Main categories, Counters / podiums, Display systems
Backlit counter or standard podium: when is it worth paying extra?
The choice between an illuminated LED counter and a standard podium depends on how strongly you want to showcase your brand and how much logistics you can take on. Below we compare the visibility, power and transport of the available models.
Visibility and brand communication
Illuminated podiums make the graphic stand out, especially in weaker lighting. Models such as the Backlight podium, the LED BOX™ podium and the LUNIX™ LED podium backlight the print and boost its contrast. Traditional podiums, e.g. the Preston rectangle or Preston oval podium, convey the message only through the print and the shape of the top.
- Illuminated podiums increase graphic contrast
- The LUNIX™ LED podium has a double-sided display
- The LED BOX™ podium has 6500 K white light and blackback material
- Standard podiums rely on the print and the shape of the top
Power supply
Illuminated podiums have built-in light modules: the Backlight podium has an LED curtain, while the LED BOX™ podium and the Preston Automatic LED Rectangle podium have LED lighting. Standard podiums, for example the Preston rectangle or Preston oval, have no built-in lighting, so they don't need power for it.
- Illuminated podiums have LED strips and a power supply included
- The Backlight podium has an LED curtain
- The Preston Automatic LED Oval podium has built-in lighting
- Standard podiums don't need a socket on the stand
Transport and weight
Transport also matters. The Lectern transport case and presentation podium is a wheeled case and weighs 12 kg. The mobile POP UP 2×1 podium weighs 11 kg. The illuminated versions vary in weight: the LED BOX™ podium with shelf weighs 15 kg, and the smaller LED BOX™ illuminated podium 7 kg. These figures help plan transport and storage.
- The Lectern transport case has wheels and weighs 12 kg
- The POP UP 2×1 podium weighs 11 kg
- The LED BOX™ podium with shelf weighs 15 kg
- The LED BOX™ illuminated podium weighs 7 kg
Assembly and folding
Assembly determines how long it takes to prepare the stand and how easy it is for the team. Models with an automatic mechanism, such as the Preston Automatic LED Oval and Preston Automatic LED Rectangle podiums, have unfolding frames. Pop-up and modular systems, for example the POP UP 2×1 podium and the LED BOX™ podium, assemble without tools, so you need to take less equipment to the event.
- The Preston Automatic LED Oval podium has an automatic frame
- The Preston Automatic LED Rectangle podium unfolds telescopically
- The LED BOX™ podium assembles without tools
- The POP UP 2×1 podium allows quick tool-free assembly
When it's worth paying extra for an illuminated podium
Paying extra for an illuminated podium makes sense when the graphic needs to be clearly visible in poor lighting or when the stand has to stand out from others. The LUNIX™ LED podium, LED BOX™ podium and Backlight podium boost the display. If simple transport and no power matter more, standard podiums such as the Preston rectangle or the Lectern transport case will be more practical.
- It's worth paying extra when the stand has poor lighting
- Choose an illuminated one when you need strong graphic contrast
- A standard podium means simpler logistics and no power needed
- The Lectern transport case is useful if transport matters most
Frequently asked questions
Does an illuminated counter need a power socket on the stand?
Yes. Models with LED lighting, such as the Backlight podium, the LED BOX™ podium or the Preston Automatic LED Oval podium, have light elements, so you need to plan power access on the stand.
Which podium is easiest to transport?
The Lectern transport case and presentation podium is a wheeled case. Mobile alternatives are the POP UP 2×1 podium and the Preston models, which fold into a transport bag.
Does an illuminated counter always display graphics better?
Illuminated models, for example the LUNIX™ LED podium and the LED BOX™ podium, light the graphic with 6500 K white light, and in the LED BOX™ the blackback material also limits light passing to the other side. In bright halls the difference may be smaller, but in poor lighting the effect is noticeable.