Rope lights (junk?......)

[JumpStart73]

Just bought 2 LED clam rope lights. First one, the last 12" didn't light up. Second one, half way down 6"didn't light and the last 12" didn't light. Did I have a run of bad luck buying these or does anyone else have problems with this set of lights.

[dairyman]

I bought a set and even when they all lite up ---------it wasn't that brite----took em back and bought a couple of UFO lites--much better

[JumpStart73]

UFO are they at GM?

[MN BassFisher]

He's just talking about the design. They are circular and look like a UFO. HT makes some, but I went to Wally world and went to their camping section and bought the exact same design for like $7-8 bucks. Much cheaper than the same exact ones marketed for "ice fishing".

[bobbymalone]

cheap chinese junk is junk. clam isn't in the business of led lights any further than slapping their sticker on it as leaves the cheap chinese junk factory and then charging you far more than what it's worth.

[B-man715]

In my experience they are junk. I had the exact same problem.

I bought a small led strip from the prostore (FireBRIGHT FLEX Tube LED 9 1/2"). They are much brighter, take up less room, and have been proven RELIABLE. They also draw very little amperage.

I store it right behind my vexilar. It's ready to go whenever and wherever needed.

http://outdoorprostore.com/equipment/led-ice-fishing-lights/

[LipRipper!!]

I have tried rope lights and round ufo lights and did not like any of them...I went back to the 12 volt light bulb and clip it to a spare battery. It is brighter than any of the other lights and only costed about $10. I have heard good things about the led lights you can buy on this site but have not tried them yet..... just my

[harvey lee]

Take a look at the ones in the Outdoor pro Store.

These babies are the cat's meow.

[chris63]

It's funny that the term "Chinese junk"is very prevalent in today's manufacturing world.As long as our labor costs are the price they are we will continue to see "junk"for the foreseeable future.It's all about the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!c63

[harvey lee]

One can purchase nice bright lights without going to China. The ODPS has some very nice, bright quality lights with super CS if you were to run into a warranty issue.

[motley man]

Outdoor pro lights work great and easy to take in and out as they hang on anything.

[magicstix]

As of right now I'd suggest the ODPS also. I just got mine today a 48" strip. I've only held it up in the porty but they do seem to have a lot of light output. After I get installed and try it out a couple times I'll know more but it looks good right now.

I'm thinking a 48" up front and a 24" or 36" behind me for tieing jigs,etc. should really light things up. I've tried the clams[junk, gave them away], 2-ufos 48led[good light output, poor durability].

If these lights hold up in the long run they'll be well worth the money.

[bobbymalone]

One can purchase nice bright lights without going to China. The ODPS has some very nice, bright quality lights with super CS if you were to run into a warranty issue.

I would bet you are still going to China, just with a lot more quality control.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I would recommend the lights from LED light dot com. I've used them in 2 houses and they work great and have very little power draw.

[masoct3]

ditto on the Outdoor Store. I have the 19 incher.

[dmichaelm]

I know the outdoor store lights are popular but.....

I picked up the Clam LED tube light, and i love it. Especially that I can velco it to the shelter and hook it to a 12v battery (after I use the 3hr charge it has).

[riverwalker]

go to mills and in their auto dept get the florescent light that hooks to your car battery in case of an emergency (don't remember brand but its yellow). knock off the alligator clips, shorten wires as needed, and attach some posts that fit to a vexilar battery. it draws so little power and is plenty bright. it comes with a hanger and will hang almost anywhere. I use one in my clam 200 hung from ceiling and my buddy uses 2 in his command post. it's 15 or 20 dollars and best thing i've used/seen for lighting a portable. just an idea

[PlagueWielder]

Hands down. Get the OPS Firebrite LEDs in the appropriate length for your porty. Probably the 48s, maybe 38 for a 1 man. The Clam ropes are sticker slapped junk and anything but LED draws way too much juice. Get 2 or 3 and put em on the front and middle overheads. A third under the rail of your sled is nice to light up only what you're looking at. I have 3 in my Yukon and can get a tan if I run them all.

[Ed Carlson]

Rope lighting was good but the technology has quickly passed it bye, from when we first started to model it into Ice Shacks kits some 6 - 8 years ago. Some of my first ice house lighting kits I made still work today, but the new materials I use now really makes the Rope Lights obsolete in comparison.

I run Warm White LEDs and a UV Blacklight SMD bar combination to enhance my view-ability while fishing. This combination makes Dead Stick rods, floats, tiny jigs, and tackle far more visible, and line handling a snap. Even with micro thin super braids in the night.

If your looking for a cooler, more crisp lighting, then the White or Warm White Tri-Chip Tubes are the best I have seen.

[Surface Tension]

I used the rope lights as well. After fixing the plug and sockets that plagued these lights later what I've found was a bit more alarming. The insulation for the wiring would crack in the cold and cause a direct short. I caught that early enough before it burnt my house down or the battery blew up. Installing an in-line fuse is a good idea.

The Firebrite LED Lights use heavy duty, commercial grade wiring.

[fishwater]

Rope lighting was good but the technology has quickly passed it bye

Ed's totally right here. Awesome product suggestion with the light bars. I have another brand, but these look a little nicer and cheaper.

[MnIceman]

I just bought a clam fan/light from FF and the fan works great but the light quits after 3-4 minutes. I was glad the 3 rope lites were still in the Otter. They have a few spots that don't work anymore. They get beat up from all the moving in the portable. I put 3 of the GM rope lights in my perm 4 years ago and they still work great. They are not bright enough to tie nots so I found a 12 volt flourescent screw in style bulb that works good and draws less than half the wattage of an incandescent.I have a pull string on that just use it when I need it.

[fishwacker1]

I have bought both sizes of firebrite led lights from the outdoorpro store. They are bright and work well for me.

[quickfish6]

I have a HT puck lights and they work ok! Rope lights really dont put off a lot of light and them seem to really not work . I had one and it didnt light up all the way so I brought it back.

[The Hex]

Basically have the same set up as firebrite LEDs. Works great.