External Uplighter...Too good to be true?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

The LEDJ Spectre. Is it too good to be true, at only £172.50?

Has anyone used them? What do you think of it?

In generaly, what do you guys think? http://www.bksound.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=789

External uplighting is something im looking at...but was expecting to have to pay hundreds for the units.

[Larry B Entertainment]

172 quidders does seem very cheap for an outdoor effect, when I have seen these units they are normally thousands.
I dont have any experience of the unit but it would seem a good buy to me.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

They doo seem to be good. But i want them to actually light the building and not look like a wet fart on a wall. Im a but apprihensive Larry because Acme do this (http://prolight.co.uk/item/aki02/) which does have a video showing a whole building lit up.....

[Vectis]

I have a couple of these
http://www.ukdj.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=27792

which look to be a very similar spec but obviously for internal use.

I also use LEDJ PAR 56s which I find to be significantly brighter than the Stairville and KAM "nearest equivalents".

I find the RGB252 to be about as bright as two LEDJ PAR 56s.

I would therefore expect these external units to be capable of lighting up an entrance doorway of an old building quite nicely if used in a pair, but obviously in dark/near-dark conditions, probably up to 2/3 storeys. One should be good for a column. I guess a lot comes down to the beam angle.

Now how that compares with the £1k+ LED units I have no idea.

If I think on, I'll take one outside later and shine it on the front of my house which is painted off-white and see how it looks from different distances and angles.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Cheers martin. :beer1:

[Chris1984]

We use several different methods for lighting the outsides of buildings and trees.
There are the good old 400w metal halide floods which come in all different makes and price ranges - you can get an un-wired unit with a white bulb from around £60 with the cost of a coloured lamp as cheap as £30.
and you can the following effect from 3 fixtures:
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs145.snc1/5371_125253561230_625266230_2956935_4273650_n.jpg

Then for the colour changing effect we use City Colours which have a 2500w discharge lamp. (these lamps are very dangerous and should only be changed by people with the know how and experience with the right equipment)
They have CMY mixing and really punchy:
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs275.snc1/10231_149917361230_625266230_3260998_4764653_n.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs275.snc1/10231_149917366230_625266230_3260999_8294118_n.jpg
pics arn't great as lights were too close to the building so couldn't get a great wash but you get the point!

I am yet to come across an LED outdoor fixture that's bright enough to wash a building but there are some great 'uplighter' type LED fixtures available for outdoor work. It all depends on what your trying to achieve.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Thanks Chrsi. the 400w metal halide was an option...but would prefer to be able to colour mix.

I think at £170...i may have to buy one (or atleast find a company that hires) and see what its like.......or wait for Martin (VV) to bring back his verdict ;)

[PropellerHeadCase]

Would that be a V V Verdict?

[Leicester Ben]

If anybody does buy one of these BK products I would be intrigued to see what they can do, external LED Uplighting is on my list of things to expand into!

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Probably after Xmas Ben.....I'll keep you informed. ;)

[Vectis]

Would that be a V V Verdict?

Ger-G-Granville, fetch yer cloth :D

Hopefully tonight - back from a kids party around 8pm.

[Vectis]

OK here goes. I took the pics at 19:00 local time. All pics taken of one LEDJ 252 unit on an Adam Hall baseplate.

Pic 1 is a shot of the sky so you can see how much ambient light there was.

Pics 2 & 3 taken with the light 2m from the wall pointing up at about 60 degrees.

Pics 4, 5 & 6 taken from 5m pointing at about 45 degrees.

House lights were on for added information.

Personally I think they look great - so long as you have the distance as the beam angle is still quite narrow even though they're long, wide units.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Martin, your a star. Thanks...yet more of these :beer1: that i owe you ;)

Cheers

[Vectis]

np.

What do you think? Worth a try?

[Chris1984]

Looks good, for what they are and the money you really cant argue with the effect they give! - put a load of them in a line and its rainbow house time!

[Dynamic Entertainment]

np.

What do you think? Worth a try?


Looks good, for what they are and the money you really cant argue with the effect they give! - put a load of them in a line and its rainbow house time!

There we go Martin...Chris answered for me :D - At 170 odd quid its worth a try. Maybe just get the two and see about lighting up doorway/entrances to see how it goes....

[rob1963]

Maybe just get the two and see about lighting up doorway/entrances to see how it goes....

You won't see me lighting up MY entrance!

:eek: :eek: :eek: