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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => SR Forum Archives => LAB: The Classic Live Audio Board FUD Forum Archive => Topic started by: (Brian) Frost on September 19, 2006, 03:28:35 AM
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So I know that a furman doesnt do much more than provide some outlets, and some lights for the foh rack, does someone have a preference for which level of rack mount power strip I should look into and why?
I like the idea of a built in volt meter (not that useful but nice to see) and wonder if the amperage meter is worth the extra money? is it accurate? does someone else make something better? LED lights?
Thanks
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It all depends on how much money you want to spend, but to my understanding, there's SurgeX and then there's everyone else.
-JB
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Jim is correct... that was the case a year or so ago and, although Furman has come out with their SMP technology I understand from people in the know that it just ain't the same.
SurgeX plugged into your power, everything else plugged into it (including other rack power strips, use whatever's cheapest at that point). If you want to have really good power, use a SurgeX followed by a line active battery backup.
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I also am 100% behind SurgeX and know of nothing else that tackles the surge part as well.
They are just releasing improved peformance surge protection, etc in the form of "Advanced Series Mode".
Check their website.
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I have a couple of Monster Cable PRo2500's and have just ordered a few more.. It weighs 11 pounds and is built really well.. I have more than a few Furmans that are getting tired..
http://www.monstercable.com/pro_audio/productPagePro.asp?pin =2141&LastPage=Monster%20Pro%20Power
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Another vote for Surge-X. I've been using them now for several years after seeing/hearing some Furman horror stories. I've witnessed the aftermath of a couple installs that went through some horrible lightning storms, and the gear that was on the Surge-X survived.
OTOH, here's what happens when your Furman eats it (photo from Dave Stevens from some years back)...
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If the money is there go with a surgex!!! if not Samson makes one thats cheap.
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I have several Furman units.
The one I like best has the lights and a horizontal row of LEDs to show voltage. You can glance at them to see if the voltage is holding as things get powered up. You can also watch the dynamics of the LEDs to see how soft the power source is.
I also have the one with the voltage/amp meter. Since my FOH gear is the only thing through it, it only shows an amp or 2 so isn't very useful to me.
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Where is a good place to get SurgeX stuff?
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With due respect to the Surgex, I can't discount the Furman PL Plus. I have 5 of them, including one that at one time looked like the Dave Stevens' model. A Numbnuts gennie operator decided to check the neutral connection under load. That put approx. 180 volts into my sound system power leg. The Furman saved my Apogee system and 9 wireless. Furman fixed it for 65 bucks. Bob
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If you can afford it, get SurgeX. If you can't, and need the lights, get what you can get cheap. If you don't need the lights, get the rack mount Tripp.
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While from a less than appreciated maker, a 1RU vented panel with TWO gooseneck lights for $20 is pretty good for rack lighting.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-RL2-1U-Rack-Ligh t-System?sku=183714
Mike McNany
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Nice for $20! You just need a piece of gaff to make it look the part.
Nate KDS&L
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Has anyone tried one of these?: http://www.mpathx.com/index.php
I'd be interested in getting one if it's reliable. Anyone here a distributor?