Ravedigital | DJ, Turntables, Raves, EDM, Reviews

Where to buy:

• Glowproducts.com: Box of 50 Northern Light glowsticks $34.50 (12h, 30m, 5m)
• Extremeglow.com: Box of 50 Omniglow Glowsticks $52.50 (12h, 30m, 5m)

[tag]glowproducts, extremeglow, glow stick, ultra, light stick[/tag]

For most recreational and part-time glowstickers, the only time people stop to compare the quality of one glow stick brand to another is when a glow stick leaks inadvertently on a dance floor. Cheap novelty sticks sold for an over inflated price is a common fixture at clubs and raves. However, serious glowstickers (from glowsticking.com and other web sites) have learned thus to purchase their glow sticks online for a much cheaper price than what is usually offered at parties, clubs, and raves to fufill their own insatiable need for glowsticks.

Omniglow brand glow sticks have been the mainstay of serious glowstickers, owing to the quality, durability, and the unrivaled brightness of their high-intensity and ultra high-intensity line of glow sticks. However, they are also the most expensive line of glow sticks due to their use by the military and for industrial purposes.

Recently, I received an email from Glowproducts.com asking for a comparison with the first non-Omniglow brand ultra high-intensity glow stick manufactured (according to the wrapper) by Northern Light Products. Given that their price for their glow sticks are (at the time of the writing) $0.69 cents a piece compared to the lowest price for Omniglow glow sticks found online at $1.10 a piece, naturally my curiosity was piqued.

They sent me their full line of glow sticks, but in this comparison article I will be comparing their 12 hour green and yelow, 30 minute yellows, and 5 minute products directly against Omniglow brand glow sticks of the same type as these are by far the most commonly used glow sticks by serious glowstickers. In addittion, the 30 minute yellows and 5 minute oranges from Omniglows are known as the brightest possible.

First impressions

The packaging for the Northern Light glow sticks are a little bit more flexible than Omniglow brand glowsticks, and easier to rip open. However, it can be argued that the Omniglow brand glowstick packaging serves a useful purpose– to keep your glowsticks fresh for longer. Since these glow sticks will probably not be kept in storage for years in harsh conditions, this is a moot point.

Industrial 12 hour visual comparison

The industrial glowsticks from Northern Light offers a detachable hook in addition to the quite strong and sturdy hook. This should appeal to stringers looking for a stronger hook than what comes with the Omniglow industrial 12 hours. The length of the glowstick with the detachable hook is silghtly shorter, and the glowstick tube itself is of a hexagon shape. However, the tube length is exactly the same.

The high intensity and ultra high intensity visual comparison

The Northern light glowsticks for the 30 minutes and 5 minutes were about the same length as Omniglows in terms of the tube– however, one thing I never noticed is the fact that the Omniglow 30 minute glow stick tube length is a bit longer in length than any other glowsticks in the Onniglow brand glowsticks. The Omniglow 12 hours and 5 minute ultras are the same size. In comparison the Northern Light glowsticks are the same length for both the 30 minutes high intensity and 5 minute glowsticks whereas the industrials are shorter

Brightness conclusions for 5 minutes and 30 minute glowsticks

Overall, it’s undeniable that the 5 minute ultra high-intensities from Omniglow is brighter (given the price point, it’s understandable). However, it’s surprising to see that the 30 minute yellows from Omniglows are about the same brightness as the 5 minute Northern Lights, at least for the initial 10 seconds. In general, Omniglow brand glowsticks tend to reach full brightness much quicker (without shaking needed) than Northern Light glowsticks.

Brightness conclusions for the 12 hour glowsticks

In terms of the industrial 12 hour glowsticks– the mainstay of glowstick use, the difference is minimal. In fact, there was really no difference in brightness after the first 10 seconds. Omniglow glowsticks were a bit brighter for the first 10 seconds (perhaps a more instant shattering glass tubing?), but after this period of time, the Northern Light glowsticks held their ground. In fact, after 4 hours they were indistinguishable in brightness and after more than 12 hours, the Northern Light glowsticks were marginally brighter.

Just cracked.

To glowstring or not to glowstring

One thing that will appeal to glowstringers is that the Northern Light glowsticks tend to have much stronger areas to hold a knot. For the 12 hour brand of glowsticks, the difference is even more. One thing that is irritating about the 30 minutes and 5 minute sticks is that the hook is much longer than it has to be. Glowstringers may wish to cut off the area that is superfluous.

Freehanders

Freehanders who prefer hexagonal shapes and a much smaller less noticble tips will love the Northern Light industrial 12 hours. However, for the 5 minute and 30 minute sticks, the feel of the longer length tip compared to Omniglows will take some getting used to.

Conclusion: It’s the (personal) economy, stupid

I can fully make the recomendation to use Northern Light glows sticks for normal glowsticking and glowstringing. 12 hour glowsticks are the mainstay of the glowsticking scene and at 75% of the price of omniglow brand 12 hours, there really isn’t anything better. However, glowproducts only sells these glowsticks in boxes of 50. This isn’t that big of an issue considering how cheap their box of 50 glowsticks is, and the fact that most serious glowstickers stock pile to save money over the long run.

For freehanders for the 30 minutes and 5 minutes, there is no challenge. Omniglow 5 minute and 30 minutes are much more suited for freehanding due to the shape, size, and brightness. However, they are more expensive. For practice sessions when the full brightness of an Omniglow isn’t required, Northern Lights are fine, with the over long tips being the major exception (although of course, the tip can be cut off).

Glowstringers now have a few more alternatives to the flimsy candletip hooks that come with Omniglows. So the drawbacks in brightness is outweighed by both the price point and a more durable hook. However, being that the tip is a bit longer, it may be easier to cut off the hook, leaving the durable hole in place (it is much more difficult to strengthen the tip than to shorten it).

In all Northern lights have succeeded in providing one of the best alternatives in a long time to the isolated recreational glowstick market.