different lamps have different jobs.

I have had a poll light for general front yard light plus some mini
accent lamps to light some steps and a mini flood shining on the
underside of a porch to iluminate the porch area.

I experimented one night with lamps and this was the most effective
combo for the job.

if you want area lighting some 300 or 600 watt halogen reflectors will
do the job for say cutting grass. run very long and your electric bill
will go sky high.

They now have a fixture that looks like a halogen with a CF lamp much
more enrergy efficent although not as brite.