Rent or Buy?

[cho_drummer]

Hi,

I'm looking for a few more lights, powerful colour washes preferably, to fit in with what I already have. The stage is too big for 4 575watt colour changers to fill effectively, though I do get a nice 'X' shape of colour at the moment :\. Is it worth buying more of what I have in (4 more would come to about £1500) or should I just hire in for the show that's coming up in November? Is hiring over about 2 weeks going to be more expensive and would the colours be slightly different.

 

I'm using a Fat frog, but, too many more lights would mean I'll have to start putting things on the same address.

 

Cheers,

Chris.

[Ynot]

Hmmm...

 

I want to buy a new car. What should I buy?

 

Sorry, but this is typical of the poorly posted questions that you'll find won't get many serious replies.

 

IF we could realistically advise you we'd need to know your budget limit (mini or Rolls Royce), range of use (school run or racing car), likely location to use (just up the road or European travel), and loads more.

BUT (more imoportantly) we can't really help you as only YOU will know what you really want, and how you want to use it. There are literally hundreds of products on the market and choosing one from many would be entirely biassed on individuals' preferences - which may be nowhere near yours.

 

Pick a specific piece of kit if you must, and ask about who might have real world experience with that and be willing to offer opinions.

[LXbydesign]

Well, you could hire 6 Mac Entour washes for less than that amount for 2 weeks.

[Ynot]

Well, you could hire 6 Mac Entour washes for less than that amount for 2 weeks.

Don't know about you, but where I come from Entour 250s come in WELL below that! 2 weeks for 6 would be likely less than £600!

[cho_drummer]

Hi,

I do appologise for the rather vague question. I am really not the most knowlegable on the subject of lighting. (I'm a sound engineer by trade), but those prices seem very reasonable, much more so than buying and I'd get much greater coverage than I would otherwise.

 

Are there any reputable companies you guys tend to use? Obviously a google search will throw up a load of companies but I'm not sure who's best to go with.

 

Again I'd ask you for a little patience on this as I'm really just trying my best with a subject I know little about.

 

Thanks

Chris.

[Ynot]

If you completed your profile info with more detail we may well be able to suggest some options for you, but as we presently have NO idea where you are that's a bit tricky....

(Other than the main national companies).

[cho_drummer]

Sorry about that, I've updated my profile now. I'm based in the Manchester area. The school is in Bolton (about 10 miles difference).

 

Cheers.

Chris.

[timtheenchanteruk]

Have a chat with Northern Stage Services, based in Oldham, they deal frequently with schools, and can give some good advice, and demo their kit. I have usd them may times and found them helpful.

[Sound In Gloucestershire]

http://www.lighttheway.co.uk/

[ChrisBogg]

PM Sent

[stevei]

hi

 

pretty vague about your requirements but here goes

 

if your strugleing with 575w lamps then you will really struggle with 250w unless you use quite a few then if you are doubling up on DMX addresses then it will be difficult to get full stage coverage from lights in different positions.

 

I would suggest more of the same or at least similar output martin do mac 700 now or robe 575

 

plenty of companies around

 

light the way have mac700's and entours and based nr huddersfield

HSL - blackburn they have macs and robe's

DBN - Manchester they have macs and robe's

 

hope that helps

 

steve