UV wash vs. LED Panel (TFX UVLED)

Many have suggested the elation UV wash for a black light effect, when I checked on price I was steered to the Chauvet UV LED panel. Has anyone used the LED panel and does it really put out enough light? The UV wash is only 100 watts, can it really get the job done?

Many have suggested the elation UV wash for a black light effect, when I checked on price I was steered to the Chauvet UV LED panel. Has anyone used the LED panel and does it really put out enought light? The UV wash is only 100 watts, can it really get the job done?

I don't know about the UV version but my Color Palettes put out a helluva lot of light.... I'll know better once I have them at a show but they dang near blind me if I make the mistake and look at them directly at full power.

Comparing Foot Candles will tell the story if they put that kind of spec out.

I've used and seen both and the UV Wash puts out more light, but the TFX has features that only an LED can provide. I think it boils down to the feature set you're looking for.

Ben

I've used and seen both and the UV Wash puts out more light, but the TFX has features that only an LED can provide. I think it boils down to the feature set you're looking for.

Ben

Thanks Ben, exactly what I was after. I won't be using these very often so I'm looking for quanity not quality. Could you PM me a price on these?

"Light" is not what you want. For a great UV effect you want invisible UV radiation - and minimal "visible" light.

Both of the fixtures you describe put out too much "visible" light that's just tinted blue or violet. The LED looks brighter when you look back at it - but the Elation fixture is probably more powerful.

They also have throw distances of only about 20 feet or less.

If you really want to set a room "on fire" with UV effects - use a fixture based around at least a 250w or 400w Mercury Vapor lamp and optical filters. You can find these from Wildfire and Altman Theatrical.

A local DJ friend bought some of the LED panels and was seriously disappointed in their weak throw. Another bought some of the Elations and they were broken within a few weeks (too light duty to hadle the rough road). Both have since returned to renting my Altman's.

I would suggest that if you really want to be remebered for you UV Blacklight capabilities - you save your cash and buy one of these premium fixtures. While they start at about $1200, the can be rented for about $50-$75. So if you can't afford one - find a theatrical house near you where you could rent them when needed. You won't regret it - and your clients will be much more pleased with the results.

I take it they are DMX? Are they a moving head style fixture?

Proformance is right about that.

I forgot about discharge fixtures.

Also, I think our moving heads have a UV filter. I know the Q's do.

Local UV houses may include
www.xslighting.com
http://www.secttheatersupplies.com/NEW%20SALES.htm
and
Dave's lights in Topeka at http://www.fightingtheforcesofdarkness.com/

You could just call Larry too....www.vfxkc.com

Proformance is right about that.

I forgot about discharge fixtures.

Also, I think our moving heads have a UV filter. I know the Q's do.

Local UV houses may include
www.xslighting.com
http://www.secttheatersupplies.com/NEW%20SALES.htm
and
Dave's lights in Topeka at http://www.fightingtheforcesofdarkness.com/

You could just call Larry too....www.vfxkc.com

Thanks bro. I'd love to rent one or two of these Altmans and see what they can do. I'll call around tomorrow.

Bob so you are now agreeing that quality and excellence holds its merits if it helps make secure profit? You bought them for a reason.

Bob so you are now agreeing that quality and excellence holds its merits if it helps make secure profit? You bought them for a reason. No, I have not changed my mind, this is not the same issue.

Buying high quality for quality sake with no regard to the application is a waste of money.

The poster already said he isn't likely to use blacklights very much - so buying a $1500 fixture is not a smart idea. However, he wants UV effects - something that the cheap fixtures DO NOT provide very well. So his better choice is to rent when needed.

If you want to light up someone's garage for a sweet 16 then buy the LED panels or the Elations. But if you need UV effects that reach further than you can throw your jacket - get a Wildfire or Altman.

Trust me - if there was a cheap disposable product that could do what an Altman or Wildfire can do I'd be all over it.

I take it they are DMX? Are they a moving head style fixture?No, they are not DMX and not dimmable either. They require a ballast and have a warm up time of at least 10 minutes. It wouldn't surpirse me if Wildfire now has moving yoke versions - but ultimately this serves no purpose since UV radiation is not visible. Typically you just need to flood or wash an area that has been blacked out but for your effected materials.

If you have been to Disney World you have already seen them in rides like Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion. If you've seen Blue Man Group then you've also seen them there as well.

They are the only lights used by professional UV puppeteers for live theater work.

Hey - just for fun go moose your hair with some Tide or Woolite and then go stand under you blacklight. :)

Thanks a lot for the info. I called a theatrical house suggested by JT today and rented a single wildfire 400 watt UV fixture for $100 for the night...I'll see how I like the coverage and if I'll go this route again down the road.

I'll take video and post next weekend.