ekul1978 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Im new to the forum so firstly - Hi! I currently work in a secondary school in Hornsea and have been looking round the internet for an avolites pearl (we do alot of large scale productions/dance competitions and I help out at several other schools and colleges, and would rather save on hire costs). Ive come across several but I also came across a company in china that seems to make a copy of the pearl, they call it a DLC-C001. Looking at the desk and comparing it with a pearl they are almost identical and after contacting the company they say it works on the same operating system/takes the same avolites personality files and has pretty much the same features, but costs way less than a real one! (I know it wont be at the same standard as a real avolite!) - I was just wondering if anyone had come across the desk/or company that make them before? sorry for the long post but any help/advice would be much appreciated :D cheers luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhuson Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 It's pure plagiarism, which sadly can't be prosecuted due to their location from what I'm lead to believe. Avolites have spent many years (and £) developing the Pearl and I feel it's just disgusting that someone thinks it's acceptable to rip off their work and then produce a poor quality copy. Sorry but I feel quite strongly about the manufacturer in question and a few other far eastern 'manufacturers'. What you have to ask yourself is, what support are you going to get when it goes wrong? I'm fairly sure you'll find it's next to useless and your certainly not going to get any support from Avolites. I'd suggest by far your best option if your on a budget is to look for a second hand pearl, there is plenty of them out there. One other thing you might find useful, all future software updates for Pearls (including latest 2008 build) are protected to stop it being run on the console in question. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonino Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 If you want an Avo desk, buy an Avo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundo26 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Avolites sell many refurbished desks, especially when there are new models upcoming, they are properly serviced and usually upgraded to the latest software, before you buy a badly made copy, you might find that you can have the genuine article!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilalexrose Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 www.usedlighting.co.uk now sell said refurbished pearls, there are several on there at the moment for sub £2000. As has been said, they come with a years waranty from Avo, and have been refurbished and serviced to a high standard. Another thing to note is that Avo are a british company, run good training courses in london (and probably wherever else you wanted), and are always on the end of a phone if you have any problems. With a chinese company are you going to get that kind of support for the desk you buy? They may be on the end of a phone, but how often can you afford to call china? And how realistic and time consuming would it be to send the desk back to china if (and when) it breaks and needs fixing. I'd go for the pearl over a cheap copy any day. Also, if you want brand new, but cheaper alternative, check out the new pearl tiger, it sounds like its probably what you're after if you're looking at a pearl. Smaller footprint, same operating software and syntax, and the option of a fader wing if you want to expand to 15 playbacks. My 2p neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 They seem to suggest on their site that the years guarantee is direct from avo, at extra cost - probably worth checking with them what their warranty position is - without the Avo guarantee - 30 days seems a bit tight for something costing over three grand. My old college frowned on buying second hand unless really cheap, or fully guaranteed. You get more than 30 days on a second hand car from my local dealers. Perhaps you could negotiate something better? Seems a bit odd they don't just show the price with the full cover. Looking at prices on the net for ex-hire kits (which I assume these are) they are - in my view - ok prices, but not really cheap - the two cheapest look a bit grubby in the pictures, but I guess could be cleaned up - odd they didn't smarten them up before they photographed them - the first thing the car programmes tell you. The best advice with second hand, high value items, is to go and have a chat with them - see them work and then decide about the guarantee - Used Lighting have always seemed nice people, so I'm sure they'll be only too willing to help you decide. Well worth a journey to see them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niclights Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Re the Chinese one. Just don't go there. Info from sources who investigated told me of serious reliability issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobOwen Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 If the copied version in question breaches any design, software copyright, patent etc etc that would allow Avolites to prosecute a UK manufactuer for making it (ie if the copy was made in the UK), then anyone who uses the item (regardless of origin) can be prosecuted by Avolites. So if all what has been said doesn't put you off, the fact you can be prosecuted for even using it should! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niclights Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Avo have been aware of the board for a long time but of course it is not manufactured in UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 ...it works on the same operating system/takes the same avolites personality files...and this isn't software piracy in what way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobOwen Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 It makes no odds where it is made. The laws still apply to use, even though the factory is out of the UK, it still cannot be used in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMXBandit Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Also, if you want brand new, but cheaper alternative, check out the new pearl tiger,Does anyone know the price of a Pearl Tiger yet? I've yet to see one anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Brinkworth Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Not sure of the price but it does look like a nice little desk, a good bridge between the azure and the pearl 2000/4/8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyweb Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Last time I looked, back in August I think the Tiger retailed around £4100, give or take a little. Best of confirming this from Avo as this was a few months ago. (don't take it as gospel from me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slim_mcslim Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I have always thought the faders on the pearl where a bit rubbish in quality, including the expensive penny and giles ones, so one hates to imagine the build quality of a pearl copy... I am also not aware of anyone actually selling them in the UK at this moment in time, I was given a price of $2000 per console, with a minimum order of 5 consoles. As far as I know there is a waiting list on the Pearl Tiger consoles, however they are pretty cute, if that is important in a lighting desk. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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