turquoise_and_blue Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi everyone I have a few big posts coming up where I'll intro myself properly but for now I'll just say thanks to all those who have posted information so far as I may well have used it! I look forward to returning the favour. So just a quickie question regarding buying a low-budget smoke machine and possibly also a low-budget hazer. I will be using these machines in a variety of different scenarios but the main needs are: - a smoke machine that will jet a cloud of thick smoke out at the press of a button (of which I have only really used LeMaitre kit years ago which was cannistor based) used during disco's etc - a hazer that will do the basic 'beam-profiling' job but will be reliable and quiet enough to be used during theatrical performances (which I have never used, only a DMX controlled hazer during music gigs has been in my paws and that was a industrial sized bugger) Now this is pretty standard so some may wonder why I'm asking for help on here but it is more people's experienced opinions I want and links to good online sites to buy kit... I seem to struggle with this area a lot. So any help is greatly appreciated. Budget is flexible but as these do not need to be amazing brands etc I would hope for a decent price. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightsource Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi there, An idea of bugget would be appreciated, and size, but for Smoke machine (non DMX), look at the Martin Magnum 550, Solid and reliable, and we've had no problems uith them to date. (wired remote) Avoid Soundlab ones like the plague Nasty! An alternative (never used them tho') would be something like the Antari Z80 Fogger (which is available as both wired and wireless remote) All models should cost well under £ 100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Sorry but I wouldnt use a cheap one at all, start at a Martin (Jem) and work your way up. The cheap ones are ok for discos where you can afford to be let down but for theatre use you need to be professional!! As I've said before, there are no old, cheap smoke machines still working! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I bought one of the soundlab ones as a last minute emergency buy. There was no budget, no time and a convenient Maplins! That said, it has been......... ok. Remember that the cheaper end of the market often means a heat/cool cycle, so your availability of smoke all the time is not there. This particular smoke machine is now relegated to the occasional disco, but only really gets used to create a bit of a haze with an occasional top up through the night. This year it will be used outside on Haloween specials at a miniature railway. Ducted smoke is piped to the middle of a pond, where the exit pipe sits just above water level, surrounded by a mesh of air pipe with holes drilled in the side to make the pond froth violently. - It's cheap enough to be abused. If I'd have bought it under different circumstances, I'd have looked at Martin, and will probably be doing so when this one inevitably dies. It's served its' purpose, but I'd look elsewhere next time. Do you need DMX control? Another option may be a cheap one without and then a DMX relay kit from cpc to do your switching. As for hazers, we've had little joy with cheap hazers. They always seem a little patchy and to be honest, you need to spend some reasonable money to get a decent one (unless anybody out there has found a good cheap one that I haven't come across yet........) C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turquoise_and_blue Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 All good info peeps.... thank you. Budget wise I have £200 for a smoke machine and another £200 for a haze machine but I'd like to not have to spend that amount and all the £200-ish foggers etc seem OTT for my space anyway... having said that the quality issue is important. Generally one of the hardest things when buying new kit is the lack of basic pricing on all company pages (like Martin) and how you need to e-mail a whole bunch of people to get costs. That sucks. I feel I should perhaps get a more expensive hazer and a cheaper smoke machine as it's theatre use will be limited anyway and the delay / lack of constant smoke production is not an issue with the discos. I'll go look at my Martin price list then e-mail around and see what various people are offering. It doesn't need to be DMX controlled, to behonest I've never used one via DMX properly so it's an option but just now unlikely to be a requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turquoise_and_blue Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 I've looked at some of the Jem smoke machines and am very happy with the style etc. One remaining issue is scale but I am confident that for DJ events the smoke machine doesn't have to be stunning. I will invest more cash in the hazer for theatre use. So... the Jem Magnum 550 seems good but there is a Magnum 650 for a similar price yet no obvious additional benefits. Hmmm. I can get the 550 for £67.99 inc. VAT and Delivery to Edinburgh. That sounds good to me... any opinions? ps.. as this may wrap this thread up I'll take this opportunity to thank those who replied. ta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 As I've said before, there are no old, cheap smoke machines still working! Ahem. Excuse me? My lovely JEM Club 20 (20 years old!) is still running be-a-utifully after a recent service. ;) I agree though, stick with Martin / JEM - they're good rugid machines and will produce the output (I think) you're after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turquoise_and_blue Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Just to let everyone who posted know... I bought a Martin Jem Magnum 650 for around £67. It's due to arrive in the next day or so and my final post then will be a basic review of the machine. Thanks for everyones input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbs the Techie Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Even though you've already bought one, I'll give my support for Jem Machines, ESPECIALLY the cheap ones! I invested in a Magnum 550 a year and a half or so back; having used it heavily for a few months (it's brilliant for output from it's size) I put it to bed for 9 months and being the dope I am forgot to wash it out with distilled water first (my usual procedure)...I in fact left it full of fluid. Needed it for an event last week; worked perfectly! Thats a first for me and cheaper machines (actually working after a few months). Enjoy yours! Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fcpatechies Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Just to let everyone who posted know... I bought a Martin Jem Magnum 650 for around £67. It's due to arrive in the next day or so and my final post then will be a basic review of the machine. Thanks for everyones input. can I be very cheeky and ask where did you bought the Martin Jem Magnum 650 from? Thanks FCPA technicians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Ahem. Excuse me? My lovely JEM Club 20 (20 years old!) is still running be-a-utifully after a recent service You misunderstood. I was making the point that the Jem aren't cheap and cheerful but are a better quality item that ought to last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardc1983 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I must reccomend the following smoke machine, it looks very similar to martin range, prob the same underneath, had it for 2 yrs now and it is perfect. Big large blast and long jet of smoke comes from it. You can even feel the blast of it from the other side of the room the draught it creates. Cost approx £80 from the guys below, pick one to suit your needs. GVG Smoke Machines Mine is the GVG 1200 Half way down, excellent piece of kit and well worth the money. They are not cheap and nasty. PLus you get a wireless and wired remote control that works brilliantly very reliable and well built. Solid as a rock and always ready to give smoke, non of this heat up thing. http://www.gvgdiscolighting.com/photos/Galleries/web/11864971409111.jpg http://www.gvgdiscolighting.com/photos/Galleries/web/11864971409115.jpg http://www.gvgdiscolighting.com/photos/Galleries/web/11864971409114.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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