cheap solar garden lights any good?

Anne_Marie_2

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Nobody is suggesting that you can't get halfway decent solar lighting but the OP is specifically asking about the type you can get in pound shops...

Yes agreed originally, but then asks....

londonTiger wrote: »

hmm, i wonder if it's worth probing frther at movement activated sensors with bigger solar panels.

battery powered stuff are a pain to use and wiring the garden with electricity is going to be expensive and just a nuisance.

.....which is why people have answered the second question.

londonTiger

Anne_Marie wrote: »

If you are looking for proper lighting, rather than just highlighting paths or garden ornaments, you might want to have a look at these.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008VB4TNO/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1

or these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frostfire-Wireless-Weatherproof-batteries-required/dp/B0074KDGL4/ref=sr_1_4?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1404981178&sr=1-4&keywords=solar+motion+light

I have the Solar Centre ones, but the Frostfire ones look just the same, and are cheaper at the moment. They emit a dim glow as soon as it gets dark, but brighten up when PIR activated. I use them around the sides of my house, and the area where I park my car, and they are pretty good.

If you want more serious lighting, you should maybe consider the Astron solar lights. Much more expensive, but give off extremely good light, and are really solid and weatherproof. I have both models, and really pleased with them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Solar-Centre-SS9813-Astron64/dp/B007KKEKRC/ref=sr_1_2?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1404981489&sr=1-2&keywords=astron+solar

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Solar-Centre-SS9798-Floodlight/dp/B00518UP1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1404981489&sr=1-1&keywords=astron+solar

wow thanks, that's great.

The astron looks fantastic, but from the video I could not make out whether it can work like a security light or not. I don't think neighbours would appreciate the light being left on all night.

Anne_Marie_2

londonTiger wrote: »

wow thanks, that's great.

The astron looks fantastic, but from the video I could not make out whether it can work like a security light or not. I don't think neighbours would appreciate the light being left on all night.

The Astron64 is the security light with PIR. Light only comes on when activated.

The Astron Floodlight can be switched on and off by remote control and used as and when required. It doesn't have a PIR, so not a security light.

Really depends on what you want to use the light for. I have both models for different areas. The 64 at the front door, the floodlight in the back garden. Handy having a remote to activate it. There's also an on/off switch on the light itself, but depends where the light is fitted whether you can reach it or not!

Mistral001

I used to have a couple and they lasted several years. I think because they were so cheap I did not treat them with respect and they eventually succumbed to accidental knocks. Great value for money considering the technology inside of them.

I still use one of the rechargeable AA batteries from them. in fact considering the cost of AA rechargeable batteries, they might be worthwhile buying them for those alone.

zenmaster

We've got dozens of them.

We had a few duffers but mostly they are just fine.

Many have lasted longer than some much more expensive ones.

londonTiger

Anne_Marie wrote: »

The Astron64 is the security light with PIR. Light only comes on when activated.

The Astron Floodlight can be switched on and off by remote control and used as and when required. It doesn't have a PIR, so not a security light.

Really depends on what you want to use the light for. I have both models for different areas. The 64 at the front door, the floodlight in the back garden. Handy having a remote to activate it. There's also an on/off switch on the light itself, but depends where the light is fitted whether you can reach it or not!

It would have been nice to have a combo of both. A light in the garden as a security light for most uses where you step out into the garden at night. And a permanent setting for when you have guests over in the summer and are staying out in the garden.

I wonder if you can add an aftermarket PIR to the floodlight or just build your own with some wiring.

Anne_Marie_2

londonTiger wrote: »

It would have been nice to have a combo of both. A light in the garden as a security light for most uses where you step out into the garden at night. And a permanent setting for when you have guests over in the summer and are staying out in the garden.

I wonder if you can add an aftermarket PIR to the floodlight or just build your own with some wiring.

Sorry my technical ability in such things is nil, so can't advise on adding a PIR. Perhaps you could contact the Solar Centre people for advice? http://www.thesolarcentre.co.uk/pages/contact_us.html
There's a video on You Tube which might help you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHRXO33U8g0
It's also quite easy to switch the light on and off using the remote control for popping in and out of the garden.

The smaller solar centre and frostfire lights, that I gave links to, or something similar, might do the trick for stepping in and out at night. They give off a soft glow when it becomes dark, but then give quite a decent light when activated, for lighting up pathways. Only thing here is the positioning for getting the most of the sun/daylight, as it's an all in one unit.