KAM KMH1 and KAM XY Laser/ iLink Laser Recommendations

[Ajax]

Hi,

I've been looking into some new lighting for a club night we put on as the club/lounge itself doesn't really have anything in the way of lighting (aside from a par bar). The budget I've come up with is £500 which really isn't very much but I'm trying to do the best I can with it.

Firstly I'd like to ask what your opinions are on KAM as a lighting company? I have bought a hazer from them and was thoroughly impressed with it, but never any lights.

What do you think of these lights?

KAM KMH1: http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?actio...product_id=564

I plan on buying 4 of these moving heads and linking them up with DMX.

KAM XY Laser RBP: http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?actio...product_id=504

OR

KAM iLink Blue 500: http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?actio...product_id=416

Can't decide between the two, I originally wanted to go for the iLink but was worried about just how bright it is (450mw) and the possibility that it might end up in someone's eyeball (will be pointing at ceiling but there's always that chance). The XY is significantly less bright, but comes with a new feature called MSP (Motor Stop Protection) where it is constantly checking that the motors in the laser are working and in case of failure will shut the laser down to prevent exposure to static beams).

I did a search on the forum and have done hours of research on google and there is very little info on the KMH1 in particular as it's relatively new. The XY had a bit more about it, but it's mostly promo videos from DJ stores and KAM itself. I was looking some real world advice as we all know they can make the lights look really well and leave out any negative points when they're trying to flog them to us!


Thanks for reading and look forward to your replies!

Ajax

[Retrodisco]

The KHM units are ok, not as good at Inno Pocket Spots, but good enough.

XY lasers are a bit random, they fire all over the shop and I think are a little poor.

The Blue one is a nice unit.

[Andy P]

I rate KAM as a company. Got some non lighting stuff from them which is solid and gonna buy their powerbar

[Ajax]

Thanks for the replies!

@Retrodisco - In regards to the KAM KMH1 could you elaborate a bit more on why it's just OK? i.e. is it because it doesn't have gobos, is it brightness wise or something else?

You've changed my mind to the iLink blue again lol.. Honestly couldn't decide which to go for, but I'm fairly happy with that choice, the blue goes with the branding quite well too!

@Attack the Dance Floor - Cheers for your reply, I certainly wouldn't say they are at the top end of the market, but they do seem to be a really good middle-ground company, similar to ADJ.

[Andy P]

@Attack the Dance Floor - Cheers for your reply, I certainly wouldn't say they are at the top end of the market, but they do seem to be a really good middle-ground company, similar to ADJ.

I also have a lot of ADJ stuff. After that its Behringer.

[musicology]

You will need 2 x ilink blue as they have narrow spread but the good thing is they run master slave so look really good in pairs.

[Casual77]

I've just bought the Kam XY RBP because I wanted a laser for dance nights and got a really good price on a B Stock unit. I had a play around at home with it last night and it seemed pretty good but I will need to use it with a haze machine before I can really test it.

I'll be using it at a gig I'm doing next Saturday so feel free to give me a shout if you want a review of it after that.

[Excalibur]

I rate KAM as a company. Got some non lighting stuff from them which is solid and gonna buy their powerbar

Ahem. Let's just say that I wouldn't. There are many that I would, and due to certain unfortunate circumstances, probably will be doing soon.
Cost and reliability, Stairville. Quality and design, Equinox mightybar ( I think it's that one. I've seen so many.)

[Shaun]

Ahem. Let's just say that I wouldn't.

And to offer a bit balance, I would highly recommend the Powerbar.

Of all the lighting fixtures I've owned it's the one I keep going back to. Easy to select individual colours, colour scroll (which is nice), auto colour change and also sound to light all via the foot pedal, and just enough brightness to fill any size room. I've also owned the Equinox Mightybar, and whilst the build quality seemed sturdier on the Mightybar there were too many things I didn't like about it compared to the Kam counterpart.

As with anything though, try to see some demos. for me though the Kam wins hands down. That said though, I believe the KAM Powerbar is now on mark 3. I only own the first version so can't comment as to whether the build quality has changes in subsequent versions.

[Excalibur]

, Equinox mightybar ( I think it's that one. I've seen so many.)

Confession time. I relied on my failing memory, which in this case let me down. I was in fact referring to the Mega, which has an identical output to the Stairville, for another £50. I have a stairville which may or may not be beyond salvation. Because of that, I'll probably get another Stairville. If I didn't have any make of bar already, I think I'd go for the Equinox. Actually, I'm sure I would.

And to offer a bit balance, I would highly recommend the KAM Powerbar.

I haven't owned a KAM, but I bought a Stairville purely on cost, and having used it for many years, see no advantages with the more expensive KAM.

I've also owned the Equinox Mightybar, and whilst the build quality seemed sturdier on the Mightybar there were too many things I didn't like about it compared to the Kam counterpart.

As I said above, I was referring to the wrong Equinox offering. My mistake, it should have been the Mega bar. It's equivalent to the Stairville.