High End Systems, Elation Lighting Enter Distribution Agreement for New HedgeHog 4 Lighting Console

Like its namesake, the new HedgeHog 4 Lighting Console from High End Systems possesses the flexibility and functionality to excel in a wide range of settings from nightclubs and corporate productions, to churches, theaters, and other small-to-mid-sized budget applications where lighting professionals require a proficient and ergonomic control surface, the company says.

The HedgeHog 4 is the newest member of the Hog family of consoles, which has long set the standard for lighting control products. To ensure that this breakthrough product will be available to the widest possible segment of users throughout the industry, High End Systems has entered into a distribution agreement with Elation Lighting.

Beginning at LDI (November 22nd), Elation Lighting will distribute the HedgeHog 4 in North and South America as well as in India and Southeast Asia. "The HedgeHog 4 is blazing a new path in this market segment, so naturally we're thrilled to be involved with it," says Eric Loader, director of sales at Elation Lighting. "The feature set and power of this console is ideal for many of our customers' applications"

Featuring the familiar programming and command line interface and user-friendly ergonomic control surface that have made the Hog series so widely accepted by lighting professionals throughout the world, the HedgeHog 4 is a powerful self-contained lighting controller with a built-in computer running Hog 4 OS software. The new console also has a 12.1" touchscreen interface, two onboard DMX and four Art-Net universes, ten Playback Faders, and many other features.

As part of its agreement with High End Systems, Elation Lighting will also be distributing the Nano Hog 4 lighting console. It features four onboard DMX universes or four Art-Net universes and is designed to be used with PCs running the Hog 4 PC operating system.

"We're very excited to have Elation Lighting distributing the HedgeHog 4 and Nano Hog 4 to its dealer base on three continents," says Bill Morris, CEO of High End Systems. "Our distribution agreement will get Hog controllers into a completely new set of users and markets. Elation is well entrenched in vertical markets like houses of worship, nightclubs, and local corporate events, and their ability to reach these markets goes well beyond what we could do on our own."

"Our goal is to make the Hog control platform available to users across the spectrum, from the smallest fixed installation to the biggest mega event, but to reach each market we have to have the channel partners that the market prefers. Having Elation as a distribution partner definitely accomplishes that objective, and allows us to bring Hog products to a whole new set of users."

Elation Lighting representatives say they share this enthusiasm. "Our customers have been asking us to add a world class DMX control line to our product offering for some time," says Toby Velazquez, president of Elation. "The Hog brand is well established, and the Hog 4 family of products is the broadest in the industry. The HedgeHog 4 and Nano Hog products allow value-conscious customers to get into the Hog platform at competitive rates. We are also excited to have this relationship with High End Systems and believe that partnerships like this are good because they allow each of us to focus on where we add the most value to the industry."