People have relied on Metal Halide lighting to light their outdoor spaces for many years. However, a lot of individuals have started utilizing this new technology ever since outside LED lights first appeared.
That raises the following query:

Why are people avoiding Metal Halide lighting fixtures?

There are a few things you need to know in order to answer that…

To start with:

Pole Shoebox Light

A Metal Halide Lamp: What Is It?

Well:

An amalgam of metals and iodine/bromine is known as a metal halide.

Therefore:

Electric current is used to illuminate metal halide lamps, which are lighting devices that use a mixture of gaseous/vaporized mercury and metal halides to produce light.

Metal Halide lamps were regarded as the best outdoor lighting fixtures from the 1960s to the early 2000s.
The fact that these lamps had a higher CRI than the majority of other light sources at the time was one of the main factors contributing to this situation.
In addition to higher CRIs,
Due to their high luminous effectiveness, which ranged between 75 and 100 lm/W, and greater 15,000-hour lifespan (nearly 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs), metal halides were very widely used.
However, when LEDs first entered the market, the lengthy era of Metal Halide bulbs for external illumination came to an end.

In general, LED lighting options like the Shoebox outperformed Metal Halides in every way. And because of this, it didn’t take long for people to begin avoiding the halides.
What then precisely prompted Metal Halides relinquish their decades-long hegemony to LEDs?

How Do LED Shoebox Fixtures Compare to Metal Halides?
As was previously mentioned, Metal Halides are vastly inferior to LEDs, which is why people started moving from the latter as soon as the former was introduced.
In order to better illustrate the superiority of LEDs, below is a brief comparison table that includes everything:
Can you identify the variations?

Other than having a high CRI, Metal Halides are superior than LEDs in every respects; as a result, there has been a significant migration from the former to the latter.
Anyway, I think you get the idea.
If so, safety is what you should consider next.
How safe are shoebox pole lights?
Naturally:
One of the major worries when dealing with something new is usually safety.
And you might start to worry about their safety if you decide to go from Metal Halide to LED illumination.
happy news
When using LEDs, you don’t need to worry about safety.
They are actually considerably safer than the HPS and Metal Halide lights we have been using for years.

A drop in the ocean compared to the quantity of blue light we receive from the sun, blue light exposure is arguably the biggest safety danger you’ll experience from a shoebox pole light.
However, the major reason it’s not always ideal to spend a lot of time at nighttime under cold temperature LED is that too much exposure to blue light throws off our circadian rhythm.
You don’t need to worry about anything else than that.
That means there won’t be any harmful mercury, UV radiation, surprise glass-throwing fixture explosions, IR radiation, or any other health risks associated with Metal Halides and other conventional lighting sources.
Wonderful, isn’t it?

The Various Mounting Styles for Your Shoebox Pole Light Upcoming
Another fantastic aspect of LED shoe box lights is this.
It may be mounted in a variety of ways, making it simple for you to integrate it into any setting without sacrificing your décor.
Currently: Shoebox mounts are always created with the pole in use or the intended use in mind. There are several mounting options as a result.
Look at each one separately:
slip-fit mounting the
Over a normal 2.36-inch lighting pole, a slip fit mount fits.
The versatility you gain from choosing this mounting option—being able to tilt the light back and forth to place it where you need it—is its largest advantage.

Flat or Wall Bracket
The Wall/Flat bracket mount is what you require if you want to put a Shoebox LED against your building.
You have even more versatility with it, and it’s extremely simple to set up.
Direct Mount/Arm
The direct mount is frequently the ideal option because it provides a much cleaner and more attractive appearance.
This mounting method can be seen on stadiums, parking lots, street lights, outdoor lighting fixtures, and much more.
One bolt at the top and bottom of each Arm Mount is frequently used to identify them.
Also, these mounts are the least adaptable ones on the list.
Trough Mount

The Trunnion Mount, which is the last mount design, has a square shape and is affixed to poles or walls.
This mount includes a hinge that only allows the user to tilt the fixture up and down, not left or right, so your options are somewhat constrained.
Trunnion mounts are incredibly sturdy and can handle huge lighting fixtures with ease, which is their main advantage.
How Do You Choose Which Light Color (Color Temperature) Is Best For Your Application?
You may not be aware of this, but
Because color temperature affects light quality, user comfort, and the fixture’s ability to integrate into its new environment, it is important.

In fact, when you install your new shoebox LEDs, this is frequently the first thing people will notice.
Which color of light is therefore ideal for your application?
Where are you planning to use it? must be answered before you can respond to it.
Consider the following two examples:
Example 1: Outdoor Use
The needs for outdoor lighting obviously differ from those for inside lighting.
Exterior lights typically need to be brighter in order to provide enough illumination.
And for that reason, authorities advise that outdoor illumination be set to 5000K color temperature.
Why?
It’s quite close to the color of the sun, which is typically 5778 K.

In other words, the closest artificial light you can get to natural light is 5000K LED pole light fixtures.
Note: LEDs are fantastic since they provide you more color control over time. That contrasts with conventional fixtures, which can lose color over time.
Because it enhances visibility and color rendering, outdoor lighting fixtures should have a color temperature that is as close to that of natural light as possible.
However, when working with indoor lights, things differ slightly, as detailed below.
Example 2: Indoor Use
Most interior lights are utilized for longer hours than outdoor bulbs because we spend the majority of the nighttime indoors.

Because of this, indoor Shoebox Pole Light typically have warmer color temperatures.
Blue light exposure decreases with increasing color temperature.
Basically, lighting with a higher color temperature (>4000K) emits more blue light than lighting with a lower color temperature (4000K).
And for this reason, 5000K LEDs are used in enormous warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and indoor sports arenas.
Even a 4000K fixture, meanwhile, could be excessively bright for smaller environments like offices, classrooms, and libraries. A 3000K light is likely your best choice in this setting.
Can you identify the connection between the application of the light and its color temperature?
Simply put, the type of LED light you use depends on the area for which it is meant.
Seven Buyer’s Guides for LED Shoe Box Lights

Now, purchasing lighting fixtures requires a number of considerations before one can make an informed and prudent purchase selection; it is not always as simple as people frequently portray it to be.
So, here are some recommendations to help you choose wisely while shopping for LED parking lot pole light fixtures:
1. Make light plans
It is now more efficient and cost-effective to plan ahead rather than buying these fixtures as you would have in the past from an electrical store.
You won’t under- or overspend on your lighting fittings in this method.
You should get a photometric analysis done on your space, according to experts, to ascertain things like: “Your lumen requirements?”
How many fixtures are required?
Where will each fixture be installed?
Also, what is the recommended voltage and wattage for each fixture?


2. Establish Your Lumen Needs
Yes!
Nowadays, the amount of lumens required is more important than the fixture’s wattage.
In actuality, the wattage is frequently determined by the required lumens.
As a result, consult a professional to assist you determine how many lumens of light will be required to effectively and comfortably illuminate your room.
3. Constantly choose quality and service
It should go without saying that a fixture with higher quality and a longer lifespan will provide you with excellent value for your money.
You know, LEDs aren’t cheap, so the fixtures you purchase must be excellent and long-lasting.

This implies that the new LEDs will last you longer, trouble-free, and better than any other lighting source currently in use.
4. Constantly seek out reputable and trustworthy manufacturers
The issue about LEDs is that, like all other produced goods, the manufacturer has a significant impact on both the quality of the final product and the level of customer care.
So?
Finding a reputable manufacturer will not only result in superior, stress-free service but will also increase your assurance of the effectiveness and longevity of the final product.
5. Select the Functionalities and Features You’ll Need
As was already established, not all fixtures include all of the characteristics.
For instance:
The motion sensor and photocell are not standard features.
Now: You have to choose whether you want these two even though they are necessary for saving energy and enhancing safety.
And if you do, be sure to examine the packing or user manual of the fixture to see if it contains them or get in touch with your maker with questions.
6. Be Aware of Line Voltage
When it comes to outdoor lighting fixtures, notably street and parking lot lights, proper voltage is crucial.
In essence, a typical shoebox LED will be capable of handling voltages between 100V and 277V.
However, certain lighting power lines transmit a higher voltage, which can be hazardous because some lights have a specified voltage need.

It is advised that you determine whether the fixture is voltage specific or built to handle the intended line voltage to prevent damage to your new outdoor LED light fixtures.


7. The Difference Is Made by the LED Driver
An LED driver is what?
A driver serves as the brain of an LED fixture, making it the most crucial component.
The majority of the work, including converting AC power into consistent, dependable DC power for the LEDs, is handled by it.
Since power reliability is the primary factor in LEDs’ long lifespans, the driver is almost usually the first to be suspected when an LED fixture malfunctions.
Learn this:
However, there are a ton of drivers accessible.
Meanwell Drivers have earned praise from industry professionals as the best available.
Amazing stuff, no?
Well, when the time comes, these buying advice will be helpful.
Now:
You could still have a few queries in mind as we come to an end.
This section is for you if so.

5 Common Questions Regarding the LED Shoebox
Over time, many inquiries have been made regarding outdoor lighting fixtures.
Additionally, it makes sense to be interested in LEDs given that they are still relatively new in most global marketplaces.
The following frequently asked questions about the LED Shoe Box lamp may be of assistance:
1. Do all lights have an automatic sensor or dimming system built in?
No.
Some of these fixtures include motion, daylight, and dimming sensors; others do not.
As a result, before making a purchase, make sure the fixture offers the functionality you require.
2. What is the 150W LED shoebox light’s metal halide equivalent?
450 Watts.
Which is three times greater than its LED equivalent, as you can see.
3. From whom can I purchase a motion-activated LED shoebox?
Purchases can be made from nearby electronics stores, online merchants, or manufacturers directly.
All you have to do is look for lights that have the appropriate labels or are marked as having motion detection capabilities. Or just ask your manufacturer to install these sensors in your fixtures.
4. Are These Fixtures Good for Lighting Indoors?
Yes.

however, only in big rooms and warehouses. Users may experience eye irritation while using these high-performance lamps in limited areas because of the light’s intense (bright) brightness.
How Else Does an LED Driver Function?
Drivers perform AC to DC conversion in addition to extending fixture lifespan and enhancing light quality.
Guard the fixture from power spikes.
Allow a 0–10V dimming range.