How RETRO-Classic®, RETRO-Fusion®, and RETRO-Passive® differ
In this video, Shawn Harmon from Canto USA explains the core RETRO Series models and when each one may fit a lighting application. He breaks down RETRO-Classic®, RETRO-Fusion®, and RETRO-Passive® in practical terms so lighting and facility teams can compare the options more easily.
RETRO-Classic is described as the most configurable model, with a design that supports a wide range of mounting and fixture setups. RETRO-Fusion is presented as a fit-for-most-spaces option that replaces the lamp and uses a lighter housing. Shawn also notes that the driver and emitter unit are the same across Classic and Fusion, with the difference being the housing configuration.
RETRO-Passive is the specialty option for spaces that need no fan noise, such as concert halls or recital halls. The video explains that Passive versions use more aluminum for heat dissipation and are less common than Classic or Fusion models.
If you are comparing RETRO Series models for a retrofit or new project, this overview gives a clear starting point for understanding where each version is typically used.
Video transcript
Hey guys! Shawn Harmon here with Canto USA. Today I'm answering the biggest question that we get all the time. Which is what is the difference and when would I use a Fusion a Classic and a Passive? It's pretty easy but I'll explain it because I understand there's a lot of confusion and I understand why it's there. So the Classic was the first version we came out with. A lot of aluminum a lot of places for us to mount things. So, it's very configurable and the way I think about the Classic is, Classic/configurable. We can do par 56's par 64's. All kinds of crazy rings we're able to make that thing go in a lot of different directions to fit your application of your facility that you're working on. The Fusions I always say fits most everything. So with the Fusions that's a lot about remove the lamp put our fixture into that socket. Those little beveled pieces on the top allow us to get a little bit further up into the reflector and the plastic weighs a little bit less. About 10 ounces less. Now I want you to understand that the driver and emitter unit, all that's the same across Classic and Fusion. It doesn't matter. Literally it's the same part just in a different configuration with those housings. Now for 90% of you, you're done, the next part with the Passive doesn't apply to you. We don't see these very often. Because the Passives have no fan. So, on the 150 those are Passive to begin with. There's no fan on any 150. Doesn't matter which. No fan on a 150. But the 300's, 500's, 700's, and 1K's do have fans. Now on the 300's, 500's, and 700's we can do a Passive version. So no fan whatsoever makes it completely silent. Completely silent. And what that does we have to put a lot more aluminum with that product, right. So we got to dissipate all that heat out. Bigger piece of aluminum, a lot more heat dissipation, and a lot more price. So you're looking at over $125 per unit extra for those. So then it does really go in some specialty places, right. So, like concert halls, where it's super super tuned in that room. Recital halls where they've got a lot of money invested into absorbing sound. Those are the places that we see those go into. They're not very often. We often see the Passive… The Fusions and the Classics going in there as well. Because sometimes people, they can't hear it at all, it's just these very specific people in these very specific rooms that need that product. Once again same output across the line a 500 is a 500 is a 500. It doesn't matter. If you need anything from us or you've got any other questions about this feel free to give us a call. Thanks!