Why use MAC TW1 when you can just use MAC1200Wash?

[DominicC]

What is the difference of a MAC TW1 Tungsten Light from a normal MAC 2000 Wash or any Wash fixture out in the market?

 

Hope you can share your knowledge about these fixtures and what is their purpose for being different.

 

Thanks!

[Ollie]

I don't have a huge knowledge like others on the site but as far as I know the main difference is the colour temperature.

 

The TW1 Tungsten lamp gives out a less blue light so will create a warmer wash. Other wash lights (if you are talking about movers) have discharge lamps wich create a more harsh bluer light.

 

Again I say my understanding isn't as in-depth as others but hope that makes a start!

 

I'm sure others will give you a better explanation.

[IRW]

The TW1 Tungsten lamp gives out a less blue light so will create a warmer wash. Other wash lights (if you are talking about movers) have discharge lamps wich create a more harsh bluer light.

 

Exactly what I was about to say.

 

Also, Martin explain the difference very well here

 

And there has been a similar BR thread on this topic before...See here (My search query was 'TW1')

 

Edited to fix link

[DominicC]

Thank you very much Mr. Ollie and IRW, for a rental company, is it advisable to stock from now on alot of MAC TW1 or its not practical as MAC 2000 Wash is still the best Martin Wash in Martin's range?

 

Or it doesn't really make that much difference so we companies are better off stocking Martin MAC 2000 Washes. For theater don't you think MAC 2000 Wash can do what MAC TW1 can?

 

Hope for your opinions. Thanks!

[gareth]

It's not a case of "best", more one of "most appropriate". If I was looking for an automated wash fixture that would work well as part of a largely-conventional theatre-type lighting rig, I'd go for TW1s. If, on the other hand, I was looking for a wash fixture to work in partnership with other discharge-lamped moving lights, I'd go for the 2000s (or other discharge wash fixture).

[peternewman]

Something that's not been mentioned explicitly, but is mentioned in the Martin link above, and on the previous topic, and indeed is mentioned partially by Gareth, is the subject of dimming. A traditional discharge moving light dims the lamp by closing a shutter in front of it, this means the colour temperature stays constant. A normal dimmed tungsten halogen lamp however, dims by chopping the sine wave being sent to it, this causes it's colour temperature to change as it dims. The TW1 offers the best of both worlds, a shutter so it can match (using CTB if necessary) existing discharge fixtures, but also the option of an internal or external dimmer, so it will behave like all the conventional lights in your rig.

[Paul J Need]

Partly covered. however............... Colour temperature, noise, price, available power and weight are also something else to consider.

 

A TW1 weighs 29 kgs, yet the 240v version only provides 11,000 lumens. compared with 43kgs and upto 45,000 lumens for the MAC200 wash. It is perhaps fairer to compare TW1 with a MAC 700 wash in terms of lumens. Fan noise is not camparable.

 

Gareths point about appropriate use is probably the most valid. More suitable for fixed installations rather than hire companies; I note the Barbican have bought the TW1 ( and if any one has had to focus from their over stage bars you'll see why a TW is superb in this enviroment), or where fan noise is an issue.

[Don Allen]

Saw the TW1 wash last Thursday night, it was quiet, can run in no fan mode, output was alright, basically a moving Fresnel, but it cannot produce a good saturated green.

 

It's market would be in saving rigging and focusing time (and cost) in a theatre environment.

[3pens]

Yes it would also be a great asset to anyone with a fixed rig. Very useful!