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Frequently Asked Questions
These things are often asked. Feel free to contact us for more answers!
Do we need anti reflective film?
You will generally need the anti reflective film if you have a projector screen behind the preacher. Also, if you plan to regularly film your church meetings and services, you may need the anti reflective film. You can order this already applied at the time of purchasing your pulpit (see 'arc range' page for price). To test if you need anti reflective film, turn on your stage lighting and hold and old style (shiny) CD case or mirror where the podium top would be. If you get reflections behind you that are not suitable, you will need the anti reflective film on your podium. However if you purchase your pulpit and afterwards decide you need anti reflective film, your church can get it applied by a local signwriter. We can give you the specification for the film (you can use an Avery or 3M product). This takes some skill to do the application well however, so make sure they are able to do a good job. Well known churches like Hillsong Church have the film on all of their Arc pulpits and use them on international television. It looks great on TV/camera (you can hardly tell). To see a picture of the arc pulpits with reflective film click 'film on podium'.
Do I need to get a cover?
Almost all churches order these (see 'Accessories' page of this website) since they prolong the life of your puplit or table top. They are a fabric cover to help keep your lectern and table scratch and dust free when not in use. They are essential if the pulpit and/or table are to be moved around. The table and lectern covers are made from elastic edged cotton drill. A replacement top costs about $200 -more with anti reflective film- so you could say a cover is a good investment. Please see the accessories page for more details.
You are based in Sydney, Australia. Why do you have a dedicated site for customers from the United States of America?
We have so many US customers, we wanted to make it as simple as possible for them to order, and have the prices in US dollars so that it was not confusing. Many American preachers and pastors who visit Hillsong Church or Hillsong conference, see our podium and want to order one, then their friends see their podium and want to order also. As a result we have so many US customers, that we now have a streamlined system for orders from the USA. Orders are air freighted to the USA faster than to some parts of Australia. The free trade agreement between Australia and the USA has also helped. As a result, US customers don't have to worry about being charged extra taxes or duties.
Do you have a showroom? Can I come and see your podium and table range?
Sorry! We only show our them at exhibitions. We do however, have a money back guarantee; 'love it or send it back'. We have had one customer send it back here in Australia (they were unhappy with the angle of the top- the pastors watch didn't stay at the top of the podium without sliding down). We even got a testimonial form them to say how happy they were with our customer service! So if you were to order, receive and for some reason not like your new podium, we will refund all of your money. Our customers say they always look better 'in person' than in the photographs.
Do you exhibit in the USA?
Yes- we exhibit every 2 years at the AG assembly/ conference (for Assembly of God churches) in the USA (it only happens every 2 years, otherwise we would be there every year!). We have exhibited at the City Bible Church conference in Portland Oregon also. It is to meet our podium customers face to face. We also meet a surprising number of American pastors at the Hillsong conference in Sydney Australia (some of them appeared again at the AG assembly!).
So is there any way I can see before I buy?
Yes - go to the 'Who has our pulpits?' page of this website. Perhaps you can contact a church and go have a look if convenient.
Would my podium be guaranteed?
Yes for 12 months. Obviously this is for normal use and excludes dropping/ knocking it over/ abuse.
Is it stable?
Yes - you need to push it 15-20 degrees before it will start to fall (the most stringent international standard for lighting is 15 deg.) We have put a lot of effort into getting the centre of gravity low and in the correct place. You can place a laptop on the far corner, place a heavy book on top of that (a big bible) and it will not topple. On the other hand, the stem has it some flexibility. This flexibility is essential if the top is given a shock. Also because it has a single stem, so it is not as rigid as say a podium with three stems. A podium with three stems might not look as good however.
Why does your podium only have one stem?
Some early models had 3 stems. They were more rigid, but we found they were a lot less popular with churches . Some church leaders say that the arc podium is less distracting than some other lecterns, and helps the church congregation to concentrate fully on the message.
We tried many podium designs (click for the design and manufacture page). We show them privately and at conferences like Hillsong here in Australia. It becomes quickly obvious which podiums are preferred. Then we work on them, testing them in the local market. By the time we get around to exporting, it is a great product. We prefer to take one popular podium design and improve it so it is the best church podium in the world, rather than be making a wide range of podiums that are all second rate. We used to make several podium designs that were cheaper, but australian churches didn't like them as much, and voted with their purchases. We would have preferred that the did in many ways since the Arc is so difficult to make. However the upside is that the churches realized that long after the price is forgotten, you will still have the pleasure of a great podium.
You must be joking, it is only a bit of round metal with a tube and a bit of acrylic for the top- it cant be that complicated?
It would seem so. It is indeed easy to do a bad job of making a podium, but difficult to do it very, very well. Our podiums have no visible welds, no visible screws and are lighter than almost all other lecterns on the market that we know of (ok so they are heavier than a music stand).
Where are your podiums made?
Here in Sydney Australia. We use the Italian model for manufacture. That is having a relatively small office and manufacturing plant, but using many subcontractors who each work in a specialized area. This means each part or stage of the podium is worked on by a specialist in that field. We have 28 sub contractors (not all work on the Arc). This means rather than asking 'What can we make with our existing manufacturing facility?', we ask 'What is the best podium possible?', then find the specialists to do it.
How high is the pulpit to the bottom of the ledge?
The height to the ledge is 101cm/ 39.8". This suits 95% of the population. In the entire time we have made them, we have only had one request for a podium stem at a different height. That was for a school (we made it shorter). However for most schools (and obviously churches) they find the height fine.
Can I change the height of arc church lecterns?
Obviously the adjustable arc lectern can have the height changed whenever you like. Another option is to get a fixed height arc lectern with a stem that is permanently taller or shorter than normal- for example if the pastors using it are all particularly tall or short. The stem length is changed during manufacture.
Height changes are in increments of 2" (5cm) above or below the standard stem height of 40" (101cm) to the bottom of the lip (where the bible or notes rest). Please let us know your preference:
2" (5cm) or 4" (10cm) taller than the standard pulpit height of 40" (101cm) to the bottom of the lip,
or
2" (5cm) or 4" (10cm) than the standard pulpit height of 40" (101cm) to the bottom of the lip.
Height changes are US$ 90. Likewise height changes to the arc table are also possible.
Would my podium and table come made up or do I need to assemble them?
We transport the arc and arc table flat in a special box. This saves money on freight and prevents them from being damaged during transit.
Are they easy to assemble?
Very. Instructions are included. We have had a Korean customer say it took 9 minutes to assemble even without the person assembling being able to read the English part of the instructions (it includes pictures) . We have never heard of a church having trouble assembling the arc podium.
You talk a lot about churches, do other organizations purchase them?
Certainly. Law firms, schools, city councils, universities, even the United Nations in New York City has purchased two. Chicago airport has one.
How do I attach a microphone?
Good question. We now have a special version of the arc with mic inputs. Please see the Arc Podium page on the top menu. Also see the Multimedia Podium link at the bottom of this page.
Did you make the Hillsong Church podium?(click to go to the Hillsong site)
Hillsong Church Sydney have five of our arc pulpits which they use in a range of meetings, including weekend services and conferences. They also have more arc pulpits that are used in several Hillsong church extension services throughout the city. Hillsong Church London, and Hillsong Church Kiev also have two each of the arc podiums. Another well known Sydney church; Oxford Falls CCC (Christian City Church- Pastor Phil Pringle)) has 11.
Do you have a pulpit with adjustable height?
Yes!-we do make an adjustable version of the arc. It is popular (see the Arc Podium page on the top menu).
Having said this, you have probably heard of ergonomics- the study of human interraction with furniture and objects. Our pulpits are designed using anthropometric ergonomic data (the same ergonomic data the designers at Boeing use to design airplane interiors). We found that by using a height of approximately 101cm (40") to the bottom of the lip and an angle of approximately 18-20 degrees for the top, that a pulpit will suit 95% of adult male and females.
Can I have my podium in black? or any other colour?
Yes- please click here. Common custom requests are for black stems and bases, and black tinted tops.
Black stems are satin black and the black tops are 332 tint. Please note the photos of the assembled
podium here
show an early version in a darker tint (512) (this tint is no longer available). The small swatch shows 332 tint.
A black tinted top costs US$100 extra for the first item, $50 for the second item.
Satin black painted stems and bases cost $150 for the first item, $50 for the second item. This is because there is a set up cost involved for these changes.
For example if you were to order a pulpit only, with satin black stem and base, and a black tinted top, it would be $ 100+ 150 = US$250 extra.
As another example, if you were to order a pulpit and table, both with satin black stems and bases, and black tinted tops, it would be $ 100+ 50+ 150+ 50 = US$350 extra.
How do I order and pay for a podium?
We are pleased you asked! Go to the 'How to Buy' page of this website (see top right.)
I am ordering from the USA. Will I therefore have to pay customs and duties?
Our experience with sending many podium order to the USA is that because of the free trade agreement between Australia and the USA, no taxes are charged.
Do you have a customer list on this website?
Yes - go to the 'Who has a Procson podium?' page of this website. You can contact a church and go have a look (obviously please be polite and respectful) (you are probably a church leader anyway so no doubt very respectful and polite).
