What are the Pros & Cons of CDM vs. Quartz?
This is perhaps one of our most commonly asked questions. Ceramic Metal Halide, better known as CDM or CMH is a high output, low wattage lamp source which utilizes an electronic ballast. Depending on the type of unit in question a 150-watt CDM product may equal or exceed the output of 750-1000 watt quartz unit. Lower wattage high light output is the key to CDM. Due to a high color rendering (CRI) of 85+, CDM products make fantastic themed architectural products. In addition, the CDM product has a lamp life of 6,000-12,000 hours where Quartz has between 300-4000 hours. Though quartz lamps may use more energy and burn hotter, they do have some key advantages. Quartz has the ability to dim from 0-100%; CDM does not. Quartz products do not require the use of a ballast therefore they tend to be almost half the price of their CDM counterparts. Although lamp life is shorter, the replacement lamp cost is also less. We at Altman are pleased to be able to offer both CDM and quartz options, along
