Last week we took a look at all the advancements being made in LED Poi. From RGB LED’s, to 3 Watt lights and programmable patterns, glow poi are going places. Well, we wouldn’t leave hoops out in the dark. That would just be silly, especially since so many companies are out there trying to make the next big thing in LED Hoops.
So where are glow hoops headed? We all love PSI-Hoops, Cosmic Hooper, and SuperHooper, so what are the hoops of the future going to offer us, and more importantly how much is it going to cost?
100 LED Hoops-
This is for serious ya’ll. There are already hoops out there that contain nearly 100 LED’s, which can create more light than your little pupils can handle! Wowza. Now we all the advantages of so much light, but what are some negatives? Well, more lights equals more battery usage. Which means less time for play. Boo. And the more stuff you squeeze into a hoop, the heavier it’s going to be as well. So, these hoops may not necessarily be optimal for people who enjoy those super-light HDPE hoops. But, if it’s showmanship you want, then these will make for a stellar performance.
Companies making this hoop: Uber-Hoop (COMING SOON), Astral Hoops
Multi-Modal Hoops-
These hoops are smart and just getting smarter. From 30 different modes, all the way up to 90+. Which means if you want a blue hoop, you got it! You need an all strobing hoop? Bam! There are even hoops that do more than just change modes, but they create unique patterns and designs with the lights. Imagine a hoop whose lights chase each other constantly around the hoop, or lights that bounce and change from top to bottom. It’s more than just modes. There is also the possibility of fully programmable hoops, so long as you know how to hack the arduino.
Companies making this hoop: Uber-Hoop, Astral Hoops, UltraPoi, Light Up and Juggle
Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Bluetooth-
This hoop is not just smart, it’s interactive. The hoop can essentially orient itself in 3 Dimensional space, and respond according to changes from the horizontal to the vertical plane. This makes for incredible emphasis during a performance, by changing your mode and pattern by simply putting the hoop above your head. Not only that, there are plans to put bluetooth into the hoops, and possibly smart phone software interactivity. Who knows where this is going, but the possibilities are endless.
Companies making this hoop: Uber-Hoop
Fiber Optic Hoops-
Are LED’s a thing of the past? While I haven’t actually played with this hoop, the concept is pretty awesome. Light Up and Juggle has created a hoop that lights up all the way around with no break whatsoever. It’s hard to tell how bright the hoop actually is in comparison with LED’s, or how heavy it may be, but this could one day take over the hooping scene. There have also been some complaints as to the craftsmanship of this particular hoop, but perhaps someone else can take the concept and run with it. Here’s a little video of the world’s first Fiber Optic Hoop:
One thing we have to plan on with all of these hoops, at least for now, is the high price tag. Ranging from $300 to more than $600, you are paying for technology ahead of it’s time. The question is whether or not you feel the hoops are worth it.
So, where are LED hoops headed? From what I can tell the trend is towards brighter, more intelligent hoops, but will this actually catch on? My fear is that these new hoops have a long way to go before the people at large buy into their tech. Proper tubing and weight distribution are hurdles many of these hoops have yet to overcome, and that’s a very important aspect to the purchase of any hoop. Durability is also a major factor, because no one wants to hear the term fragile associated with their kick-ass new hoop.
But perhaps a combination of smaller chips, brighter lights/Fiber Optics, and better battery tech will transform these heavy-tech hoops into lightweight beauties. Either way, I’m excited.
-Photo: Light Up and Juggle
Creator of GyroPulse and Co-Founder of The Gyronauts. Social Media Manager at Saatchi NY. Loving the Hoop since 2006. Loving the Poi since 2007. Loving the Burn since 2007 More from this author
