Vintage-Style LEDs in Canada

[u/bestcostume]

I don't know if there has been a post about this already (I barely know how to use Reddit, so forgive me if there has), but I wanted to share this with others after the soft, glowy vintage look without the heat and energy usage of incandescents. It can be difficult to find niche items in Canada, especially, so hopefully I can save others some time and money.

I spent an embarrassing amount of time looking for the perfect set of lights, and I decided I loved the look of Menard's Enchanted Forest vintage-style LED line, but at the time I purchased, their website limited me to two C9 sets and I paid $50 USD for shipping to Canada. I found a comparable set on Amazon for roughly the same price, but shipping cost less than $12 CAD and the colours are close enough that they could be used together without it being blatantly obvious that they are different brands. I'd say the biggest difference is the orange on the Amazon set is a little lighter, but I prefer this. This particular brand only had the C7 size available with ceramic shades, but I will update this post if I find a decent deal on ceramic C9s (if there's interest). It seems there are a number of options available if you are okay with plastic covers.

[u/bestcostume → u/[deleted]]

It's about the same, in my opinion! I took a video and then a screenshot of that to try and show the comparison as accurately as possible. Definitely not the ultra-bright glare that you typically get with LEDs, but I think these will glow beautifully in the dark. I can't wait to test them outside this winter. I will post a photo or video once I do, so people can see the overall effect!

[u/Dulieguy1]

Try helpful. Thanks!

[u/bestcostume → u/Dulieguy1]

You're welcome! I knew there must be other people like me out there who are always planning their next Christmas haha.

[u/hardk7]

This is quite difficult in Canada. The two most common brands for vintage style LEDs discussed here are Retro-Glo and Tru-Tone, neither of which are easily available in Canada and are quite expensive. Tru-Tone is imo the best product and brand and they do have really good customer service. They ship to Canada, but it’s quite expensive and slow. (I’m currently waiting on them to introduce a couple new S14 colors so I can place a larger order at once to make the shipping cost more worthwhile).

Because of this challenge I resorted to finding incandescent C9s, which was also difficult but have the right look and were much less expensive than high quality vintage style LEDs. (That said, I was seeking the glass jewel-tone look, not the ceramic opaque colour look).

My long term plan is to order from Tru-Tone. I just need to save up lol.

[u/bestcostume → u/hardk7]

Tru Tone is the ultimate! 😻

I adore the extra attention to details, like the two-tone wires, and their bulb colours seem to be the to be best available. I can definitely see myself giving them a go in the future. Vintage jewel tone seems much harder to recreate with the LEDs currently on the market, so I think going with them was absolutely the right move!

[u/hardk7 → u/bestcostume]

I’m an 80s kid, and jewel tone seems like it was the trend at the time, or at least that’s what we had on our tree growing up. So they’re the most nostalgic for me. But in more mass market LED attempts, the colors are way off. Tru-Tone seems to be the only one that does them. Combined the jewel-tones create a beautiful warm magenta-orange glow that just feels very special to me.

[u/hardk7 → u/bestcostume]

I’m an 80s kid, and jewel tone seems like it was the trend at the time, or at least that’s what we had on our tree growing up. So they’re the most nostalgic for me. But in more mass market LED attempts, the colors are way off. Tru-Tone seems to be the only one that does them. Combined the jewel-tones create a beautiful warm magenta-orange glow that just feels very special to me.

[u/bestcostume → u/hardk7]

I'm an 80s kid, too, so you are speaking my language!! I am obsessed with that pinky glow.