Best LED bulbs for the buck

prroots · #1 02-04-2012

I hope to replace the halogen bulbs in my overhead fixtures with LEDs. I've determined that the present bulb is an Ancor 529361 (G4 BI-PIN Base, 12V, 5W, 0.42A, 5CP)

I've seen Marinebeam bulbs for $15. I've also seen eBay bulbs for $1.49 such as:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Has anyone real world experience with the cheap Chinese ones? There's such a big price difference I'd like to find out why they wouldn't work before I invest 10X more.
Pete

kd3pc · #2 02-04-2012

there is a BIG difference...and as with many things you get what you pay for...the cheap ones are of poor quality LEDs, manufacture and even worse electronics (RF noisy, no regulator, etc)

I was very happy with the newer line of sensibulb, they are available from Sailor's Solutions and other places.

search here for more details..

best of luck

Lake Superior Sailor · #3 02-04-2012

I got the Ebay LED lites and they worked great! Got year 1 done so I'm ready for year 2We will see...Dale

blowinstink · #4 02-04-2012

I bought a bunch of cheap chinese lights on Ebay. First, recognize that $1.50 generally doesn't include shipping and you can't combine the shipping (really). So they are, more often than not, $3.50 lights. As for quality, I have found them to be okay -- way better than LEDs of just a few years ago. I would not recomend them for your reading lights. There, I'd spend the money for a sensibulb or other high end LED fiture.
Luck!

aeventyr60 · #5 02-04-2012

I bought LED bulbs in Singapore, also made in China. Quality is fine. Can't believe the prices I see in WM. If anybody is going to use the LED's in Navigation light applications make sure they are actually bright enough. The standard is for 3 mile visibility, on some I can barely see boats half a mile away. At anchor I can always tell the cheap LED anchor lights...

Squidd · #6 02-04-2012

How many SMD "chips" are reccomended per bulb....??

I see them from 12 to 20 to 60 to 120 "chips" per bulb...

I would think the more SMDs the brighter the bulb...

The ones I got have 120 chips and cost $4.47 ea. with free shipping...