Martin: I bet part of the problem is the firefighter LEDs were chosen for intensity over color rendition, by the manufacturer. This is what "most" people want, and what Luxeon largely markets their higher power LEDs based on (i.e. power). Of course, lots of intensity in the blue/indigo/purple range. I have read on candlepower that the LEDs from them are available with a much more incandescent/yellow cast, the yellowishness in varying amounts. Contrary to what you probably want, many people seem to downgrade these incandescent-looking LEDs, they want "white"!

Agree that white LEDs are even uglier than compact fluorescents in most living spaces, I'm very picky where I use them, halogen is so much more liveable IMO. Perhaps the next generation won't mind, the weird light will be "normal" to them.