The Rayzor series of light fixtures from Elation has always been a dependable, affordable range of wash fixtures. The line that started out as a simple moving par fixture now offers much more, with brighter LED cells and the addition of new technologies like Elation’s SparkLED effect. With the recent release of the Rayzor 760, Elation takes the pancake style wash fixture to a new level.
While still a medium sized wash fixture, the Elation Rayzor 760 has a sturdy base and a larger-than-average head. The flat face features seven independently controlled LED cells. Each cell is comprised of a single Osram 60-watt RGBW 4-in-1 LED. With 420 watts of LED light power, this fixture now boasts an output of more than 8000 lumens of light. I wouldn’t hesitate to mount these fixtures 40 feet in the air to light any event thoroughly.
A Closer Look
The face of Elation’s Rayzor 760 is slightly bigger than similar models of pancake-style fixtures. One reason is the obvious size difference of putting 60-watt LED cells in a field that basically has six cells surrounding a single center one of the same wattage. The other consideration is the addition of the sparklers to the face. The wide aperture of the light enhances the sparkle effect.
The SparkLED are precisely what they sound like — a 2-watt white LED that looks like a spark of light. Four of these mini LEDs surround each color cell at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock spaces on the front. They are mounted directly next to each cell so that the white light catches part of the lens that covers the 60-watt cell. This makes the little white LEDs look even brighter, to the point that the face of the fixture appears to sparkle. While they sparkle enough to see from afar, there is no discernable light being emitted.
The “760” in the Rayzor 760’s name comes from the seven 60-watt LEDs. There are three different modes that can be used to program the fixture. The most extended one gives programmers individual control of each white pixel as well as the cells. This mode requires 80 channels, but allows the SparkLED effect to be pixel mapped easily. Elation feels most programmers will opt to run these in RGB pixel mode, which offers individual control or the colored LED cells, while the SparkLEDs can be programmed with different effects in a macro channel. This mode only requires 50 channels. A basic mode with 25 channels is also offered.
In Use
I take the light for a test drive, ignoring the SparkLEDs for a while. I shine it on a wall some 30 feet away and see a fairly flat field of light with soft edges that drop off quickly. The beam is perfectly round and tight at the defaulted 5° zoom angle. I slowly zoom the light outward, spinning the encoder wheel forever it seems. That’s because this little gem of a light can zoom to an incredible 77°. While not lightning fast, the zoom is quick when you consider the wide range it has to cover going from zero to full. It fills that range in under a second. Elation had the foresight to design the zoom function so it can be overdriven. This means the user can zoom down to a tight collimated beam and then drive it further, so there’s now a hot spot and maximum output from the light source. Clever thinking for this type of fixture.
I have the dimmer curve set up as perfectly linear, though there are variable curves one can select to use. The 16-bit dimming is flawless to my eye, with barely a glow at 1 percent intensity. The electronic strobe acts as one would imagine, executing sync and random modes at various speeds.
I check out the pan and tilt speeds. The fixture is as fast as one would expect from an open faced fixture — extremely quick. One gets a bonus here as the Rayzor 760 offers continuous pan and tilt ability at variable speed. The fixture reacts flawlessly to any movement FX. I do notice that I have to slow the movement effects down considerably to make them work well with this fixture, due to the high speed with which it could go from one focus position to another. I test the fixture out for focus accuracy, going from a fixed focus to a continuous pan and tilt at a high rate, then release that function. The fixture comes back to the precise focus position flawlessly.
The Color System
Color-wise, I am quite pleased by the output from the RGBW cells. The CRI of the 60-watt LEDs is smartly set at 80. The blue is a decent medium saturated color. The red does really well. I’d go as far as to say this red is the best one I’ve seen out of any LED fixture in the last couple of years. There are linear color temperature presets ranging from 2700-8000K. An additional color channel can be used for preselected colors.
I check out the half-color use by turning the odd cells white and the evens red. While it’s not a hard edge fixture, one can still see different colors in the beam. I write a chase that alternates the red and white cells, flashing quickly. It gives me an interesting effect for a wash light. There’s a channel for macros that gives us some cool effects that provide eye candy. I write a rainbow chase that makes all seven cells change to assorted hues and the beam of light looks ultra cool with the wide lens aperture.
The SparkLEDs also have various macros that are still being tested and added to as I write this review. With the cells off and all the little SparkLEDs on, I don’t get any beam, but they are bright enough to notice from 100 feet away. I can imagine pods full of these lights sparkling as a nice backdrop in a camera. It’s just a fun option to add to almost any show. The color temperature of the SparkLEDs is 4500K, designed to look great on camera.
Other Specs
Hardware-wise, this 24-pound fixture can easily be lifted by the two side handles built into the base. With dimensions of 13.5 by 10.3 by 16.3 inches (LxWxH), this baby may take up a little more real estate than other medium sized pancake wash lights but can still easily be stuffed into little corners of any set and sit flat on its base. The six-button touch panel makes patching a breeze and it comes with a 180° reversible function for ease of use. There are 5-pin XLR in/out connectors as well as RJ45 EtherCON in/outs for Art-Net and sACN inputs. RDM support is also included. There is a USB connector for firmware updates along with a wired digital Communication Network. The self-switching power supply can be fed 100-240 volts through a PowerCON TRUE 1 connector, and the fixture offers power through to daisy chain them easily. The fixture has an IP20 rating.
The fixture gets warm to the touch, but will not burn anything. It has a fan in the back that takes air in and blows it out the sides of the fixture. This keeps smoke fluid and dust from accumulating inside the fixture.
At a Glance:
A Versatile Fixture that Sparkles
This light has something to offer for everyone. Besides being perhaps the best medium sized open faced LED wash light in the biz, the SparkLED function gives it that extra little nudge one will definitely want to take advantage of. Concert designers, nightclubs, storefront designers and trade shows should all take note of this fixture.
Elation Rayzor 760
PROS
- Bright flat field of light, wide zoom range, ability to over-zoom the beam, ability to achieve saturated colors, continuous rotation of pan and tilt, SparkLED effect.
CONS
- None
SPECS
- Main Light Source: Seven 60W Osram RGBW LEDs
- Zoom Range: 5-77°
- Pan/Tilt: 360° continuous
- DMX Adjustable Refresh Rate (900-25000 Hz)
- Six-Button Touch Panel
- Full Color 180° Reversible LCD Menu Display
- RDM Support
- 5pin XLR DMX In/Out
- RJ45 EtherCON In/Out (Art-Net, sACN)
- PowerCON TRUE1 Power In/Out
- Eye Candy Bonus: SparkLED (28 2W white LEDs for FX)
- Color Temp Range: 2800-8000K
- Maximum Wattage: 600W
- Size: 13.5 x 10.3 x 16.3” (LxWxH)
- Weight: 24.3 lbs.
- MSRP: $4,800
Manufacturer: Elation Professional
More Info: www.elationlighting.com
