LED Replacement Bulbs

I’ve been totally focused on LEDs and just haven’t found the right time to make a decent blog post.  However, here is some good news.  I’ve gotten some great replacements for:

PAR38, Par30 and Par20 bulbs.  I’m talking 95, 75 and 50 watt equivalents using about 1/10th of the power.  THIS IS AMAZING!!!  and the pricing of these are a fraction of what it was a year ago.  (about $50 or less for each).  Here is a demo video:

These are totally dimmable and *EnergyStar rated.  Just think of a store like Macy’s, Dillard’s or a Best Buy who have 100′s of these. Now guess how much money these companies would be saving…wow

Or I can just put these into the mega mansion of celebrities like Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian or the cast of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollow’s part 2. Wait…..I’m already doing that for one of these…can you guess who?  Here’s a hint: His new home is down the street from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Galaxy Resort in Macau

May 27, 2011

Galaxy Resort recently opened the doors of its new casino in Macau.

Here are some videos:

“Galaxy Macau™ is an integrated resort with three world-class hotels. There are 2,200 rooms, suites and villas, including 250 suites and villas from the award-winning, ultra-exclusive Banyan Tree Macau; 500 rooms and suites by Japan’s legendary Hotel Okura Macau; and 1,500 rooms and suites in the five-star Galaxy Hotel.“for more information visit the hotel websiteat http://www.galaxymacau.com/en/

The Diamond show looks pretty impressive, but sadly I won’t be traveling to Asian anytime soon.  However, if moving lights is the interest, then I guess I’ll stick with Holtkotter’s selection of adjusting chandeliers.

Have a great Memorial weekend everyone!

Lightfair

May 19, 2011

Yes, us lighting folks have a fair!!  Lightfair has been around for ages and it allows everyone to not only showcase products but to meet up with friends in the industry. 

LED lighting was everywhere at Lightfair.  The most impressive items were bulbs which generate up to an equivalent of 100 watts. 

Cree is one of the biggest chip makers around and boy did they have a booth:

Robot Lightsaber Duel

May 12, 2011

This is hardly light related…is it? I stumbled upon this video on YouTube and it made me wonder if a light saber was possible.  Of course I had to do a Google search and here is what I found:

www.physics.org has an article: Are lightsabers possible?  These folks just focus on the negative like

Problem #1: Creating a short blade
Problem #2: Size
Problem #3: Powering the Blad
….etc.

Answers.com had more of an optimistic response

“…The answer is YES. It is definitely possible, and it is even easy if you have the proper resources and knowledge.” (for more on this article click here )

Engineering.com is another downer by killing my dreams with the same impossibilities.  To read the thread on lightsabers go here.

All in all the results point us Not to “NO” as the answer, but more like “Not Right Now” …I can live with that. 

Well Osama Bin Laden was found and killed, Arnold Schwarzenegger is devorcing Maria Shriver, and the movies this summer look awesome (Hangover 2, X-men First Class, Transformers: Dark Side of the moon) ..so anything is possible.

Dale Chihuly @ the MFA

May 6, 2011

This is old news, but good news!

If you haven’t heard of Dale Chihuly maybe you’ve seen his works at places like the Bellagio in Vegas. The ceiling art is called Fiori di Como  and pictures just don’t do it justice. 

The good news is that you don’t have to travel to Vegas to experience is work.  Chihuly is exhibiting at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.  Here are some videos I found online:

Dale Chihuly’s work is a great representation of the amazing things created by folks on the island of Murano in Italy.  Chihuly did some studying in Italy and explains some of the similarities.  For more information on Chihuly please visit here.  For more information on Murano glass visit here. 

I’m dying to visit this exhibit, now I just have to find time to do so.  Things like the Celtics play-off games and Sony’s network security have really been grabbing my attention.

Welcome back Rock Bottom in Boston

April 26, 2011

One of my favorite places has finally returned!!!  Rock Bottom, located at 115 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116-5609

This place is not only just around the corner from my home, but just a nice “middle ground” between the local dives and the yuppie bars.  Don’t get me wrong I love places like JJ Foley’s and the W Hotel.  However, each place sets a different tone for how I’m feeling that day.

The above images are from the bar area looking at the front door and the dining room.  Rock Bottom did it right.  First off, they used Hubbardton Forge fixtures (some of the best around). 

Secondly, they used uplight style fixtures with downlight recessed.  It looks very classy and provides great light without being overwhelming.  Great Job Rock Bottom!!

Complimentary things are all the rage now.  You have Yin & Yang and even Prince William and Kate Middleton (who are getting married this weekend).  The balance of opposites just works so well. 

For more on pendant lights and downlights visit here.

OLED getting even better with Verbatim (Mitsubishi)

April 13, 2011

At the current Fuori Salone show in Milan, Verbatim (subsidiary of Mitsubishi) is showing of some new interactive features with OLED.   It is pricey at approx $1k per panel, but boy is it cool.

This is somewhat like RGB color changing LEDs, but these last a whole lot longer and the quality levels are much higher, thus explaining the cost.

I can see this in show buttons, appliances, wall switches (list goes on).   Maybe something like this will eventually get applied to cool things like the Motorola Xoom or iPad 2.   Now if only Google (Android) can start playing with this. 

For more information view the full article at Engadget.

UPDATE: Cosmopolitan Hotel – Las Vegas

April 4, 2011

Hello Lighting Folks!  Its been too long since my last entry but I want to take a moment to give you some updates. 

I just got back from GlobalShop in sunny Las Vegas and boy was it a busy but good time.  In a previous post I spoke about the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the strip.  Lucky enough I had a chance to visit the hotel.  I have to say that I’ve never been this impressed in a long time.  The Chandelier Bar, Bond and the other bars all were impressive.  Not only did the hotel take advantage of all the LED options I could think of, but they went beyond.  Even the parking garage with its parking sensors for space availability amazed me. 

If you’re ever in Vegas, you must stop by the hotel to check it out. 

Too Many Recessed Lights

March 6, 2011

There is also such a thing as too many recessed lights.  Here at Sa Sa Cosmetics and Spa in Boston Chinatown the small shop has 20 recessed lights in a space about 12×12 ft.

Sword Fight with Shadows

February 19, 2011

Who says shadows aren’t as fun as lights?  This video definitely shows that isn’t true.

Japanese actor Taichi Saotome fights the dark clouds.  These reminds me of those cartoons from the 80′s.  Taichi was in movies Ban’yuuki and The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi.  I think I’ll just stick to hand shodow puppets.