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Technical analysis
of SoLux versus competing "full spectrum" brands.
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The term full spectrum does not necessarily guarantee a light source will replicate daylight. A lit candle is a full spectrum light source because it contains some degree of light throughout the visible spectrum, yet no one would claim a candle replicates daylight. Likewise, fluorescent light sources also contain some measure of light throughout the visible spectrum hence the label "full-spectrum" but the inference of daylight simulation is misleading.
SoLux analyzed seven competing brands of lamps, Ott-Lite, Verilux, Bell+Howell, Ultralux, Chromalux and Reveal, and Osram Sylvania (represented by green lines) all claiming to replicate the daylight spectrum and/ or to be "full spectrum" sources. Our data clearly shows the seven competing lamps do not match the spectral power distribution of Daylight (blue line) and SoLux (black line). In addition, The FDA Enforcement Report issued a "Health Fraud Notice", stating claims for full-spectrum lamps were a "gross deception of the consumer". A recent publication by the NLPIP, the National Lighting Product Information Program, provides more information on the subject.
The most important measure of a light source's ability to match daylight is its spectral power distribution. If a light source's spectral power distribution does not match daylight, it does not simulate daylight. When sources don't match the spectrum of daylight, it is well documented that the eye has to strain to see what it otherwise would see under natural daylight causing headaches, bloodshot eyes, fatigue, and decreased productivity. The full health related benefits of true daylight are only achieved with a source that matches daylight.
The accuracy of SoLux's spectrum is what separates it from the known competition and what verifies it is the human eye's response. SoLux technology provides the best commercially available daylight simulation. Visit our home page and follow the links that talk about SoLux use for light therapy. SoLux is also used in many of the world's most prestigious and famous museums and art galleries for its ability to replicate daylight. Top automotive and paint companies, photographers, and color experts, all choose SoLux as their daylight source. No other commercial light source can make this claim. Go to our store and purchase one of our SoLux quality light sources for yourself.
Reason for the spikes found in Ott-Lite, Ultralux, Bell+Howell, and Verilux? Answer: They are fluorescent based sources. Fluorescent lights work by energizing mercury vapors which emit narrow bands of ultraviolet light. The phosphors coated on the inside of the fluorescent tube convert the ultraviolet light to visible light. this visible light in turn contains narrow bands of light or what is referred to as spikes.
The Reveal bulb and its predecessor, the Chromalux light bulb start out as an incandescent bulb and uses a material called neodymium to primarily absorb yellow light yielding a gap in what would otherwise be an incandescent spectrum. Claims stating, "The Chromalux bulb is the incandescent version of the Solux full-spectrum, MR16 12 volt halogen bulbs" can not be substantiated.
SoLux uniquely starts out with a high color temperature tungsten halogen source then uses a multilayer thin film coating on the reflector to reflect the desired daylight spectrum forward and pass unwanted light out the back yielding the closest match to daylight.
I received the lights yesterday. I am a painter, mostly figurative and portraits, and have tried Chromalux and Ott-lite in the past. I have a studio with great natural light, but always had to quit painting at night because anything I did at night under artificial lighting always needed repainting again the next day. This was especially true for subtle skin tones. I painted a bit last night on a portrait I am working on under your lights and this morning was extremely pleased with the results. We will be placing an order shortly for my wife's weaving studio as the light we tried over a piece presently on her loom as a test looked great. She had been working with the Ott-lite after I gave up on it for my painting. Color was never right for me and it gave off such weak light for both of us.
Thanks,
David Schulz
