Micro-Scope 3a

[mattevans]

Does anyone have any experience on the Micro-Scope 3a DMX Test Unit from Artistic Licence.?

 

I am looking to buy one, but want to know what they are like before I fork out about £400

 

The item can be found at http://www.artisticlicence.com/item26.htm

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[gareth]

They're really useful pieces of kit - cable tester, moving head tester, DMX analyzer, DMX backup, small memory replay unit, all in one box!

 

BUT .... don't expect any lamp library support whatsoever from AL. Having determined that the newer Martin and VL fixtures weren't on the fixtures page on their WWW site, I e-mailed them to ask if there was any chance of getting them added. The reply was basically "if you want them, you write them - we ain't going to do it for you". Pretty shoddy, if you ask me. But apart from that, and the fact that they rip you off for an extra £80-odd for the MicEdit programming cable, it's a great thing to have in your toolbox.

[oh lordy]

Hello,

 

Buy Buy Buy theses are fantastic. Would highly recommend have use mine for years now no problems. Better I think than something to attach to your palm top.

 

Only very slight downside is you can only recharge them no ability to put new batteries in and no indicator as to when it is getting low. But never let me down at a bad time and have used it to back up shows and even ran a show off it.

 

This has to be a must for all tech tool cases.

 

Oh Lordy

[mattevans]

Thanks for your comments so far guys.

 

Is it worth buying the updater lead which is about £80?

 

Does anyone know how easy or difficult it is to write a new profile for a moving light?

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[gareth]

Is it worth buying the updater lead which is about £80?

If you don't you're stuck with the moving light definitions as they are when you purchase the unit - that is, woefully out of date. If you want to rearrange the order of the fixtures, add new ones and delete redundant ones for tidiness, you have no other option. It also allows you to do patching, program the 12 backup states, etc. from your PC, which is much quicker than doing it from the unit's keypad. I still think they should include it in the basic package rather than stiffing you for an extra £80, but ..... :D

 

Does anyone know how easy or difficult it is to write a new profile for a moving light?

It's not really too difficult. There's some slightly odd terminology going on in the editor, but all in all it's fairly easy to get to grips with. You can download the MicEdit software for free from their website. This is what's used to communicate with the Microscope from your PC. Give it a try, see what you think. They do have a 'lamp library' page on their website also, but it doesn't seem to have been updated for at least 18 months.

[mattevans]

Hi Gareth

 

I appreciate all your advice and comments.

 

I can't get MicEdit to open on my Win XP Pro Laptop but oh well.

 

I think I will purchase a Micro-Scope 3a as soon as funds allow

 

Thanks again

 

Matt

[oh lordy]

Hi Matt,

 

I have a cable but never use it apart from when it lost power and decided it wouldnt go into all the modes. The moving light software is less important as I find it better to right cues and play them back for the channels you want to test. This is done on the box its self.

 

Oh Lordy

 

PS if you want one let me know and I will see if I can get a good price for you.