Martin Mac 250

[Ashley R]

Hi BR

 

I know there are topics out there on this allready, but the serch function dosent seem to want to behave with me at the moment (and it always been hit and miss in the past, I must be doing something wrong)

 

Anyway, was after peoples thoughts, opions and any little tips trick or things I should look out for on Martin MAC 250's and Martin MAC 250+'s that are obviously 2nd hand.

 

e.g. there is a common fault with this sensor, or this sheathing is likely to crack and short out, or the output is horrible etc. etc.

 

Or alternatively if you could link me to some threads allready discussing all these matters.

 

As I may be considering buying some, and well want to know if it would be a decent buy. (Cost is AUD $1400 a pair Inc Dual Martin flight case)

 

 

(Apolagies for spelling mistakes, as im typeing on a Japanese Keyboard, and dont have any spell check features that I normally use)

[Ynot]

Hmmm...

 

The original Mac 250 and 250+ are pretty old in ML terms now - and considering the newer fixtures on the market as new these days, I'd say that your $1400 AUS (about £870 GBP by my reckoning) is a little on the high side for such a fixture - even for 2 with a flight case.

 

However, a lot will depend on how these have been cared for and what they have been used on during the last 10 years or more. If they're out of a club, and haven't been out of the grid they could well have been worked hard for longer periods of time each day (night), in potentially higher volumes of smoke, and depending on the type of smoke that could have resulted in the optics being coated with grime.

 

And of course, lanterns that have toured and been hauled up and down from rigs may well have suffered knocks and scratches during their time.

 

Or ex-hire, they might have been treated with less respect than 'owned' gear.

 

 

 

 

[TonyMitchell]

I'd be very wary. Certainly round this side of the world there are lots of high mileage Macs on the second hand market, often for what initially looks like a giveaway price for a pair with a flightcase. The point is, if they weren't tired with intermittent faults appearing, the hire companies wouldn't just replace them for the hell of it... if you can work a fully depreciated asset for a few extra years that's a win-win situation.

 

I'd also second Ynot's opinion that the price you've been quoted seems on the high side and unless they are absolutely mint (inside and out), you could end up spending that much again to get an old model working as it should... and for how long? Personally I'd rather take the greater initial outlay and buy Mac250 Kryptons new, you're getting a better, brighter and current model luminaire, with a warranty. Not sure if it's the same over there, but certainly here there's still companies offloading "anniversary" stock of Kryptons at very keen prices.... unfortunately no Washes though...