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Author Topic: Upgrade to LED??  (Read 10373 times)

TJ (Tom) Cornish

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Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2012, 09:58:16 AM »

I would like to add Blizzard Lighting to the list of manufacturers to look at.  If you're looking at any of the "puck" shape LED lights the following specs sheet is one tool that could help you make a decision:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0AsviFp864n7sdHpaZFhZLVdRekF5dHEyZVhUbVBBTmc&output=html
Also Blizzard and Eternal lighting both seem to be importers of the same Chinese-originated products - they look identical.
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Robert Weston

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Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2012, 10:54:40 AM »

Good info Tom.  Looks like I will need an upgrade for the controllers also.  For the lighting, it would be good to have something that was maybe average (for a better lack of words).  I don't need anything for major production work, but definitely don't need everything to be of low (quality wise) value. 


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Kyle Clark

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Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2012, 12:22:57 PM »

That's a useful spreadsheet.

One thing I noticed is that power draw seems to be based on number of LEDs X wattage rating.  This is not going to be very accurate.  My LED Par of choice, the Chauvet SlimPar Pro RGBA draws about 80 watts full tilt (I measured it), and your sheet lists the current draw as 47 watts.  I also purchased a Blizzard Q12A and measured that at somewhere around 110watts, IIRC.

There are a number of factors that can be relevant, and not everyone's goals are the same.  For me, the Blizzard Q12A was not up to the challenge, both in terms of build quality, and light output - dimming is a little steppy, and the light is not video safe (flickers on camera).  The somewhat more expensive Chauvet SlimPar Pro RGBA has much better build quality, a better beam, is video safe, has good dimming, but has a bit less output than the Blizzard, and doesn't have some a sound activated mode that DJs may like.

I've still got the virtually NIB Blizzard Q12A I tested for sale in the marketplace if anyone wants it.

If you google the title of the spreadsheet you will find the forum post that goes with it.  It is manufacturers listed specs and not the "consumer reports" style of buy, test, review.  I think the best route is the one that TJ has followed: buy or rent a fixture and test it out to see if you like it.  Specs are informative but not as much as playing with the things are.
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TJ (Tom) Cornish

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Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2012, 12:55:44 PM »

If you google the title of the spreadsheet you will find the forum post that goes with it.  It is manufacturers listed specs and not the "consumer reports" style of buy, test, review.  I think the best route is the one that TJ has followed: buy or rent a fixture and test it out to see if you like it.  Specs are informative but not as much as playing with the things are.
At the risk of being annoying for posting this for the 1000th time, here are the detailed results of my test:

Blizzard Q12A: http://soundforums.net/lighting-electrical/1938-blizzard-q12a-rgba-led-par.html

Chauvet SlimPar Pro RGBA: http://soundforums.net/lighting-electrical/2419-chauvet-slimpar-pro-rgba-review.html

I chose these two fixtures to test based on my desire to have a fixture that can keep up with my 575w lekos.  These at the time seemed to be the best candidates in the sub $350 range.
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duane massey

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Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2012, 12:58:42 PM »

...and Kyle's suggestion brings up a common problem. Many people don't live in a major market, and don't have access to "hands-on" demos, nor can they rent anything other than what the local guys have. I view this forum as a way to at least get some benefit from other users with experience with a particular product or situation. The danger is that you have no idea if the guy giving out this advise actually knows what the hell he/she is talking about. Specs can be helpful IF you can actually compare apples to apples, but even that can be less than ideal.

Typically, if it seems too good to be true, run away or make sure you can afford to experiment. Beware of the guy who labels everything but his preferred product/approach "crap" or "stupid".
As a service tech I can tell you that "looks like" doesn't mean "equal to". Saw several clones that probably did come from the same factory, but one importer  (ie:ADJ) will have higher standards than another (ie: cheaplights).

I think you are correct, middle-range fixtures will be fine for your purposes, and a decent control system will get the most out of your rig, as well as allow you to expand painlessly. Good luck!
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Duane Massey
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Robert Weston

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Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2012, 07:26:33 PM »

Many thanks for the input and suggestions!  The info here will help me to focus where to start my search.

Rob
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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: Upgrade to LED??
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2012, 07:26:33 PM »


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