Hi,

Just wondered if anyone uses or knows someone that uses the 'Actulit' polarised daylight lighting?

I've seen it advertised in magazines and looked at the website, but at nearly £100 per lamp... it's a lot of money if it's nothing special!

Thanks
Mark

I use the Regular "Daylight" Fluorescent tubes....... and there is a Difference in the light they put out........ I've seen the one's you're talking about..... But i find the "Daylight" & GE Reveal better than the "regular" bulbs.

I also have changed to "Day Light" Fluorescents. Seems to be easier my my eyes also.

i think i used almost the same as many of you. Only a 9 Watt philips daylight flourencent for the table light and 2 18Watt light on the ceiling and the wall in front ..

me too is wondering about the product in question. How good is this Actulite?? What so special about it?? With that price, i could light 5 house in my neigbourhood.......

Workig @ the local HD........... We have a similar one in stock now..... and to My eye............ it really looks like a compac flourescent "Daylight" bulb in a floor / desk lamp.......... (I still have yet to find replacement bulbs to them so I'll stick with the "Daylight & reveal types for Standard Fixtures)

There are two lighting issues, and several vendors.

The Actulite seems to be the original.

Michael's in NA sells the OTT lite.

They not only are supposed to be easier on the eyes for people who do detail work, but the second issue is that they are supposed to be "balanced daylight".

They are a newer generation of lighting products than the old "daylight" tubes, which were simply a redder fluorescent (most are bluish).

The old ones are useful for starting plants and aquariums, but they do nothing to aid the ageing eyes of humans.

These new lights, though rather pricey, ahve been reviewed in several of the modelling journals, and the concensus of the rivet counters and camo measurers is that the paint jobs performed under this light tends to match real life colours musch more closely. It is supposed to be better at highlighting detail, and showing proper contrast.

They don't mention "polarization" with the Ott lite. Rather, it's the color balance of the lighting that is supposed to be better.

This is based on what I have read, and I have been eying one at the local recently, but have yet to try it out...

The difference is not only in the type of light, and how it reacts with your eyes, it's also to do with the actual temperature of the bulb. Most daylight bulbs give off a high temp, just like ordinary bulbs, whilst (IIRC) the acculite stays cool, so you can work close to it without it overheating your work.

Yep... the OTT / Acculight are both Flourescent lights therefore cooler........

I got an actulite for Xmas (I had been a VERY good boy ).

I am very pleased with it and they estimate a bulb will last 10,000 hours. The light is more natural than a blue "daylight" bulb. It's a good brightness and because it's polarised you get much less glare from kit parts (especially useful if you're using photo-etch). It also makes things look "sharper" - my grandfather, whose eyes are failing found his very helpful for his marquetry. I am delighted with mine and would recommend it if you too have been a very good boy.


Sean

Thanks to everyone for your help.

I think I've been a good enough boy to treat myself...
:-)