It is hard not to notice that automated lighting is being used more widely these days in a variety of house of worship (HOW) applications. As new and more efficient light source technologies, along with new fixture designs, bring down the size and cost for automated lights, many churches are looking at the versatility of such fixtures. One of the more significant advances is that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are being paired with fixture designs that offer better throws and output for wash lights and now even for spot light applications. Lamp manufacturers are also making advances in reducing the power draws for more traditional discharge source technology while maintaining—or even improving—output.
Church Production Magazine (CPM) thought it was a good time to speak with some of the manufacturers about the latest developments in automated lighting technologies and look at just a few of the newer fixtures they are offering. For this article, CPM spoke with:
Ben Dickmann, product marketing manager, Chauvet, Hollywood, Fla.
Kevin Loretto, director of sales, Creative Stage Lighting, North Creek, N.Y.
Eric Loader, director of sales, Elation Professional, Los Angeles
Vinny Finnegan, vice president, Elektralite, Farmingdale, N.Y.
Daryl Sutton, key account manager-HOW, Martin Professional, Springfield, Mo.
Rich A. Anders, west regional account manager, Mega Systems, Boston
George Masek, Vari-Lite product marketing manager, Philips Vari-Lite, Dallas
CPM: What trends are you seeing in automated lighting product design and developments?
Dickmann: We are noticing more and more the search for alternative light sources from the traditional halogen or discharge lamp. We are also seeing the drive for smaller, faster products with massive output.
Loader: We are also seeing a movement toward ‘cutting the cord’ with wireless DMX control of fixtures. This is happening, in large part, because wireless DMX systems have become much more reliable in recent times. Because of the increased use of and demand for wireless technology, many newer lighting fixtures today have wireless DMX receivers built right into them, and I think we will be seeing more of this trend.
Another big trend is toward fixtures that have the versatility to be used for a variety of different looks and applications, instead of being limited to just one function. When you can buy one fixture to handle your lighting needs, instead of two or more—it allows you to stretch your lighting budget, which is something everyone's looking to do in today's economy. Another reason for this is that lighting is being called on to perform a greater variety of functions today, due to the expanded range of activities that many churches are now involved in, so they're looking for fixtures that are versatile and flexible enough to meet this diverse mix of needs.
Loretto: There are more multi-chip LEDs—red, green, blue, white (RGBW) and RGBW plus amber fixtures—and also units that have greater output.
Anders: The use of LEDs as a lamp source for gobo projection units is a big development right now. Also, the use of the zoom function in LED color wash units seems to be growing as well.
CPM: How is the move among end-users to cut power usage without losing output reflected in your product line?
Dickmann: Chauvet’s commitment to creating ‘green’ fixtures is reflected in our Green Thinking movement and in the corporate mission as a whole—value, innovation, and performance. We are constantly striving to provide luminaires that generate the most output with the least consumption, at a price that most everyone can afford. We offer several series of fixtures with different feature sets to meet specific market and budgetary concerns.
Loader: In addition to LEDs, we’re utilizing another very advanced lamp technology—Platinum technology from Philips—in many of our products. This is a very revolutionary, energy-efficient lamp technology that allows for the development of fixtures that are exceedingly bright with superior light quality, yet draw much less power and are faster, smaller, lighter weight, and have longer-lasting lamps.
Finnegan: We have seen an unprecedented movement to LEDs in all areas of the lighting industry. In the HOW market we are installing quite a few systems using fixtures with LED light sources as replacements of existing conventional lighting fixtures. Besides lowering power costs they also lower the HVAC costs, as they produce much lower heat off each fixture. The real savings, however, comes in when replacing lamps, and the costs of renting lifts and moving pews are greatly reduced [too]. You can go from 300-1,000 hour lamp life on conventional fixtures up to 50,000 hours with LEDs.
Loretto: We are continuing to move to offering technology (LED, plasma, etc.) that offers power savings, longer lamp life, etc.
Sutton: Martin has always been known for low AC power draw, clean optics, and high output. You could say this mindset has been in our DNA for some time, but with customers demanding it more and more it drives our R&D team to continually raise the bar.
Anders: We have actually been dealing with this for a while now. We have introduced hard-edge LED fixtures and developed an LED lamp source gobo projector that’s coming soon. Additionally, we have already been manufacturing a series that are completely customizable. The LED chip sets, beam angle, color of housing, etc., is customizable, so we are seeing this fixture used regularly from house lighting to theatrical purposes all because of the output and low consumption of power. We have outdoor fixtures as well with the same low power, high output, and custom options.
Masek: We attempt to create the most efficient optical systems possible to get the most out of any source that we use. We try to remember that while power consumption is important, quality of beam and intensity are the keys to creating the best automated lighting fixtures. The quality of light is our first priority with any fixture we create.
CPM: Any additional considerations that houses of worship should weigh when looking at new automated lights?
Dickmann: Smaller, lightweight units can be faster and blend into the architecture better, but a critical point for HOWs to consider is also the noise from the fixture; be it from fans or motor movement. Striking that critical balance between cost, features, and noise level is a consideration that all HOWs take into account at one point or another. New considerations in the field of LED illumination include the flexibility of angle offered by zooming optic products. This means that you can have a wash of units for the entire service, or put just two on the choir and zoom one in to highlight the pulpit.
Loader: Energy costs are only going up so when you look at the price of a fixture, consider the return on investment that a more energy-efficient unit could brin in terms of lower electricity bills. Also make sure to get a demo of the fixture in your facility—with the newer lamp technologies it might be possible to go with a lower-wattage unit than you had in mind and still get your required output. Along with the product itself, you should look at the manufacturer’s reputation for service and standing behind their product. If you do experience a problem down the road, you’re going to want to know it will be taken care of.
Loretto: When looking at lights for permanent installations always consider the quality of the fixture in addition to the price. We have worked with too many clients that have purchased a solution based solely on price and they have had to come back within six months to one year to replace the products.
Masek: Demo, demo, demo! You should compare the fixtures you are interested in and you should try to do it in your space. The day the boxes arrive is not one that should be filled with surprises. Our best customers are ones that are informed and aware of exactly what they are getting. Not every light will work in every application. Demo them before you buy. If someone doesn’t want to demo a product for you in your space, be wary. We understand that this is a big choice and we want you to be pleased with it.
There are a wide variety of new automated lights to consider for your facility, many of which are very affordable and will easily integrate into your control systems. Take a good look around, arrange product demonstrations in your space, and ask a lot of questions. Hopefully, this conversation has provided you with a good base to build upon when looking into new lighting technology. Please feel free to reach out to these manufacturers and distributors to find out more about the options available. Also, feel free to let us know what you think of these or other automated lighting products.
