Incandescents. I used to think LEDs were an improvement, and in power usage they really are. The jewel tones are great and all but honestly I’m tired of them. They don’t put out as much light as the equivalent incandescents either, and it can be excessively directional. Its nice saving on power but there’s a definite trade-off.
I’ve heard that some manufacturers are claiming to make LED twinkle style lights that look like incandescents, including sets carried at Menards; they’re better but just not the same.
Also seen some that are called “Slow twinkle” or “Soft twinkle” recently. The ones I saw were still jewel tone LEDs but what makes them really nice is that the bulbs each randomly fade on then fade off. Not the whole or half the string at a time; each LED does it randomly. The effect can be beautiful. Hoping to get some at a good price this black Friday.
@duodec
I still have some strings of the old incandescent style which I use to wrap around plants I have to protect from freezing. They work remarkably well if you can keep the wind off the plants while they’re turned on in the evening and night.
@chienfou I had to stop using incandescent twinkle light nets or wraps on some bushes/shrubs in our front yard because they would actually get burnt wherever a bulb touched. The plants would recover but some branches never grew again. We use LEDs now; they don’t hurt the plant, just don’t display as well.
LEDs also stay under any snow that falls so you get an interesting lit up snow cone effect, where incandescents would melt the snow above them leaving it pockmarked.
@yakkoTDI I saw his show last year, but could not get the light sets he liked; either sold out or way too expensive. I need to check again this year or see if he’s got anything new. He also didn’t think the Menards vintage lights met their claims in one of his videos.
@yakkoTDI I didn’t see one when I looked today. Unfortunately the 4-color vintaglow are already sold out. They still have other colors and multi-sets.
Saw another video that target supposedly has a vintage incan-like light set that moves the diode up to the center of the color cap instead of at the base. The video didn’t specify if they were using white emitters with only the colored caps providing the colors or if they’re colored emitters.
@macromeh depends on the photographs. I actually did a science fair project on dark rooms and color hues affect on the light choice when developing. It was super fun.
These are my favorites. Ikea made them for a while, but by the time I found out about them they were discontinued. My friend surprised me with a set that he found online! They change colors slowly, each star at a different rhythm, and they’re just magical.
COLOURED!!!
Dancing
I like big bulbs and I cannot lie.
@sdb Did you say
/youtube sir mix a lot
None. Why bother?
/giphy why bother

@jst1ofknd same, I’m a Grinch
@jst1ofknd @nobile
My great uncle Bill like colored so much he had 2 drinking fountains in his office!
@therealjrn (am I allowed to laugh at that?)
@xobzoo You may, but it was admittedly awkward shoehorn of a joke I heard recently.
Advent candles
Incandescents. I used to think LEDs were an improvement, and in power usage they really are. The jewel tones are great and all but honestly I’m tired of them. They don’t put out as much light as the equivalent incandescents either, and it can be excessively directional. Its nice saving on power but there’s a definite trade-off.
I’ve heard that some manufacturers are claiming to make LED twinkle style lights that look like incandescents, including sets carried at Menards; they’re better but just not the same.
Also seen some that are called “Slow twinkle” or “Soft twinkle” recently. The ones I saw were still jewel tone LEDs but what makes them really nice is that the bulbs each randomly fade on then fade off. Not the whole or half the string at a time; each LED does it randomly. The effect can be beautiful. Hoping to get some at a good price this black Friday.
@duodec
@duodec @yakkoTDI
Alec Watson! He’s great! I’m not going to criticize him for his taste in what he wears–all the great ones have a weird taste in clothing.
@duodec
I still have some strings of the old incandescent style which I use to wrap around plants I have to protect from freezing. They work remarkably well if you can keep the wind off the plants while they’re turned on in the evening and night.
@chienfou I had to stop using incandescent twinkle light nets or wraps on some bushes/shrubs in our front yard because they would actually get burnt wherever a bulb touched. The plants would recover but some branches never grew again. We use LEDs now; they don’t hurt the plant, just don’t display as well.
LEDs also stay under any snow that falls so you get an interesting lit up snow cone effect, where incandescents would melt the snow above them leaving it pockmarked.
@yakkoTDI I saw his show last year, but could not get the light sets he liked; either sold out or way too expensive. I need to check again this year or see if he’s got anything new. He also didn’t think the Menards vintage lights met their claims in one of his videos.
@duodec He mentions the Menards lights in this video. The Vintaglo and Tru-Tone lights are the best he has found.
I am hoping for an update video this year.
@yakkoTDI I didn’t see one when I looked today. Unfortunately the 4-color vintaglow are already sold out. They still have other colors and multi-sets.
Saw another video that target supposedly has a vintage incan-like light set that moves the diode up to the center of the color cap instead of at the base. The video didn’t specify if they were using white emitters with only the colored caps providing the colors or if they’re colored emitters.
I really like the blue lights when they’re on more than just a porch overhang
Tell Roxanne to knock it off with the red light, Georgia or otherwise hued.
@sillyheathen You got something against home photography hobbyists?
@macromeh @sillyheathen So how many men does Roxanne get knocking on her door every evening?
@macromeh depends on the photographs.
I actually did a science fair project on dark rooms and color hues affect on the light choice when developing. It was super fun.
@Kidsandliz @macromeh who said it was men….






@macromeh @sillyheathen Wait. What? There a dinosaurs knocking on her door? I didn’t know they visited her by the hour every night. :snicker:
I’m not fond of red & blue lights in my rear-view mirror.
@therealjrn So speed off so that they end up so far behind you that you can barely see them.
Yeah, I do like me a good chase video, @Kidsandliz. I just don’t want to star in my own.
These are my favorites. Ikea made them for a while, but by the time I found out about them they were discontinued. My friend surprised me with a set that he found online! They change colors slowly, each star at a different rhythm, and they’re just magical.
Nah man, if I am doing lights, its in one of those blow-ups. I already have to much stress in my life, I DON’T need to untangle X-Mas lights.