I agree that CRI and all of the current color index ratings are severely limited in offering a complete evaluation of light quality and are subject to gaming of the numbers by LED light manufacturers. Testing for the intended application is always neccessary to insure satisfactory results.
I linked the LED manufacturer Waveform because they at least seem to take color seriously. They include quite a bit of detailed information on their website including downloadable photometric test data with CRI (Re and Ra), CQS, TLCI, and spectral power distribution data.
https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_7001.50.pdfThey provide much more information than I'm used to seeing from other manufacturers. Their spec sheet also includes the TM-30-15 rating and minimum as well as typical specs.
https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_7101.pdfIf someone were interested in a build your own LED light, their site isn't a bad place to start. They have detailed photometric test reports available for a number of their products.
https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/ As well as additional information that may be useful.
https://www.waveformlighting.com/high-cri-led https://www.waveformlighting.com/tech/LED lights are less than ideal compared to continuous spectrum sources, but they're not going away and are getting better. CRI is also less than ideal, but it's better than nothing as a
starting point for comparing lights. It can at least weed out from consideration the really bad options.
I don't think that I've ever replied to a post of yours. Let me take the opportunity to say that I always enjoy reading what you've had to say. Also, many years back I've had the opportunity to listen to you speak at an event or two and chat with you a bit in person. You (and the greatly missed Bruce Fraser) helped put me on the right path to a better understanding in my early days of approaching digital color. Not to worry though, you are hereby absolved of any blame when I get my foot entangled in my mouth.
Best Regards and thanks for your long record of contribution to the community.