Foundation Findings #48 - Navigation Lights

Foundation Findings #44 - Boarding Ladders

A Word about LEDs

Relatively new to most consumers and far from standard on boats are LED (light emitting diode) lights. Though you've seen them on your stereos, TVs, DVD players and just about any remote control for years, consumer fixtures are a relatively new application for LEDs. Using semiconductor technology, these lights present many advantages over incandescent lights, especially for boaters.

According to experienced cruisers, the primary draw of LED lights on a boat is that LEDs are more energy efficient. They draw less energy and have a long life expectancy, which makes them great for anchor lights. They also generate less heat and are directional in output, providing a narrow beam of light perfect for a flashlight or a reading light fixture. However, this directional output means that a single LED cannot effectively fill the required arc of a navigation light or the requirement for an all 'round 360 degree light. Fortunately, newer multi-bulb LED fixtures have emerged on the market to help achieve the arc effect.

There are of course larger LED fixtures on the market but we didn't evaluate them as our focus was on the smaller recreational boat. LED arrays clearly have their advantages. Their low-energy draw makes them ideal for anchoring and thereby extends battery and alternator life. LED bulbs are also long lasting and have sealed circuitry. Manufacturers often claim 50,000 hours of useful life and some offer warranties up to 10 years. The only disadvantage is that the cost of the fixtures may not seem to pay for itself initially. But down the road, it could pay dividends. And seeing and being seen by other boaters is, well, priceless.

Although LEDs are comparatively more expensive, we were curious if there was a visible difference when compared to standard incandescent lighting fixtures. We tested these fixtures both on the water and with a light meter in an indoor controlled setting.

This fixture has clear lenses and colored LED bulbs

This LED fixture from Attwood appears
clear, but uses a single colored bulb for
each color instead of colored lenses.

Small indicator lights on top of this fixture.

The same LED fixture from Attwood also has
small dim lights on top to indicate to the
operator that the lights are on.

Comparing the color of the incandescent and the LED lights

The difference in color between a white
incandescent bulb (left) and a white LED
bulb (right) is striking. The LEDs were often
described as "crisper."

Showing the directional nature of the LED bulbs

A Word about LEDs

This LED fixture from Attwood appears clear, but uses a single colored bulb for each color instead of colored lenses.

The same LED fixture from Attwood also has small dim lights on top to indicate to the operator that the lights are on.

The difference in color between a white incandescent bulb (left) and a white LED bulb (right) is striking. The LEDs were often described as "crisper."

A front view of this light displays the directional nature of LED bulbs which shine a more focused beam of light rather than an all-around glow.

This LED fixture from Attwood appears
clear, but uses a single colored bulb for
each color instead of colored lenses.

The same LED fixture from Attwood also has
small dim lights on top to indicate to the
operator that the lights are on.

The difference in color between a white
incandescent bulb (left) and a white LED
bulb (right) is striking. The LEDs were often
described as "crisper."

A front view of this light displays the
directional nature of LED bulbs which shine
a more focused beam of light rather than an
all-around glow.