Moving Head Lights

[lwescott]

I've had a look at other topics, but most seem to be regarding hiring equipment.

 

We currently only have generic lanterns in our school hall, controlled by a Zero 88 Fat Frog but we are having problems getting up the scaffold tower because of H&S :) , so having these would mean once rigged, we have the massive benefit of being able to change colours and focus them from the desk, aswell as having the other benefits which go with these lights.

We are thinking of buying 4/6 LED Par Cans, 2 Scanners (possibly Smart Scan 2) and 2 Moving head lights.

 

Does anyone have any reccomendations for Moving Head Lights which could be used in assemblies, charity events and productions, but which are not too expensive - something around the £500/600 mark.

I know some people do not see the need for schools to buy moving head lights, as we can hire them in, but they would be used quite a lot during the various productions and events we have each term, and we also hire out the hall to external companies who would benefit.

 

Would we be best to buy 2 Moving Head Profiles, 2 Moving Head Colour Washes or 1 Moving Head Profile and 1 Moving Head Wash ?

 

Thanks in advance

:P

[dosxuk]

This thread will be closed shortly, there are so many other threads on exactly the same subject, all with exactly the same message. The vast majority of schools should not buy moving lights. Moving lights are expensive, complicated bits of equipment, which require time, effort and knowledge to keep working, which most schools don't have. Hiring means that all of those negatives can be avoided.

 

Do a search, read the responses carefully. If you have any queries after that, reply to one of those threads, or start a new one explaining exactly why you are in the small minority of schools which it is a good idea to buy, and exactly what you plan to do with the moving lights.

 

LED pars or scrollers on the other hand could be a good purchase.

[lwescott]

This thread will be closed shortly, there are so many other threads on exactly the same subject, all with exactly the same message. The vast majority of schools should not buy moving lights. Moving lights are expensive, complicated bits of equipment, which require time, effort and knowledge to keep working, which most schools don't have. Hiring means that all of those negatives can be avoided.

 

Do a search, read the responses carefully. If you have any queries after that, reply to one of those threads, or start a new one explaining exactly why you are in the small minority of schools which it is a good idea to buy, and exactly what you plan to do with the moving lights.

 

LED pars or scrollers on the other hand could be a good purchase.

 

Sorry to be a pain :)

I have been reading the other topics and I'll let the school know

[prolightdesigner]

I would personally choose a few good scrollers over LED PARs. Assuming the rest of the system is conventional halogen, LEDs will most likely look 'funny' in comparison to the other lights. There is plenty of info on this forum regarding LED / halogen PARs. As dosxuk mentioned, you need to give much more info explaining why you NEED movers over a conventional solution.

 

-Jeff

[Bobbsy]

Moderation: I've move this topic into "The Next Generation" as it's a frequent school-related topic. I've also closed it, at least for now, until you read all the previous discussions going over the same ground.

 

Despite what you say, there are numerous other threads about the possible purchase of intelligent lighting for schools...and the advice from the professionals is almost always don't do it: they're too expensive to maintain, too complicated to use on "real" shows and they don't solve the "working at height" problem. Similarly, this advice is almost always unpopular with the original poster and usually results in an argument.

 

To get you started, I suggest you have a look at THIS TOPIC and maybe the Wiki FAQ on lighting purchases HERE.

 

If, after you've read all that you have any fresh questions, feel free to open a new topic (or ask that this one is re-opened) but be aware that you STILL might not like the advice you get.