What exactly is a Hot Rail pickup?

[avoriaz]

I cannot find an explanation anywhere.

Would I be correct in assuming that it is a pickup with one thin magnet running across the pickup instead of 6 individual pole pieces?

What are the pros and cons?

I can see how it might help with extreme string bends that would move the string sideways from pole piece centres.

[Ripper]

Seymour Duncan makes the Hotrail.
I had one installed on my Strat-Plus years ago.
Its basically a humbucker designed to fit into a single coil space.
The rails, or blades as I call them run the length of the pup to eliminate the weak spots between the pole pieces.

I must say it was great sounding pickup. Very powerful.

[dent6]

Just put one in the bridge position last night. It is really strong and it really has a sustained sound. I really like it!

Brian