'Integrated' LED lighting - opinions?

Bill23h

Just been to a big DIY store for some new ceiling lights. Obviously, these days I want LED. But I was surprised to find that the vast majority are now sold as 'integrated LEDs'; ie no bulb replacement. But LED bulbs do go, don't they? I don't fancy paying up to £100 for a light fitting then having to replace it whenever a bulb goes. Is this a cynical scam, or are LEDs completely reliable these days?
Thoughts, anyone?

tacpot12

Yes, it's a complete scam. The LED lights will wear out, and the whole light fitting will have to be replaced, even in just one or two LEDs have failed - the fitting will look uneven with one or two LEDs out.

I think the marketing people are hoping that by the time this happens we will all feel that fashion has moved on and we want a different type of light fitting, so will take the opportunity of having the 'bulbs' fail to go out and buy a new fitting.

As with all things, the answer is to vote with your feet and your wallet. Find and buy fittings that take a common replacable LED bulb - don't make the mistake of buying a fitting that takes a very unusal bulb that you can only buy from the manufacturer of the fitting...

The marketing 'gurus' will eventually figure out that people want a choice - integrated fittings will suit some people, but other people want a well engineered fitting that will last a lifetime.

Bill23h

Thank you. I thought it must be just me not keeping up as usual. Trouble is, out of about 12 suitable fittings in Homebase, only one was a replaceable G10 bulb unit - and that was the cheapest (and looked it). Lighting these days is madness - how many 'energy-saving' bulbs must have been dumped without ever being used? And I've still got a stock of now-useless halogens which I replaced with LEDs - and now this!
And all this is supposed to be for the benefit of the environment?!?!?!?

George_Michael

Bill23h wrote: »

Trouble is, out of about 12 suitable fittings in Homebase, only one was a replaceable G10 bulb unit - and that was the cheapest

Have you had a look in any of the electrical discount places such as this one:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/index.html
If you can find something suitable, it will be far cheaper than Homebase or B&Q.