Total Light Boca Path Lights Compared: 6" vs 8" Shade
Chris Kelly
The current Total Light Boca path-light family keeps the selection simple: both active complete fixtures use an 18-inch stem, and the main choice is between a 6-inch or 8-inch solid-brass shade. After choosing the fixture profile, select a compatible G4 LED lamp for the desired output and color temperature.
Both Boca fixtures are designed for compatible 12-volt low-voltage landscape-lighting systems and use a replaceable G4 bi-pin LED lamp sold separately. Choose the shade size from the visual scale of the walkway, planting bed, and surrounding landscape rather than assuming the larger shade is automatically brighter.
Boca Path Lights at a Glance
| Configuration | SKU | Useful Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| 6" Shade / 18" Stem | TL-PL-6-18-CB | Narrower walkways, tighter planting beds, and projects where a smaller fixture profile is preferred |
| 8" Shade / 18" Stem | TL-PL-8-18-CB | Walkways and planting areas where a broader Boca shade profile is preferred |
What Both Boca Fixtures Have in Common
- 12-volt low-voltage operation
- solid-brass construction
- Classic Brass finish
- 18-inch stem
- downward-facing path-light shade
- replaceable G4 bi-pin LED lamp
- lamp sold separately
- ground stake included
- ETL certification
Use the current Total Light Warranty page for formal warranty terms.
6-Inch vs 8-Inch Boca Shade
The shade size changes the visual scale of the fixture and influences how the lamp is shielded and directed toward the ground. It should be treated as a design and distribution choice, not as a stand-alone brightness rating.
Choose the 6-Inch Shade for a More Compact Profile
The 6-inch Boca shade is a natural starting point around narrow walkways, compact garden beds, small residential entries, shorter planting, and areas where a larger shade would feel visually heavy.
The TL-PL-6-18-CB combines that compact shade with the active 18-inch stem.
Choose the 8-Inch Shade for a Broader Fixture Profile
The 8-inch Boca shade creates a wider visual presence and can fit wider walkways, larger planting beds, more open landscape areas, and entries where the fixture should have more visual scale.
The TL-PL-8-18-CB uses the same 18-inch stem with the broader shade.
The 8-inch shade should not be treated as automatically brighter than the 6-inch shade. The selected G4 lamp, fixture layout, surrounding planting, surface reflectance, and delivered voltage all affect the finished result.
Why the Active Boca Fixtures Use an 18-Inch Stem
The 18-inch stem positions the shade above low planting and groundcover while keeping the Boca fixture within a typical path-light scale. When planning the project, look at mature plant height rather than only the landscape on installation day.
Total Light currently sells an active 18-inch replacement path-light stem for compatible Boca assemblies. Confirm the exact component and fixture family before reconfiguring an existing light.
Choose the G4 Lamp Separately
Boca fixtures use replaceable G4 bi-pin LED lamps rather than a permanently integrated light source. That lets you select a compatible lamp for the project and replace it later without replacing the complete fixture.
Total Light's current G4 lamp family includes multiple wattage and Kelvin choices. Use G4 LED Landscape Lighting Bulbs: 2.5W vs 3.5W, 2700K vs 3000K for the current lamp-selection guide.
2700K vs 3000K for Boca Path Lights
- 2700K: warmer and slightly more golden
- 3000K: slightly cleaner and more neutral while still warm white
Choose the Kelvin temperature based on the home exterior, stone, planting, nearby architectural lighting, and desired nighttime appearance. See 2700K vs 3000K Landscape Lighting for more detail.
Plan Spacing From the Actual Project
Do not use shade diameter or stem height as a fixed spacing formula. Useful spacing depends on the selected G4 lamp, walkway width, planting, curves, grade changes, desired overlap, ambient light, and the actual pool of light produced by the installed fixture.
Lay out a small section first, evaluate it after dark, and adjust before committing the entire run. Staggering fixtures can also create a more natural rhythm than placing perfectly matched pairs on both sides of a path.
Plan for Plant Growth
Before finalizing fixture locations, consider mature groundcover height, shrubs near the path, mulch or grade changes, whether foliage could block the shade, and whether the fixture will sit in a direct sightline from windows or seating areas.
Total Light also sells compatible Boca replacement shades and an active 18-inch replacement stem, allowing certain compatible path-light assemblies to be serviced or reconfigured later. Always confirm component compatibility before changing an existing fixture.
Brass Finish and Patina
The Boca family uses solid-brass construction with a Classic Brass finish. Outdoor brass can darken, tarnish, and develop patina over time. That weathering may help the fixtures blend into the landscape, but it should not be described as completely corrosion-proof or permanently unchanged.
See Why Choose Brass Landscape Lighting Fixtures? for finish and maintenance guidance.
Build the Rest of the 12-Volt System
A complete Boca installation also needs a compatible G4 LED lamp, a properly sized low-voltage transformer, landscape-lighting wire, and outdoor-rated connections. Timers or photocell controls can be added where appropriate.
Transformer capacity should be calculated from the actual connected lamp wattage. Wire gauge and run length also affect delivered voltage. Use How to Plan a Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting System for the complete workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Boca path-light configurations are currently active?
The active complete Boca family includes a 6-inch shade with an 18-inch stem and an 8-inch shade with an 18-inch stem.
What is the difference between the 6-inch and 8-inch Boca shades?
The 6-inch shade creates a more compact fixture profile, while the 8-inch shade gives the path light a broader visual presence. The finished light pattern also depends on the selected G4 lamp and the actual landscape layout.
Do Boca path lights include the G4 lamp?
No. The active complete Boca product listings specify that the compatible G4 bi-pin LED lamp is sold separately.
Do Boca path lights need a transformer?
Yes. They are designed for a compatible 12-volt low-voltage landscape-lighting system and require an appropriately sized transformer, wire, and outdoor-rated connections.
Can I change the Boca shade or stem later?
Total Light currently sells active 6-inch and 8-inch Boca replacement shades plus a compatible 18-inch replacement stem. Confirm the exact fixture family and component compatibility before reconfiguring an existing path light.
Choose the Boca Shade From the Landscape
The current Boca choice is primarily about fixture scale: use the 6-inch shade for a more compact profile or the 8-inch shade when a broader top better fits the walkway and surrounding planting. Then select the G4 lamp around the desired nighttime effect and verify the finished layout after dark.
Shop the Total Light Path Lights collection or compare compatible G4 lamps for the completed system.