Rock style Solar Lights have been fun to use to highlight the Dinosaurs in the park for a couple of years now. I have had mixed results with the “Destination Summer” Solar Rock lights I purchased at Bed, Bath & Beyond (BBB). The set of 3 (2 small & 1 large) many stopped working after the first year and almost all failed after the second. In addition, their finish fades significantly. See comparison of New, 1 year and 2 years outdoors. The lens cover yellows and condensation inside the lens are issues. The instructions suggest rotating or replacing the batteries. Unfortunately to access the battery I had to purchase an extra fine screw driver to remove the extremely tiny screws. Even with the special screw driver the screws are difficult to remove.
The price is 14.99 for the set of 3 a 20% off coupon which BBB regularly mails can provide extra savings. This sounds like a bargain for 3 solar lights. However, maintenance and failure issues are a big take away.
This year in addition to the set of 3 from “Destination Summer” a set of 2 larger Solar Rocks were in the offering. One of the larger light is significantly brighter than any and all of the set of 3 combined. The local BBB had the larger lights marked down to $6.99 for the set of 2 from $29.99. I discovered they were only carrying these online in the future, which accounted for the clearance pricing. Unfortunately, 1 of the 2 failed to operate from the start. I gave it an extra day to charge with no luck. Since they come as a set you have to return both! I ordered 3 sets due to the much better lighting and hoped the 1 that didn’t work was an exception.
Note: Since the store didn’t have any in stock they had to jump through hoops to give me they $6.99 price on the replacement for the return set and I had to pay $29.99 for each of the 2 additional sets. I highly recommend checking the appearance of each Solar Rock before leaving the store. Scratches on the Lens or cracks in the plastic on the rock housing were addition issues for me.
Less than 2 weeks after placing the now 6 in operation, 2 failed to continue operating. I returned without exchanging these 2. Three failures out of Eight is too high for me to consider replacing.
Home Depot has a single Solar Rock Light by Hampton Bay for $25.00. Although almost the same price as 2 from BBB I’m hoping the quality will be higher. The Rock housing is smaller than the BBB largest model. However, the brightness is equal and the lens & solar panels are the same size. In addition, the Home Depot product has two levels for adjusting the brightness and the lens pivots giving you more flexibility for directing the light than the BBB products. All the Solar Rocks are made in China. The BBB product is imported from Mexico even though it’s made in China.
I’ll keep you posted on the long term (hopefully) operation of both products.
Angie the Augustynolophus is glowing under the 3 in 1 set from BBB. Teresa the Triceratops is in the Spotlight with 1 Home Depot Solar Rock. Pamela the Pachycephalosaurus has 1 of BBB’s largest Solar shining on her. I took one picture of Pamela with the light position by her tail and one with the light in front of her. Dominic the T-Rex and The Triceratops Brothers: Christopher, Marc & Paul are lite by 2 sets each of the largest BBB lights. The Dinosaur Tree is illuminated by 1 of the largest BBB Solar Rocks. You can see the significantly brighter lighting from the Largest Solar Rocks. Your landscape will determine the brightness level that’s best for You.
The Solar Rocks allow the Dinosaurs to be enjoyed at night. The flexibility to move the rocks around to provide bright or dim lighting or from different angles on a whim is great too!
Wishing You Success with All Your Projects!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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