The Color Kinetics ColorBlaze 72 LED batten light is a powerful and versatile linear wash fixture, designed as an industry-standard solution for the demanding touring, rental, and architectural lighting markets. Its robust design, featuring an extruded aluminum housing and integrated power supplies, makes it ideal for harsh, fast-paced environments like theaters, concerts, and TV studios, where durability and ease of use are paramount. The fixture produces vibrant, saturated light through additive RGB color mixing, offering a massive palette of 16.7 million colors, which allows lighting professionals to achieve dynamic and compelling visual effects across large areas. A key feature of the ColorBlaze 72 is its segmented control; the 6-foot (1.8 m) unit is controllable in twelve individual 6-inch (152 mm) segments, enabling highly intricate, color-changing patterns and light displays when used with a DMX controller. This granular control makes it a flexible tool for everything from subtle color washes to dramatic, fast-paced effects.

The design of the ColorBlaze 72 thoughtfully addresses practical installation and operation needs by incorporating features that simplify setup and maintenance. It includes a universal, auto-switching power supply (100–240 VAC), which removes the necessity for external power bricks and ensures compatibility with power systems around the globe. Onboard push-button addressing further streamlines configuration, eliminating the need for complex external addressing tools. For mounting versatility, the fixture is equipped with sturdy, locking brackets that provide 180° rotation, allowing for easy adjustment and secure attachment to pipes, trusses, or flat surfaces without requiring specialized tools. The unit is also designed to be field-serviceable, with a full range of replacement parts available to extend its operational lifespan, an economically beneficial feature for rental houses and permanent installations alike. The inclusion of thermal sensors and an onboard cooling fan helps protect the internal components from overheating, ensuring consistent performance even under rigorous operating conditions.

Beyond its robust physical construction and operational simplicity, the ColorBlaze 72 excels in performance and system integration. It boasts a high-intensity output, with each 6-inch segment producing over 450 lumens, providing powerful washes capable of covering substantial vertical and horizontal surfaces. The standard 10° beam angle is optimized for far-reaching light projection, and optional spread lenses (such as 22°, 32°, and 60°x32°) can be added to modify the beam width for different applications. The fixture communicates using the widely adopted DMX512 standard, making it compatible with a vast array of third-party control systems in addition to Philips Color Kinetics' own line of controllers. For large-scale installations, fixtures can be daisy-chained in series up to 1,000 feet (300 m) using standard data cables like RJ45 or XLR-5, which significantly reduces the complexity and amount of cabling required. The fixture's use of Optibin technology also ensures superior color consistency from one unit to the next, which is vital for professional applications requiring uniform lighting across an entire project.