James 
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
 Location: Surrey 
User status: Offline 
 
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Thinking of having downlights put in the living room.   
 
I've been recommended LED downlights, in particular the brand JCC.  Once you factor in that I want fire rated, dimmable ones, it's about £50 per light   
 
My room is 20' x 11' so I probably need about 8 lights, that's £400   
 
Any recommendations of cheaper alternatives?
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
User status: Offline 
 
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I looked at them, far too expensive. 
 
Got £10 fire rated CFL ones from ebay and changed the crap CFL bulbs for dealextreme LED's, about £6 each.
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Gary 
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
 Location: West Yorkshire 
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How much?! THey are less than £15
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James 
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
 Location: Surrey 
User status: Offline 
 
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These are the ones I was looking at: 
 
http://www.jcc-lighting.co.uk/products/fire-rated-downlights/fr-led-downlights/Fireguard%20LED7/jc94172
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Rob_Quads 
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Registered: 29th Mar 01
 Location: southampton 
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At £50 / light you will need to be using them a hell of a lot of time to make it worth while. In normal houses its often a 2/3/4 year break even when your spending £4/£5 a bulb let alone £50. 
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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It's more having LED's for me than the energy saving/replacement bulb costs. 
 
I've got this 
 
With these
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AndyKent 
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
 
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Best most of the cost is in the dimmable factor. Non dimming would be far more (cost) sensible
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James 
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
 Location: Surrey 
User status: Offline 
 
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Dimmable is important to me though, as it's a living room I want to be able to dim them.  If it was a bathroom or kitchen I wouldn't be bothered.
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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Ahh hadn't seen that. Anytime I've got downlights on its because I want to be able to see. Got lamps for ambient lighting. 
 
In that case get the expensive ones.
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CORSA NUT 
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Registered: 3rd Aug 01
 Location: Wirral 
User status: Offline 
 
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There's a reason why JCC are so expensive. It's all about the beam angle   
 
I priced some up for a customer a few weeks ago and I got them to £36 each   without looking I think I used Google shopping and it was a random company but legit.
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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Probably in the same region as most other LED lamps?
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carl roper 
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Registered: 17th May 09
 Location: Newport Shropshire 
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They are far superior to normal downlights with LED bulbs. Have installed both the dimmable and non dimmable versions in varies houses including my gaffers.
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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In what way are the non dimmable ones better? Serious question, it looks like a downlighter with an LED bulb to me.
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carl roper 
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Registered: 17th May 09
 Location: Newport Shropshire 
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the jcc ones have far better light output then a standard downlight with an led bulb. 
You also get iirc a 10 year warranty if you register them online.
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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Far better light output how?
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carl roper 
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Registered: 17th May 09
 Location: Newport Shropshire 
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theres more of an equal spread its not just a beam straight down if that makes sence
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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Like a decent LED bulb? 
 
The one I'm looking at right now is flush with the ceiling and the LED's aren't very far back from that. 
 
I know what you mean but a normal downlighter with an LED lamp looks just the same.
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CORSA NUT 
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Registered: 3rd Aug 01
 Location: Wirral 
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FFS John   it's all about the beam angle I've just said that! 
 
Basically a shit £5 Gu10 LED will shoot its light at the floor creating a 'Spot' of bright light. The more expensive, like Philips ones spread there light so it creates the same effect as a normal Gu10. 
 
You get what you pay for with LED technology hence why there not cheap. Saying that I have 10 warm white Kosnic 6watt LED lamps in normal fire rated housings in my kitchen and there okay for now at £15 each all in.
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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I'm telling you that the 5w cheap LED I have here gives a great beam pattern, much wider than a halogen. It basically looks exactly the same as that JCC one does.
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baza31 
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Registered: 19th Apr 03
 Location: yorkshire 
User status: Offline 
 
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You don't need ip65 in living room . I can get jcc fire rated brushed chrome for £7.50+ vat , then buy your lamp seperate
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CORSA NUT 
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Registered: 3rd Aug 01
 Location: Wirral 
User status: Offline 
 
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quote: Originally posted by John 
I'm telling you that the 5w cheap LED I have here gives a great beam pattern, much wider than a halogen. It basically looks exactly the same as that JCC one does. 
   
 
What make is the LED man?
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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Cheap one from deal extreme, same applies for the other slightly more expensive ones I got from costco though. The way the leds are mounted is all the same.
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CORSA NUT 
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Registered: 3rd Aug 01
 Location: Wirral 
User status: Offline 
 
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I've been to many a lighting exhibition etc and seen the proof with tonnes of comparisons. 
 
I'll guarantee that if you put a JCC one in line with your others you'd notice the difference immediently. Like I said there's a reason there more expensive it's not a con.
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John 
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
 
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It's not beam pattern or power though, dimmable is one definite benefit if you need it, had very mixed results with that from the cheaper one.
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