Movers - would this be too strong?
- Thread starter rickryan.com
- Start date
Rick how many time do you have to go thru the same process of wasting time and money looking for a cheaper alternative only to end up with what you knew you should have bought in the first place, with moving heads buy the Best you can afford
I have used four of these a couple of times. I really liked them. They were really bright. I really like the stored programs they have built in. I used them quite a bit for searchlights. I would do a red carpet theme and sit them outside on road cases. They have built in upward figure 8 scenes. I could select that and they would continuously do a figure 8 in the sky just like a searchlight does.
My inclination is to go with the Chauvet Intimidator 355, but no harm in looking at the alternatives. In this case, there's not that great of a difference. These are about half the price of the 355, so I'm more inclined to just pay the extra and move on. Now the other question that's rolling in my head, is the 140SR worth an extra $500 over the 355? I'm really liking the non-DMX remote control that comes with the Chauvet units. I'd like to have the option of not having to fool with a full DMX rig in some cases. Either way, I'm still cash-poor at the moment so I'm still just a tire-kicker at this point.
The specs that aren’t listed are quality of the optics that’s a huge deal
I've got the Chauvet 255 IRC and LOVE them! The 355's are HUGE in comparison.
Did I read correctly that these units have a non-DMX wireless remote? Do they have any good automatic programs that roll between different actions/looks or do you pretty much have to program them?
One of the dj's I network with for my smaller events has the 255's and he has a remote that he uses currently until he gets the dmx figured out (soundswitch). It does a great job for his needs (minimal formalities so no door spots, floor spots that need to be adjusted etc), but not perfect by any means.
Ryan, the 255 IRC has some impressive built-in programs including 'Totem Mode' to keep the lights where you want them but I agree with Taso in that programming via DMX is the way to go. These heads do not have an adjustable iris so you are stuck with the size of spot at your given distance but other than that, they are great! The gobos rotate and it does have a prism but the prism does not rotate which would be nice. The gobos are super easy to change which is nice. For lightweight, compact movers, I think these are the best ones currently available. Now for larger, more powerful units, Taso can give better advice. Here is an example of an exit spot at a massive venue I regularly perform at.
Okay, I'm getting closer. I'm pretty sold on something from the Chauvet Intimidator line. I'm thinking the 355 is a bit too bulky and 90 watts may be overkill for my typical gigs. The 255 looks very good and is my likely choice. However, what about the 155 spot duo? I know it's 32 watts per head but it has 2 heads per unit. A pair of units would give me 4 light beams. When I've used my flat mirror scanners, there's a big different in having 2 or 4. I'm wondering if this spot duo isn't the way to go. Until I get totems, I'm thinking of mounting these on top of my K10s (strapped down) and using my heavy, steel crank stands. I'd also mount colorstrips, vertically, just under the K10s. Has anyone here used the spot duos or care to comment?
It comes down to brightness... what good are 4 beams if they can barely be seen, especially in the summer events where the sun doesnt go down till 9. I love my lights because even during the day they can be seen really well. When I had the chauvet 260's with 60w led's they could barely be seen in the day light... so I can only imagine the 32w led.
The other thing is the beam angle, while u may have 4 beams, the beam angle may be small and not have as much coverage as 2 wider beams. I don't know the specs on these heads so its something you have to research, but if I wanted to, I could do 75% of my events with no issues with just 2 heads because their beams are wide and cover a lot of most dancefloors.
The other thing is the beam angle, while u may have 4 beams, the beam angle may be small and not have as much coverage as 2 wider beams. I don't know the specs on these heads so its something you have to research, but if I wanted to, I could do 75% of my events with no issues with just 2 heads because their beams are wide and cover a lot of most dancefloors.
I know the local gear rental company here has the duos for rent. I have thought about trying them. I think it was like $30 or $35 to rent it for a weekend. Not sure if you have anything like that in your area, but would give you a chance to test without the full investment.
What also needs to be considered is power consumption and size.
You will want to have at least 4 of the same unit. That way you will have two for smaller events and 4 for larger events if needed. Buying 2 of the walmart specials now and then not being able to find the same when you want to buy two more is a waste of money. Imo, it's not even worth buying halogen lights now since the led technology has come so far. Why worry about having enough circuits to accommodate 4 x 250w halogens when all 4 60w Led's will only consume 400 watts max?
As far as size goes, I believe you inquired recently about getting vertical truss totems.
If you get the standard 6.5 footers, you won't have much room left if playing in a venue with only 8ft ceilings.
The Chauvet 255's should work (provided you are not already setting up on a riser) but not much room for anything bigger.
You will want to have at least 4 of the same unit. That way you will have two for smaller events and 4 for larger events if needed. Buying 2 of the walmart specials now and then not being able to find the same when you want to buy two more is a waste of money. Imo, it's not even worth buying halogen lights now since the led technology has come so far. Why worry about having enough circuits to accommodate 4 x 250w halogens when all 4 60w Led's will only consume 400 watts max?
As far as size goes, I believe you inquired recently about getting vertical truss totems.
If you get the standard 6.5 footers, you won't have much room left if playing in a venue with only 8ft ceilings.
The Chauvet 255's should work (provided you are not already setting up on a riser) but not much room for anything bigger.
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I went to GC during lunch. The 155 is pretty much on par with my 30-watt scanners. Not very bright and the beam is fixed. The 255 is much better and with better optics and variable beam width. The 355 is brighter still but it's really a big, honkin sized unit. As of now, I'm leaning towards starting with a pair of 255s. They're sized nicely and throw a nice pattern.
Are you planning on going "auto" mode, or are you going to use DMX.
Like me, you have always try to avoid DMX...unless it is absolutely necessary.
DMX for movers is absolutely necessary. It's useless if the moving heads are pointing away from the dancefloor... and in auto that will happen at least half the time as thats how their programs are designed (full 360 degree coverage). As far as height... get the 6ft trusses... or atleast two 3ft peices if you deal with lots of low ceilings.
DMX. I have some wireless units and can mount the receivers to the mover base. Now I just have to get some cash in hand to buy them. I did find a package with 2X255, case and break apart totems for $1800.