ACME ImpossibLED review :)

[DJS]

Well, after finally receiving it in the post last friday, and using it saturday night, i thought i'd knock together a bit of a review on the ACME ImpossibLED :cool:

I took delivery of it around 3pm last Friday courtesy of UPS, and purchased from HTFR.
The unit was packaged well, and came with power lead, seperately packaged hanging bracket, large lock nuts, and useful instruction manual (expect pigeon English throughout).
I was impressed with the overall build quality, if a bit basic looking, but suprised to find the large lens made of plastic. **If you purchase one yourself be careful when cleaning the lens (it came covered in packaging dust) as it scratches easily!**
Next thing is its size.
Its quite a big unit as you will see in the following pictures, but weighs very little (around 4kg) so its easy to install at gigs.
On the rear of the unit you get DMX in and out, one 1/4" jack input for use with the CA-8 controller, and an easy to use LCD panel, where you can set the DMX address etc...
As i had also purchased the CA-8 hand controller, i assembled the unit (fitted bracket) plugged in the CA-8, and plugged the unit in to the mains.
On start up, it flashes all LED's a few times before settling down.
First thing i noticed was how bright and defined each LED dot was on my kitchen wall considering it was during daylight.
If it doesn't pick up any sound it slowly flicks randomly through its colours, so with the addition of the CA-8, you can switch it to black-out mode.
Other features available using the ImpossibLED and the CA-8 mean you can cycle through its in-built patterns, and use its responsive strobe feature.

Heres a few pictures from when i received it last friday (please excuse the cameraphone quality)
In the first shot i placed a Sky+ remote next to it so you can get an idea on size ;)

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/Scottyj69/ImpossibLED/Imp1.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/Scottyj69/ImpossibLED/Imp2.jpg

Optional CA-8 controller...

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/Scottyj69/ImpossibLED/Imp3.jpg

And heres a few shots from its first outing on saturday night (again cameraphone - sorry :o )
As a guide to its brightness, the lights to its left and right are Abstract Gladiator Rev. 250w.
If you get chance, use it with smoke/haze as it looks great.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/Scottyj69/ImpossibLED/Imp5.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m163/Scottyj69/ImpossibLED/Imp4.jpg

It was a pleasure to use, and looked just as good from behind it, as it did looking up from the dancefloor!
If your after a reasonably priced centrepiece, or fancy 2 and linking them together, you won't be disapointed, and neither will your crowd! :D

HTH,
Cheers,
Scott

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

Good review. Was thinking about doing one for the ImpossiabLED a while back but haven't had the time or patients.

I notice there was nothing in there about the in built programs or the DMX control. Whats your thought on these?

I like how the photo's you've included shows just how bright this unit is. It's brighter than alot of 250w effects and i'm planning to use this at a few day time functions i have coming up to see how well it does.

[OllieJames]

Great review, it's sealed it for me, ones going on order at the end of this week! ;)

[DJS]

I notice there was nothing in there about the in built programs or the DMX control. Whats your thought on these?
.

Well, i haven't used it using the DMX control yet, so i couldn't possibly comment, however using the LED panel to set the address, as opposed to using dip switches seems a good idea.

The inbuilt lightshow is very good, and if you decide to use it in stand-alone mode, it'll keep everyone entertained for hours.
I think it has 12 basic shows, that it constantly changes through, and each one offers something noticeably different (again you can cycle through them using the CA-8).
The strobe mode seems very responsive, and looks really effective (using CA-8)

I know there has been previous comments regarding the need to have a CA-8 controller with the ImpossibLED in other threads, but considering i used it throughout the night (strobing when dance music builds up etc...) i would say its worth having.

HTH,
Scott.

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

I know there has been previous comments regarding the need to have a CA-8 controller with the ImpossibLED in other threads, but considering i used it throughout the night (strobing when dance music builds up etc...) i would say its worth having.

HTH,
Scott.

I think you maybe talking about one of my threads as i have often slated the use of the CA-8 with the ImpossiabLED as being pointless with only one useful option. the strobe control.


The inbuilt lightshow is very good, and if you decide to use it in stand-alone mode, it'll keep everyone entertained for hours.


I do agree with you that the in built "shows" are good but i believe this effect could be greatly increased with the use of DMX controllers. i have yet to try this out for myself but the possibilities are endless.

[rob1963]

Good review!

I've been thinking of replacing my Exercet gobo flower with one of these for a while now.

I'll probably get round to it once I've got my new digital console, as that's my priority at the moment.

:)

[mike8863]

I think as a centrepiece its great. I was originally going to but 2 and link them, but with just one you can fill an average hall, and i don't think i'm gonna get a gig at the albert hall anytime soon so just bought the one.
Mike

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think you maybe talking about one of my threads as i have often slated the use of the CA-8 with the ImpossiabLED as being pointless with only one useful option. the strobe control.


Not true. You can switch on and off and also scroll to a more appropriate programme, if you wanted something slower etc.

I wouldn't use the Impossibleds without the CA-8 tbh.

[Shaun]

I'll probably get round to it once I've got my new digital console, as that's my priority at the moment.

:)

I thought you were already Digital. Don't use have the Numark?

[DJ INDIE]

I dont suppose anyone has used one of these with a DMX controller yet have they?

Ive got a controller and ive no idea how to control this unit with it - but it could be very very useful!

[Ryu]

Not true. You can switch on and off and also scroll to a more appropriate programme, if you wanted something slower etc.

I wouldn't use the Impossibleds without the CA-8 tbh.

I have to say, I am having a few techy problems with the CA-8, it only scrolled through the sequences once I'd set the Imposs to the correct setting using the back panel (which is a bit tricky especially without the manual that I forgot to take out on the first TWO gigs...:o I know I know) and then, it seems to require me to do that every time I set it up...

Any tips or advice?

Also, as a side point....anyone else think that a) the power leads for the light are too short, and b) the CA-8 controller leads ridiculously long?

[DJ INDIE]

ha ha! that lead IS massive! but i suppose we'd moan even more if it wasnt!:)

how do you use the CA8?

for me ive simply plugged in and hit the 3 buttons randomly - dont seem to have any real control over it - that why ive gone for a full dmx controller -or am i missing something with the CA8? - sounds like i might be..

any info gratefully appreciated.

[Jiggles]

Read the manual! It tells you what each button does on the CA8

CA8 buttons actions:

Blackout:
Blackout the unit

Function:
1. Synchronous Strobe
2. Sound Strobe
3. Two light Strobe Chase Select (Chase 1-12)

Mode:
Sound/Strobe (LED OFF)
Chase (LED ON)

[Ryu]

I think you have to use the back panel to set the light to master and set the sequence to either 0 or 12. Then the CA8 can make the light black out, go through the sequences and set it to sound.

When I first plugged in the controller all it did was strobe or blackout and stayed on the one sequence...it wasn't until I started pressing the buttons on the back, as per the manual that I stumbled upon making the light respond to the controller as I expected...

[DJ INDIE]

cheers fellas.

finally now sorted the thing to work with my dmx controller (not the ca8) - flippin eck its a good light when you have full control!

you can fade, speed up, slow down, strobe at will and keep the patterns on the setting you want - the problem i had was the settings kept just rolling through the motion - managed to get a nice red/white flowery pattern now for weddings etc.

Wish I could help explain how ive fluked it - all i can tell you is I set the impossibled to SNLD (slave - but master came up) and hit scanner 1 and now channel 1 switches the pattern - 2 seems to bring coloured layers in and out, 3 is the strobe and 4 the fade...... if that makes any sense???!!

[DJ INDIE]

ive posted a very rough guide on how ive managed to get the controller and light working in the technical forum, if anyones struggling........

[KaraokeDJ]

Not true. You can switch on and off and also scroll to a more appropriate programme, if you wanted something slower etc.

I wouldn't use the Impossibleds without the CA-8 tbh.

I agree. I have 2 MarveLEDs and using the CA-8 makes it so much easier to scroll through the patterns and also to black them out. Although a very basic controller, the CA-8s do just what you need them to do.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Ive had my impossibled since October,its a great light effect,good on sound to light ,But i would suggest that you use the ca8 controller.It gives you more control and you can select what programme to run\slow down\strobe.