It's really new and one of the smallest halogen flood lights that you will find, and sometimes it can be just as difficult to find them as well.  It's a smaller lamp than it's larger, yet still diminutive relation, the MR11 lamp.  Sometimes people say all these lamps look like little satellite dishes and there are some similarities to that shape.  The MR8 was developed as a 12 volt or 6 volt lamp for use in low voltage lighting systems.  Like all halogen capsule bulbs, they are filled with a special gas that actually rebuilds the filament and provides longer average lifespan than normal incandescent bulbs.  The MR8 is the one that has a 1 inch reflector with a silvered (dichroic) coated which is usually faceted when it's a flood light, non-faceted when it's a spot.  Halogen bulbs burn about 10 percent brighter and hotter than normal incandescent bulbs.  The bright light is something that is useful in a large number of lighting applications. This is especially true in display lighting, curio cabinets, retail showrooms, anywhere color and proper illumination is important to make things look their best.  Because of their small size, these have also been a popular choice for engineers for fiberoptic lights which sometimes have fish bubbling around that some people have bought in a retail store.

Here are some precautions for handling these lamps and for halogen lamps in general.  Halogen bulbs should not be touched with your skin in any way. If they are touched, their is a good chance there will be premature failure over time.  You usually won't get an instant failure, so it's good to make sure that you handle it right for longevity sake.  In case you ever do touch a halogen light bulb, wipe it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Bulbs that are covered, like the PAR and some of the MR8 halogen light bulbs, are okay to touch, since you are not touching the actual bulb but a heavy, thick glass that covers the light bulb.  Most commonly, they are put into an enclosure, but be aware of touching a halogen capsule itself directly, is not a good idea. 

If you have MR8 halogen bulbs in your home or business, then you want to make sure of several characteristics when replacing them.  You need to make sure that the reflector opening is 1 inch, verify the operating voltage of the lamp and the pin spacing of the bulbs themselves.  A typical MR8 has a pin spacing at 4 millimeters and what is called a GZ4 base.  It's important to also get the wattage of the lamp which is clearly marked in most cases.  In the case of the MR8, it's usually a very low wattage.

In summary, MR8 halogen light bulbs are the new small version which gives you great flexibility in getting great light in a very small space.  They will emit a whiter, brighter light that is considered by a vast majority of people as more desirable than regular light bulbs.  Whatever type of halogen you have, we have the right sizes and wattages for your lighting application and the knowledge to help you make a good lighting decision.  Our large inventory of halogen bulbs insures that we will be able to ship to you immediately including these special lamps.  If you need help identifying MR8 light bulbs of any kind or brand, our customer service representatives can help you determine what you have.