We chose lamp technology for Ultimo Sharpy very intentionally. While solid-state light sources like LED or laser are excellent in many applications, short-arc lamp technology still delivers unmatched beam intensity, sharpness, and cost-efficiency – especially in narrow-beam fixtures. High-brightness LED configurations produce strong output at larger beam angles, but they still suffer from limited luminance (the intensity of light emitted by a surface). In beam fixtures – which require highly collimated, parallel light – LED systems face physical limitations: either you reduce the beam angle significantly or lose much of the emitted light. By contrast, short-arc High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps offer 5 to 10 times higher luminance than LED, enabling a tight, concentrated beam that cuts through haze and travels farther. They deliver a beam quality that’s comparable to a laser, but without the regulatory hurdles or cost.

Today’s short-arc HID  lamp technology enables:

1. A punchy, iconic beam with high luminance and a sub-2° aperture

• 2. More compact and lighter fixture design
• 3. Lower upfront and maintenance costs, ideal for rental and touring
• 4. Simpler maintenance, with easily replaceable lamps (no factory returns)
• 5. Greater energy efficiency and sustainability than previous lamp tech, thanks to modern advancements in lamp and electronic design

In short: it’s a refined, established solution using proven technology — and it’s still the best match for high-impact, narrow-beam applications like those served by Ultimo Sharpy.

The quoted lifetime of the OSRAM SIRIUS HRI Galaxy 250 lamp is 6,000 hours, which reflects typical real-world usage in entertainment, as defined by the manufacturer:

1. 6,000 hrs = usage with ~70% of time dimmed or off, which matches standard show conditions (transitions, blackouts, cueing).
2. 4,000 hrs = continuous full-output operation, which is rarely the case in actual applications.

We state 6,000 hrs, as this is fully aligned with how the fixtures are typically used. The 6,000-hour short-arc HID lamp life is roughly half the average lifespan of a laser engine (10,000 / 15,000 hrs) – but short-arc HID lamps can be replaced easily and affordably.

So, even with one lamp replacement over the life of the fixture, you’ll reach a comparable lifespan to a laser-based fixture, but:

1. 1. At a fraction of the cost
2. 2. And significantly easier serviceability

This results in better cost-performance balance, especially for rental, touring, or high-turnover production environments — where fixture cost, beam impact, and predictability matter most.

Several factors contribute to the improved lifespan of modern short-arc HID lamps:

1. Advanced electrode design and improved material

1. 2. Stable arc geometry for reduced wear
2. 3. Integration with modern digital lamp drivers, which regulate ignition and current more precisely
3. 4. Enhanced cooling systems and fixture architecture, optimized for longevity
4. 5. Deep dimming capabilities during “Dimmer Closed” states reduce heat and wear when the lamp is not needed

These improvements mean longer life, better reliability, and less frequent replacements — contributing to both performance and sustainability.

As of the most recent LightingEurope statements (April 2024 and May 2025):

1. 1. HID lamps (like SIRIUS HRI used in Ultimo Sharpy) are still fully permitted under RoHS exemptions 4(f)-I and 4(f)-II.
2. 2. There are no new mercury restrictions on mercury-containing entertainment lamps.
3. 3. Even after formal expiry dates, exemptions remain valid until new rulings are published, ensuring continuity.
4. 4. LightingEurope and industry partners are actively preparing renewal applications to maintain these exceptions beyond 2027.

So customers can confidently invest in HID-lamp-based products knowing there’s no impending ban.

Learn more: LightingEurope_-_RoHS_Statement_-_FInal_-_20250526.pdf

We have a direct supply agreement and support from OSRAM, the manufacturer of the SIRIUS HRI Galaxy 250 lamp, ensuring:

1. 1. Continued long-term production
2. 2. Strong commercial interest in supporting this platform
3. 3. Ongoing RoHS exemption renewal efforts

We also stock lamps through our own and partner distribution networks. There is no foreseeable disruption in supply.

Modern short-arc HID lamp technology offers sustainability benefits compared to old lamp technologies, especially when factoring in full life-cycle analysis:

‭1. Efficient fixture design, leading to smaller, lighter, and less energy-intensive production and transport

‭2. Longer lifespan (up to 6,000 hrs), reducing waste and replacement frequency

‭3. Simple end-of-life disposal (glass + small metal parts, fully recyclable)

‭4. Much lower raw material usage than SSL fixtures (no large heat sinks, no complex PCB arrays)

There is no fixed upper limit on the number of lamp strikes. The “Partial Lamp Strike” counter is displayed on the fixture to monitor ignitions for service purposes, and it can be reset when the lamp is changed. While frequent ignitions may, in theory, slightly reduce lifespan, this is not a realistic concern in entertainment usage patterns. Modern drivers and software regulate ignition smoothly and safely.

The situation is similar. For conventional SIRIUS HRI or other HID lamps, there is also no absolute strike limit set by the manufacturer. If ignition procedures are correctly managed (as they are in all our fixtures), strike count is not a limiting factor for lamp life. The key is the quality of the driver firmware, which ensures smooth, low-stress ignitions — and that’s already optimized in our Ultimo Sharpy.