So, they were 72% of peak brightness right when they were turned on? That’s less than 3db difference from full brightness. The human eye would have trouble telling the difference in that amount of brightness change over a 60 second period–unless you had some sort of reference. Say, you had one bulb on and warm and a second bulb turn on next to it. Then you would be able to tell the difference, but anything less than about a factor of 2 is hard to tell *by eye*.

This is vastly better than the old folded type which could take several minutes to come up and often started with <5% of full brightness.

And, regarding the mercury discussion. The mercury in these bulbs is metalic mercury which has very low bio-availability. If you want to be worried about the toxicity of mercury, worry about the use of organic mercury compounds used in the agrabusiness world.

The best benefit of these bulbs is due to their size allowing them to be used in applications where other CFLs will not fit. I just bought a new set of light fixtures for my bathroom and regular CFLs would not fit without sticking out above the assembly. These mini-twist type fit in there.

I’m looking forward to the end of low efficiency lighting so that fixtures can be cost reduced because they no longer have to withstand the high temps of incandescent bulbs.

So, they were 72% of peak brightness right when they were turned on? That’s less than 3db difference from full brightness. The human eye would have trouble telling the difference in that amount of brightness change over a 60 second period–unless you had some sort of reference. Say, you had one bulb on and warm and a second bulb turn on next to it. Then you would be able to tell the difference, but anything less than about a factor of 2 is hard to tell *by eye*.

This is vastly better than the old folded type which could take several minutes to come up and often started with <5% of full brightness.

And, regarding the mercury discussion. The mercury in these bulbs is metalic mercury which has very low bio-availability. If you want to be worried about the toxicity of mercury, worry about the use of organic mercury compounds used in the agrabusiness world.

The best benefit of these bulbs is due to their size allowing them to be used in applications where other CFLs will not fit. I just bought a new set of light fixtures for my bathroom and regular CFLs would not fit without sticking out above the assembly. These mini-twist type fit in there.

I’m looking forward to the end of low efficiency lighting so that fixtures can be cost reduced because they no longer have to withstand the high temps of incandescent bulbs.

Just measured relative brightness versus time (every 10 seconds for 3 minutes from initial turn-on) of a New Sylvania CF23EL/MicroMini using a simple light brightness meter. Test performed at 70 degrees F, lamp mounted upright in table lamp fixture in dark room. Light sensor located 2 feet from lamp.

Results: Maximum brightness is achieved at 60 seconds from initial start..

Maximum brightness is 72% brighter than initial start brightness. (Very noticeable with naked-eye) “They don’t get bright until warmed up”

Also: The (2) new bulbs I tested stabilized in brightness after 3 minutes but had dropped off 8% from the maximum brightness achieved at 60 seconds.

“Instant-On” does not equal “Instant Bright”

Does anyone have access to Sylvania/Osram’s Performance and Life-Test data on these blubs?

Just measured relative brightness versus time (every 10 seconds for 3 minutes from initial turn-on) of a New Sylvania CF23EL/MicroMini using a simple light brightness meter. Test performed at 70 degrees F, lamp mounted upright in table lamp fixture in dark room. Light sensor located 2 feet from lamp.

Results: Maximum brightness is achieved at 60 seconds from initial start..

Maximum brightness is 72% brighter than initial start brightness. (Very noticeable with naked-eye) “They don’t get bright until warmed up”

Also: The (2) new bulbs I tested stabilized in brightness after 3 minutes but had dropped off 8% from the maximum brightness achieved at 60 seconds.

“Instant-On” does not equal “Instant Bright”

Does anyone have access to Sylvania/Osram’s Performance and Life-Test data on these blubs?

Soon other chain stores will be accepting them.

As for the mercury, as others pointed out above, incandescents put many times more mercury into our air that CFLs ever could, even if every CFL is thrown out. And with proper recycling, the mercury pollution from CFLS will plummet.

Ian said it best.

Soon other chain stores will be accepting them.

As for the mercury, as others pointed out above, incandescents put many times more mercury into our air that CFLs ever could, even if every CFL is thrown out. And with proper recycling, the mercury pollution from CFLS will plummet.

Ian said it best.