We had been thinking about adding additional lighting to the garden recently - it can feel quite spooky almost after dark. So it was rather fortunate to receive an email from Philips asking us to try out part of their new solar range.
Philips have been investing heavily into solar power research and have street lights run from solar panels. Much of that technology and knowledge has found its way into these smaller scale lights.
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| Philips myGarden Solar Wall Light |
The other light was a more traditional solar "spike" type light, but again with a much brighter light level.
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I had always tended to avoid solar lights in the garden as the ones I had seen always seemed to be quite ineffective other than for providing a guide as to the edge of a pathway rather then illuminating the way. However the new generation of solar lights - complete with a separate solar panel provide a much brighter experience, these seem to be similar to an old style 60w bulb.
The panels charge up built in batteries that Philips claim can provide up to 6 hours of lighting - there is space to fit a second battery pack as an extra to double this. I haven't been able to test quite how long they light for as I haven't been up 6 hours after dark. I did however note that after a very dull day the lights had gone out within 3 hours. The major test for us will be to see how well they do in winter, with the sun lower in the sky.
We positioned two near to the jungle hut, one on a ground spike, with the solar panel on the nearby shed roof, and the other by the smaller koi pond to illuminate the patio at night. They give off enough light to happily wander down the garden, and perhaps enjoy a warm summers evening - should we get any!
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| Twinkles seems to approve |
Gaz
For more information or to purchase Philips Solar Lights check out the Philips Website.
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Those do look like a big advance in solar lighting for the garden. I like that they appear bright enough to use for landscape lighting. With no shortage of sun much of the year solar is a good option for us when products are available.
ReplyDeleteWe're impressed Shirley as how relatively bright the light was, especially compared to other solar lighting we've seen before where they cast a faint blue glow and are only strong enough to guide a pathway etc. This could be the way to go for your garden especially as you get more sun in your location all year round :)
DeleteI love solar lights and have lots round my garden, but the majority of them I lift in during winter as they are really not worth having, I do try and make sure I can replace the batteries with new ones for the next season though, Yours look lovely and bright, I shall follow there progress with interest.
ReplyDeleteThe real test for these ones will be in the winter Libby, with shorter daylight and knowing how it can get continuously gloomy in the period. But the product is promising!
DeleteI'll be interested to hear an update after a year.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a "dim" setting (that doubles runtime?) -- Maybe I want something that's brighter than a typical path light, but not quite this bright?
That's a good idea Alan. The light it casts are brighter than your average solar light but not so bright as to glare but yes the dimmer option would be handy.
DeleteThey look fantastic lights - better than solar lights I've seen here, so I madly googled to see if they are available in Australia.. Alas no. Hopefully Phillips will realise there would be a market for them here sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteIt might make it's way there very soon Missy :)
DeleteLike Alan I wonder about a dimer setting. Most outdoor lights are too bright for my liking. Hard to tell where these fall on the spectrum, however since we have NOTHING, anything would be an improvement!
ReplyDeleteYou might like this one Loree, it's brighter than your average solar light but not so bright as to glare. It's been good at taking the edge off parts of the garden that can get pitch black dark as soon as the sun sets.
DeleteThese look to be much better than the solar lights in my garden!
ReplyDeleteThese seem to be a good range Kris. We'll see how it will perform in the winter months here though.
DeleteIt's useful having lights in the garden but I don't like them on all the time - are these activated when you go out in the garden or do they just come on at a set time or when it gets dark?
ReplyDeleteThese go on when it gets dark Celia but with our long summer days it's unlikely to activate until late at night (can extend the time spent out in the garden).
DeleteThere is a button on the back where you can turn them on/off. While turned off they do keep charging however.
DeleteHello Mark and Gaz:
ReplyDeleteIn no way do we wish to diminish your enthusiasm for your newly installed solar lighting [nor that of others] but we have always rather had somewhat mixed views about lighting in the garden apart from where it is necessary to find the way.
But we love the way Twinkles is illuminated!!
That's alright Jane and Lance, we have mixed feelings too when it comes to lighting the garden. Neither of us are keen on the 'Blackpool Illumination' look which one can easily veer into if gotten carried away (we've seen some gardens that have been overly lit up in the night, not a good look).
DeleteWe were edging more towards functional lighting and these seem to fit the bill perfectly (for now at least) as the garden can be an intimidating place to be in the evening as most parts gets pitch black dark, and sometimes we still need to do a few bits out and darkness can impede. For atmosphere and ambience, sometimes lit candles are enough (and flattering for humans too) :)
I think a little light in the garden is always useful. I hope the lights work well and that you enjoy them, as I see Twinkles already does!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Lisa :) it can extend the period you can stay out after the sun sets and handy too if you still need to do a few things out.
DeleteVery timely post since I'm looking to upgrade/replace my old solar lights. They're a number of years old and barely illuminate any more (the batteries must be shot). Unlike many others, I prefer brighter lights. The old-style pathway lights were always too dim for me.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll get hold of these or something very similar there soon Gerhard. We're really impressed with how relatively bright it is compared to other, more readily available solar lights out there.
DeleteComing here after a long time. Lot to catch up. Those seem quite powerful. Will they not disturb the sleep pattern of trees -- you know they do other chemical reactions during night, releases carbon-dioxide and prepare for next day? I heard that summer is yet to reach London.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back :) It's much brighter than usual solar lights but not so bright as to likely to interfere with the light cycles of plants (I think so anyway...).
DeleteWe have a bunch of the old, tacky supermarket version. Their light is so dim that they must be located very near the walkway, where they keep being knocked over and trampled. These look like a viable upgrade. I'm sure they are spendier than ours, but bright enough that fewer would do the job.
ReplyDeleteHi Ricki, we're all too familiar with those solar lights too. Pleasantly surprised how much stronger and brighter these are, a definite upgrade. And yes, more likely a few will suffice unlike the older types.
DeleteI like that these can be brighter for applications like uplighting one's timber bamboo which looks very dramatic at night. I've had solar lights that were ineffective in the way you mentioned and lo voltage lighting that was a pain to keep lit. Finally I hung clear mini light on things but truly good solar lighting would be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThis product is very promising Peter, uplighting I can imagine it can also do with ease. Plus you can position the charging panel quite away from the light itself which is a bonus.
DeleteThat is great lighting for a solar light. For me 6 hours would not be long enough, especially during Winter. I would love to see something like this happen for the needed time with sufficient lighting like you are showing here. I know it will happen but now would be nice. LOL
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
It could be there already Cher, cross fingers :)
DeleteThose are impressive for solar lights. Twinkles looks to be enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly does Evan :)
DeleteThey look very good particularly in comparison to the rather weak cheap things from the pound stores. I am not keen on the freestanding things which look ok at night but during the daytime they seem to detract from the plants?
ReplyDeleteLow voltage LED will be the main contender to this product
Yes you're right Don, looks like low voltage LED will be the main contender although the lack of need for an electrical installation for these ones would perhaps edge it over LED? Our favourite ones are the downlighters. One of the free standing ones is a grey tone and was much easier to blend in (looks contemporary too). The chrome one, in front of the Ginkgo looks more like one of those traditional spike on the ground solar lamps used more for edging a pathway, and yes a bit more tricky to blend in.
DeleteI will have to check if you have done a follow up post?
ReplyDelete