Fluorescent vs. LED - Which one is the better black light?
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2019
- Hello everybody, my name is Nate The Lighting Guy. In this video I will solve the mystery of which kind of black light fixtures, LED or fluorescent, produce the best black light effect.
I am testing the GE 40W 48in T12 Linear Fluorescent Black Light tubes: www.amazon.com/dp/B000FBK50O/...
The original fixture I used for the fluorescent tubes in the video is no longer being produced, but this fixture should work: www.homedepot.com/p/Metalux-4...
The LED black light is the CHAUVET DJ SlimSTRIP UV-18 IRC: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Please note, the fluorescent black light fixture produces a 365nm wavelength and
the LED black light fixture produces a 395nm wavelength.
There are a few LED black light fixtures on the market that produce a 365nm wavelength, but most of those fixtures are very expensive. 
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Hey everyone, thanks for watching! I apologize if the link to the fluorescent black light tubes are leading to "item not found" or "out of stock" pages. It is getting harder and harder to find fluorescent black light tubes and when I do find them, they seem to disappear within a month or two. If anyone knows of online retailers who still sell fluorescent black light tubes (not LED retrofits), and if you share the link to the site, I and others looking would really appreciate that. Thanks!
LED fail
Just updated the links again.
Back in the 90's I bought 48" lamps at 11$ a piece 2 lamps for less than 25$ and a 10$ dual tube fixture.
Wasnt until covid that I hung it in the LR.
The LED ambient light ruins the effect, definitely.
I found a site that sells fluorescent black light tubes! store.wildfirelighting.com/sablelux-fluorescent-blb-lamps/
Very good comparison. You just can't trust reviews on Amazon anymore.
Well, I believe the reviews on Amazon that say that the black light is "bright", but that can mean two things. Either it puts out a lot of ambient light, it puts out a lot of true black light (preferably in the 365nm range), or anything in between. I don't blame them as it can be hard to tell the difference unless compared to a true black light.
Phil Taylor no doubt about that. Although most people don’t understand different types of wavelengths, they just see a sea of purple and think it’s super bright.
Yes!!!
Thank you, this is exactly the type of comparison I was looking for. Simple and to the point.
Finally, simple side by side comparison 🔥 and it passes the wasp test! Man went above and beyond xD
YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! Thank you so much! I've been searching for ages to decide which is ideal for what I want and you have hit the nail on the head!!!!
Thank you for this demonstration. It was concise and to the point. It answered all my questions and there was no distracting music.
Yes!👍👍👍
This video was more informative than an hour of reading I just went thru! Im trying to light a 280sq shed inside but I was afraid the LED black lights or the led strips would give that purple effect. Thank you so much!
find a 365nm bandpass filter (that just lets UV through), these led fixtures dont have that
@@BH4x0r ahh that is a good idea!
Thanks so much for this! Ive been trying to figure out lighting in uv/led for my photography. This helps so much!
Actually a very helpful and informative video. Thank you.
Aaah! Now I need to find an old school black light before it's too late!
Walmart usually has them for 10 bucks for the old school ones, not the 4 foot but the 2 foot ones. I'm in Texas too so hopefully the walmart where you're at has them also
Fantastic video. I was going to get leds but I'm ordering the fluo. Thanks!
Thanks for this video. I was having a hard time understanding this phenomenon but now it makes sense
This is great. Thanks!
So simply but so valuable
Bro, Thank you. I am creating a cool toy box for my son and inside the lid is the night sky with glow moon, stars & such. It has a white LED strip inside, but I wanna get the max charge for the glow stuff. This totally gave me the answer I needed for going forward with the project, YOU ROCK!!!!!
very helpful video ! great job !
Thanks, great review!
Thanks a lot! You’ve saved us a lot of time & $$!!
Ah! this proves what I thought. I have used both for years now as mood lighting, I used to have the old school set up and now I have LEDs cause ya know RGB everything lol. but I always found the old tube set up provided a much more psychedelic effect. the darkness combined with sharp contrast of colors is what makes it so perfect compared to the LED bar.
I feel that lol setting up the room now and debating on going old school for that reason
I replaced all my old school tubes with LED and they absolutely ruined my effects.
excellent test!
Thanks for sharing mate
Thank you! You help me a lot!
Great work thanks
Solid video Nate! keep it up son
Thank you so much for this. I used to have the old UV Blacklights & have wanted to set a room up again & have been debating whether to go with the newer LED versions. This helped me confirm what I suspected. I already knew LED just does not have the distance, though the other effects (including the wasp effect, brilliant addition by the way) far out way the LED version.
Thank you so much for making and posting this very informative video. Truly excellent work!!
edited for a PS- PS. you have a new subscriber in me, thank you.
Thanks! The wasp test was not intentional, but after seeing how the wasp responded to the blacklights, I thought that would be a good addition to the video.
Very nice video. Thank you.
Thank you for making this video
Very helpful! Thank you for answering my questions. :-)
Ok let me explain. It's not the ambient light. It's the WAVELENGTH that differs. Fluorescent BLB lights have shorter wavelength around 365 nm and LED black lights emit at around 395 nm which is almost in the visible range and more sensitive to human eyes. The shorter the wavelength, the better fluorescence effect also (higher energy photons). However LED that emit shorter wavelengths like 365 do exist but they are generally a bit more expensive and harder to find. I hope it makes sense. Good demonstration video btw.
Wow, thank you for this video!
Perfect video , I’m very thankful I was so confused and your video help me 100% … led is best for me . Thank you
thanks nice show
Thanks exactly what I needed to know and I had a feeling that the florescent bulbs were going to be what I want the led ones light up the area to much there more of a purple light then a black light thanks
WOW! Love me some black lights! This content definitely helps me with my next videos! Thank you! Nate, are you going to do anymore Black Light Videos?
Thank you! glad you enjoyed it. I may do one more, or another if the standard for stage and DJ black lighting fixtures switches to the proper 365nm LED wavelength. I won't be elaborating too much on the topic of black lights just because I'm planning on covering other styles lighting effects as well.
Fluorescent is The way to go!😎😎😎 thanks for this!
💯 I'm looking at them irl. Fluorescent is the best, especially for glow paints and posters.
I just recently bought from Guitar Center startec series UV LED 48 in. I was excited because I thought led new and better. It sucks compared to the old fluorescent tubes that we used in the 70s and 60s it's just real bright what this fellow cause ambient light he's exactly right there's hardly any purple cool backlight effect at all
THANK YOU SO MUCH NOW MY CHILD CAN GO ON HER PARTY BUS🎉
That was one mean looking wasp! 😂 Aside from that very good video and information. 👍👍
Can you do a GE vs Phillips 48 inch florescent comparison? I think the phillips is deeper (less magenta than the GE)
Nate. Thanks for taking the time to educate us on UV light. One thing not mentioned is the nm wavelength of each ?
I'm only interested a fixture to place near my glass that contains Uranium Oxide. I do like the effect of two 40W tubes.
I would suggest reading some of the other comments, I did not know the wavelength of these fixtures when I first filmed this video, but a few others who know much more about black lights commented below suggesting that the Flourescent tubes emits ~365nm and the LED fixture ~395nm.
is the LED light output adjustable, if so how about a test at lower levels?
Which would be best to use for resin art and why?
cheers, big ears
very helpfull video!!! thanks a lot (like for you)
We are trying to install black light in our church for signing and puppets, we do not want the ambience of the 2nd light. What do you recommend installing for our project.
The reason I love fluorescent blacklights is that is has a nice soft purple glow on the tubes. The issue with led black light is that is not true UV. Most led blacklights produce most of it's light in the 405nm (very deep purple) light. With the fluorescent blacklight light most of the light is 365nm. You can get 365nm leds but unfortunately they are very expensive and is more cheaper to use 405nm instead.
That strong purple glow from the UV led also ruins the atmosphere when you want black light paintings to glow in the dark.
It's because of the nanometers of light. LEDs are certainly capable of moving further down the spectrum to the more UV, less visible light. They rapidly escalate in cost, but while truer UV is a radiation that isn't good for your skin or eyes. It's a matter of choice and use purpose ultimately. Your test doesn't explore this at all, but that's the result you're producing.
indeed, fluorescent blacklights peak at either 351nm or 370nm and block wavelengths of above 400nm according to wikipedia. The cheaper LED UV leds are in the 390-410nm range. Better would be to pay more for 365nm or 370nm LEDs.
Yup likely to be cheaper led’s near around 390 as opposed to 365nm leds
Thank you for your further explanation. Combined with this video, this finally makes sense to me.
great
you are awsome
LOL!!! looking for a video on the smartest place to mount in a room in order to light up my effects and not blind me!!! I have led bars, and they are so intense that you dare not look anywhere near their direction. They put out lots of backlight capable of lighting the whole room, but when put in the position to do so it's painful 😬.. just throwing this out here to help people decide because I think I would rather have the fluorescent tubes because they look much softer on the eyes...haha✌️take care
The problem is, as time goes on, it becomes impossible to get the old style fittings or the tubes anywhere. Most disco lighting supplies are only selling LED type lights now. It's unfortunate that they don't make a newer modern fitting to use tubes, but have it sturdy and more modern.
If you have all LED black lights because in my location we could not get the black light tubes anymore ... is there a way to reduce the ambient lighting coming from the LED ?
how many of these fluo pipes would you recommend for a backyard party, considering it cannot be perfect dark space as inside...
Walmart sells a 24in Fluorescent fixture with a black light included for $11 each, buy 2 of them and hang them both across the room from each other you won't be disappointed with the results buy 4 for each wall of the room and you'll be really happy with the results, also the more watts a fluorescent black light have the more coverage you will got in black light effect
This is a GREAT video! Thank you for making my life easier! I am having a black light theme for my event and I want to buy the florescent tubes - where is the best place to buy it with fixture? It will be an outdoor event so how much would I need to get for 60 people?
You can buy the fluorescent tubes at Walmart or Ace Hardware (You can find them in store). Ask an associate about a fixture for them, and they might have what you need in stock. If not, I've updated the links where you can purchase the tubes and fixture in the description.
@@nateslighting I am looking for 48 inches florescent tube 365 - where do I find them? Walmart and Amazon keeps saying 395.... thanks
Thank u for the useful info. One question if i may ask. Did u measure the intensity of the florescent light? Thanks again.
If your talking about the lumen output, no I didn't.
@@nateslighting, thanks alot for fast responding, really helped me to decide the right light for my work. 👍👍😊
It would be cool if they could produce the LED fixture with the woods glass lens, so that most of the visible light is removed - as is the case with the fluorescent.
If I've learned anything from anywhere, it's never upgrade... Maintain and restore old equipment. It's better built, lasts longer, and is often superior in performance.
Replacing a tube, starter, or even a ballast is much easier than trying to source an exact LED replica, and solder it in...
Older equipment is often built better. About woods glass, I found this company that produces LED retrofit tubes with woods glass. Maybe this would be a feasible replacement? store.wildfirelighting.com/sableled-led-blb-lamps/
Thanks older is usually better. We made great stuff.
For Wedding? 365 nm old school? Or new led?
F40T8/BLUE 40W tube light
Is this same as black light ??
When I turned it ON for 5 min, then normal white led light, the white light was looking more yellower light for few minutes, then to white light.
Did it affect eye badly ? Any potential eye /skin damage from using F40T8/BLUE tube light ??
Thanks, I always thought fluorescent were better. Do you happen to know any fluo black light fixtures with dmx control?
Your welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video.
About fluorescent lights with DMX control, although I don't know of any DMX controllable fluorescent fixtures, you can hook one up to a switch/relay pack as long as the fixture has an outlet cord.
This dimmer/relay pack should work: CHAUVET DJ DMX-4 www.chauvetdj.com/products/dmx-4/
Also, don't try to dim your fluorescent fixture unless you have a special ballast designed for dimming. Make sure you set the dimmer/relay pack to relay mode before using.
Good question, thanks for asking!
You don't want to dim any fluorescent lamps unless the ballast has DMX controls built in. It'll blow the ballast if it doesn't...
I see you description that you didn't compare same wave lengths. Can you do another test which compares the tube with a 365nm LED and which is better with wildfire paints?
I wanted to compare the fluorescent tubes with the LED black light wavelength that consumers were most likely to get if they ordered an led black light fixture. Unfortunately, 365 nm LED black light fixtures are still quite expensive and not easy to find. If they sell at a reduced cost in the future, I may make another video. What is Wildfire Paints?
@Star Sonic labs don't mean to take away from Nates videos, but come check out my videos, they're exclusive with wildfire paints. Best paints on the market!
I like the fluorescent best
Thanks for the review just one thing, the second fixture in your description, dosen´t work for the the GE 40W 48in Linear Fluorescent Black Light Blue T12 .
Really? Why is it not compatible? The specs for the fixture online match the specs required for the bulbs.
You are correct, sorry, thanks !!
Is there any negative health effects to the fluorescent blacklight.
What kind of Fixture did you use for the 2 GE lights I just bought 1 of the same light you used in the video and have no idea what kind of fixture to use for it?
I just added a link to the fixture you need in the description, I highly recommend two tubes for the fluorescent fixture because those 2 tube fixtures don't always work with just one tube (my fixture it did) but I'm not sure if the one I linked to will or others will. If you test with one tube and see flickering and "rings" going back and forth on the tube, It's likely that it needs two tubes to work properly.
Hope this helps!
I bought some bare UV LED chips and a regular white LED bulb from china and swapped the white LEDs for the UV ones. It gives quite a nice effect, and the problems you have with this LED fixture is coming from them using the wrong wavelength. The cheapest UV LED chips are somewhere in the 390 to 420 range. It is far better to pay 3 times as much and go for a lower wavelength. I am not sure what I bought back then, its over 5 years ago, but I think it was about 370nm. My advise would be to get 365 or 370 nm ones. They do have some glare but a lot less, and it is more of a gentle blue-ish tone, somewhat similar to the tubes I guess. The 12W LED bulb I made with this by far outperforms my 25W fluorescent spotlight.
That's cool that you were able to replace the LEDs with some UV ones with the correct wavelength. I have tried replacing a few burnt out LED chips inside the Chauvet SlimSTRIP UV-18 IRC light, but unfortunately they were glued to the board and an absolute pain to remove. While it can be done, It's almost more work than it's worth, but I'm glad that you were able to find a fixture you could easily replace the chips.
Hi, is such a fluorescent tube healthy for the eyes and body? what is applicable?
I miss my black lights. Need new fixture.
Hey Nate I’m trying to make a trippy game room with a lot of black light uv posters which one would be better to have that glowing trippy effect?
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "trippy effect" but the main thing I would consider is how much ambient (visible) light do you want? If you want only the posters to glow and UV reactive stuff and nothing else, then I would go with the fluorescent. If you want there to be a little purple visible light as well so you can see the non-uv reactive material then go with the LED version. Hope this helps!
You want a fluorescent.
Alex Cruz go with the fluorescent or 365nm LED.
ok great video .. BUT what about the difference in the LED tube and your back in time fluorescent light cheers
Well, the difference is the LED UV Light produces more ambient (visible) light and the Fluorescent light produces the best true black light effect. I have a comparison chart towards the end of the video that describes the differences.
Mike Pilkington The LED fixture is a 395nm wavelength black light, which produces more visible light because the longer wavelength you'll have more visible light than UV light. If you want true UV you'll want a blacklight in the 365nm range.
@@UVBlackLights But as LED lights are not monochromatic, They will still pur out more ambient light than the fluorescent ones. LEDs will never be as good as the fluorescents.
Im in the midst of looking a uv light source for my diy printing exposure box. Is it possible to use the fluorescent? Thanks
It might. I suggest doing some research to see what uv lights have worked for similar projects. Keep in mind the UV lights used in this video were designed mainly for the UV glow effect.
My blacklight is a 675 model I don't know what watt I need ?
I used to love black light fluorescent tubes. They were pretty cool. And I bought the new LED Style black light. And they are not pretty cool they suck they're too bright and not enough purple black UV effect not by a long shot I took them back
How do you know the tube light is 365nm ? Does it specify that somewhere ?
My UV Floros have the output wave length printed on the end of the tube. In this case is 350nm.
Guys pls i have a question i want to put black light and led light in my room in the same time i want the black light effect on the things that have in my room can that work
What Nanometer are both lamps?
Hi there - been having a hard time finding 365 fluorescent black light bulbs - any idea who would be selling it these days? Thanks
I used to see them at walmart all the time, now I can't find them anywhere. Any luck?
Unfortunately, I think Walmart replaced most of their fluorescent bulbs with LED retrofit replacements. I don't believe they carry the 48" blacklight tubes anymore. It's sad.
@@nateslighting
Yup this is all I see now, I remember they would have them in stock all the time and now they have the 24 inch black light led tube. Sad
Can the color changing LED lights still work as black lights?
If your talking about the color changing par lights with UV LEDs built in, check the description of the product to see what kind of UV LEDs it has. If it reads 395 nm UV LEDs, then they will likely turn out like the LED black light in this video. If it reads 365 nm, then they should look more like the fluorescent fixture's black light output. Hope this helps!
this is why i like fluorescent more, but at least with leds you can make color changing bulbs, like smart ones, but the better lighting would have to be fluorescent, and plus, if you just want it one color all of the time, and never change the color, you might as well just get a fluorescent tube in that color, fluorescent will always beat another source of lighting one way or another
Can E27 365nm compact bulbs be 40W powerful?
Check the lumen rating.
As a nerd obsessed with the 4th state of matter(plasma) I will never ever replace any discharge lamp with LEDs.
Nate tested, wasp approved.
Does the LED black light get as hot as the fluorescent light?
It depends. I didn't measure the temperature but I think that both of the fixtures emit about the same amount of heat.
I like the tubes better. Less ambient light
This is THE video. LEDs just kill blacklight parties.
Do you know wavelengthes of both lights? It seems to me that the old one is 365nm, while the new one is 395nm, and for better test results you should take 365nm leds.
Your right about the wavelengths of both fixtures. It seems like most of the LED black light lighting fixtures are made with 395nm wavelength LEDs, instead of 365nm, and the fixtures with 365nm wavelength LEDs are very expensive. If the 365nm LED black lights get more affordable, I may make another video. Thanks for pointing the wavelengths out, I'll put that in the description.
Nate the Lighting Guy hey Nate. 365nm LEDs are getting much cheaper these days.
unfortunately most of these UV LED blacklights don't have a UV bandpass filter (that only lets UV through)
in the case of DJ'ing it kind of makes sense, as people shouldn't look directly at them as powerful led lights will put out more light (wether it be invisible as in UV AND visible)
and you don't need any other lighting, in other words perfect for clubs less for UV dye experiments/UV art
Are the LED lights 365?
390, bad comparison... Better do fluorescent 365nm vs led 365nm, led wins easy ;)
It's a shame because for the visible spectrum, LEDs are much better at producing precise colors than fluorescent, but the opposite is the case for UV lighting. Is it something that's impossible to achieve with LEDs, or is the technology there but still too costly for consumers?
I would say at this time too costly. There are a few professional LED fixtures that produce a true 365nm wavelength like the fluorescent fixtures do, but they can cost anywhere from $500 - $5,000. That's why they market these inexpensive 395nm wavelength LED fixtures as UV lights, not black lights. There is still hope. I'm waiting for a manufacturer to take advantage of the 365nm LEDs in a black light so I can compare it with the fluorescent fixture sometime in the future.
Also, the fluorescent light costs only 1/5 as much. High tech isn't always better.
LEDs also last 5x longer, and use up to 3x less power for the same UV output
The florescent black light is the best light to use for neon effects, unless you are looking for many other colors in one the led is garbage.
So.. use a Real Blacklight inside my PC case for my fluorescent paint not the led blacklights. Cool.
I always go with fluorescent tube blacklights. I can always trust I'm getting true 365nm light. I even have a few that peak all the way down to 345nm. I never liked LED near UV lights. I won't call a LED blacklight a blacklight. They just aren't. Most LED near UV lights peak between 390 and 420nm. Scientifically, this narrow area in the light spectrum is known as Near UV or Approaching Ultraviolet. And like was obvious in your video, things just don't fluoresce correctly in the near UV wavelengths. And I hate all the purple wash. I always want to laugh when I see a supposed blacklight party and the room and people (not objects in the room or peoples clothing), is brightly lit up purple. I should not be able to see your skin in true blacklight. If your wearing UV reactive clothing, it should appear like your clothes are floating in the air. So why I laugh is these kids are getting sold out by a purple party and many of them have never really experienced a real blacklight 365nm down to 340nm experience. And that's sad to me. I'm 41 and my basement is like the rave club of the 90s called The Underground. I have 9 four foot T12 345, 350 and 365nm fluorescent UV tubes in my ceiling as well as a couple very high watt mercury vapor UV lamps at 800 watts. Also there's fog throwers and red, green and blue areal laser projectors. Me and my wife have private psychedelic trance EDM parties down there a few times a year. But anyway sorry I got going on about all that. No, fluorescent tube lights are always going to be best. And they're getting harder to find. I have my 345nm ones made for me. You can't get those on the market. Man, LEDs suck.
Woah!! You seem like the real deal connoisseur of blacklight parties. I appreciate your input! This was just as helpful as the video if not more. 😊
Try 365nm leds ;) I'm building my own real BLACK light fixtures (I hate the cheap purple leds that they dare to call blacklight 😆) and they are waaaay better then the old fluorescent bulbs, I outmatch them 400w bulbs with my 100w beast, tubes I beat with 20w bar. Am also in the psy scene, if I find the right investors you'll see more of my lights 😎
Very cool informative response.
Where can I still get fluorescent lights?
Where do u live!! IM COMING OVER!!!
I have F40T8/BLUE 40W, tube light.
Is this true black light ?
It makes room with white walls look blue, not voilet but. & Glowing tube looks like sky blueish.
After being in room with this light for 5 minutes & then when u go to room with normal white light. It looks all yellowish for some time before getting normal white light view. Is this OK ? OR IS THIS LIGHT HARMFUL for eyes & skin ?
Any idea ?
PARVASENS! Is the answer!
Doesn't make much sense to compare 395nm LED light to 365nm. 395nm just outputs lots of violet light.
BLACK LIGHTS MATTER
I'm just saying led is white light ...its called black light for a reason led is great but can never be black light
Why do you keep saying "ambient light" when you have all the lights off and curtains closed. Ambient light has nothing to do with the black lights. If a hallway lamp was on in a back room spilling into your test area, that would be ambient light. If a bit of sunlight was coming through a window, that would be ambient light. There's no "ambient light" coming from those black lights no matter how great or horrible they are since "ambient" describes light sources that aren't coming from lights the you're manipulating/using and any OTHER light in the room would be ambient. Either ambient light (which can be any kind of visible light) is in the room or it isn't, which doesn't have anything to do with anything you're doing with the black lights. Cool vid.
Yeah, I was saying ambient light in the sense of unwanted visible light from the blackights, but your right. I probably just should have said visible light. I didn't know at that time, but thanks for kindly letting me know.