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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 => Lighting Forum => Topic started by: Tim Weaver on July 27, 2020, 08:36:11 PM
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So, in our Youth room I'd like to put a bunch of small moving washes out on upright truss. Probably 3 to a truss, maybe 18-20 over all. Now this is a small stage so this is totally just wiggling eye-candy.
Something like the Inno Pocket Z4 would be awesome. Especially if I had 20+ of them, but they are over 300 bucks each. I'm looking for something much more cost effective, so I'm kinda stuck looking at Chicom lights.
Does anybody have something they've used that might work for this? I see good things about the Lixada 105W on ebay, but everybody says they are loud, and since this is a church service in a smaller room, that's probably a deal breaker.
What's out there, under 100 bucks a light, but works OK, and isn't real loud? Stuff from Mao's Big Rock Candy Mountain is OK with me, since these might be recycled by next year when we change up the set again.
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I keep looking at the Monoprice units for a "don't care if it gets thrashed" option, but have yet to actually get one to try out. There are two washes in the lower end of the price spectrum:
A 7x12W RGBW w/Zoom (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=612806) and a 7x10W RGBW (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=612870). I can't say if they'd work in your application, but they probably tick the price point, especially the 7x10W.
Pricing is a bit better if you log in, and with quantity. And as with anything of that level of quality, I'd expect to order 20 and have to exchange a couple.
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So, in our Youth room I'd like to put a bunch of small moving washes out on upright truss. Probably 3 to a truss, maybe 18-20 over all. Now this is a small stage so this is totally just wiggling eye-candy.
Something like the Inno Pocket Z4 would be awesome. Especially if I had 20+ of them, but they are over 300 bucks each. I'm looking for something much more cost effective, so I'm kinda stuck looking at Chicom lights.
Does anybody have something they've used that might work for this? I see good things about the Lixada 105W on ebay, but everybody says they are loud, and since this is a church service in a smaller room, that's probably a deal breaker.
What's out there, under 100 bucks a light, but works OK, and isn't real loud? Stuff from Mao's Big Rock Candy Mountain is OK with me, since these might be recycled by next year when we change up the set again.
I have some of the lixada lights, 7 x 10w, which are pretty similar to the monoprice ones linked. They work fine for what they are. Downsides are that QC is a bit hit-and-miss (I ordered two, one was sent back and the replacement needed to be opened up and screws tightened before it worked properly), they are a bit noisy when moving (I have nothing to compare it to but loud music drowns the movement out) and, if relevant for your usage, you cannot disable to strobing effect in any of the 'auto' modes so you would need to use a controller to stop things getting too jazzy!
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I keep looking at the Monoprice units for a "don't care if it gets thrashed" option, but have yet to actually get one to try out. There are two washes in the lower end of the price spectrum:
A 7x12W RGBW w/Zoom (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=612806) and a 7x10W RGBW (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=612870). I can't say if they'd work in your application, but they probably tick the price point, especially the 7x10W.
Pricing is a bit better if you log in, and with quantity. And as with anything of that level of quality, I'd expect to order 20 and have to exchange a couple.
The 7x10W fixture is probably as bright as the Rush MH2's we bought 6 or 7 years ago. For a LOT more money. I may look into getting some of the 7x 12W fixtures when we get back to having concerts. And they should be even cheaper then.
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I keep looking at the Monoprice units for a "don't care if it gets thrashed" option, but have yet to actually get one to try out. There are two washes in the lower end of the price spectrum:
A 7x12W RGBW w/Zoom (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=612806) and a 7x10W RGBW (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=612870). I can't say if they'd work in your application, but they probably tick the price point, especially the 7x10W.
Pricing is a bit better if you log in, and with quantity. And as with anything of that level of quality, I'd expect to order 20 and have to exchange a couple.
I've used a bunch of those 7x10W for years. They are actually pretty bright and work well for my needs. I haven't had any problems with any of them, but I have (2) that move at a different speed than the rest. I just make sure those are symmetrical on my light trees, and it still looks good. Yes they are a little noisy, and the Auto and Sound activated programs have strobing. BTW they are a lot cheaper on ebay:
https://ebay.to/39BOIeP
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So, in our Youth room I'd like to put a bunch of small moving washes out on upright truss. Probably 3 to a truss, maybe 18-20 over all. Now this is a small stage so this is totally just wiggling eye-candy.
Something like the Inno Pocket Z4 would be awesome. Especially if I had 20+ of them, but they are over 300 bucks each. I'm looking for something much more cost effective, so I'm kinda stuck looking at Chicom lights.
Does anybody have something they've used that might work for this? I see good things about the Lixada 105W on ebay, but everybody says they are loud, and since this is a church service in a smaller room, that's probably a deal breaker.
What's out there, under 100 bucks a light, but works OK, and isn't real loud? Stuff from Mao's Big Rock Candy Mountain is OK with me, since these might be recycled by next year when we change up the set again.
The noise level is the deal breaker...
Cheap <> Quiet [choose one]
I'd get the cheapest light I can find on Alibaba that the seller has good metrics (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32578650166.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.19014343aJgLnB&algo_pvid=f348dc22-5a16-4a9c-9c37-e78a0365ec2f&algo_expid=f348dc22-5a16-4a9c-9c37-e78a0365ec2f-1&btsid=0ab6f82315959566707278430e531a&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_) (feedback, length open, etc). Buy 24 of them. Replace the fans with quieter versions from Digi-Key.
That's basically what I do.
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I have some of the lixada lights, 7 x 10w, which are pretty similar to the monoprice ones linked. They work fine for what they are. Downsides are that QC is a bit hit-and-miss (I ordered two, one was sent back and the replacement needed to be opened up and screws tightened before it worked properly), they are a bit noisy when moving (I have nothing to compare it to but loud music drowns the movement out) and, if relevant for your usage, you cannot disable to strobing effect in any of the 'auto' modes so you would need to use a controller to stop things getting too jazzy!
Thanks,
These would be dmx controlled. It's a Youth Service so full-on rock'n'roll lights are what's expected. For comparison I have Intimidator Scan 305's and some ADJ Saber Spots already. These fixtures are "good for the low end" but not exactly like having a room full of Sharpy's. Still, for this sized room they are about perfect. This is about a 200 cap room with a stage that's about 25' by 15'.
What I've read is that the fans are loud. I wonder if they would overheat If I just clipped the lead for the fan? They aren't in sealed cases or anything, and these will live indoors.
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The noise level is the deal breaker...
Cheap <> Quiet [choose one]
I'd get the cheapest light I can find on Alibaba that the seller has good metrics (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32578650166.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.19014343aJgLnB&algo_pvid=f348dc22-5a16-4a9c-9c37-e78a0365ec2f&algo_expid=f348dc22-5a16-4a9c-9c37-e78a0365ec2f-1&btsid=0ab6f82315959566707278430e531a&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_) (feedback, length open, etc). Buy 24 of them. Replace the fans with quieter versions from Digi-Key.
That's basically what I do.
Yeah. I might just buy one and clip the fan lead and let er rip. See if it overheats or not. The cases are pretty open. Doesn't seem like a lot of heat would build up.
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Yeah. I might just buy one and clip the fan lead and let er rip. See if it overheats or not. The cases are pretty open. Doesn't seem like a lot of heat would build up.
My thought is that if the fan wasn't needed, they wouldn't have put one there and saved money.
I do like Nathan's idea though.
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Yeah. I might just buy one and clip the fan lead and let er rip. See if it overheats or not. The cases are pretty open. Doesn't seem like a lot of heat would build up.
Yeahhh, no. Have you felt how hot the backsides of LED's can get?
I mean I guess if you only need them to run a year. You could also cap the max at 85% or something in software.
PSU caps will dry out super fast at higher temp, LED's will fail early and start flickering or behaving 'strange'
Easier to modify with a 12v fan controller for 5-10$ from eBay and run the fans as low speed as possible.
60$ in labor + 5$ in parts + 100$ fixture = $165 fixture. Not bad...Kinda close to your 100$ number.
I've also used fan speed temp controllers and they work really well. Get some thermal glue for the thermistor and you're off to the races.
search terms:
"Automatic Temperature Control CPU Fan Speed DC Controller 12V"
"PWM DC 6V 12V 24V 28V 3A Motor Speed Control Switch Controller"
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My thought is that if the fan wasn't needed, they wouldn't have put one there and saved money.
I do like Nathan's idea though.
FWIW, I have a growing Digi-Key parts list for fans to modify various China lights.
It's not super long yet, but as I get and modify more fixtures I update it.
Feel free to ask for it (anyone who reads this).
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FWIW, I have a growing Digi-Key parts list for fans to modify various China lights.
It's not super long yet, but as I get and modify more fixtures I update it.
Feel free to ask for it (anyone who reads this).
Nice offer Nathan. I may take you up on it when we start up again.
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never mind...
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Yeah. I might just buy one and clip the fan lead and let er rip. See if it overheats or not. The cases are pretty open. Doesn't seem like a lot of heat would build up.
If you try that let us know how it turns out. I for one would be interested in the results. Like Nathan touches on though, where the fan is actually located will probably determine the viability of removing it. On the flip side though, replacing the fans with something better will probably be cheaper overall than cooking a few fixtures to death...
On a somewhat related note, given the quantity of fixtures you're looking to buy have you considered importing directly? I know a few people who have done this - mixed results as can be expected, but you have a bit more control over things like component quality without excessive price. Not that this industry needs another importer of budget LED fixtures, but I'm sure you could make a market beyond your own uses among the community here. Good luck!
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I can't say that I've found the fans on mine to be overly loud but the motors, especially when panning, are quite noisy.
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I can't say that I've found the fans on mine to be overly loud but the motors, especially when panning, are quite noisy.
Wow, thats an incredible statement. Which China lights do you use?
I have never found that to be the case with anything remotely 'Chinese-ie'
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Well, well, well.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkkWKg02Bcw
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I know you said you wanted wash & around $100. But have you considered going with fewer/better lights?
Such as LED Beam movers like the Blizzard Blade (or a Chinese knockoff (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32871678813.html?)) or something similar?
Or a wash with zoom feature (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981916802.html?)?
That way you can incorporate the fixtures into future stage designs?
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I know you said you wanted wash & around $100. But have you considered going with fewer/better lights?
Such as LED Beam movers like the Blizzard Blade (or a Chinese knockoff (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32871678813.html?)) or something similar?
Or a wash with zoom feature (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981916802.html?)?
That way you can incorporate the fixtures into future stage designs?
I wouldn't mind it, but on this particular stage anything bigger (physical size) than a Mac101 would be quite cumbersome. It's a small stage and I want these on upright truss. Plus they aren't competing with super bright pars or anything. So a cheaper smaller fixture will work. But yeah, if anybody has a small pile of 101's out there for a benjamin each, I'm all ears! lol
Also, having seen Blizzard blades in the wild I wasn't impressed with the saturation of the colors. Specifically the Blue was more of a "Roscoe 119" shade of blue. Instead of the deeper darker blue of the Chauvet Legend fixtures I was using at the time. The mismatch was very noticable.
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I wouldn't mind it, but on this particular stage anything bigger (physical size) than a Mac101 would be quite cumbersome. It's a small stage and I want these on upright truss. Plus they aren't competing with super bright pars or anything. So a cheaper smaller fixture will work. But yeah, if anybody has a small pile of 101's out there for a benjamin each, I'm all ears! lol
Also, having seen Blizzard blades in the wild I wasn't impressed with the saturation of the colors. Specifically the Blue was more of a "Roscoe 119" shade of blue. Instead of the deeper darker blue of the Chauvet Legend fixtures I was using at the time. The mismatch was very noticable.
Fair enough, but that last statement doesn't jive with $Ben price tags :P
Good luck!
FWIW, just picked up some ZW19's from CristieLites used sales for a steal. I love them.
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Fair enough, but that last statement doesn't jive with $Ben price tags :P
Good luck!
FWIW, just picked up some ZW19's from CristieLites used sales for a steal. I love them.
Lol! I hear you.
Those ZW19's look pretty sweet. I always liked the Mac Aura. Just not the price tag.
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FWIW, just picked up some ZW19's from CristieLites used sales for a steal. I love them.
Nice! Did they come from the same lot in Orlando that I saw for sale on UsedLights?
But yeah, if anybody has a small pile of 101's out there for a benjamin each, I'm all ears! lol
I know you say that tongue in cheek, but what's out there may surprise you. It looks like Mac 101s can be had south of $500/unit now, and many of the older dinosaur Macs are selling for even less than that! If you find the right person you might even be able to score some for the price of gas to get them and a nice dinner for the seller. Mac Auras (preferably XB) are my first choice for rider-friendly washes at the moment - looks like they're right about $1K/ea used, which isn't bad at all for what they are.
Obviously buying used lights carries their own can of worms and since you're an experienced professional user I'm sure you know of all the trade-offs between that and buying extreme budget fixtures, but it might be something worth pricing out to see where you end up. Good luck!
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Nice! Did they come from the same lot in Orlando that I saw for sale on UsedLights?
Yeah they were for sale everywhere, but I guess no one was buying. Got a deal...
Tim, might not hurt to call up Cristie Lites, I know they're trying to dump inventory right now...
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Yeah they were for sale everywhere, but I guess no one was buying. Got a deal...
Tim, might not hurt to call up Cristie Lites, I know they're trying to dump inventory right now...
Glad to hear! Good deals are always fun. Websites like Usedlighting are dangerous though - it's way to easy to contract GAS from them! In all seriousness though Tim, it never hurts to ask around. Given our current situation in the industry you never know what could happen. I've literally scored van-fulls of used inventory from companies who deemed the storage space more valuable. You pull it, you keep it - we just want it gone!
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So, in our Youth room I'd like to put a bunch of small moving washes out on upright truss. Probably 3 to a truss, maybe 18-20 over all. Now this is a small stage so this is totally just wiggling eye-candy.
Something like the Inno Pocket Z4 would be awesome. Especially if I had 20+ of them, but they are over 300 bucks each. I'm looking for something much more cost effective, so I'm kinda stuck looking at Chicom lights.
Does anybody have something they've used that might work for this? I see good things about the Lixada 105W on ebay, but everybody says they are loud, and since this is a church service in a smaller room, that's probably a deal breaker.
What's out there, under 100 bucks a light, but works OK, and isn't real loud? Stuff from Mao's Big Rock Candy Mountain is OK with me, since these might be recycled by next year when we change up the set again.
Hi Tim,
I think I sent you an email with a contact direct in China with good lights. RGBAW+UV, battery, wifi.
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Hi Tim,
I think I sent you an email with a contact direct in China with good lights. RGBAW+UV, battery, wifi.
I'm not seeing it.
HighSPL (at) Gmail -dot- com
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I'm not seeing it.
HighSPL (at) Gmail -dot- com
sent
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To be honest, go with the big names that use Chinese OEM. The reason is that there are so many lousy Chinese lights that literally last 5 minutes. The bigger brands go out to China and source the best quality, whereas you have to depend on pot luck which can end up really expensive.
I recommend using companies like ADJ, ProLights, Chauvet, etc. They may be slightly more expensive than the eBay listings, but they will last far longer and have a warranty you can actually use, so they are far cheaper in the long run.