Here’s a simple explanation of why Sonaray lights look different from others:
Imagine you’re getting ready for a ride in the arena, and you notice that the lighting from Sonaray feels different from the others. Well, that’s because they use a different technology called COB, which stands for “Chip on Board.” Most other lights use something called SMD, or “Surface Mounted Devices.”
SMD lighting uses a lot of small LED on the surface like this:
As opposed to COB which only uses a few larger LED chips.
Here’s why it matters to you as a rider:
Efficiency: Think of it like this – COB lights are like having a trusty horse that covers more ground with each stride. They give you more light for the same amount of power compared to SMD lights, helping you see better without draining energy. Generally SMD uses around 50-100 per watt while COB is at least 100 -180 lumens per watt.
Light Quality: SMD lights are like having lots of little flashlights pointed in different directions, which is controlled through the reflector causing glare, multiple shadows and light loss. COB lights, however, produces a light beam that is homogeneous and can easily be direct through optics to give you a smooth, even light that’s easier on the eyes and better for directing where you need it, which makes it a better light source to minimise light loss and maximising penetration.
Note the difference between COB and SMD Lighting Technology
Colour Accuracy: SMD lights might not always show colours accurately, like how a photo might look different under different lights. But COB lights are great at making colours look natural and vibrant, like professional photography lighting.
So, when it comes to lighting up places like equestrian arenas, where you need good visibility without harsh glare or weird shadows, COB lights, like the ones from Sonaray, are the way to go. They’re like the top choice for getting the job done right.