Malibu 3 Pack Solar Landscape Plastic Flood Light Set with Remote Panel, Textured Black #LZ413
by Intermatic
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List Price: Category: Lighting See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Malibu 3 Pack Solar Landscape Plastic Flood Light Set with Remote Panel, Textured Black #LZ413
Customer Review: A bright solar light that actually works in the Pacific NW
Summary: 4 Stars
I first started out with a solar powered frog...It was cute, but after a few days of use, it became obvious that it only worked when full sunlight hit it for at least a few hours a day. I then surveyed my neighborhood and found over 8 different types of solar lights that put out dim light on most partly sunny autumn days...On halloween after a completely cloudy day, all of these lights were dark.
I purchased the Intermatic Solar light LZ413 because it had a much bigger solar panel and the display at Lowes was very bright. I had high hopes. I started off with just one light plugged into the solar panel for a week. It put out brilliant light for over 7 hours after dusk. I then plugged in the second one. For the first couple days I received partial sunlight and both lights were brilliant. Then we had the ususual rain for three days straight. Both lights were dim...very dim. I unplugged the second one and within a single rainy day, the first and only light was bright again.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the two unused lights, but I'm happy that I have at least one that does what I hoped. I'd like to buy a solar panel separate, but Intermatic doesn't sell one that way. Maybe I'll donate the usused lights to a science project.
Solar lights have come a long way, and this one gets the closest yet. Maybe in another few years companies like Intermatic will better understand that people want at least as much light on their paths and steps as a single AA battery flashlight can cast.
Customer Review: Easy Install-Not very bright
Summary: 4 Stars
The landscape lights are:
very easy to install-the hardest part of the installation process is hiding the wires.
good through the night-at least they last through the night in September and October. I don't know how well they work in the middle of winter.
inexpensive-compared to many other brands of solar lights, these are priced very well especially since you get three lights instead of just a single light.
The only drawbacks to this set are:
the bluish color - the color does not work well with normal hard-wired landscaping lights that are more of a yellowish color, but that is really not much to worry about.
the brightness - since they are solar lights that last all night, there is a a good chance they are not very bright. They are not very bright, but they do add a soft glow to whatever you shine them on.
I use two sets to break the darkness along the front of my house. One set is on one side of the driveway. One light shines on a tree near the road, the second light shines on the corner of the house, and the third light shines down the side of the house to light the path to a gate on that side. The other set is in the landscaping in the middle of the house. The first one shines on a tree in front of the house, the second one shines on the front door, and the third one shines on the house numbers beside the front door. I may add one more set to add a little more light to the other side of the house.
Customer Review: Good performance, but cheap plastic enclosure.
Summary: 4 Stars
I need some night light in my front door area. Due to the nearby windors around the front door area, the motion sensor type of light fixtures don't work. I install the solar flood lights to the roof rafter and put the solar panel on the roof. With 3 LEDs in each light module (the package has 3 light modules), the output light is bright enough to light the front door path but not too strong to create light pollution. I am happy with the ease of installation and the performance of the LED lights. I take one point out because the whole solar panel module is all plastic stuffs (the stand, the enclosure). I can not say how long the solar panel can last (it's on the roof and it will be exposed to sun all year around).
*** Update on 7/10/09 ***
This solar panel has been sitting on my roof top for almost 2 years. I never clean the solar panel surface, and never replace the rechargeable battery. And it still works great. Excellent quality!!!
*** Update on 10/31/2010 ***
Can not believe the longevity of this solar flood lights. It has been sitting on the roof top for 3 years now. Again, I never bother to clean it and I don't recallreplacing the rechargeable batteries. But is still works fine!!! The rechargeable batteries has gone through more than 1000 discharging/charging cycles (far beyond the life cycle of a rechargeable battery). I guess, the slow discharging and charging process also extend the life of the battery. Will come back to update the status next year....
Customer Review: Cast some solar light on your expecations
Summary: 5 Stars
I own a half dozen of the individual Solar Flood lights, another half dozen of the 3 packs (same light design X 3 connected to a single solar panel) and 3 sets of the Bollard style lamps.
Let me say upfront - NO Solar Light on the market comes anywhere near these!
HOWEVER, please note that Solar lights are not the same as conventional lighting. Once you understand this simple fact, you'll enjoy this product.
They cast a relatively intense beam for about 5-6 feat and then the light loses intensity. They will illuminate anything 5 feet away but after that, become accent lighting. This is an obstacle that Solar lights have stuggled to overcome since their inception.....BUT WAIT....
If you want even more power, take a look at Malibu solar's newest offering, the LZ6002 series on their website (Google it) - Full metal construction, 4 LED bulbs (vs. 3) and a much better design overall. It'll probably cost more, but looks to be the best Solar mini lights out there.
And finally, if even 4 LED bulbs just won't cut it, go ahead and purchase the Malibu LZ605RP Solar Floodlight - It's harder to find, but it has TWELVE LED Bulbs that cast a VERY strong beam through its focussed reflector. Definately the king of Solar floodlights under $60. If you can't find it anywhere online, call the company through their website and they'll sell it to you
Customer Review: Don't Buy These
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this 3 pack in early August 2008. They are small, cheap plastic and dim. I have three small magnolia trees in the back yard, put one facing upwards at each tree. Not worth it! The dim light they provide is about 2 feet upwards, and almost nil to the sides. Maybe putting all three lights around each tree would be a little better. I purchased this ---> a couple weeks ago Malibu 3-Pack Solar Cast Aluminum Flood Light and Remote Panel with 4 White LEDs, Black #LZ6002RP (2)------ MUCH better...for, like 20-25 dollars more. They are built better, and the lighting is better. I also have a large willow tree in the back yard, and put all three facing upwards at this willow tree, and the light is pretty good. Remember, these are solar lights, not hard wired lights, so the lighting isn't going to be that great, period. Some other notes about this original product are, the AA batteries that come with it go into the solar panel, and each of the lights have a cord that plugs into the solar panel. Each light and the panel have a spike that can be shoved into the ground, and they also come with mounting fixtures...it's pretty simple. But overall, don't buy this, I know it's only 30-35 bucks, but really isn't even worth that...