Lighting advise

S

skm.sa100

New member
Hello, I have a 9ft table in my basement with a $160 light that I bought off Amazon about 4 yrs back. It's kind of OK but the light is centered on the table along the long side. This leaves dark shadows near the cushions and sometimes I find it difficult to find the aim point on the 6-ball and 8-ball and other darker shades.
It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GSRZDQ9
I've installed the brightest LED bulbs I could find but it's not quite satisfactory.

I've noticed that nowadays perimeter type lights are standard in tournaments. Arena light is popular but it seems to retail for $1200.

Perimeter lighting seems to be about half that price: https://www.perimeterbilliardlights.com/products/perimeter-billiard-pool-table-lights-9ft

Does anyone have experience with perimeter lighting? Are they a good company with good service and reliable products?

Apart from the old fashioned hanging lights like the above and perimeter lighting, what are the other options?

TIA
Sashi
 
The other option is a 2x4 foot LED panel made for drop ceilings. They are dirt cheap, about $50 each now on amazon or eBay. They are all about the same, just pick the color temp you like.

One centered over your 9’ will have about 3 times the light as what you have now. It’s a huge difference. You can also put 2 of them end to end. That’s what I have on my table. When I was experimenting though, I only hung one temporarily and it was quite good.

I have mine flush mounted to a 9’ drywall ceiling. With a flush mount kit I got on Amazon for about $30. You don’t have to put them close to the table. That makes the room look better, and zero chance of banging your head.
 
For a 9' table I would recommend two 2'x4' LED panels mounted end to end. I have this set up over my 8' table and there isn't a shadow anywhere on the table. I had one of the first Predator perimeter lights and it provided an excellent lighted surface and I can't tell the difference between that and my current set up. The reason I chucked the Predator light was because it crapped out along one side and Predator wouldn't make good on it. This was before the other perimeter light company started making lights.
Light 2.jpg
Light `1.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies. Littman lights seem as expensive as Arena for a full sized table.
LED panels seem to be the way to go for a more economical option and seem to do the job pretty well. Maybe I'll start with the LEDs and perhaps upgrade to something like the perimeters a couple of years down the line.
Diamond lights seem to be even more expensive than Arena and are LED panel lights. Might be better than the cheap LED panels at home depot etc. but that's pricey.
Regards
Sashi
 
RickLafayette said:
For a 9' table I would recommend two 2'x4' LED panels mounted end to end. I have this set up over my 8' table and there isn't a shadow anywhere on the table. I had one of the first Predator perimeter lights and it provided an excellent lighted surface and I can't tell the difference between that and my current set up. The reason I chucked the Predator light was because it crapped out along one side and Predator wouldn't make good on it. This was before the other perimeter light company started making lights.
View attachment 728612
Click to expand...
This setup looks great. What panels did you order and did it include the ceiling hardware?
 
sbrownn said:
This setup looks great. What panels did you order and did it include the ceiling hardware?
Click to expand...
I ordered the light panels from https://www.superbrightleds.com/. They have the best prices and selection. The hanging hardware I had from the Predator perimeter light but I believe https://www.superbrightleds.com/ also has hanging hardware. I bought some 1" aluminum bars from Home Depot to screw (or pop rivet) along the sides of the panels for reinforcement.
 
RickLafayette said:
I ordered the light panels from https://www.superbrightleds.com/. They have the best prices and selection. The hanging hardware I had from the Predator perimeter light but I believe https://www.superbrightleds.com/ also has hanging hardware. I bought some 1" aluminum bars from Home Depot to screw (or pop rivet) along the sides of the panels for reinforcement.
Click to expand...
Thanks. What is the cue ball (felt?) pad you have pictured on your table? Where did you get it?
 
In terms of specs, I've found the following to be ideal for pool:

Temperature: 5000K
Lumens: At least 20,000 total, meaning if you have (2) 2x4 panels, each should produce 10,000 Lumens.
Color Rendering Index (CRI): At least 90; 90 and above will provide the truest colors. Important when playing pool.
 
rexus31 said:
In terms of specs, I've found the following to be ideal for pool:

Temperature: 5000K
Lumens: At least 20,000 total, meaning if you have (2) 2x4 panels, each should produce 10,000 Lumens.
Color Rendering Index (CRI): At least 90; 90 and above will provide the truest colors. Important when playing pool.
Click to expand...
Great attention to detail.
Thanks!
 
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