FX Luminaire LED Kits: Everything You Need to Know About Gen 1 vs. Gen 2
If you’ve owned an FX Luminaire LED system for a few years, you may have recently gone to buy a replacement "UL Kit" only to find that the parts look a little different than they used to.
FX Luminaire transitioned from their 1st Generation (Gen 1) LED kits to the 2nd Generation (Gen 2) several years ago, bringing a massive jump in performance and light quality. But can you mix them? And which one should you buy for your project?
In this guide, we’ll break down the differences and help you decide the best path for your landscape lighting.
Generation 1 FXL LED Kits
The Evolution of the LED Kit
For years, the Gen 1 LED kits were the industry standard. They were reliable and efficient. However, as LED technology advanced, FX Luminaire launched the Gen 2 kits (often identified by part numbers starting with KIT-).
The goal was simple: make the lights brighter, the colors warmer, and the installation more flexible.
Gen 1 vs. Gen 2: The Key Differences
| Feature | 1st Generation (Gen 1) | 2nd Generation (Gen 2) |
| Brightness | Standard Output | 40% to 65% Brighter |
| Native Color | 3,900K (Cool/Blue-White) | 2,700K (Warm/Yellow-White) |
| How Color is Changed | Needs colored plastic filters | Native warm LED (no filters needed) |
| Lifespan | 55,000 Hours | 72,000 Hours |
| Included Lenses | Fixed Lens | Includes 10°, 35°, and 60° options |
The Big Question: Are They Interchangeable?
The short answer is: Physically, yes. Visually, no.
The Physical Fit
If you have an older Designer Series fixture (like an NP, FB, or VS), a Gen 2 board will screw right into the same spot as a Gen 1 board. They use the same two-pin power connectors and mounting holes. From a "nuts and bolts" perspective, you can swap a Gen 1 for a Gen 2 in minutes.
The Visual Mismatch
This is where homeowners often run into trouble. Because Gen 2 LEDs are significantly brighter and have a completely different "native" color, you cannot simply replace one light in a row of five.
Color Temp: Gen 1 LEDs are naturally "cool." To get a warm look, you have to use a plastic amber filter. Gen 2 LEDs are naturally "warm." If you put them side-by-side, the Gen 2 light will look rich and inviting, while the Gen 1 might look pale or overly orange by comparison.
Intensity: Because Gen 2 kits are up to 65% brighter, that one upgraded fixture will stand out like a sore thumb against your older lights.
Which Kit Should You Buy?
Buy the Gen 1 Kit ([X]LED-UL-KIT) if...
You are replacing a single dead light in a large group of existing Gen 1 fixtures and you want a perfect match. If you don't want to spend the money to upgrade the entire run of lights, sticking with Gen 1 keeps the look consistent.
Buy the Gen 2 Kit (KIT[X]LEDRDW) if...
You are doing a new installation. There is no reason to use older technology on a fresh project.
You want more control. Gen 2 kits come with three different lenses (Spot, Flood, and Wide Flood), allowing you to change the "beam spread" without buying a new fixture.
You are ready for an upgrade. If your system is 5–10 years old, upgrading to Gen 2 will make your landscape look brand new, with better color rendering and more "pop" on your trees and architectural features.
Pro Tip: Check Your Optics
When you upgrade to a Gen 2 kit, don't forget to swap the reflector. Every Gen 2 kit comes with a new reflector and a set of lenses. To get the best performance out of the new LED, you should remove the old Gen 1 reflector and install the new hardware included in the box.
Need help identifying which version you have? Look at the LED board itself. If the LED chips look like small yellow dots on a green or white board and require a plastic colored disk to look "warm," you have a Gen 1. If the board has a more integrated look and glows warm the moment you turn it on, you’ve likely already upgraded to Gen 2!