New light options

[fullcontact68]

Hi all,

I'm currently looking at my options regarding new lights.

Currently for shapes I'm using a pair of Acme dynamic spin 25's. These have served me well for a few years, but I do have some of issues:

1. Sometimes not bright enough
2. Limited colours/shapes
3. Static
4. No DMX facility to activate S2L mode


I'm after something brighter, more gobos, more colours, movement, s2l via DMX.
I would like to be able to use DMX to setup for a nice slow dance scene, then switch quickly over to S2L when needed etc. (Currently using a NE1 DMX controller)


One light which seems to tick my boxes is the Equinox Fusion Spot 100 mk 2. Liking the static/rotating gobos, separate colour wheel, 3 facet prism.

I'm open to suggestions..... Budget wise, I'm looking at £600 max for a pair.

Many thanks.

[rth_discos]

The Chauvet 305 Barrel ticks all of your boxes, and offers great coverage, lovely and bright, and also offers replaceable gobos.

Brand new, they are a bit above your budget (£399 each).

But I've found these which fit in to your budget: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chauvet-Intimidator-Barrel-305-60W-LED-graded-with-warranty-/253060014281?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

[Excalibur]

I'm not sure it's the type of thing you're looking for, but on price and light output, the Equinox Crossfire XP offers an awful lot of bang ( flash? ) for your buck, at around £250 per pair. Had you been at Liversedge last week, you could have viewed it in the flesh.

[fullcontact68]

I'm not sure it's the type of thing you're looking for, but on price and light output, the Equinox Crossfire XP offers an awful lot of bang ( flash? ) for your buck, at around £250 per pair. Had you been at Liversedge last week, you could have viewed it in the flesh.

Correct Peter, it's not. I already use a Quad Phaze hp for this purpose, I do like the look of the Crossfire though.

[fullcontact68]

No other suggestions?

Looking at the 2 lights mentioned, Equinox fusion spot 100 & Chauvet 305, I can source these at around the same price. (approx £600 for the pair new)

Which of these is the best option (flexibility, shows, dmx control, s2l) , any points to note with each to consider prior to purchase etc

Many thanks
Edward.

[Steven]

I'd love to know where you can source a pair of 305's new for £600.

These are amazing lights, especially when under DMX, size to light output ratio is insane.

[Imagine]

I'd love to know where you can source a pair of 305's new for £600.

So would I - I paid £800 for mine a year ago!

If you can get the 305's at that price, I'd go for them.
They DO need DMX control to tame them, but they're the best lights I've ever owned by a mile. Smaller and brighter and quieter than the old Wizards used to be for starters.

[rth_discos]

Equinox Fusion Spot doesn't seem to have a replaceable gobo.

Plus it won't have the coverage of the 305 barrel.

For me, the 305 every time.

if you can get a pair of 305 for £600 brand new, then snap them up, because that's an amazing price!

[fullcontact68]

Looks like it's going to be the 305's then.

https://www.simplysoundandlighting.co.uk/chauvet-intimidator-barrel-305-irc?keyword=chauvet%2520int

Cheers all.

[rth_discos]

Looks like it's going to be the 305's then.

https://www.simplysoundandlighting.co.uk/chauvet-intimidator-barrel-305-irc?keyword=chauvet%2520int

Cheers all.

Good find - definitely worth getting at that price!

Interestingly, just looked at my receipt, and I paid £320 each in November 2015 - scary how much everything has risen in price since then!

[mattydj50]

Good find - definitely worth getting at that price!

Interestingly, just looked at my receipt, and I paid £320 each in November 2015 - scary how much everything has risen in price since then!

I agree. That is an absolute bargain, matching the BPM offer price last year. Snap their hands off (before I do)!! If you're able to, I can show you them working this Saturday.

I have a couple of the 305 IRC scans too that I use alongside to complement them.

[Steven]

Looks like it's going to be the 305's then.

https://www.simplysoundandlighting.co.uk/chauvet-intimidator-barrel-305-irc?keyword=chauvet%2520int

Cheers all.

Thanks for the link, just got a pair ;-)

[ukpartydj]

I got a pair of 305irc's on a black Friday deal... £475 for a pair!
And I did 0% finance on them so I haven't even paid for them yet. If I'd known they were gonna shoot up in price I'd have bought ten of them!

[fullcontact68]

I've bit the bullet and bought a pair of 305's now.

Looking forward to trying them out.

[Steven]

Just a heads up, bought a pair of these from the link provided. Serial numbers on the boxes don't match the units serial numbers.

Look like returned B stock and not new. Don't think these units have a way of finding out "lamp" usage time.

[fullcontact68]

Just a heads up, bought a pair of these from the link provided. Serial numbers on the boxes don't match the units serial numbers.

Look like returned B stock and not new. Don't think these units have a way of finding out "lamp" usage time.

Interesting....

They are selling these as new. I'll check when mine come tomorrow. Any marks etc to show signs of use?

[Excalibur]

Just a heads up, bought a pair of these from the link provided. Serial numbers on the boxes don't match the units serial numbers.

Look like returned B stock and not new. Don't think these units have a way of finding out "lamp" usage time.

That's interesting. I've always found this company to be first class in their dealings, and I would recommend them, indeed I have done to many colleagues.

Re " Lamp " hours, I'd be amazed if there isn't a counter in there somewhere. Now as to which button you press to find it out........................:daft:

[Imagine]

Re " Lamp " hours, I'd be amazed if there isn't a counter in there somewhere. Now as to which button you press to find it out........................:daft:

If there is - I've never found it.
Just off to fire mine up now to confirm that though


***EDIT***
Nope. The system menu only shows software version, running mode, DMX address and temperature. Nothing about run hours in there at all :(

[Excalibur]

***EDIT***
Nope. The system menu only shows software version, running mode, DMX address and temperature. Nothing about run hours in there at all :(

OK, smartarse, so I was wrong. :o:o

The Acme Samurai shows run hours, so I assumed a fixture of this calibre would also. Ah well, the man who never made a mistake never made anything.

[Steven]

No signs of use other than that, going to take a closer look tonight and i'll report back.

RE Lamp use definitely no way of checking according to the manual either.
still amazing lights but now have to pull out for even more custom gobos...

[fullcontact68]

No signs of use other than that, going to take a closer look tonight and i'll report back.

RE Lamp use definitely no way of checking according to the manual either.
still amazing lights but now have to pull out for even more custom gobos...

Should be getting mine delivered sometime today....

I know what you mean about the custom gobos, It's something I'm going to be looking at for weddings, Halloween etc. Looking at £15 a gobo where i've been looking.

[Steven]

Look at goboland mate, once you figure out their naff website and how to order they are very cheap. roughly £7.50 each plus postage and VAT.
i think i got 6 (3 pairs) for £56 all in.


Going to look at getting my logo made into a gobo for my heads as its a really nice logo. Only problem would be same sex marriages as it is a Bride and Groom.

[Excalibur]

Look at goboland mate, once you figure out their naff website and how to order they are very cheap. roughly £7.50 each plus postage and VAT.
i think i got 6 (3 pairs) for £56 all in.
.

That's cheap. Where I've been buying, they're a lot dearer, I'll have to have a look.

[Steven]

That's cheap. Where I've been buying, they're a lot dearer, I'll have to have a look.

Make sure you select bronze service. They are quite quick anyway.
I think the postage costs more than 1 gobo which is frightening when you see the size of them!

[fullcontact68]

Lights came yesterday, (Not check serial numbers on box/light)

Managed to have a quick play in my garage last night. Going to try them out at a wedding this weekend instead of the spin 25's

Few questions:

1) Bag recommendations for carry both units (Ultimately I'll get a swan flight case)
2) Mounting, i'll be using my overhead for these, just wondering mirror up or down for best results.
3) DMX, (11chan), I've setup 3 basic scenes, a) S2L, b) slow blue, c) slow white. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the best settings for a S2L show. Currently seems rather quick when rolling. Tried adjusting the tilt/pan speed, but it does not seem to make any difference. Hopefully when I get more time to play I'll get a better understanding.
4) Custom gobos, what's the process of changing the gobos?
5) Is it possible to aim the beam at a fixed location, i.e. a fixed pan/tilt position for first dances. At the moment I've set these with a slow tilt, with gobo rotate.

Many thanks

[Steven]

Answers under each question.


Lights came yesterday, (Not check serial numbers on box/light)

Managed to have a quick play in my garage last night. Going to try them out at a wedding this weekend instead of the spin 25's

Few questions:

1) Bag recommendations for carry both units (Ultimately I'll get a swan flight case)
Personally i wouldn't go with Bag, id rather go with Really useful box in the short term, keeping some of the foam for protection.

2) Mounting, i'll be using my overhead for these, just wondering mirror up or down for best results.
I think just normal way, they are designed that way for a reason i guess.

3) DMX, (11chan), I've setup 3 basic scenes, a) S2L, b) slow blue, c) slow white. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the best settings for a S2L show. Currently seems rather quick when rolling. Tried adjusting the tilt/pan speed, but it does not seem to make any difference. Hopefully when I get more time to play I'll get a better understanding.
I had a quick play with one of mine yesterday, you can get it to go pretty slow, its just finding which number is the slowest on the DMX channel.

4) Custom gobos, what's the process of changing the gobos?
Haven't looked into this yet, im sure there will be a youtube video somewhere.

5) Is it possible to aim the beam at a fixed location, i.e. a fixed pan/tilt position for first dances. At the moment I've set these with a slow tilt, with gobo rotate.
With DMX im sure there is, with the DMX software i use i can make XY pads that i assign to my heads/Scans and point it according to the venue.


Many thanks


Checked mine, no damage but its clear they are returns as there was a checklist in one of them. one has to go back as it does not work under DMX. Hopefully they have a replacement.

[fullcontact68]

Answers under each question.




Checked mine, no damage but its clear they are returns as there was a checklist in one of them. one has to go back as it does not work under DMX. Hopefully they have a replacement.

I thought that at first with one of mine, it was doing unexpected actions under DMX. Noticed that by default on unit was working on 11 channel, and one was on 7. Changing to 11 fixed that.

[Steven]

It's definitely on 11 channel mode, even the LED on the front doesn't light up to show it receiving signal. Even when going out of the other fixture into it when the first one is working (which shows its not the controller or cable)

Looks like they are out of stock so they are going to have to stump up the money so i can get one elsewhere according to the sale of goods act
"The Sale of Goods Act 1979 (As Amended)

The goods must be:
• as described
• of satisfactory quality
• fit for purpose
As described refers to any advert or verbal description made by the trader.
Satisfactory quality covers minor and cosmetic defects as well as substantial problems. It also means that products must last a reasonable time. But it doesn't give you any rights if a fault was obvious or pointed out to you at point of sale.


Fit for purpose covers not only the obvious purpose of an item but any purpose you queried and were given assurances about by the trader.
If you buy something which doesn't meet these conditions you have the potential right to return it, get a full refund, and if it will cost you more to buy similar goods elsewhere, compensation (to cover the extra cost) too."