I guess the simple answer here would be ‘no’ but you know me, I never have a simple or short answer to anything. I sent you a private message on this but have decided to post the long version here as I did not hear back from you.

I believe that this (Big Apple Mystic) is the compact bulb that the company and I had a number of discussions on late last spring which I planned to test once introduced. Although the discussions were intriguing, I did not get the feeling that this bulb would be much different than the Arcadia compact. I did not discuss the fluorescent standard tube version but I would assume the technology is the same.

While waiting for this bulb to come on the market, I started discussions with Westron Lighting which proved more motivating. This company was using new technology and focusing on the decay rate rather than just the original levels.

From the conversations with the two companies, I decided to focus on testing Westron. I have had one of the Westron bulbs for several weeks now and am totally amazed at the results. I have six more bulbs set to arrive any day (on back order) as I discovered that the first bulb was an older model and the newer model is supposed to perform even better. After I have more data I will be posting some figures out here on the forum. This bulb might be priced a little high but if it is still producing 50uwcm at 12 months, then the cost overall (replacement) will be lower than the other uvb bulbs on the market.

Big Apples bulb is promising 140 uWcm2 at 11.8 inches but does not mention or project any figures on decay rate at all. Remember, the Zoo Med 10.0 compact bulb that I tested this summer that had decent new levels? The levels dropped 50% within 3 weeks of use. It is my opinion that a uvb bulb is only as good as it’s decay rate. (my new motto)
With this in mind, Westron boasts 250 uwcm2 at 12 inches and ‘guarantees’ a 50uwcm level at 12 months! Most uvb bulbs (excluding mv) do not produce the guaranteed 12-month level (50uwcm2) ‘new’ at 12 inches. I have yet to find a bulb producing anywhere near this level after several months of use let alone at 12 months in.

I guess I went with testing Westron because I saw something different and promising being presented with their emphasis on decay rate while still kicking the competitor’s butt on original levels. Unlike mv bulbs on the market today, Westron also gives the option of an external ballast so there is no fragile filament to heat up thus making the Westron EB bulb as enduring as a compact or fluorescent. Most people that swear by the MV bulbs because of the higher original levels also have the complaint about longevity. This bulb addresses that issue.

Don’t misunderstand, the Big Apple fluorescent bulbs are certainly worth looking into as this bulb will fit in a standard fluorescent fixture which many people already own. The cost is also well below Westron’s externally ballasted bulb. It is just my feeling that the projected uvb original level on this bulb will dissipate rather quickly and will end up throwing off lower uvb levels than what I would want a few months into use. Of course, this is the path that every other uvb bulb on the market takes so higher levels at origin is better than nothing for those that are willing to replace bulbs every 3 or 6 months. – I just have too many enclosures to do that so the Westron bulb better fits my needs. .

If I were not already investing so much money in testing and converting over to Westron, I would order a few of these for testing. Right now my hands are full and my wallet too stretched and I still have more than a dozen more bulbs to order from Westron.