Vari-Lite's VL500 based on legendary VL5 wash luminaire

Vari-Lite will launch the VL500 Wash luminaire at LDI 2005. Based upon the design of the VL5 wash luminaire, the VL500 is designed with significant performance enhancements. "In speaking with lighting professionals around the world, we have always been approached about bringing back the VL5 wash luminiare," said George Masek, Vari-Lite Product Marketing Manager. "So we listened to what was asked for, but we didn't want to simply repeat the same light. We wanted to make it better, and therefore developed the VL500." In the VL500 Wash luminaire, the Dichro*Tune radial color mixing system employs three sets of 16 radially mounted dichroic blades (blue, amber, and magenta) designed to produce smooth, full spectrum color cross-fades. "We are extremely excited to be bringing the VL500 to market," stated Bob Schacherl, Vari-Lite Vice President of Sales. 16 radially mounted diffuser panes control the beam spread. For additional beam control, the VL500 may be purchased with any of five interchangeable lens options, including clear, stipple (included in stock fixture), 8-row, 12-row, and Buxom. All VL500 models are designed with natural convection cooling, therefore the luminaire is virtually silent, making it suitable for television and theatrical productions, or in any application where instrument noise is unacceptable. "Our goal in reinventing the VL5 was to make improvements in all areas. And as a result the VL500 is now self-contained with onboard DMX512 control, onboard dimming, (optional) all power supplies, and strides in performance of the color, systems, and yoke movement," commented John Adams, Vari-Lite Director of Product Development. "We also incorporated service yoke locks and a higher reflector efficiency." At fewer than 40lbs, the VL500 has a revamped motor control system and an added display with an extended remote function, which allows shop addressing and adjustment of other fixture parameters by means of an optional battery-powered, hand-held controller, thereby avoiding the need to power the light. Further design improvements also include re-routing the lamp wire to reduce heat-related stress, more powerful color motors, more powerful and quiet pan/tilt motors, software controlled color repeatability from luminaire to luminaire, and materials changes to facilitate faster luminaire cooling. This multi-faceted luminaire is available in base models VL500, VL500D, VL500 80V, and VL500A. The VL500 is available with either a 120V/1200W lamp or a 230V/1000W lamp. The most economical and lightest version of the luminaire, the VL500 is designed for those who require the 3200-degree color temperature along with the most space-efficient unit. No external ballast or dimmer is required. The VL500D is also available with a 120V/1200W lamp or a 230V/1000W lamp, plus an internal yoke-mounted IGBT dimmer. While retaining the 3200-degree color temperature, with a slight increase in weight, the VL500D offers built-in, onboard dimming without requiring any additional cabling. This luminaire is most advantageous for those whose spaces are short dimmers or dimmer circuits. Capable of universal operation, (90-260V) the VL500 80V utilizes an 80V/1200W lamp and an external dimming device. When intensity is the key, and the slight additional space required by the external dimmer is not a factor, this model offers more intensity while retaining the 3200-degree color temperature tungsten source. Utilizing an optional 575W (6000-degree color temperature) or 700W (7200-degree color temperature) arc lamp and external ballast, the VL500A provides blackout panels for dimming to replace the radially mounted diffuser panes of the other models. This luminaire is ideal when intensity and punch are important, or when the higher color temperatures of an arc source are desired. As an option, a pastel feature is available for all models of the VL500 Wash luminaire. With the pastel feature, the standard blue and magenta filters are replaced with lighter versions that enable the luminaire to obtain more subtle and lighter shades of the color spectrum.