Landscape Lighting Resource Manual

[jana]

Always looking for a good read and reference.

Any one have it and your thoughts on it. I have "The Landscape Lighting Book"
second edition by Janet Lennox Moyer and its great.

I did see someone from Amazon wrote a review but I do not even see the book
on Amazon.

[JoeyD]

The book will be back up on Amazon. For now you can buy it here.....

http://www.uniquelighting.com/education/Bookpage.html

[jana]

Thanks Joey, I will keep an eye out on Amazon.

No one on this board has this book?

[JoeyD]

I just found out that we do not have the book on Amazon anymore. I looked into this yesterday as I am trying to get it on the AOLP website. So right now you can only get it thru your local Unique distributor or at the link on our website that I posted above. Sorry for the confusion.

[NightScenes]

I have the book and highly recommend it. You do have to understand that it is a selling tool for Mr. Mullen and wade through some of that stuff but all-in-all I would say that it is a must read for someone in this industry.

[jana]

Yes I understand the ad tool, I just wanted to know how much fluff is really in it.

[JoeyD]

jana, If you buy the book then dont like it or find the value in it I will refund your money!!!

[jana]

No worries Joey.

[NightScenes]

It really does have a lot of valuable information. Well worth the $.

[pete scalia]

I have the book and highly recommend it. You do have to understand that it is a selling tool for Mr. Mullen and wade through some of that stuff but all-in-all I would say that it is a must read for someone in this industry.

I think that's a cheap shot to say it's a selling tool. What book isn't a selling tool for it's author. If the OP had any business sense they would understand that few people ever make money by authoring a book from the sales of the book itself. This back handed remark undermines all of the great information in the book and I'm is sure a put off to someone considering its purchase. Purchase the book. It comes with satisfaction guaranteed.

[JoeyD]

Pete. I understand what it may sound like but rest assured that even I understand that Paul is making a point of how Nate uses the book to not only educate the public in regards to lighting but explain why the products he has developed will help you in performing his system. So in one regard it is a selling tool, but is more intended to educate vs. sell.

Simmer down paisan!

Joey D.

[pete scalia]

Pete. I understand what it may sound like but rest assured that even I understand that Paul is making a point of how Nate uses the book to not only educate the public in regards to lighting but explain why the products he has developed will help you in performing his system. So in one regard it is a selling tool, but is more intended to educate vs. sell.

Simmer down paisan!

Joey D.

I interpret it as a back handed remark. It's like saying Barry Bonds is the all time homerun king but he cheated cause he took steroids.

[irrig8r]

I won't pass judgment on any of Nate's books until I've read them.

I have read reviews on Amazon. Two readers really liked the Trade Secrets of Professional Landscape Lighting. One called it the "the quintessential book on landscape lighting."

Another reader (who you may know as sitelights of www.lowvolt.org) calls it a printed version of an infommercial.

He writes: "The "Secret" is that the technical content is based on the use of single-source equipment and if you don't buy (literally and figuratively) the multi-tap transformer (12v to 22v secondaries) you cannot repeat the results."

I'll keep an open mind.

[NightScenes]

I interpret it as a back handed remark. It's like saying Barry Bonds is the all time homerun king but he cheated cause he took steroids.

Charles, you need to lighten up. And Barry Bonds will always have an asterisk by his name.

[1rick]

I did not in any way take nightscapespauls comment as a "cheap shot" or a "back handed" remark. I also do not question his "business sense". Mr Mullens
's book is a "blatant" selling tool for his company and that was my first thought as I read it, but I still recommend it and would also say it is a must read for someone in this industry.

[Pro-Scapes]

I got my copy that was signed today.... sorry to say fed ex left it out in the rain and its near trashed :( was looking forward to it on these cool rainy days.

I am not sure if we will hear from joey or nate soon. From looks of it they are getting evacuated from the fires. Please keep them and all the others affected by this tradgedy in your thoughts and prayers and pray also for the brave men and women who continue to battle the blazes.

[irrig8r]

I received my signed less than an hour ago.
I happened to be working in the office this AM.
That is one thick book.

I will get started on it this weekend!

Thanks!

[irrig8r]

Got my copy about an hour ago. I happened to be home in the office. UPS guy warned me it was heavy when he handed it to me. This is one fat book!

I hope to get into it this weekend. I'm sure I'll be full of questions.... Thanks Joey!

[irrig8r]

Couldn't wait for the weekend, had to check out the book.

So, first thing I did when I opened it was go to Chapter 5.

here's my take:

Method 2 seems to come close to the results that Vista comes up with.

Their formula is (L x W)x 2/ cable constant.

For instance, using the example, where Method 2 comes up with 1.62 Vd, their formula comes up with 1.6 Vd. I've tried it with different wire lengths and wattage combinations.

Their Vd numbers always come with twice the number produced by the formula I learned from Nightscaping (Method 4 in your book). Someone told me they thought the original NS formula was better applied to DC than AC, but I have no idea.

Basically, as far as I can tell, the method I learned from Vista comes close enough for planning and estimating. A multimeter finishes the job.


Next, I have to figure out what happens if I was using the hub system and all my lamps happen to burn out at once... what voltage would I have at the hub then, with no load? How about with just one or two lamps?

Are you measuring the 10.8 to 11.5 volts at the hub with no load, then adding the fixtures/ lamps?

How does that compare to NS advising greater Vd if more than half the wattage load is in the second half of the run?

And then we get to energy consumption. We can theorize, but I think the only objective way to measure is to use the same lamps/ wattage load on your system vs. their system, both as you would normally lay them out, and measure them both with Kill-A-Watt meters.

What do you think?

[Rrjp111]

The books are very well written I have learn a lot from them already. I am just starting lighting and like the way the books explain everything. It has helped me learn some of the basic knowledge you need to do lighting. I do still think there is only so much you can learn form a book. I need to put my hands on things to know how it all works. I wish they had some more weekend train some were closer to Louisiana. Please let me know if anyone knows were I could go and ether learn from someone close or if there is a class around me.

[JoeyD]

Rrjp111-

Right now we do not have any classes scheduled for LA. We will however be scheduling more factory training this year then we have in the last 4 years. Once that schedule is released I will post it and hopefully you can make it out to one of our courses here in San Diego. We are going to have some inexpensive classes and then we will have a few red carpet events that will cost a bit more but will have some more frill to them in terms of meals and transportation.

I will post once the schedule is set.

In the mean time if you have any questions please contact me.

Joey D.

[Chris J]

If my input counts in any way, I'd rather eat at McDonalds every night while I'm there to get the cost down. I know you guys want to put on a show for every potential client, but when I come I'm going to be all about information (not lobster and filet). Put me up at the Motel 6, and provide me with an extra employee from y our compay that can provide a different view. When I go on these trips, I want to learn something. Having fun is nice, but I can have a party at my house for cheep!

[JoeyD]

I love that respnse Chris. See we would love to skip the fluff and go right for the meat and potatoes if you know what I mean. If we had it our way we would do an entire job start to finish, work from 6am to 10pm and teach you everything we know. Unfortunalty we undertand that some people including myself want to eat, sleep, and not be out onsite all day. Nate however would love to skip eating and sleeping and just keep working. I will be in touch with you when we set up our next class.

[Frontier-Lawn]

Now thats a nice big book, thanks joey

[JoeyD]

You got it!! Let me know what you think!

[Firefly Prof. Lighting]

Joey,
The book is fantastic. I have already read it twice, and the sales and marketing section 3 times. All very good stuff, I just can't get enough.

[JoeyD]

Thanks Tim, I am glad you are enjoying it. It is a very informative book that can teach so much. Not many lighting books out there really teach you all that much. Some are informative on the basics while others go right over your head, this one was written by a contractor for a contractor.

[Chris J]

I love that respnse Chris. See we would love to skip the fluff and go right for the meat and potatoes if you know what I mean. If we had it our way we would do an entire job start to finish, work from 6am to 10pm and teach you everything we know. Unfortunalty we undertand that some people including myself want to eat, sleep, and not be out onsite all day. Nate however would love to skip eating and sleeping and just keep working. I will be in touch with you when we set up our next class.

Seems like me and Nate have something in common. Let me know when the next event will be. I'll be there!

[JoeyD]

Chris J. your at the top of the attendance list my friend. And for all you other guys interested in lighting education get ready for 2008. Unique is going old school with the factory training classes. Nate the Illuminator Mullen will be in house for atleast 10 UU's next year so be ready!!! It will be the best year of factory training for Unique since 2003.

[Mike M]

Chris, you pool-side, mortgage-paid-off-millionaire, why so cheap? I was at an all day lighting seminar last year and all we had to eat was Skittles. I started freaking out from all the sugar. Stuffed myself goofy on Popeye's fast food when it got out, had to drive home 4 hours from Myrtle Beach with a stomache ache.

Joey, where was that book 2 years ago when I began my flipping research? I got it in the mail yesterday and flipped through quickly before meeting with a prospect and doing a demo. I was talking with him about the theory of focal points and he asked me to draw up a proposal based on the whole set-up, he didn't want me to change a thing.

The book is awesome. No fluff, all smart real-world substance, clearly illustrated, and fun to read. I especially like the language of terms and priciples which I can share with my customers.

Mike M

[JoeyD]

Mike, I am so glad to hear it is benefiting you, I know Nate is as well. The cool thing about that book is you can read it cover to cover if you like but just flipping though teaches you so much. You will find soemthign new everytime you read it. Even people that are not big on Unique Lighting can find soemthign to relate to and soemthing new to apply to their buisnesses. Contrary to many beliefs Nate wrote that book to be a teaching tool, not neccesarily a marketing tool.

If you have any questions Nate will always accept your call. How many owners of large companies will put their cell phone number up in public?

Joey D.

Nates # 760-580-4980

[Cedar Valley Landscapes]

Joey, I just wanted to thank you again for the book. I founded very informative. Just getting into lighting this book helped to answer many of the questions that I had. I espically liked all of the design tips and the marketing sections. Prolly looking to read one more time before the season starts to help the season go smooth. Also I definetly will recommend this book to anyone I know that is going to look into lighting as another service for them. Again thank you for the book and thank you to Mr. Mullen for writing a great book.

Best Regards,
Larry

P.S. Expect some emails closer to the season with some questions I will probably have. haha

[JoeyD]

Hey thanks Larry. Glad you are enjoying the book. If you have any questions plesae do not hesitate to call me up!!!

[JoeyD]

We have a few more books left. Please order a copy before they run out!!!

[tdf]

I just wanted to add that you will benefit from this book in a different way each time you read it. I read the whole thing before installing my first system (and while installing). I have since read it 3 more times and every time I take something new away. I think the reason is I am at a different place experience wise each time. The most recent "lightbulb" that has gone off is the importance of using lenses to manipulate the light and how I have to master this to set myself apart from the landscapers out there just sticking lights in the ground. I have become very good at sticking lights in the ground and it is time to go to the next level and become a lighting designer. I would also recommend getting the hard cover instead of the spiral bound version. Mine looks like hell from all of the use.

Thanks, TF

[JoeyD]

Thanks for your response here TDF! Pelase let me know if you ever have any questions!