Customer Reviews: Evo56 Solar Security Light

EVO56 Solar Security Light

Reviewed on 21 Sep 2014

This is the 2nd solar light I have purchased from this seller, the first was the 36 model, and both are excellent the extra power of the Evo56 is welcome to light a larger area. Both models are well made and I have had the 36 model for several years now. I would recommend both models as being an ideal method of providing good security lighting with no electricty bills! 5 *

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2011

I previously bought a similar light with 45 led as it was the best reviewed solar PIR light. However I then bought the Evo56 Solar Security Light so I could compare the two. The Evo56 is significantly brighter than the competitor. It does not compare with a 500W halogen flood light of course but it does illuminate well enough that you can see where you're going and I do not plan to go back to a power-hungry halogen. The competitor light is roundly criticised for the very fiddly way it is connected to the mounting bracket--it's no fun fixing it on a cold day up a ladder. The Evo56 is also fiddly but a little less so than the competitor light. The Evo56's mounting bracket is flimsy but no doubt will suffice. Before installing the unit I left it for 4 days in a south-facing window to charge. I had to fit the Evo56 in December in a location where the panel will get no direct sunlight at that time of year. The unit worked for a few days but now does not work. I THINK this is because the charge is exhausted and there's not enough light during these cloudy December days to recharge it to the point where it will switch on. The competitor light is fitted side-by-side with the Evo56 and that switches on for a few minutes before exhausting its battery. So the competitor light seems to make rather better use of limited sunlight. The Evo56 does have the facility to plug in an additional solar panel and this may make it usable during the winter but I have not tried that yet. When this light works it is fine but I'd recommend caution if you cannot place the solar panel in full sunlight.

Reviewed on 22 Sep 2011

The light itself is easy to install, 3 holes into the wall and the panel goes up, 2 more and the light goes up. Takes about 15 minutes all in. For those of us who failed utterly to even think about outside lighting when getting the house re-wired last year (whoopsie!) the ability to install something like this is such a bonus. I live in the country, no ambient light at night, with this on I can see right across the garden, in recent rain and winds I spent an hour in the dark dismantling the kids trampoline by the light of the EVO56, it kept going fine.The light from this is bright, as in "don't look at it" bright. It is never going to be the same as a 500W halogen, but is probably close to that of a 150W mains light. The controls are simple enough to use, although I've not messed with them much.I did have a problem with the first light I was sent, it didn't charge the battery, however the new one is working absolutely fine in all conditions. I have put the panel facing SW and have had no problem with running out of go-go juice. My only tiny problem is that the panel is designed to sit on a flat roof and not wall mount, this means I can't angle mine to point properly South.Overall I am really happy with this light, it was a bit of a punt into solar as it is not cheap, but I am happy with the result.

Reviewed on 15 Sep 2011

Well done Solar Light package! The sensor works very nicely! The light is amazingly bright! I have three of them now and i am very pleased with them!

Reviewed on 5 Sep 2011

Bought this the light the area behind my shed as the shed casts a shadow from the main 500 watt halagon. Lights an area of about 8m x 3m with enough light to see the cats in the bushes. Will be looking at replacing the 500w with 2 of these.

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2011

Innovation results in reduced prices and often with a corresponding improvement in quality and there are some superb deals to be found. Some like the Evo56 Solar Security light have received superb reviews.What the Evo56 (security) light does exceptionally well for its ability to provide solar powered and motion detector.My partner needed discrete lighting for the drive. The drive is an area of 16x12 West facing with side access to the rear. We decided that the ideal place for the light was facing the house to highlight a step and improve the light on the drive so you can see where you are going.Having received delivery in early August I followed the simple instructions and installed the light and the solar panel about 12ft off the ground. The instructions advise that the solar panel is placed facing South at an angle that would follow the Sun's movement through the day. The instructions also advise that you leave the lamp switched off for up to 5 days to allow the battery to charge - We went on holiday for 15 days...The Evo56 is fantastic for people who like me are not able to change the existing drive or garden layout to install an electrical supply or do not want to fit a mains security light facing the road. I'm sure there are dozens more applications where the Evo56 would come in handy.Now the days are sadly shorter we are finding that the Evo56 is providing brilliant light helps security and safety (step) with its bright white LED with a motion sensor. All without the usual light pollution.To date I haven't any negative comment to say. Most friends see the solar panel and ask what it is for and are surprised to see the light placed discreetly to one side. Clearly many simply haven't become aware of the light this type of lamp are now starting to provide so unfortunately they continue to pay qualified electricians to install mains powered motion detecting flood lights when they might be fitting this light very simply themselves saving on installation charges and on energy bills too.We like Argenta do not plan to go back to a power-hungry halogen.

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2011

On opening the box, first impression is that while the unit is well made and feels very solid, the mounting bracket for the light itself is a little flimsy. So far, however, it is holding up well. Where it's located, it also gets the full force of the English rain (which is not recommended, the instructions suggest mounting in a sheltered location), but so far without any problem so the unit itself seems to be well waterproofed.One of the really big plus points for this light is the remote solar panel. In my garden, even in full summer, the light itself barely sees the sun but the panel, which is on the top of my greenhouse, gets sun all afternoon. Lights with integrated panels just would not work here, so the remote panel is really important. The design of the panel base is also very good, making mounting the panel relatively easy, and the long cable allows a good degree of flexibility in placement.The performance of the large solar panel is also good, so far charging the light sufficiently to maintain operation even though it only sees direct sunlight for half the day. I also like that a second panel can be connected, which I might be doing in the winter - see how well the light copes with the short days.Brightness-wise, this unit gives out plenty enough light for security purposes, or to see what you are doing, and gives a reasonable level of illumination even 40 feet away (end of the garden). The sensitivity of the unit is excellent, so much so in fact that the sensitivity adjustment feature is mandatory so that you can turn it down. The adjustments for light-on duration and ambient-light level (how dark it has to be for the light to trigger) are also very useful. THe ability to "switch off" the light, preventing it from draining the battery, is also a nice touch.There are really only two negatives with this unit, and both of these are more annoyances than problems.The first is that if you are moving in front of the sensor, the light will come on for the configured time, switch off, and immediately come back on again. This is disconcerting when using the light to see where you are walking, and I would prefer if it simply stayed on until movement stopped, and then started it's timeout.The second is a result of the amount of control it gives you. It takes a fair amount of fiddling to get the light adjusted so it does exactly what's needed. It's easy to get the light to work, but the fine-tuning can be fiddly - especially if it's necessary to go up a ladder every time an adjustment is needed. This is however much better than lights with no adjustments at all.Overall, I like this product, and its working well so far. It will be interesting to see how it performs in the winter, but with the option of a second panel I have high expectations.

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2011

The EVO56 security light looks and behaves in a similar fashion to any mains powered unit apart from having a solar panel unit attached.It's apparently the brightest security solar light on the market and with its 56 LED bulbs it really is surprisingly bright although not as bright as my neighbour's blindingly bright halogen light. I currently have mine installed on a nearby wall where it works fine. The sensitivity of the PIR detector will need a bit of trial and error to adjust correctly - if setting is too sensitive it will activate the light unnecessarily which will run the battery flat (and conversely if not sensitive enough it might not activate the light at all). Adjusting it is quite simple - rotating a small dial but this might be easier with the assistance of a second person to trigger the movement. You can also adjust the length of time the light remains on from 4 - 30 seconds - as I don't think mine will be triggered that frequently I wasn't worried about it staying on too long and using up battery power. Positioning the solar panel to receive maximum sunlight was a slight problem as although it was south facing for part of the day it is in the shadow of a nearby building and tree. This doesn't seem to have adversely affected performance (despite warnings to the contrary) but perhaps this is because it is summer and the light levels are high enough for it to charge adequately despite the less than optimum conditions. A friend has suggested that the solar panel would be easy to fit on the roof which would mean it would then get maximum sunlight and would also be concealed which might increase its appeal to those conscious of appearances. Overall the EVO56 is a great alternative to a mains powered security light - free to run and no electrician costs to install!

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2011

Fitted the Evo 56 on the shed (it has no electricity supply) so a solar security light was my only option. Took the light straight from the box it was easy to fit. I fitted it in the morning in bright sunlight and by night it was working giving off plenty of light it also has a second jack plug for attaching to a second solar panel if required. Its great & gives off almost as much light as a hard wired light which i also have further up the garden. I would recommend this to anyone who has a detached shed/garage with no electricity supply well done solar centre great product.

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2011

Being a woman alone I thought the EVO56 SOLAR SECURITY LIGHT to be just what I needed to illuminate my back garden which I felt need that extra bit of security.I would like to add that being a "mere" woman I found the product easy to install .... well if I can install it anyone can !!!As always the company has a brilliant customer service base that is always very helpful.