While reading the O'Blaney Rinker SEPTEMBER ISSUE today the SimpleLine LED from dado lighting caught my eye. The node-free linear line of light fits within standard drywall (5/8" or 1/2" thick) and runs continuously in vertical, horizontal, diagonal, inside or outside corners - the combinations are limitless. I appreciate the construction of aluminum housing with mud-in flanges and snap-in matte white acrylic lens. The fixture mounts directly to studs, and should be easy to understand and install by contractors. I can see this being used in a variety of applications.
Kichler Lighting
We had a visit with Estrin Zirkman and Kichler Lighting in our office this week. They focused on both their main lines as well as fixtures from their Elan Lighting line. They describe the difference between the two lines as Kichler leaning more towards the traditional style and Elan providing a more modern take on decorative lighting. We saw a sample of the Tvill from Elan. It's an LED wall sconce with an extruded acrylic diffuser. We liked the construction of the sconce with the diffuser being a solid piece of acrylic rather than an open diffuser like we have seen from other manufacturers. It helped to evenly diffuse the light more.
Most of the fixtures from Elan have a polished chrome finish to give them a more modern feel, while the fixtures from the main Kichler line have more variety with finishes and materials used. All of the LED products that Elan offers have integral drivers and are dimmable as standard. Another highlight is that the price point for their fixtures is pretty competitive for the quality that we saw from the samples they showed us.
Bandis Vision
We had the opportunity to see a new LED panel manufacturer at our office yesterday, Bandis Vision. Bandis Vision speciallizes in acrylic panels that are etched vertically and horizontally then are edge lit with LEDs for a luminous surface. Both various color temperatures as well as RGB are available. Most of their products are made in Toronto where their headquarters is, but they do have a less expensive version made in China. Although it is only 10% less.
They can provide the panels by themselves with multiple U channel options that can accommodate varying sizes of panels. Or they can offer it with a frame that can capture materials such as signs or graphics to be backlit. The frame can open up to easily replace the material in front.
They are open to customizing the panels to fit site requirements. The size of the individual panels can get as large as 5' x 10'. However, the panels can be butted up next to one another by removing the the channel along those sides. You can increase the light output by having the LEDs on more edges instead of the typical single edge for small panels. Shapes are also a part of their wheelhouse, but does add a longer lead-time.
All of the panels are dimmable and come with a pre-programmed remote for the RGB panels that allows the users to control the colors as well as set scenes. There is also an app available.
We have seen several LED panels like this before from other manufacturers, but it's always good to have another option to do a side-to-side comparison. According to Bandis Vision, they have the upper hand in terms of output they can produce.
SDA Showcase 2014
Stan Deutsch Associates had their semi-annual showcase with a good showing from their lines. A lot of the fixtures we saw, especially from Design Plan, Solavanti and Inter-lux were previously only available in Europe and other parts of the world. It's exciting to finally be able to specify some products ALW had a few new things in their booth that we hadn't seen yet. One of them being tunable white LED strips which can go in any of their 2" or larger profiles. They also had a new pendant: Lightplane 3". The LPR3 is available in direct, indirect and bi-directional configurations.
Design Plan had a lot of their fixtures on display ranging from LED curved cove, pendants, bollards and recessed in-grade uplights.
Design Plan has brought out an LED high bay equivalent product into the market.
The curved cove light, 3D LED Flex, can bend in both vertical and horizontal axis.
We were introduced to a new manufacturer, Feng Shui Lighting. They provide solutions to backlighting panels with a product called Netlight. Linear strips of LEDs are attached to each other with equal spacing vertically to create a net like surface. The Netlight can either come with a frame or without for installation by others. Because of the spacing, they are able to provide a relatively shallow depth while still providing an evenly lit surface without visible nodes. We suggested the idea of a larger spacing net for installations that have more depth available but are more limited with wattage. They didn't have a solution for that, but it sounds like they would look into it for future applications.
Inter-lux Filix is now providing their Snake fixture in the US. It is an exterior recessed walk-over uplight that can be curved into different patterns. The tightest radius they can achieve is 1' circle.
Solavanti has updated their closet light so that is now available with uplight and downlight.
USAI had a nice booth this year showing a lot of their fixtures in typical installations. One highlight of their booth was a new family of low profile housing fixtures. All of the houses are 4" with ceiling thickness included. Right now only downlight versions are available, but they are working on wall wash trims that will use the same housings. They are also offering higher output versions of their LED2.0 family. Another fixture we saw was a revamped sliver fixture. The new Sliver has a low wattage transformer installed and is intended for use with a retro-fit LED lamp. This way because the transformer is already a low wattage, it eliminates the need for a wattage restriction label in order to pass code. The housing was also very small which makes an even better option for retro-fit applications.
Intense Lighting
Intense Lighting introduced their new line of high output downlights called Gravity. Gravity is available with both fixed downlight and adjustable. A cylinder surface mounted version is coming out soon and a wall wash version and square apertures are also in the works. The fixtures are available in either a 6" or 8" aperture. Other options include 20°, 30°, 40° and 50° beam spreads, 82/92 CRI, 27K, 3K, 35L and 4K. Lumen packages vary from 2300lm to 7500lm. Fixtures can be specified with an integral dimmable driver and use Bridgelux LEDs.
When we looked at the sample, we saw it with both an open reflector and a lensed reflector. The lens helped to smooth out the beam and clean things up. Although for the application these fixtures would be used for, you probably wouldn't see any thing in the beam anyway. But it's good to know that it is an option.
The great thing about these fixtures is they have a relatively small housing for such a large lumen package. The other high powered recessed downlights that we have seen from other manufacturers have large housings. These are a good option when recessing depths are more constricted.
Artemide Showroom
We had the opportunity to visit the Artemide showroom in Soho for a private viewing of their collections. Artemide has an extensive catalog ranging from floor lamps, ceiling fixtures and table lamps. They are transitioning some of their fixtures to incorporate LEDs but it depends on the family. Some new fixtures that are available or are in development are only going to be available in LED.
We noticed that the most successful fixtures from Artemide are the ones that have a larger family with several sizes and mounting options. Castore is one of those families that Artemide does well. Hand-blown frosted glass with a halogen lamp. We also saw it with a retro-fit LED lamp and was almost as good as the original in terms of even illumination.
The Mercury is another line that Artemide has become known for. A group of pebbles as Artemide likes to call them, are grouped together in configurations either suspended or surface mounted. LEDs are integral to several of the pebbles and allows light to reflect off the surrounding surfaces. Artemide has even installed the pebbles on projects without the illuminated pieces for a purely sculptural effect. One thing we did notice is that it works better as a ceiling piece with the LEDs because the diodes aren't as noticeable and in your face like when it is a wall mounted installation.
Artemide also has a collection of exterior rated fixtures including in-ground pavers, step lights, bollards and wall sconces. Some of their fixtures were pretty impressive and comparable to other manufacturers we have seen. One highlight in their exterior lines which they also had a sample of installed in their showroom, the Tolomeo Xxl. The Tolomeo Xxl is a large scale version of their interior fixture of the same name.
Zaneen
Zaneen stopped by the office with some of their architectural and decorative fixtures. The L3 collection has a lot of their architectural fixtures from an Austrian company; Prolicht.
The Never Ending fixture is surface fixture that can be specified in short segments or continuous runs. available in fluorescent or LED and can be dimmable with either version.
Glorious is an LED product that can be recessed, surface or pendant mounted. It can be customized to be combinations of curved and straight pieces. The largest circle they can provide is 42'.
Zaneen has now made several of their decorative fixtures that feature blown glass to have LEDs. We took a look at the small version of the Kubic. It has an integral dimmable driver with 0-10V dimming to 5%. There was a minor dark spot on the side but is not noticeable in the larger versions.
They also have a couple of new fixtures that are considered more budget friendly. They are offering a recessed downlight and a surface cube downlight. Both are dimmable.
Another thing we learned about Zaneen is their overstock system. They offer some of their fixtures that have either been discontinued or are previous versions of current fixtures. These fixtures are discounted up to 60%.
Feelux
Feelux made a visit to our office with their new kit with their latest LED fixtures. The MonoRail system uses Super Slim fixtures on a powered track. The linear components are available in 3", 11" or 22" segments that can be run end-to-end or spaced out based on your design. There are also lit corner components as well. You can use the MonoRail to power other fixtures as well with a connecting cable. The system is dimmable.
We also got to look at the Diva2 Spot which can be specified as recessed or surface. The fixture has a wide beam spread which allows you to have them further apart while still getting an even illumination on the surface.
The TuneLite2 is a slim profile under-cabinet light with an asymmetrical beam spread. It has a built in power supply that is dimmable which would make it a good option for when remote power supplies are not an option.
Bover
Bover stopped by our office to check in with us and show us some new products. They have several exterior rated decorative fixtures that come in varying sizes within each fixture family. Bover has a series of woven fixtures that are all wet location rated. The Amphora is one of the fixture families with the woven shade. It's a floor lamp that ranges in size from 20" to 35" in diameter.
We also took a look at their fixtures that incorporate a poliethylene shade. These fixtures when illuminated appear to be very similar to their ribbon fixtures. The benefit of these fixtures is that the poliethylene is nonporous and is rated for exterior locations.
Bover is open to modifications for most of their fixtures and are very willing to find unique solutions.
Prism Projections
Prism Projections is an LED manufacturer specializing in theatrical fixtures. We took a look at the RevEAL Profile Junior. There are several features to the adjustablilty of the RevEAL that make it unique from others on the market. You are able to manipulate the white color temperature as well as the black body curve at a the local level as well as globally on multiple fixtures. The fixture has real time calibration for the color and temperature. This allows the fixture to keep the same temperature throughout its lifetime even as the components age. It is only dimmable via DMX currently. The fixture has a liquid cooled heat management system.
Hera Lighting
Hera gave us a refresher on some of their existing fixtures as well as some new ones they have recently developed. All fixtures are class 2 and come with a UL listing. Some of their linear fixtures can come with a closet rating. Hera can do customizations on finish and color temperature, but only for large quantities. We looked at the linear fixture the Stick. It can come with either a flat lens or round. The flat lens spreads the light out further while the round is more focused. However, with the round lens we did notice some yellowing on the edges.
The Stick 3 has a much tighter spacing than the original Stick so you don't see any visible diodes.
There are several versions in the Stick family with different outputs and price points. One thing that is important to note is not all the Sticks within the family use the same LED boards so there is a potential for different binning.
Hera has an LED T5 fluorescent replacement. There is no visible dark spot when the fixtures are connected end-to-end.
Flos
We had the opportunity to visit with Flos when they came by our office the other day. There were several new fixtures that we were excited to get a better look at. The first of the fixtures was their system called the Running Magnet. It's a recessed track system that incorporates linear light strips as well as adjustable spots and connect to an electrical profile in a recessed slot. The spots come with a 20° or 38° beam spread and have a 650 lumen output. The linear LED components are 375 lumens per foot. The Running Magnet system requires remote drivers every 100watts. They can do corners; inside, outside and horizontal. Right now the system is non-dim so it is best suited for commercial applications.
Another fixture we saw was the Moon Linear fixture. It's a cove system that can be installed in either the ceiling or wall. There is also a 90° option for the corner so that either surface would appear floating. The standard lengths come in 5" or 20" segments. The fixture is field cuttable so it can be customized to precise lengths.
The FINDME MONO is a small adjustable spot fixture that can be adjusted to be fully recessed or completely below the ceiling surface. It comes with a 28° beam spread and is available in either 27K or 3K. With an output of 560 lumens the fixtures are dimmable standard.
Revelite and Cerno
HTA Lighting stopped by with some fixtures from Cerno and Revelite. Revelite offers LED picture lights. We've seen a couple of LED picture lights but this one was the best so far. It offers either one or two rows of LEDs that can accommodate different size pieces of art. When two rows are used, one row is clear and the other is frosted to help with glare control. It is available as a standard in 3K, but for large orders they can provide 27K. We noticed that the 3K did not appear too cool and rendered the colors of the sample painting really well.
The longest standard length is 60", but they can do custom runs for an added cost. When the fixture has two rows, they can be dimmed separately or together at either the fixture level or a control system.
We also got a look at a couple of fixtures from Cerno's lines. Their sconces are made with a dark walnut standard but can also come in natural wood and can be stained by others. All of their fixtures are dimmable standard. They had some nice fixtures that incorporated reading lights into the wall sconces.
Luminii
Luminii stopped by the other day with Stan Deutsch Associates for us to look at some of their latest linear LED fixtures. Some of their fixtures come as complete fixtures and some can come as components that can be run in custom run lengths. One fixture we took a look at was the Zoom, which is one of their complete fixtures. The Zoom is a small profile linear LED strip that has a walkover rating without the need for an extra housing. It is also rated for damp or wet locations. It is only available in 29K.
We also had a look at the Kendo-S. It's a thin profile also at set lengths. With a frosted lens, this fixture is completely node free. They can also make this available for wet locations.
The Kendo 45M is in the same family as the Kendo-S and has a 45° extrusion. With the frosted lens, it is potentially node free. We would need to see a sample before specifying, but they are pretty confident they could achieve the look we are usually interested.
Within the Kendo family, they have a closet rod fixture which is smaller in profile than other closet fixtures we have seen but can still handle the weight.
We got to see a preview of a new product that is scheduled to be released in the next month. It's a back lighting product. The nodes are close enough together that you can have a minimal depth of 3/4" - 1" with the diffuse material from the panel. It's nice when you have limited recessing depth for backlit details.
All of their products are dimmable as a standard. They recommend using their power supplies because they are better at dimming than other remote power supplies that we would normally use.
Vision 3 Lighting
Vision 3 Lighting is an exterior fixture manufacturer that stopped in to show off some of their fixtures. They offer their fixtures as whole pieces or in individual components. We took a look at three of their flood lights they have available which come in different wattage's of 10, 12.5 and 17. The 10watt is an MR16 replacement fixture and comes in 27K, 3K, 4K and 57K. The beam optics are field replaceable and each of the three diodes can have different optics if needed for 12°, 21° and 41°. The 12.5watt fixture is a single optic fixture also field replaceable in 19°, 34° and 60°. It comes in 27K, 3K, 35K and 4K. The 17watt fixture is intended for a PAR20 equivalent. It also has a single field replaceable optic in 15°, 23°, 35° and 51°. It is available in 27K, 3K, 35K and 4K.
One important thing to note is that because each fixture has an LED chip from different manufacturers, so even at the same color temperature throughout, the fixtures will appear differently. They recommend using one fixture type throughout to maintain consistency on the project.
They have a patent on their knuckle system that snaps together and then only requires a set screw for extra strength making it secure for adjustability.
