Arena Perimeter Pool Table Light DIY Predator Cost Quality
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- I spent hours researching LED pool table lights, here is what I learned...
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I work in metal fabrication, and I built a light with the exact cheap Amazon lights you speak of. I’m an amateur player but wanted something better than my standard Craigslist 3 bulb light. For my purposes I couldn’t be happier. And I’d have to think unless a person is an extremely accomplished and discerning player they’d be happy with this as well.
I was given a Perimeter Billiard Light from a friend, after I set up his Gandy Big G. He had bought a 7ft version of the light for his Valley, but then he was given the Gandy Pro 8 table. So he then ordered the 9ft version of their light.
I installed the 7ft PBL over my 9ft GCIV and couldn’t be happier with the results. I was afraid of having shadows on the ends but that is a nonissue. Works beautifully!
I will say it’s in your best interest to get a friend to help you hang the light. I did it by myself, and it was a bear!
I was wondering if a smaller light would work on a 9ft table. More food for thought. Thanks!
I just got off the phone with Predator and the lady said they no longer make the Predator Arena Light. She did mention they might be making a newer version sometime in future. I also spoke with a billiard supply company and the guy said they no longer carry those lights because they have too many problems with the lights not working. Then I also spoke with Perimeter Billiards, and they are definitely cheaper. They now make a dimmable option and the specs seem pretty close to the Predator. Something to think about as I’m shopping for a light and also building a new house and I’ll go with a Diamond table since Predator don’t make 8 footers.
I got one:, ua-cam.com/video/oZFjHsy2h7U/v-deo.htmlsi=bTmgGnufaAhhdx7W
@RJArrayCPA Unfortunately, after a year of owning mine, a fault appeared on one of the segments: it doesn't listen to the remote anymore, it remained stuck at a certain color temperature and intensity and can't be changed. If they're not making it anymore, I guess they also don't offer parts for sale.
And the reason I'm "guessing" is because nobody answers the phone number that Predator gave me. This is one big disadvantage when someone else makes & sells a product under another brand (in this case, Predator). If you ask me, Predator should take responsability and handle warranty as well in these cases, when the companies they work with simply ignore their customers and don't answer the phone or email.
Littmann lighting makes a light set up for a camera in the middle you can check them out
I bought normal led ceiling lights that matched the length of my table and they look great. They're so bright they light up the entire living room not just the table. It cost me about $60 in parts and $30 + some beers to the guy i had install it.
My 2x4 lights would light up the whole room as well. Nice!
I redid my table lighting a couple of years ago. I'd skip the perimeter lighting idea in favor of a more flexible installation using LED tubes. There's tons of lighting info in the Arizona Billiards forum ... and there's a wide range of info and opinions about what works and what doesn't. Lots of things unrelated to the lighting will make a noticeable difference in how you perceive the light such as cloth color, wall/ceiling color, room volume, ceiling height, light height ... your eyes etc. My table is set up in a 2 car garage with unpainted walls and high ceilings. I'm using 6 4 foot Philips clear LED tubes of 5000K/2100L/90CRI and they're a little high to clear the garage door ... it's adequate but I could use another 4 to 6 tubes. You're not gonna know if your lighting solution is adequate until you flip the switch. If it's not ... tubes will give you more options.
OK, so I have more research to do! I did not realize the cheap-Chinese tubes could be had in high CRI numbers. Thank you!
Hi! Good video my friend! I need to illuminate my own 9-foot table at home, and I was thinking of using three (3) LED panels of 2FT x 2FT each, as here in my country nobody sells 2FT x 4FT as you bought. I guess you installed both LED lamps along the table, creating a light of 8FT x 2FT, don´t you? So, I think using 3 of 2FT x 2FT and letting a bit of separation between them will be good enough. Do you agree, or you believe I should use 4 units? Lastly, each of these LED panels is 48W and I have the option of 4000K or 6500K, neutral or cool? Which is the best option for your experience? Many many thanks! Dario from Argenitna!
Sorry, beyond my expertise. I would discuss in a forum to be sure.
You mentioned that you were from Denver what yrs. did you live there? I 'm from Denver and played pool from the 60's my nick name was "the Wizard" where did you play? My memory is not what it used to be now that I'm 79 soon to be 80 in June.
I lived in Denver from '87 to '2023. Played a Frank Burgess's Colfax Billiards. Played at Family Fun Center on 38th/Sheridan, which later became Paradise Billiards. Played a lot at Table Steaks and Tennyson Billiards when they were around.
Notable players during my time were Danny Media (of course), Henry Granas, Bill Hellmer, Frank Espinoza, Chewy, John Gatten, Tim Cole, Chuck Neilsen, Jay Hlavacek, Bill Skinner...
I have the Perimeter light. I’m very happy with the result. My only complaint is that they don’t have a good method for hiding the wiring, especially the connectors between the sections. They are quite visible and may be a distraction for anyone concerned with room aesthetics. I don’t know how this compares with the Predator light. It doesn’t bother me enough to pay another $500. For your needs, the extra expense for the light control may be worth it.
I used 2” black electrical tape to secure all the wiring to the top of the light. Worked pretty well for me.
Make sure the lights are video-friendly. A lot of LED-lights flicker on film, especially when you move towards higher frame rates.
Oh, yeah! And especially with slow motion video.
Prepare to wait for Predator light. I've been waiting 4 months...
I just re-hung my two 2x4 LED fixtures from before but with a space between for the overhead camera.
"Predator" vs "Perimeter" I've recently played at a pool room that uses the Predator lights; they're EXCELLENT! Here's my two cents regarding the choice. I know that you're a perfectionist and I respect you for it. The few extra dollars that the Predator light system will cost is really negligible because you're making a long term business investment. If you feel that you might be even potentially compromising the quality of your videos by as much as 5%, then the additional expense is a no-brainer. If you expect to be playing pool on your table for only ten more years, then the additional expense is less than 10 cents per day. If you expect to remain in the business of producing videos for as much as 5 years longer, then please ponder if you can imagine even one instance during that time span where you might have a regret about either choice.
Here's an additional thought you might wish to consider: Assuming that you continue to produce video content, I think it's fair to consider that within the next two years, there are going to be remarkable upgrades and advancements in both the video and the lighting products. I think it's fair to say that although you won't be changing your residence within the next 20-30 years, you might choose to upgrade your recording equipment, lighting, certainly the pool balls, and probably even your pool table. I'm guessing that the resale value of your pool table light will be very similer whether you choose the Predator or the Perimeter fixture.
Have you considered discussing a sponsorship with any of the manufacturers whose products you use? It might seem a bit far fetched to consider that video equipment, lighting, pool ball manufacturers, etc. would give you discounts, but it isn't unreasonable. If you explain to them that you've been producing high quality UA-cam videos for more than two years, and that you have viewers and subscribers in excess of _____ , they might encourage you to wear one of your custom made pool shirts in every video with their logo prominently displayed. I think it would be unrealistic to expect lavish endorsement deals from any specific manufacturer, but what's the downside of promoting yourself to them?
Overall, I think that your research has caused you to lean toward the Perimeter Light system and I always advise people to evaluate honestly and then trust their own good judgment. I value your judgment and I'm sure you'll make a good decision that you'll not regret. Should we both be wrong and you do eventually have some regrets or reservations, that's when you'll evaluate whether or not to make a change.
I would agree with you, if it was indeed for at least a couple of years. But 1 year after owning mine, a fault appeared on one of the segments: it doesn't listen to the remote anymore, it remained stuck at a certain color temperature and intensity and can't be changed.
Normally, for something like this, you have warranty or, at least, the manufacturer should provide parts for sale if your warranty period is over. BUT not this manufacturer. They're not answering at all, neither on the phone number that Predator gave me, or the emails I've sent.
Predator should take responsability and handle warranty as well in these cases, when the companies they work with simply ignore their customers and don't answer the phone or email.
But instead they said there's nothing they can do, and to keep trying to call the manufacturer. Seriously? I already said they aren't answering, I kept and kept trying and nothing. It's been another year since then...
@@MStoicaI was on the fence of diy and a pre build, but now that I read your comment.. I mean come on, I'm building my own film drones and lights for it. How hard could it be to build my own pool table light.. Cheers
I hate bad customer service!
@@gregorpesek sounds like you have some knowledge and skills, and you’d definitely know how to search what you don’t already know. I suppose you could achieve the same performance at a lower cost. Of course, not factoring your time into the cost, because DIY is also fun 😁
I have no electrical and no lighting/led knowledge to pick the correct high quality parts, so I’d probably have to invest a ton of time on that.
P.S. in the mean time it started working again, by itself, somehow. But that doesn’t change the customer support experience, of course.
One Question: how long does the Predator strip lights last? are they replaceable? do you throw the whole thing away if one section goes out?
Is the dimmable worth the extra $100
That's for you to decide
The Predator light is very high quality, but think about what you're going to compete on. How many places have Predator lights? In my area no one has any that I know of. I'd rather practice with what I'm going to be playing with. Just my opinion. 😎
Right. If you're not streaming or videoing the Predator is probably overkill.
@Shortstop On Pool I learned in the Army to train were you're going to fight. It seems to me that the Predator lights are going to give you a much different view of the table. I know I use the shadows to help in aiming.
Predator sucks. Their 'Limited Lifetime Warranties' are basically just 2 year warranties, and all their crap is overpriced.
Littman lights have a dead center camera hole and their lights have even coverage and don't make your room look like a prison or a hospital. The 5000k light mooks beautiful. They are more proven than predator and were first to market. Littman lights are disable with a independent driver and won't affect your pupils like the predator will. They are worth investigating.
Will check them out
I've played under Littman Lights exactly once. Very nice, very even, shadow free lighting, exactly bright enough. My only issue was that after a couple hours i felt like i was seeing little 1/4 inch squares of light covering the table surface. Probably would get used to it after a couple days. I've never been around Predator lights, so don't know how they compare.
Dimable not disable
Cob is chip on board