Alternatives to halogen capsule bulbs?

Massive light drop unless you buy luxeon type led lamps = not cheap. Just go to an electrical wholsalers and buy quality lamps (dont go in asking for bulbs, you will stick out like a sore thumb !!!)

Bulb is the correct term for the glass capsule with the filament, as many (most) halogens take. Lamp is the term used when there is further harware around the bulb, ie reflectors and associated gubbins. Of course you probably know that.

IME, electrical wholesalers are very expensive for these. I buy them in bulk from CPC, e.g.

"Bulb" refers the outer envelope of a lamp, usually bulb-shaped (as in something you plant in the flowerbed). For lamps which have nothing much else to them, they can be called bulbs. Torch lamps are always called bulbs too.