LED vs. Incandescent

    As you can see, the LED (Right) illuminated AL39 has a much more even light distribution pattern than the Incandescent (Left) illuminated AL39.  In this case the LED light box contains 2 sets of 2 LED's for a total of 4 LED's.  The incandescent light box contains 2 bulbs.  The light boxes for smaller meters contain either 1 incandescent or 2 LED's.  Although it not as easy to tell in this picture, the LED illuminated meter appears much brighter.  Proof of this can be seen by looking at the edge of the translucent plastic.  The LED version conducts more light through the edges of the display than the Incandescent.  We came up with some conclusions about the appearance of the two lighting methods.  Scroll down to read more.

    Incandescent lighting seems to have a warmer appearance that is very nostalgic because it matches what vu meters have looked like for years.  The black printing on the dial came out looking darker due to the dimmer display (can't see in pictures) and the red printing came out with more of a red glow (can see in close-up pictures) due to the abundance of red light coming from the bulbs.  The Incandescent light did seem to cause some eye strain due to the dimness and the uneven light spread.  Generally we would recommend using the incandescent bulbs in places where there would be existing backlit meters so that it blends with the rest of your panels or racks as the case may be.  Keep scrolling to read our LED review.

     LED's give a brighter cleaner, more even, and clearer display with a better color contrast ratio.  Although we noted that the brightness did seem to wash out the black printing slightly, and the red printing didn't have that same glow to it because of the whiter light.  That being said, there was better color contrast to the dial.  Overall, the LED version seemed to produce less eye strain and had a higher contrast display.

  Although we like the LED lighting better, we have already seen, from customer feedback, that it will be difficult to get people using these meters to accept this new development in the industry.  We have had several instances where customers received the LED light boxes and requested that they be exchanged for incandescent.  It will be interesting to see if LED's go the way of the Betamax or become an opponent of the Incandescent light.  If I had to bet, I'd say that Incandescent isn't going anywhere, and LED will find a slightly smaller niche in the industry.