Proper lighting is one of those things you don’t think about until you’ve got it. You’ve been squinting at your board under a ceiling light for months, shadows falling across the trebles, and then someone puts a dedicated dartboard light on and suddenly the board looks like it does on the telly. That’s what the Target Corona Vision delivers.
It’s become the default recommendation in the darts community for good reason. A simple ring of 125 LEDs that magnetically clips onto your board and eliminates shadows entirely. No drilling, no brackets, no faffing about with overhead spotlights. Target have sold thousands of these, and it’s comfortably the most popular dedicated dartboard light in the UK.
But popularity doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right choice for everyone, especially at this price point. After putting ours through its paces, here’s what you need to know.
How It Works
The concept is beautifully simple. The Corona Vision is a slim circular frame housing 125 individual white LEDs that face inward toward your dartboard. Four magnetic feet attach to the metal compression ring on the outside of your board, holding the light in place without any tools or fixings.
Because the light surrounds the board in a full 360-degree ring, there are virtually no shadows cast on the playing surface. Every segment is evenly lit regardless of where your room’s main light sits. It makes a genuine difference to your game—when you can see every segment clearly, you throw with more confidence.
The light runs off mains power via a plug-in adapter, with the cable running down from the bottom of the ring. Target offers the Corona with a number of power adaptor options, so make sure you pick the right one for your region when ordering. The cable is a decent length at around three metres, which should reach a nearby socket in most setups without needing an extension lead.
Setup and Installation
This is where the Corona Vision genuinely shines. Installation takes under five minutes, even if you’re not remotely handy. The ring clips together from sections, the magnetic feet snap on, and you place it against your board. That’s it. The magnets grip the steel ring that runs around the outside of your dartboard, and the light sits flush against the board face.
It’s worth noting that this only works on boards with a metal compression strap—which is most quality bristle boards from the likes of Winmau, Target, and Unicorn. If your board has a plastic outer ring, you’ll need to use adhesive pads or tape to secure the feet, which somewhat defeats the elegance of the magnetic system.
The lightweight construction means removing the Corona for board rotation takes seconds. Just lift it off, rotate your board, and pop it back on. Given how important regular rotation is for extending board life, this is a genuine practical advantage over lighting systems that require more involved mounting.
Compatibility Check
Before buying, check that your dartboard has a metal compression band around the outside edge. Most quality bristle boards do, but some budget boards use plastic rings that won’t hold the magnetic feet.
Lighting Quality
The 125 LEDs produce a bright, cool white light with a colour temperature of around 8500K. It’s noticeably whiter and cooler than typical household lighting, which makes the board’s colours pop and the segments stand out clearly. Numbers on the ring are easy to read, and you can pick out the thin treble and double beds without straining.
The shadow-free claim holds up in practice. With a standard ceiling light, you’ll always get shadows falling across parts of the board. The Corona eliminates that entirely, and the difference is most noticeable in garages, sheds, and spare rooms where the overhead lighting isn’t great to begin with.
One thing to be aware of: the LEDs can generate a small amount of warmth during extended sessions. It’s nothing that would cause concern or affect your board, but you might notice a slight warmth if you place your hand near the ring after a couple of hours of play. It’s a low-power LED unit, so it’s hardly pumping out heat—just worth mentioning for the sake of thoroughness.
The one omission is a dimmer function. The Corona is either on or off. In a dark room, the light can feel quite intense, and there’s no way to dial it back. For most setups this isn’t a problem, but if you play in a particularly dim environment, the contrast between the brightly lit board and the dark surroundings can take some getting used to.
Build Quality and Durability
The frame is made from a thick black plastic that feels reasonably sturdy without being heavy. It’s flexible enough to absorb the occasional stray dart without cracking, which is reassuring given how close it sits to the board face. The overall construction feels solid for what it is, though it’s clearly not built to the same standard as premium aluminium alternatives like the Shot Darts Stadium.
Here’s the main gripe: the magnetic feet. On our unit, a couple of the magnets started to come loose after a few months of regular use. They’re attached with adhesive that can weaken over time, particularly if you’re regularly removing the light for board rotation. A dab of superglue sorted it out in seconds, but at this price point you’d expect the adhesive to hold up better. This is a common complaint echoed across online reviews, so it’s not an isolated issue.
The other maintenance consideration is dust. The lipped design of the frame creates a ledge that catches dust and sisal fibres from the board. After a few weeks, you’ll notice a buildup along the inner edge of the ring. It’s easily sorted with a quick wipe, but it does mean the Corona needs more regular cleaning than you might expect.
Value for Money
At around £60-65, the Corona Vision sits at the premium end of basic dartboard lighting. You can pick up the Mission Torus 270 for less, though that only offers 270-degree coverage rather than a full ring. The Winmau Polaris is cheaper still but only provides overhead 120-degree lighting. At the other end, the Shot Darts Stadium offers adjustable brightness and metal construction but costs significantly more.
The Corona occupies a sensible middle ground: full 360-degree coverage, dead-simple installation, and a trusted brand behind it. Whether it’s worth the premium over a Torus 270 depends on how much that bottom gap in coverage bothers you, but for a complete ring of light with magnetic mounting, the Corona is the benchmark.
Who Should Buy This
The Corona Vision is ideal for anyone setting up a dedicated darts area at home. If you’ve got a proper board on the wall and you play regularly, adding dedicated lighting is one of the best upgrades you can make to your setup—and the Corona is the easiest way to do it.
It’s particularly well suited to garages, sheds, and spare rooms where overhead lighting alone doesn’t cut it. The magnetic mounting means zero DIY, which makes it a good choice if you’re renting or don’t want to put more holes in the wall.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Mission Torus 270 or Winmau Polaris will get you illuminated for less. And if you want premium build quality with dimming, you’ll need to spend more on something like the Shot Darts Stadium. But for most players, the Corona hits the sweet spot of performance, convenience, and price.
The Verdict
The Target Corona Vision has become the default dartboard light for good reason. It eliminates shadows completely, installs in minutes without tools, and looks the part. The lighting quality is excellent, and the practical benefits to your game are real.
It’s not without niggles. The magnetic feet could be better secured, the frame catches dust, there’s no dimmer, and it’s not the cheapest option out there. But none of these are dealbreakers, and the overall package is well thought out.
If you’re serious enough about darts to have a proper board on the wall, the Corona Vision is a worthwhile investment that’ll make every practice session that bit more enjoyable. Just keep a tube of superglue handy for those magnets.