Scanners...

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice as to what I should do here. The other day I ordered 2 DJ Scan 250 HPs from GC for $150 each. They had to be shipped in and I should hopefully have them by Tuesday. After reading a bit further, it looks like the Intimidator 1.2s have the same features as the DJ Scan 250 HPs, just a few more colors, gobos, and strobbing. Is it worth it for me go cancel my GC order and get my money back to get Indimidator 1.2s insted of the DJ Scan 250 HPs? I know that either light will be a great effect, and I plan on getting LED strobes, so I'm not sure how much I would get out of strobbing, is it really necessary with scanners?

Thanks guys

if memory serves correct the DJ scans have prebuilt programs which are sound activated only, no individual pan/tilt control.

I have the 1.2's and they have individual p&t and separate gobo and color wheel. In addition to sound active programming.

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Travis not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

They both have full DMX programming. I've used the DJ scans, and like them. I'd go with the 1.2s because they are SO small. I'm also betting Ben has a great price on them that has to be better than the DJ Scans (or at least close).

if memory serves correct the DJ scans have prebuilt programs which are sound activated only, no individual pan/tilt control.

I have the 1.2's and they have individual p&t and separate gobo and color wheel. In addition to sound active programming.

--
Travis not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

They both have full DMX programming. I've used the DJ scans, and like them. I'd go with the 1.2s because they are SO small. I'm also betting Ben has a great price on them that has to be better than the DJ Scans (or at least close).

Thanks for the info guys, I'm thinking that Ill try to get the 1.2s insted. Hopefully GC will let me cancel the order and get my money back...

Brian -

If you need a price, shoot me an e-mail or PM.

Thanks,

Ben

Thanks PM Sent!

DJ scans have really choppy pan/tilt motors - be happy you didn't order them...

Really? I have a pair and I haven't noticed this. Mine flow smoothly around the room and the basic pre-built programs are excellent for a quicks show-on-the-go. Granted, theyre nothing compared to the ever so popular, SCX-500 but for $150, theyre really an excellent starter scanner.

Well there was nothing I could do as the GC guy did me a favor and 2-day'd them to my house. I have to say for the most part I am very happy, and upon learning the Intimidator 1.2s are discontinued, I am even happier. I have noticed that the mirror motors are jerky, and so are the shows, but nothing too bad. They still create a great show!

There's a couple of tricks to programming ADJ DJ Scans.

1. No very slow movements. The movement tends to get choppier the slower you move them. (It makes me wonder if the Pocket Scans have the same problem since they use the same motor.)

2. Every single change needs it's own step (L/R or U/D move, color or gobo change).

3. You have to use a DMX terminator. I've done shows without one and it works OK for a while but all of a sudden one of the lights would start doing acting all wonky.

There's a couple of tricks to programming ADJ DJ Scans.

1. No very slow movements. The movement tends to get choppier the slower you move them. (It makes me wonder if the Pocket Scans have the same problem since they use the same motor.)

2. Every single change needs it's own step (L/R or U/D move, color or gobo change).

3. You have to use a DMX terminator. I've done shows without one and it works OK for a while but all of a sudden one of the lights would start doing acting all wonky.

Thanks for the advice! I don't have a DMX controller yet, as I only have 2. My goal is to get 2 more when I can afford it, and then use the built-in programs until I can finance a DMX controller.
One thing that I really want to do when I get the controller is create a slow music scene. I want the middle 2 scanners to go open gobo/white, and tilt toward the mirror ball, while the outer two scanners move as slowly and smoothly around the room as I can. Anybody attempted anything like that?

Also, what is a DMX terminator?

You bet Brian (I feel funny actually talking to a 15 year old named Brian)(it's not you Brian, it's an inside joke)...

Anyway, a terminator cleans up line noise and interference that can travel in a DMX signal and mess up the fixtures output. Kind of like when you turn on a vacuum cleaner, and your TV goes haywire. The terminator has a small resistor that cancels out the noise, and it has to go on the last fixture of a daisy chain. Ben has these terminators at this shop for under ten bucks.

Programming a series of scenes that you mentioned is easy basic programming. If you're coming to Vegas, I'll teach you. If not, I have a Book that explains it all... PM me.

You bet Brian (I feel funny actually talking to a 15 year old named Brian)(it's not you Brian, it's an inside joke)...

Anyway, a terminator cleans up line noise and interference that can travel in a DMX signal and mess up the fixtures output. Kind of like when you turn on a vacuum cleaner, and your TV goes haywire. The terminator has a small resistor that cancels out the noise, and it has to go on the last fixture of a daisy chain. Ben has these terminators at this shop for under ten bucks.

Programming a series of scenes that you mentioned is easy basic programming. If you're coming to Vegas, I'll teach you. If not, I have a Book that explains it all... PM me.

Hey thanks tyrone! Sadly I dont' think I'm going to vegas this year due to school and sports, but hopefully next year! I'll pm you about that book!

What are the DJ Scans? Do they project Gobo's? Or colored spotlights on the floor?

I need a DMX terminator. Who's Ben? And how do I get one? My PocketScans are a bit "jerky" as well.

DJ scans do have gobos, but they are not interchangable and do not rotate. There is also a color wheel with 7 colors and "open".

I'll post a picture of the gobo & color wheels for the DJ Scan below. Ben is our forum sponsor and ownes Northern Lights FX. He can supply you with ALL of your lighting needs (as well as sound).

Go to www.northernlightfx.com for more info.

Not to get off subject. But why would someone pick a scanner over a moving head? Don't they do the same thing?

Scanners have very fast moving mirrors and have a limited range of motion. Moving heads move very slow (comparatively) and can hit any spot in the room. They both have pros and cons and different uses.

Not to get off subject. But why would someone pick a scanner over a moving head? Don't they do the same thing?

Mainly because they're cheaper and lighter (usually).

We make DMX Terminators every day. :)

A DMX Terminator is basically an XLR male plug with (correct me if I'm wrong on this guys) pins number 2 & 3 having a small resistor fused between them to terminate the signal at the last fixture in the daisy chain.

I think that's right - Bill, if you could further explain to the group what exactly the purpose of the terminator plug does, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, the picture Tyrone put up is the older, discontinued DJ Scans. The New DJ Scan 250 HPs are slightly different, but overall the same product.

http://americandj.com/images/new/DJScan250HP.jpg
http://americandj.com/images/new/DJScan250HP-Colors.jpg

It is a 120ohm 1/2 watt resistor between pins 2 & 3. It prevents data reflections from coming back down the chain. DMX is a "line" topology, and thus must be properly terminated.

Ben

It is a 120ohm 1/2 watt resistor between pins 2 & 3. It prevents data reflections from coming back down the chain. DMX is a "line" topology, and thus must be properly terminated.

Ben

I can def. see how it would be very beneficial, but whats getting me is the fact that I've never herd of one. That makes me wonder how many people using DMX lighting actually use one.:sqconfused:

A terminator has a 120 Ohm resistor soldered between pins 2 and 3. The absorbs the dats stream thus ending the transmission and eliminating potential echo of data reversing back down the line.

I ordered one to see if my PocketScans will run any smoother with it.