showtec phantom 250- theatre applications?

[coolfxwithlx]

Hello All,

 

While reluctant to start yet another topic on 'cheap' movers (which I know is not our favourite topic), I was just curious about possible theatre applications for Showtec's Phantom 250 spot and/or wash units...

 

My university is looking for budget movers, who knows why, and is seriously considering buying some of these... HOWEVER, are they any good for use in theatre?

 

I only ask as I know many schools who have also invested in these units and if I could get some opinions as to their noise levels, quality, any severe issues besides maintenance (all the usual) from those in the know.

 

Thanks a lot for your time !

(Mods- please feel free to move if believe already answered elsewhere...cheers)

[Mr Steve]

No experience with that unit, but this recent thread may be of interest : Phantom 250

[Floydey]

Noisy fans

[coolfxwithlx]

Cheers guys,

 

Having only had experience with higher end fixtures, and no idea about these units in particular, this has helped a lot.

 

Thanks for your time http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

[mac500]

Might be worth suggesting another 'cheap' brand. Chauvet would defiantly worth a look at. Chauvet Q-wash 560 spot looks very good from the videos.

[LXSX]

1338327536[/url]' post='441456']

Might be worth suggesting another 'cheap' brand. Chauvet would defiantly worth a look at. Chauvet Q-wash 560 spot looks very good from the videos.

 

I did see one of these the other week I was very impressed with the zoom a good light for the money I'd say the motors / fans weren't too bad either !

[Paul J Need]

Agree with the post above - the fans are noisey so not great for theatr - also the colour mixing is average. So in short, the Phanton a great budget unit for rock and roll and club applications and very cheap!

 

Agree with the suggestion for the Q-wash 560, yes a little more expensive, but good fan noise, very quick, and colour mixing superb. I have used the Q-Wash units for a mixture of events including the usual, plus opera and theatre.

[rossmck]

Another vote for the Chauvet Q-Wash 560 (even the BBC use some of them) or the Showtec Expression 33000 (which I believe is pretty much the same fixture)

 

Slightly higher end of the budget movers the Showtec Expression 8000 Q4 Zoom (no, I don't know where they get their model numbers from either) is pretty impressive and has some nice colour mixing.

 

These are both considerably higher priced than the Phantom 250 however.

 

On the moving spot side of things the Chauvet Qspot and Showtec Indigo are worth a look. I use a number of Indigo 4500s (now discontinued, so good prices to be found) alongside my Mac 250 Kryptons and the output is comparable and perfectly usable in smaller scale theatre productions.

 

[ Again, in full disclosure, I am associated with a company that sells both Showtec and Chauvet products but I do also use these in my own work and this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the company etc etc ]

 

 

[Jivemaster]

Ask your supplier what the spares situation is, Usually with the cheaper stock there are no spares. Are you prepared to lose a whole head for the first component failure.

[Ashley R]

Although one advantage of chinese rebranded stuff, is that if you find someone else stocking the same product, but with a different badge, you can buy spare parts from them.

 

For example, I now source a large amount of the parts that I need to repair all kinds of chinese lights from my local Acme distributer, Just a matter of hunting down what Acme light I need the part from.