Strathwood 10 piece Outdoor Solar Light Set Copper
March 29, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Outdoor solar pathway lights
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Good Product, Expensive
I purchased these solar landscape lights 2 weeks ago to replace similar lights that I had purchased over a year ago that were failing. I have been very pleased with these solar lights so far. They have a sturdy construction, metal spikes with rubber bushings, glass bowls, and an attractive copper finish. They provide a clean, bright, white light that is comparable to my fixed 12V landscape lighting, and a vast improvement over the lights they replaced.
Pros: Bright LED lights, solar powered, automated (on at dusk, off at dawn), long lasting (I have check them as late as 9 hours after sunset and they have continued to shine brightly), well designed packaging, and sturdy construction.
Cons: The only detractor thus far has been the attachment of the solar cap (cover unit with the solar panel, batteries, and LEDs) being very loose, but I have yet to determine if that will cause a problem. They are also more expensive than many alternative solar landscape lights, but these are the best of the many types that I have tried, so perhaps that will make them a cost effective purchase for most.
Summary: I would recommend these solar landscape lights, they are well designed and constructed.
5 Stars Made my mother shed tears…
This was a Christmas present to my mother. She is retired, so she spends a lot of time gardening. Her self-landscaped “jungle” didn’t have good lighting throughout so what better idea would it be than to add some decorative landscape lighting? She was floored when she opened them, not only because of the secret, but also because of the over-all design. I ordered 2 sets since she has so much landscaping, and had I still lived in the area, all 20 would have been placed. Instead, she sent one set to me (I forgot to select that this was a gift when I ordered them, and the billing information was included, and you know how mothers are with their kids spending money on them…), insisting that I put a matching set at my house so we can make comparisons to our landscaping projects. All-in-all, the items arrived on time, in wonderful condition. I have yet to place mine out due to mostly non-sunny days, as well as she, so I cannot honestly comment on the workmanship…I am hoping for the best which will put a positive close on this holiday shopping experience!
4 Stars 4 stars for brightness/copper color, minus 1 star for plastic stake tips
I bought these about 2 years ago so I can attest to their durability. The main problem I’ve had with these is that they lean over, we have “lost” the plastic stake somewhere in the ground when they fall over (I can’t figure out why they just fall over). The black plastic part that you use to stick the entire things into the ground is not attached to the metal copper shaft and over the weather changes, can become very loose. I haven’t tried epoxy glue yet but we’ve lost numerous black plastic stakes because of this. I see that other sets also appear the same, so maybe this is a universal problem but you find that the only portion of the unit seated in the soil/ground is the black plastic part while the copper, heavier part is above ground. I think this is why they fall over so often. The lighting part seems pretty good except one of them quit working so I think they use a battery which needs to be replaced. I have a red brick front on my house with a rust colored storm door and brown roof, so I didn’t want silver colored landscape lights. I purchased these for an excellent price (better than Costco on special sale), but it cost me more then, than the price is today.
1 Star Good Solar Panel System with Very Poor Battery Brands …
I am sorry to report an entirely different and disappointing experience with the Global X, Beacon Series, Breakthrough LED Technology, 10 Piece Solar Light Set, Costco Item # 194764, Model # NXU-7302, Suitable for Exterior Application Only.
This review is based only on the “Battery-Brand”, not on the Solar Cell Top.
The LIPENG Battery Brand, Ni-CD, AA 900mAh, 1.2v. has failed in units I am testing on a daily basis. I wanted to test these before installing them in my landscaping, so they are set up out on my balcony. I check the battery strength by a Battery Meter.
If you replace the Battery Brand, with a quality name, they work fine.
Duracell, and Rayovac batteries, around 2,000mAh, seem to be doing fine.
Since there is no such thing as 100% perfect battery manufacturing, it seems sad that a quality solar system like this would choose to go to market with a 900mAh AA, battery(s), which do not exist in the US at your local Rite Aid, Home Depot, or Walmart.
Where would a guy go to find a 900mAh battery replacement? That’s my question to the Sales and Marketing Department of this Company.
For such an expensive set, why did you “cheap-out” on the battery(s).
Why not supply this system with Duracell, or Rayovac or something a guy can find a replacement for in case one or two go out? All brands will have a certain percentage of failures. The question is how difficult is it to find a replacement. Can I pick one up at Walmart, or Rite Aid or Home Depot and move on with my life?
The Solar Panel is impressive. The copper is impressive. The glass globe is impressive. The battery brand is sad. That’s my comments.
