Clarity in Advertising

[dennyvielhab]

I have always enjoyed using my Festool Tools.  When I transitioned from a mixed collection of Porter Cable/DeWalt tools, my projects got noticeably better.

However, Festool does itself, and its’ customers a disservice when it lets the marketing types run too far afield. The Festool Work Lamps are a case in point.  From Festool USA … “Syslite 2 has more than enough light to keep your workspace lit”.  Huh? My workspace is a 2 car garage.  Are they really saying this is more than enough?

Among the points stressed by Festool in their product descriptions are the angle of light coverage, light temperature (kelvin), number of diodes and watts. None of these are important in conveying  the idea of how much light the device emits. One would think that would be pertinent. The only acceptable measure of the amount of light output is lumens.  (I will not confuse the issue with a discussion of luminox lux).

If you dig some at the Festool site you will find that the that the Syslite 2 emits 769 lumens (high power).  The Festool Duo emits 8000 lumens.
A standard 17 watt GE LED (GE LED17DADL9-HT2, billed as a replacement for a 100 watt bulb) emits 1600 lumens.
 
So the Festool Syslite 2 emits slightly less than half the lumen output of a GE LED bulb. By all accounts, it is a useful tool, and most likely my next Festool purchase. 

But I feel Festool and its’ customers would be better served by putting the lumens up front and center in its advertising.  This sort of “don’t tell the customer anything that won’t help SELL the product” attitude is what has led many companies to decline, and having to dig down deep for this info annoys at least this customer.

 

[Stone Message]

I did not find it that hard to find the information that I used to make this video:


I do agree that the output in Lumen is important and it is certainly the only way to compare different lights.

Peter

 

[Dan-]

The CRI would be equally helpful.

 

[Nat X]

And some other guy's workspace is an underwater cavern so he should totally go sue Festool for misleading him as soon as he takes a local restaurant to task for the egregious "world famous" claims adorning their menu's hamburger section.

Here's the product page for the Syslite 2:
https://www.festoolusa.com/products/lighting/working-light/500723---kal-ii-usa#Functions

Search for "lumen."

What's the problem again?

 

[Bohdan]

My attitude to adds that omit information is that the information omitted must be so bad that if they gave it you wouldn't buy it.

So I wouldn't buy a Syslite 2 because, despite the advertising claims, it obviously isn't bright enough.

 

[Kev]

I think people must be confused about what a "workspace" actually is ... not workshop, work room, garage, etc - just the space of immediate "work".

Now that I've said that, I typically always use at least two Syslites if I'm doing something and need light [embarassed]

 

[Naildrivingman]

Like all tool manufacturers, Festool shines in areas that others don't and is equal or marginal in areas that others excel. I own a dual head LED light with an output of 8000 lumens.  The heads are affixed to a bracket which can be used as a stand or attached to the tripod (included).  The entire package retails for around $225.00 USD.  each head is independent, so if I want to illuminate a work table on one side of the room and a work area on the other side, I have that ability.  I don't know what the field of illumination is, but I feel safe at guessing that each head can illuminate around 100 degree arc.

I like the adjustability of mine versus the fixed angle of the Duo.  I like the price of mine vs. the Duo.  I can't see the merit in spending the extra money for the Duo.  Does that make the Duo bad?  No, it's just that I can achieve the same or better results at half the cost.

So, in my opinion, Festool has a device that fits a general need, but it is not a revolutionary device.  I feel devices like the domino and the track saws rank in the area of revolutionary.  This is why my tool stable is not and will never be all one color (vendor). 

 

[jeh]

It is a light for temporary use and no reasonable person would assume "workspace" means a 2-bay garage for what is a souped up flashlight.

 

[grbmds]

I have one with a magnetic base and I've used it for a couple of years. It works great for spotlighting on my bandsaw, drill press, and lathe. On my lathe I can just stick it where ever it will provide light on the inside of bowls. As far as I'm concerned it can't be beat. With its magnetic base it can be moved where ever I can stick it to steel or cast iron and I can direct the light just where I want it. I never saw it as a light for any other purpose.

 

[PeterK]

I find it is extremely useful for remodeling type work to illuminate the local area. Inside cabinets while plumbing, painting in bathrooms, closets and other small areas, wall repair work to sidelight flat surfaces, etc.

It really shines as a light for vehicle emergencies - break downs, flat tire replacement, trailer issues. The ability to power it from the vehicle is very useful.

Used as emergency light when boating.

For camping use - low power gives light in a tent for many hours, can hand carry or illuminate a wide area.

The ability to add any of my batteries to it to give extended high power use is fantastic.

Near indestructible- I have dropped mine over 6 feet onto concrete.

I find the SysLite to be a valuable tool that never lets me down.
No it is NOT designed to lite up a large room like the Duo but that requires plug-in wall power to achieve that output level. Hard to believe anyone would assume the little SysLite is designed for that. Remember the terminology used in Europe can have slightly different meanings than in your country.