Candle power SmartLight is an electronic candle with a rechargeable battery and a small tip that provides a yellow, glowing flicker that can "burn" continuously for six to eight hours on one charge. It is designed to replace small and potentially hazardous candles used in restaurants and other hospitality venues. The SmartLight candle, which is about 1.25" high and 1.5" wide, fits a special charger that turns the light off during recharging, and in 14 hours provides enough power for the candle to be placed in operation. The "flame" end is a small protrusion that adds about .5" to the candle's height. The charger is 115V and is available in one-, six-, or 12-candle configurations. The SmartLight has a rated life of 2-3 years and can fit many decorative candleholders. CYGNUs Paterson, NJ
Dim all the lights Tu-Wire is a compact ballast that provides architectural dimming for 32W, four-pin compact fluorescent lamps down to 5% illumination and uses only two wires for power and control. Because Tu-Wire meets FCC residential and commercial RFI requirements, the ballast can be used to provide dimming in spaces including restaurants, lobbies, and conference rooms. The ballast offers quiet, smooth, flicker-free fluorescent dimming and is compatible with other Lutron wallbox dimming controls, such as Grafik Eye, HomeWorks, and RadioRA. Lutron Electronics Coopersburg, PA
Earthly power Philips' Earth Light A-lamp, which uses a compact fluorescent light source and ballast, is similar in appearance to a conventional A-lamp, and fits the standard medium screw base without any modifications to the fixture or table lamp. The unit produces a light output of 450 lumens (11W) to 860 lumens (15W) with a CRI of 82 and an average lamp life of 6,000 hours as compared to 750 hours for a standard incandescent lamp, along with significant energy savings. The 11W and 15W styles produce the same light output as household incandescent 40W and 60W bulbs, respectively. Philips Lighting Co. Somerset, NJ
Surf's up Designed by Neil Poulton, the Artemide Surf system uses T5 fluorescent technology and electronic ballasts to provide high light output and energy efficiency in a stylized indirect lighting system. The uniquely shaped system has a slight curvature, with the T5 fluorescent in the middle, or at its lowest point. Wall-mountable or available in suspension configurations, the Surf 48" (2x28W) or 60" (2x35W) modules are fabricated from extruded aluminum in white or metallic gray, and incorporate a mounting system that allows power to be fed from a single point via an internal wireway in both the wall and suspension modules. Artemide Farmingdale, NY
Ready, aim, illuminate Arri Lighting is the exclusive worldwide distributor of Luminaria's Ruby 7, a multi-PAR tungsten luminaire for location and studio film and video applications. The units consists of seven PAR-64 lamps mounted on a hub of six outer and one center lamp. The six lamps pivot in tandem around the center and also can be individually rotated 360 degrees for independent beam control. All seven beams can be focused on any point from 16" to several hundred feet away. In a retracted setting, the beams crisscross, achieving a flood pattern within a short distance. Other features include dimming, plus a full line of 29" barndoors, scrims, and the Chimera Senior light bank. Arri Blauvelt, NY
Magnetic attraction A magnetic base, 12" flexible gooseneck, and a 20W MR-11 lamp (3350K, 3,000-hour life) are among the features of the Roxter Miniature Halogen Portable Task Light. Model #6495 has a black/chrome finish with a compact weighted magnetic base and on/off switch. Roxter Lighting Long Island City, NY
Period pieces The Murray Feiss collection now includes a Mission Viejo pewter selection of wall-mounted vanity lighting fixtures, designed by Pasquale Miranda. Offered in one- to four-socket/shade styles and rated for wet locations, the pewter and sandblasted clear glass fixtures use medium-base sockets (100W) and are finely detailed. The Murray Feiss Millennium Collection now includes a coordinating set of floor lamps, table lamps, and a torchiere. Also designed by Miranda, the Millennium is available in solid polished brass or brushed steel and chrome, with pleated glass, and includes the halogen lamp. Murray Feiss Bronx, NY
Indirect routes Stonco's LytePro series of wall-mounted luminaires allows the use of 70, 150, or 250W HPS or 70, 175, or 250W metal-halide lamps. The fixtures, UL-listed for wet locations, have two parts: the component tray with the lamp, ballast, and reflector/lens, and the mounting box. The LytePro luminaire's optical system consists of a vertical lamp-mounting position, a die-formed aluminum reflector, and an acrylic bioptical lens providing for 6:1 spacing-to-mounting height ratio. The design allows for one-person installation, with its die-cast aluminum mounting box with a built-in bubble level, and four 1/2" NPS tapped holes for optional photosensor installation. Stonco Supply Division Union, NJ
Better beaming American DJ's compact Virtual Beam automated luminaire has features including separate color and gobo wheels (both offering 360-degree rotation and 11 dichroic colors plus white), 10 gobos, plus one slot for a custom gobo, spot beam, and a four-colored quadra gobo. Strobe is available in every color at adjustable speeds from 1 to 13 flashes per second. A digital display provides hour usage, DMX, and full mode select information. The unit is fully compatible with DMX512 (using four channels) and the American DJ SmartTec/C intelligent lighting family and controllers. It uses a 150W Arcstream lamp (4200K, 6,000-hour life), weighs 20lb (9kg), and measures 7.5"x10.25"x 19" (19x26x48cm). American DJ Supply Los Angeles, CA
Snap lights The Tivoli Lite-Bar is a channelized incandescent lighting system for interior and exterior canopies, facades, and architectural perimeters. Consisting of an extruded aluminum channel with beveled edges, Lite-Bar is available in straight lengths or curved sections, using 120V power or optional low-voltage and a chase feature. Options include center socket spacings at 4, 6, 12, or 18", candelabra or medium-base sockets, and choice of standard, energy-saving, or long-life Tivolite lamps. Finishes include polished, satin metal anodized, and custom painted. Sockets are constructed with a non-metallic thermoset phenolic and silicon sealants/gaskets are standard for the exterior version. The Lite-Bar is UL-listed for wet location installation. Tivoli Industries Santa Ana, CA
Stand-up shooting Manfrotto, distributed by Bogen in the US, has new styles of stands, accessories, and tripods. The Convertible Boom Stand is a heavier-duty edition of the all-aluminum line previously introduced. The three riser vertical stands can be converted into a counterbalanced lighting boom via a specially engineered pivoting collar/wing handle assembly that allows the top two stand risers to serve double duty as a telescopic, lateral boom arm. A choice of bright aluminum or black anodized finishes is available. A steel-based stand is also available. Newly designed tripods include a convertible unit, featuring three-position, independent leg angle spread and quick-action lock tripod. The Tracker Tripod is finished in jungle green for blending with the natural outdoor environment and includes other features for wildlife/nature photography, such as rubber feet that incorporate retractable metal spikes for firm tripod placement on soft ground. Bogen Photo Corp. Ramsey, NJ
Strand showmanship The 510i rack-mounting show controller may be used as a standalone show control system or as a backup for any Strand 500 series console. Shows can be configured and recorded using any 500 series console, or directly on the 510i with VGA monitors and a designer's keypad, or with a PC and Off-Line Editor software. The 510i show controller offers real-time programming, playback of 30 effects, 200 simultaneous cue fades, and integrated and full support of automated luminaires. Control input sources include MIDI, ASCII, SMPTE, and 48 contact closure inputs allowing for a range of remote device interfaces for increased versatility. The 510i can be supplied with up to 2,000 intensity channels and 2,000 attribute channels, with 2,048 DMX outputs increasing to 4,096 using ethernet nodes. Strand Lighting Rancho Dominguez, CA