A PAR, short for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, is a highliy efficient, open-faced fixture, which makes a great all-purpose floodlight. PAR fixtures are specified by lamp size (the fixture's lens diameter in 1/8" increments), wattage (300 - 1000w), and beam spread (usually VNSP through WFL). The pattern thrown by a PAR is usually a soft, oval beam, that can be shaped with barn doors or by rotaing the instrument's lens.

Useful for rock concerts, to trade shows, PARs are a universally versatile lighting tool. Recent innovations in design have helped ceate a new family high-performace PAR, made popular by fixtures like the ETC Source Four PAR. They utilize the range of HPL lamps, (also used in the ETC Source Four Ellipsoidals) a more compact lamp than older PAR56 and PAR64s.

PAR fixtures use exchangeable PAR56 lenses, enabling the fixture optics to be changed on-site or after installation with a simple adjustment. The lens on this fixture can be rotated so that its oval light beam can adjust to suit the application.

PARnels are th ETC "Source Four" (HPL lamp family) equivalent of a PAR/Fresnel. Generally, they are more efficient and smaller than other Fresnels, but still focus easily from "spot" to "flood".