker a bit. They just don’t give off the same warm glow that the older ones did.

I will be using my C9s again this year on the house.

You can buy warm white LEDs.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

You can buy warm white LEDs.

I normally use colored lights. The problem with the colored LEDs for me is that the blue seems to overpower the other colors.

[Ohiogirl81]

I don't like LEDs either, especially inside. Outside they look much better. I'm hoarding as many strings of mini lights as I can!

OP, if you can find GE brand mini light strings, I've found them to be a lot more durable than the generic brands. I can't think off the top of my head retailers that carry GE lights, but there are some.

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

I think you CAN help it.

This is the very definition of sweating the small stuff.

Life is too short.

Good day.

Wow. Way to show empathy there. I hope you never have to experience a migraine headache or other issues that sometimes can be exacerbated by certain types of lighting.

Originally Posted by ddm2k

In our attic, I found a full, new box of the old jumbo Christmas lights - the incandescent glass bulbs about the size of your thumb that individually screw down into a socket. All very pleasing, "old" colors. The only problems being that 1.) I don't think you can buy such types of light strings anymore, 2.) I think that's for a safety reason, and 3.) For the aforementioned reason, it's safe to say these are definitely not an outdoor bulb!

C9 and C7 incandescent bulbs aren't unsafe as long as the wiring is OK. They do get hot, so you can't put them on a live tree indoors. And yes, you can use them outside if they are rated for outdoor use.

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

C9 bulbs have a nice look but grossly inefficient. 175 watts used per 25 bulb set. When I was growing up we had a timer for the lights rated at 1850 watts. We were easily up to 1500 watts. LED are about 90% more efficient. Mini lights are not terrible, but not as efficient as LEDs.

Not inefficient if indoors and you're enjoying their byproduct - heat

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

C9 and C7 incandescent bulbs aren't unsafe as long as the wiring is OK. They do get hot, so you can't put them on a live tree indoors. And yes, you can use them outside if they are rated for outdoor use.

I meant to say artificial tree. Oops!

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

I meant to say artificial tree. Oops!

As far as I know many C9 bulbs are rated ONLY for outdoor use.

[nightcrawler]

the LED white lights give off a bluish color.
some like it, some dont.
Living in the city, when I look out my kitchen window I can see an apartment house across, I can tell which apartments have the LED lights. They are this stark bluish white light, almost like looking at the moon. The above a tenant has the regular lights, and so on....



I like the warm LED's as I have them and are used to them. They have also reduced my electric bill to where it was noticeable.



I do think the colored LED christmas lights look drab, and dont have that "brightness" that the regular christmas lights have.



I can see how they can give one a migrane, if your prone to that.
I have never noticed the "flickr" of them however.


We kinda have to get used to them, because this is all they are selling these day, and most likeley, forever.....

[swilliamsny]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

Not inefficient if indoors and you're enjoying their byproduct - heat

A bit off topic, but I have a 250 watt incandescent that I use for setting the emulsion on silk screen designs. In the winter I put it over my sewing machine because it's so bright, but it's also warm. Makes working more tolerable when I'm not cold, since sewing room is in the basement.