Focon Showtechnic, the North Rhine-Westphalian lighting specialist based in Lotte near Osnabrück, has significantly expanded its proprietary ExpoLite brand with the introduction of the WD 7 FX. This compact, high-output washlight enters a competitive mid-range market, aiming to balance raw performance with a discreet aesthetic and robust environmental protection. Since the early days of LED technology, Focon has utilized the ExpoLite label to bring internally developed solutions to the professional event industry, evolving from simple static fixtures to sophisticated moving lights. The WD 7 FX represents the latest iteration of this development cycle, offering a 280-watt RGBL-LED engine housed within an IP65-rated chassis, specifically designed for both indoor architectural lighting and demanding outdoor festival environments.
Technical Specifications and Optical Engine Performance
At the heart of the ExpoLite WD 7 FX is a potent light engine comprising seven 40-watt RGBL (Red, Green, Blue, Lime) LEDs manufactured by Osram. The choice of a lime-colored diode instead of the traditional white diode found in RGBW fixtures is a strategic move intended to enhance the color spectrum. By incorporating lime, the fixture achieves significantly higher color rendering and a broader range of pastel tones, while also providing a more natural-looking white light across various color temperatures. These seven primary emitters are arranged in a hexagonal pattern around a central diode, each sitting behind a high-quality convex lens integrated into a mechanical zoom system.
The optical versatility of the WD 7 FX is defined by its impressive zoom range, which spans from a tight 3.5-degree beam to a wide 44-degree wash. In practical applications, the fixture offers two distinct zoom modes: "Regular" and "Ultra Narrow." According to technical documentation, the Ultra Narrow setting allows the fixture to achieve its minimum beam angle for high-intensity mid-air effects, while the Regular setting provides a standard operational curve. This dual-mode approach allows lighting designers to tailor the fixture’s behavior to specific show requirements, whether they need surgical precision or broad, even coverage.
Complementing the primary light source is an innovative RGB effect ring. This secondary light source consists of 46 individual RGB diodes arranged in a thin, half-centimeter-wide ring around the main lens assembly. To ensure a soft, aesthetic glow that does not distract from the primary beam, the ring is covered by a milky-matte frost filter. This "eye-candy" feature is designed to provide additional visual depth for television cameras and live audiences, allowing for complex multi-layered lighting designs where the face of the fixture becomes part of the scenography.
Housing Design and Environmental Resilience
One of the most striking features of the WD 7 FX is its commitment to a "stealth" aesthetic. In an industry where branding is often prominent, Focon has opted for an entirely logo-free exterior. The die-cast aluminum housing is finished in a deep black, and all visible internal components, including the zoom mechanism and LED baffles, are also darkened to minimize reflections. This makes the WD 7 FX an ideal choice for high-end corporate events, theaters, and gala productions where the lighting hardware should remain as inconspicuous as possible when not in use.
Despite its professional-grade output, the fixture remains remarkably portable, weighing in at just over 10 kilograms. Its compact dimensions—approximately 29 cm in width, 23 cm in depth, and 38 cm in height—allow for dense rigging in tight spaces. The base of the unit is engineered with integrated cooling fins on all sides, featuring a slightly sloped design to facilitate the runoff of rainwater. This attention to detail reinforces the unit’s IP65 rating, certifying it as dust-tight and protected against water jets from any angle, effectively eliminating the need for additional rain covers during outdoor use.
The user interface is located on the front of the base, featuring a monochrome display protected by a transparent plastic shield. While the user manual mentions a five-button navigation system, the physical unit utilizes a four-button configuration for menu traversal. A notable omission for some high-speed production environments is the lack of an internal battery, meaning the fixture must be powered on to access DMX addressing or system settings. However, the display is programmed to shut off completely after a period of inactivity, further contributing to the fixture’s discrete profile on stage.
Connectivity and Operational Control
The rear of the WD 7 FX base is equipped with professional-grade Seetronic connectors, including PowerCon True1 inputs and outputs for daisy-chaining power. Under a 240V load, up to four units can be linked on a single circuit, a figure that drops to two units in 110V environments. Data connectivity is equally robust, offering both 3-pin and 5-pin XLR DMX sockets, as well as a USB-C port for firmware updates and service tasks.
A significant value-add for the WD 7 FX is the factory-integrated Wireless DMX (W-DMX) module. This allows for cable-free data transmission, which is particularly useful for architectural illumination or rapid festival setups. Furthermore, the fixture can act as a DMX bridge, receiving a wireless signal and outputting it via the physical XLR ports to neighboring non-wireless fixtures. The system also supports Remote Device Management (RDM), enabling technicians to change addresses and monitor fixture health remotely from the lighting console.
The WD 7 FX offers six distinct DMX operating modes to suit different programming styles:
- SSP Mode (18 Channels): Basic 8-bit control for standard applications.
- TOUR Mode (20 Channels): Adds a virtual color wheel and color temperature correction (CTC).
- TR16 Mode (27 Channels): Provides full 16-bit resolution for dimming, pan/tilt, and color mixing.
- CMY Mode (21 Channels): Emulates subtractive color mixing for designers accustomed to traditional discharge lamps.
- PIXEL Mode (24 Channels): Allows independent control of the center LED and the outer ring of LEDs.
- HSIC Mode (20 Channels): Optimized for white light applications using Hue, Saturation, and Intensity controls.
Thermal Management and Studio Integration
To ensure reliable operation across various environments, the WD 7 FX features three specialized fan modes. In "Power Mode," the fans run at maximum speed to provide peak cooling for sustained high-output usage. "Live Mode" utilizes a temperature-regulated curve, balancing noise and cooling efficiency based on the current LED load. For noise-sensitive environments such as television studios or theaters, the "Studio Mode" limits noise emissions to a maximum of 45 dB. In this mode, the internal software will intelligently throttle the LED output if the temperature exceeds safe operating thresholds, prioritizing silence over maximum brightness.
The fixture also addresses the technical requirements of modern broadcast environments by offering adjustable Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) frequencies. Users can choose from 1,200 Hz, 2,400 Hz, 4,000 Hz, 6,000 Hz, and 25,000 Hz. The higher settings ensure that the light output remains flicker-free even when captured by high-speed cameras or ultra-high-definition broadcast equipment.
Practical Performance and Firmware Analysis
During practical testing, the WD 7 FX demonstrates a rapid startup sequence, completing its mechanical reset in under 30 seconds. The RGBL engine excels in creating nuanced color palettes; the addition of the lime diode proves its worth when rendering difficult shades like "Conga Pink" or various warm white tones. However, as with any multi-lens fixture, the use of seven individual emitters does result in multi-shadowing when lighting objects at close range—a characteristic common to this design type.
The current firmware (v1.0.0) provides a solid foundation but leaves room for future refinement, particularly regarding the effect engine. The RGB ring currently features 17 pre-programmed effects, including rainbow chases and pixel patterns. While functional, these effects are currently "closed," meaning users cannot modify the colors of the patterns or reverse their direction. The manufacturer has acknowledged this, indicating that the hardware’s potential is far from exhausted and that future firmware updates may expand the creative control available to programmers.
Another area for potential optimization is the dimming curve in 8-bit modes. At very slow fade times, minor stepping can be observed. Professional users are therefore encouraged to utilize the 16-bit TR16 mode for theatrical fades to ensure perfectly smooth transitions.
Market Positioning and Broader Implications
With a list price of approximately €1,499, the ExpoLite WD 7 FX is positioned as a high-value "workhorse" fixture. It occupies the space between budget-oriented entry-level lights and the premium-tier offerings from major international brands that often cost three to four times as much. For rental companies, the WD 7 FX offers a compelling Return on Investment (ROI) due to its IP65 rating, which reduces maintenance costs associated with moisture damage and expands the fixture’s billable use cases to include outdoor winter events and summer festivals.
The introduction of the WD 7 FX also reflects a broader trend in the lighting industry: the democratization of high-end features. Technologies that were once reserved for flagship models—such as IP65 certification, RGBL color mixing, and integrated wireless DMX—are now becoming standard in the mid-market segment. This shift allows smaller production companies to deliver high-quality visual experiences that were previously out of financial reach.
Conclusion
The ExpoLite WD 7 FX stands as a testament to the maturation of proprietary brand development within the European lighting market. By focusing on build quality, aesthetic discretion, and environmental resilience, Focon Showtechnic has produced a fixture that meets the rigorous demands of professional touring and installation. While the software-side effect engine is still in its early stages, the underlying hardware is robust and high-performing. As a versatile all-rounder, the WD 7 FX provides a powerful solution for lighting designers seeking a reliable, weatherproof, and inconspicuous washlight that does not compromise on color quality or output. As firmware updates continue to unlock the potential of its pixel-mapping capabilities, the WD 7 FX is likely to become a staple in professional lighting rigs across the continent.
