i found these @ Target today. $19 each for a kit that has 5 lights on it. I bought 5 sets. I thought I could install them across the ceiling of my garage to give amazing workspace lighting. I could basically have a light over whatever I was working on and avoid wasting energy.

So is the idea worth it or should I just take them back?

any advice is appreciated.

 

they sell overhead florescent lamps for less than $5 at home depot, not including the bulbs. i have no idea which would be more efficient, energy wise.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">they sell overhead florescent lamps for less than $5 at home depot, not including the bulbs. i have no idea which would be more efficient, energy wise.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have 4 of those right now. The problem is that they dont light up the entire area as well as I thought. Maybe more would have been the answer but the way i think this new system could remove the need for droplights in a most overhead cases

 

I'd highly recommend that you look for the High Output flourescent lights at Home Depot. They are 8ft long, but give off amazing light. I've got just 4 in my garage with plenty of light. They'll run you a bit more than the $19 Target lights.

 

Point light sources cast dark shadows. I would avoid those unless you are using them as an add on light source right above a work bench or something. I'm thinking of hanging some white rip-stop nylon as a false ceiling to diffuse the light from my home depot 48" flourescent lights. If its good enough for pro photographer studio...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Shmeek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd highly recommend that you look for the High Output flourescent lights at Home Depot. They are 8ft long, but give off amazing light. I've got just 4 in my garage with plenty of light. They'll run you a bit more than the $19 Target lights.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i have the same setup in my garage. three eight footers. the garage is like a operating room at night, great for working on your tan too!

 

I find that a drop light is typically necessary anyway (working under the car or in a wheelwheel, deep in the engine bay, etc.), so having crazy bright overheads isn't that big of a help.