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Looking for compact fluorescent bulbs w/3500-4200K CRI)90

17 years ago

I know there are full-spectrum compact fluorescent blubs that have color temperature of 5000-6500K and CRI of 90 or above, and other compact fluorescents with CRI of only around 80.

I am wondering if there are compact fluorescent blubs with warmer color (3500-4100K) but higher level of CRI (near 90 or higher).

If so, where can I find them? (online or in store)

If not, what are the closest things available?

Thanks.

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Comments (6)

dallasbill
17 years ago
You don't specify the wattage you want, nor the size, nor if you need dimmable.

That being said, we use the 15-20-23w (I think that's it) (50-100-150 equivalent) spiral from GE, which is 2700K and enjoy it just fine. Don't know the CRI, but can see them at Wal-Mart.

For dimmable, we use Greenlite R40 23w floods, which are 2700k and CRI 82 (the website below will say 3000k, but it's wrong). We also use their 23w dimmable sprirals, which are also 2700k and CRI 82. I personally think that Greenlite makes the best around, and their dimmable technology smoothly goes down to 20% light.

But, I have never seen them in a store and have always ordered them via 1000bulbs.com or the the link below.

What I find annoying now is this... because of Wal-Mart's HUGE push into CFLs, and with CFLs being made in China, the availability of dimmable CFLs has dropped to zero in the past 30 days. It will pass, but I want them now... not in January!

Here is a link that might be useful: Imagine Energy
terence916
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, I want bulbs that are 23-30w. Size doesn't matter as long as it's the screw-in type, and I don't need dimmable. I am just wondering if there are CFLs that are within the 3500-4200K color range and have CRI of near 90 (or at least 85).

dallasbill, can you tell me in what ways are Greenlite CFLs better than the ones you can buy in Wal-Mart (e.g. GE) / Home Depot (Philips) besides its dimmable technology?

I am having a hard time comparing them, cause many of them don't have the color temperature or CRI stated on the box. And there is no way to know if they are quiet or have other problems until giving them a try, but by that time you would be stuck with them since a CFL can last years.
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I don't remember. It didn't seem any more "fly by night" than anyone else's. And the guy from the electrician's was the one who broke the tab off. I pressed him on the idea that it might not be as safe, and he assured me it would be fine. I would never have done that, if left to my own devices; I'd have put the old fixture back and started over. I was crabby about the stupid light anyway, bcs I thought I'd ordered one w/ a different pin system (for which I already had the expensive bulbs), but when we opened the box, it was different. I didn't want to pay for the electrician to come twice, so I decided not to return the fixture but just go ahead. Then when he got to the very end and was putting in the bulbs, he discovered that the tab keeps them from fitting. Once he broke that off, they fit very snugly and everything aligned perfectly. They don't get jiggled much, and as I said, they fit well. I think he and I both assumed that the off-brand bulb was the problem, not the fixture itself. But now that I am finally looking for the replacement bulbs (time to stock up--they haven't burned out, not by a long shot), I see that they all look the same as the photo on the off-brand bulb's box. (and I don't remember if that tab we took off was reflected in the photo on the box or if it was extra--I may see if I can get up there w/ a ladder to check)
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dallasbill
17 years ago
I was only commenting on Greenlite re: their dimmable technology -- they are what we use. We have very few non-dimmable CFLs. They are all 23w GE, are 2700K and we like them fine. We didn't worry about the CFI because after one try, we liked what our eyes told us.

I'm not sure what you are referring to with noise. All modern CFLs are silent. If they hum, you have a circuit problem, or you have them on a circuit with a dimmer or a radio/remote switch -- which is a no-no unless they are dimmable.
dallasbill
17 years ago
Also, I shop by lumens, not just the wattage. I have found that a 15/20/23w CFL will not all have the same lumens -- just like good vs cheap incandescents.

For example, I don't like that vast new line of CFLs that Home Depot is carrying. I prefer GE over Philips. So, I would suggest that you make sure you get the most lumens for your money.
Jillofall
17 years ago
It is difficult to shop online since so many dealers don't give all the information about their bulbs. I do know that you can find 3500-4100K bulbs at lightbulbsdirect.com, but they don't show the CRI.
DavidR
17 years ago
I've never seen a screw-in CF with a CRI over 85. I would like to, though I might have to take out a second mortgage to fit my house with them.

However, both dedicated CF and linear T8 and T5 lamps with CRIs in the 90+ range do exist. I'm pretty sure I recall running into a 92 or 94 CRI Philips linear some years ago. It was available in a high (5000?) CT and low (3000) CT. Curiously, at least the low CT version was a halophosphate phosphor lamp, not a tri-phosphor lamp, and it had a yellowish coating on the outside.

There's an Osram Lumilux Deluxe range (T8 only, I believe) with 92 CRI and CTs of 3000, 3800, 5400, and 6500. However, these may be available only in Europe. You might find others with a well-crafted web search.

High CRI (over 85) fluorescents are definitely specialty items and seem to be more used by photographers and video producers than by home and business designers. You might try some of the suppliers to these trades.

Hope this helps.

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