LEDMyplace 4FT LED T8 Ballast Bypass Type A+B Light Tube, 22W, 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K/6000K/6500K Selectable, Single or Double End Powered, 2860lm, 100-277V, Clear, ETL Listed, Pack of 4

These tubes are nicely done. They are bright and exactly fit into an existing fixture. THe only drawback for the "Average Joe" is rewiring the internals to cut out the Ballast and wire 120VAC direct to both ends of the LED tube. This is easily accomplished with Wire Nuts, but may not appeal to non "Sparky" types.Next, my research into general LED bulbs reveals a couple of basic drawbacks to their design. Many, if not most, LED lamps that are not higher end priced have a very simple Rectifier / Voltage Regulator circuit. All this is fine with the exception of two main issues. 1) Line spikes. In areas where the source is poorly regulated or is subject to lightening strikes can really devastate these designs. The other approach is using an active SMPS device to manage the voltage. Managing heat is a problem in this case. I Have several that have failed ( some within a few weeks ) because of excessive heat buildup AND a lack of internal ventilation.2) Environment ( ie, heat ). If the bulb is placed in an overhead fixture where heat is not allowed to escape, its destruction is assured. Another is outdoors. The bulb doesn't have to be completely sealed if it is in a protected area. Thus, a bulb in a covered area will function just fine.... for a while.Even in a desk or bedside lamp, heat will kill many of these designs. Principally, in my opinion, this is because there is no ventilation of the internal electronics.I do not know what kind of electronics these contain, but I'm impressed enough to buy a few more and continue the examination.Another benefit of LED's in general is low temp environments. Florescents have a problem with operating in low temperatures ( even in Houston ). LEDs address the flickering and low output that a cold environment brings.

I have been retrofitting water-tight fixtures at work, and those led's all had to have the ballast removed and fixtures rewired. When I saw these would work with or without a ballast I ordered one for my basement workshop to see just how well it would work. My very first though when I stuck the bulb in was "too bright! ...too bright!" lol. -Needless to say, I highly recommend turning off the light before swapping out the bulb because the 3000 lumen rating seems dead on. The bulb is noticeably brighter then fluorescent it replaced.Being able to use with or without a ballast is great. It makes installation a snap if you have a working ballast like I did, but still gives completely flexibility so that if, or rather when, your ballast goes the bulb can still be used. The color temp of 5000k provides a very strong, natural white color without being over the top with a blueish hue like same daylight bulbs are.One thing I would note is that the higher your fixture the better with this bulb. I would say that it casts at about 200 degree angle, versus 360 from a fluorescent, so while there is less "wasted" light going up, a fixture mounted at an angle, or sideways on a wall, would probably cast a shadow line.Overall, this bulb is a significant upgrade over the fluorescent I had, and much more user friendly then the bulbs we have been installing at work. Five stars all the way.

Had to cut out my burned up ballasts but after 10 minutes and four twist lock wire nuts I have very nice garage lights again.I ordered 4 more of these for the other housing and will duplicate the process for that sweet sweet 6500k spectrum.They work, but I had to do some simple wiring.

I was looking for both more light and lower cost than the T12 tubes I had in my family room. I chose these because of the 3000 lumen rating and the bright white (6500k) light.These did not work with the electronic ballast in my fixtures but that was OK since I was going to remove the ballast anyway to save power. After getting my question answered about how to directly wire them (one AC wire to one pin on each end), I installed the four bulbs in two of my four fixtures. REALLY BRIGHT! Turned out to be more light than we wanted, this being a family room not an operating room, so I went from two bulbs in each fixture to just one and the room is still brighter than it was. Net result, I had replaced eight T12 bulbs with four of these so my power went from 320 watts to 88 watts with more light output.For comparison. I've included a picture of two of these LED bulbs in the left side fixture and two T12 tubes in the right side fixture. the T12 bulbs are not as yellow as the picture makes them seem, but the LEDs are much whiter.Observations: These might be a little too white for some people. Also, since the LED cover is clear, there is less diffusion than florescent tubes and some LED tubes with white covers. This was fine for me because I was reflecting off the cathedral ceiling but it might be an issue in some locations. Obviously, since they were just installed, the longevity is unknown.

Like the fact I did not have to bypass the ballast to get these working. I may do so in the future but this got my kitchen lights going immediately. Bright lights and in the color temperature I ordered. Arrived very well packaged.