Travelnutz,
I agree that there are standards. I disagree that anyone who buys something that is not "certified" is a sucker. On the contrary. I would suggest that anyone who pays $10-20 for an LED array for their RV may be the sucker, since perfectly adequate units can be bought for less than $5. I replaced 28 bulbs in my RV, with LEDs that put out a fantastic amount of light, in a color I find pleasing, using 1/5 the current, at an average of about $4 each, and none have failed in nearly 2 years. And yet somehow that makes me the sucker?
I do agree (and have so stated) that the descriptions/specs listed online need to be taken with a grain of salt. That's simple common sense, and applies to ALL online retailers, including those in the US. That's why the customer reviews come into play as well. And even if you pay $10+ for a so-called "certified" color, how do you know for sure that color is going to be what you want/like in your RV until you get it home and plug it in?
Even your retailer (LEDLights.com) is all over the board with their "color" claims. While some of their LEDs have their color temps listed, many are only given a range (i.e. 5500K-6500K, which is a significant and quite visible spread), and a few of their products don't list a temp at all! They also claim that White is 5500K-6500K, Pure White is 6000K, Super White is 6000K...why 3 different descriptions for LEDs that are supposed to be essentially the same color temp? Highly suspect, if you ask me. Can anyone really be sure of what they are getting without buying/trying it first? (They also agree with me that 4100K is NOT "cool".)
I'll repeat; the best part about the less expensive option is the ability to try different colors/types without breaking the bank. I'd much rather "dislike" a $4 LED than a $15 LED any day of the week. And nearly half of the LEDs that I purchased through Amazon came from US retailers; I still didn't overpay!
Yes, there is always something to be said for quality. However, there is never anything to be said for overspending on "perceived" quality. Those that do so also walk the streets, drive, and vote. Just as scary, IMO! :E
We don't stop playing because we grow old...We grow old because we stop playing!
2004 Itasca Sunrise M-30W
Carson enclosed ATV Trailer
-'85 ATC250R, '12 Husky TE310, '20 CanAm X3 X rs Turbo RR
Zieman Jetski Trailer
-'96 GTi, '96 Waveblaster II