Festool Syslite overview

[ericbuggeln]

All this talk is making me think I need a light. Gonna get this one
http://www.toolup.com/wobblelight_e709187_defender-e709187-led-floor-light-64-leds-ip-44-rated-10ft-integrated-power-cord-yellow.aspx
and take the savings and get a Festool door mat, Eric

 

[tbellemare]

There are so many ways to analyze the utility of this light source other than pure light output.

I have been given specialty lights that are very cool for certain things. They are cute and work for some tasks, like looking in ears.

I don't think that's the point here. If you grill at night or work in dark(ish) spaces, it's the ultimate I've seen. If you have a Festool drill or a collection, it's even more valuable.

Incidentally, I sell both Mag and Streamlight. The prices are comparable and the utility of them isn't the same as the intended purpose of this light - at least of what I know in their roster.

Tom

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I compared the SysLite to a Bud Light and the SysLite blew it away for brightness and refreshing taste somehow.  So, your choice.  Fewer calories or greater lumens.  This test was conducted in a lab, but I don't remember which one.

 

[JeromeM]

All this talk is making me think I need a light. Gonna get this one
http://www.toolup.com/wobblelight_e709187_defender-e709187-led-floor-light-64-leds-ip-44-rated-10ft-integrated-power-cord-yellow.aspx
and take the savings and get a Festool door mat, Eric

The price reflects the kind of LED used. I would not be amazed to find  the light output is much less than the syslight.

 

[JeromeM]

Although percentages vary, it is not uncommon to see efficacy losses of up to 40%

so that gives a real world 150 lumen/watt rating. Given your calculations it puts the Syslight north of 2000 lumens and in the region of 3000+

 

[ericbuggeln]

I just find it funny that a year ago none of you guys even needed a light, but Festool makes one at an insulting price point and now you cant stop talking about it. Not one person at JLC is talking about it except Kreg. Everyone there is insulted by the price and more turned off by Festool then ever. The only people buying Syslites are extreme Festool fanatics who would buy my dogs turd if it came in a systainer. Regular carpenters and specifically electricians, plumbers, and HVAC guys, who could actually use the thing laugh at that price point. Im the biggest Festool fan out there, see "Festool Nerd Alert" thread, but this product is a disaster and its funny to see you guys swoon over it. Whats next "Wallpaper Perforator" thread. That will be the day I take my Festool T shirt off for good. And for all of you guys that use high end stuff, I use the best light in the galaxy, blows the Syslite away, thanks Erichttps://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJRYsMklnigoUhFkXNXd2WKLiIjK7s0VXV9ev2E9sBTA2ne1uL

 

[Kev]

I just find it funny that a year ago none of you guys even needed a light, but Festool makes one at an insulting price point and now you cant stop talking about it. Not one person at JLC is talking about it except Kreg. Everyone there is insulted by the price and more turned off by Festool then ever. The only people buying Syslites are extreme Festool fanatics who would buy my dogs turd if it came in a systainer. Regular carpenters and specifically electricians, plumbers, and HVAC guys, who could actually use the thing laugh at that price point. Im the biggest Festool fan out there, see "Festool Nerd Alert" thread, but this product is a disaster and its funny to see you guys swoon over it. Whats next "Wallpaper Perforator" thread. That will be the day I take my Festool T shirt off for good. And for all of you guys that use high end stuff, I use the best light in the galaxy, blows the Syslite away, thanks Erichttps://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJRYsMklnigoUhFkXNXd2WKLiIjK7s0VXV9ev2E9sBTA2ne1uL

WOW - Issues!

Just because you and a bunch of other's you hang with feel "insulted", there's no need to run down the people that really like it.

Very poor form.

You've said a lot of negative stuff about the syslite. Don't buy it.

The comment about your dog's offerings wasn't funny - it was just offensive IMO.

I usually enjoy the passionate positive and negative opinions but I feel you are overstepping the mark here.

Kev.

 

[builderbob]

All this talk is making me think I need a light. Gonna get this one
http://www.toolup.com/wobblelight_e709187_defender-e709187-led-floor-light-64-leds-ip-44-rated-10ft-integrated-power-cord-yellow.aspx
and take the savings and get a Festool door mat, Eric

Just for the sake of conversation, the light in this link is rated at 350 lumens. The only syslite lumen rating has been through guessing, so I have no basis of comparison. And there's no extended warranty or cordless form of running that light.

B

 

[Kev]

All this talk is making me think I need a light. Gonna get this one
http://www.toolup.com/wobblelight_e709187_defender-e709187-led-floor-light-64-leds-ip-44-rated-10ft-integrated-power-cord-yellow.aspx
and take the savings and get a Festool door mat, Eric

Just for the sake of conversation, the light in this link is rated at 350 lumens. The only syslite lumen rating has been through guessing, so I have no basis of comparison. And there's no extended warranty or cordless form of running that light.

B

If you want to compare some interesting portable lighting units - have a look at the Wolf ATEX Worklites.

http://www.wolf-safety.co.uk/worklights/atex_worklite/

Can't imagine you'll see their 6x3W LED version landed in the US for much less the $2000 !!

 

[ericbuggeln]

Sorry Kev, I just remember a time when this forum was about woodworking tools not lighting, plus there were no topics not involving the Syslite to post on. Ive made my point and Syslite mania will die down soon, Eric

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Guys, everyone is welcome to express their opinions, pro or con. But, let's not make it personal.

Each person needs to decide what product best suits their needs. The SysLite is not the right light for everyone and that's fine. It's another example of Festool's commitment to offer a well designed solution. It's a shame someone would get offended by the price. The price reflects the quality of the components, the superior engineering and design, and that it's not made in China.

Let's calm down just a little bit with this discussion.

Thanks.

 

[Kev]

On Shane's point on components - there is a big variety of LED types and just one aspect - the "colour temp" of the LED has a significant bearing on the price. When I first read about the Syslite I thought it was massively expensive ... thinking that the LED's would be the "common" variety (you can get a 6x3W work light for$25~35 in a enclosed unit running 12/24V).

I'm not certain of the colour temp of the LED's in the Festool, but I would assume they're not the cheapest ones available.

I'm not up to speed on the detailed science, but one thing I'm aware of is certain colour temps (the ones with a bias away from "natural lighting") can make is hard to distinguish colour variations, meaning you could have a massively bright light, but still struggle to see a pencil line on a piece of timber ...

 

[PeterK]

Got mine yesterday. Not sure how much shop use it will get but will see lots of usage for working on my vehicles and as a travel light. Will be useful during hurricane season, working in attic, outdoor work after dark, camping trips. Love the wide area lighting. While not cheap, it is lower cost than a couple of my LED flashlights and far more useful. Oh and it came in such a nice "man purse"!!!!  [blink]

 

[Peter James]

Man Purse? Oh, you mean a Murse  [big grin]

 

[builderbob]

Man Purse? Oh, you mean a Murse  [big grin]

I'm wearing mine like a fanny pack!  Hahaha. Just kidding!

B

 

[Peter James]

I carry a "European Shoulder Bag" myself - don't knock it til you've tried it!

 

[andvari]

There are so many ways to analyze the utility of this light source other than pure light output.

I have been given specialty lights that are very cool for certain things. They are cute and work for some tasks, like looking in ears.

I don't think that's the point here. If you grill at night or work in dark(ish) spaces, it's the ultimate I've seen. If you have a Festool drill or a collection, it's even more valuable.

Incidentally, I sell both Mag and Streamlight. The prices are comparable and the utility of them isn't the same as the intended purpose of this light - at least of what I know in their roster.

Tom

That's absolutely right Tom, and I think I said the same thing in a different way in my original analysis. I think the Syslight is great if you are crawling around in attics but probably not what I need for my shop lighting issues.

 

[andvari]

Although percentages vary, it is not uncommon to see efficacy losses of up to 40%

so that gives a real world 150 lumen/watt rating. Given your calculations it puts the Syslight north of 2000 lumens and in the region of 3000+

Philips won the $10,000,000 L-prize with an LED bulb that was measured at 93 lumens per watt. I really doubt that all of a sudden there are commercial devices out there with 60% more real-world efficacy.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Although percentages vary, it is not uncommon to see efficacy losses of up to 40%

so that gives a real world 150 lumen/watt rating. Given your calculations it puts the Syslight north of 2000 lumens and in the region of 3000+

Philips won the $10,000,000 L-prize with an LED bulb that was measured at 93 lumens per watt. I really doubt that all of a sudden there are commercial devices out there with 60% more real-world efficacy.

Philips turned out to be the only official entrant in the competition, with a bulb that currently retails at $40, far more than people are used to paying for a light bulb. (Incandescent bulbs can be bought for less than $1.) And efforts continue on Capitol Hill to repeal the lighting efficiency standards and salvage the future of energy-gobbling incandescent bulbs.

 

[Kev]

Although percentages vary, it is not uncommon to see efficacy losses of up to 40%

so that gives a real world 150 lumen/watt rating. Given your calculations it puts the Syslight north of 2000 lumens and in the region of 3000+

Philips won the $10,000,000 L-prize with an LED bulb that was measured at 93 lumens per watt. I really doubt that all of a sudden there are commercial devices out there with 60% more real-world efficacy.

I'd be guesstimating something in the 1,200 to 1,500 lumen bracket. I recall reading something along the lines that although they (the entire electronics industry) commercially refer to these things as 3W LED's ... the way they're driven results in them being a little more that two 1W LED's in consumption and output.