There are quite a few models of white+red recently (instead of multi-band based on red+blue). I think part of this is that the white diodes have been improving quicker in efficiency. White LEDs are basically blue LED with phosphor coating. So they have a blue peak + other color emitted from phosphor. The higher color temp (5000K) has less phosphor (a bit of simplification here), so you see more strong blue peaks.
If you take a look at the 2nd link in
the thread I posted a while ago, you can see the efficiency of white+red is pretty high. Take a look at
Table 3 (p.6).
Also in the same table, you'll notice that not all LEDs are efficient, and some of them are just barely better than T8 (higher value of 5-th column means better efficiency). Note that most of LED fixtures tested here are not the cheap end, but some models are older models. Especially Osram Fluoro is probably more efficient than the value listed for T8 in the table. So if you are thinking about getting cheap LED fixture, it might be better to replace T8 bulbs. The efficiency of the T8 ballast doesn't change much over time, does it?
If you can do DIY (pretty simple), you can save money. Cree CXA series (white chip-on-board LEDs, which is a bit newer technology) is very easy to use.
I forgot to mention this: there are linear style Philips GreenPower LED (I think the price is 120cm bar, 30W, is about $240 or less). I believe that Ray was thinking of getting these for his personal use. The spec. looks pretty good:
GreenPower LED - Philips
Advice need for LED lights
Linear Mode
