Interesting about the halogens going through bulbs
My really cheapie halogen (a true POS) never seems to need new bulbs...maybe twice in forever (forget when I got it, maybe the late '80s). Haven't had my Sears one all that long but its bulbs have lasted ~5 years at least.
I wonder if it's the *bulbs* themselves. Maybe some name-brand/expensive bulbs would last longer. I've always used...uhm...oh, what are they
Sylvania I think.
[Insert Accumulator's usual comments on using cheap incandescent lights for
final inspections...]