Position-Oriented socket?

One of my buddies just ordered one of those 400w Sunmaster Warm Deluxe Bulbs. He's telling me it needs a position-oriented Mogul Base (socket) to work properly. He ordered the Horizontal unit. What's the difference between this socket and a universal? Is there a way to look at the one he already has and tell if it will work? He's currently running a 400w magnetic MH ballast hooked to a pre-wired, horizontal reflector he bought off Ebay. Any help is appreciated.

Alright. the position is referring to the way the bulb must run in reference to the way the base is pointing. universal means you can hang it any which way and it wont affect the bulb. However, with position oriented bulbs, you have to run them the way specified. You say he has the horizontal, that means he has to keep the bulb horizontal (facing left to right, not up to down) , not vertical (like hanging facing the ground or sky). It will work in any MOGUL socket as far as I'm aware of also. Hope that answers your question. If not, i'll put up some pics or you can think of it as which way the base of the bulb needs to point.

No...there's something about a "position pin" involved here. Seems I recall the pin needing to rest at the 9 o' clock position...

http://www.homeharvest.com/metalhalidebulbs.htm

I'm not promoting this supplier...just had the info real quick....I've actually never purchased from them. The lamp is on that page.

Seriously? Not again....Seems like whenever I'm stumped so are the masses. Nobody using this bulb?

Yo! quote from that bulb "Available in 400 and 1000 watt high-output horizontal burning versions" just means it has to be used horizontally like i said above. I work on HID street lighting for a living man, and I've never heard of a "position pin" either. When it comes to HID (HPS & MH bulbs) you only have 3 options for running them depending on what the manufacturer says. They are (1) universal, (2) vertical base facing up, and (3) vertical base facing down. Here's a quick link to see what I'm talking about http://venturelighting.com/TechCenter/ProperUse.html.
Or this link straight from sunmaster's website http://www.sunmastergrowlamps.com/Sunm_OperPosit.html. But as far as that position pin thing goes, i think your being sent on a wild goose chase.
Anyone out there can vindicate me?

I saw that on their website. Not trying to argue with you man. Just saying that for having worked on HPS, MH, and Merc. street lighting for quite a few years, i have never ever heard of such a thing. I'm positive they are making reference to the way the bulb has to be run. Some fixtures also have sockets that are mounted to adjustable brackets, but that still doesn't click with the position capable thing. There are special "pink" colored sockets for bulbs rated to be run without enclosures, but that's not what they are talking about. The best thing i came come up with is from this website http://bestbudsgreenhousesupplies.com/Lights_metal_halide_bulbs.htm .
Sunmaster 400w 3K Warm Deluxe Metal Halide Bulb

Product Code: SM400WH
Manufacturer's Code: SM.400W.H37.WDX
Initial Lumens: 38,000; Watt: 400
Price each: $72.95 Horizontal operation only. Pin must come to rest at the 9:00 position.
You don't have to believe me. I'm just trying to save you some frustration. Go ask the friendly folks at your local grow shop, or heck, call a local electrical company/contractor, they tell you the same thing I've been telling you all along.

No, I understand man. And thanks for the info. Saw the bulb today and sure as shit...there's a small "pin" sticking out of the base of the bulb that, I assume, rests in a groove in the socket...so I found the socket for it online and I'll let him know.

Just in case this helps anyone in the future...cutting the pin off close with a pair of dykes works wonders. Just make sure that what's left of it stops at the 9 o' clock position.

Thats what i was going to say when i saw what you said about it having that pin in the base. Def. glad to see you got it straightened out