What It Is
The Pointe is a fast action moving head that uses the Osram Sirius HRI 280W lamp. With this lamp and the optics that Robe has built into the Pointe, the fixture is able to produce more than 75,000 lux at 20 meters. In other words, just about blindingly bright.
While not the only relatively compact, blindingly bright beam projection fixture out there, Robe’s Pointe has a point of difference — the ability to be operated in either Beam or Spot mode, adding to the fixture’s versatility.
Along with the different operating modes, there are an even wider array of options with the fixture’s built-in beam shaping and zoom range modes. When used in Beam Mode, the zoom range is tight (2.5° to 10°). In Spot Mode it opens up a bit more (5° to 20°).
What’s Inside
While not the tiniest moving head fixture out there, the Pointe is by no means a behemoth. Measuring 22.6 by 14.3 by 9.8 inches, we could present it with an actual size image if our magazine was about 10 inches wider (although I’d have to lay the image on its side, and edit this entire Road Test review down to a simple caption. And that’s not going to happen!) It weighs in an a relatively lightweight 33 lbs.
With a small package like this, you would think that there wouldn’t be enough room for a lot of extras inside. While not packing as many extras as the biggest fixtures out there, the Pointe’s combination of gobo wheels, color wheel and two prisms allow for a seemingly endless array of beam effect options.
For changing up the beam, the Pointe has two gobo wheels inside. The first is a stamped wheel of 14 gobos plus open. If none of the artist gobos catches your eye, you can replace it, though that means replacing the entire wheel — not easy, but doable. For custom or changeable gobos, Robe included a second wheel, with nine rotating and indexable gobos. Its Slot & Lock system is almost tool-less; you just need a screwdriver to pop the top and slide out the holder.
As far as colors are concerned, Pointe users can choose form 13 dichroic colors + white. These colors are pretty standard — they are the ones that designers rely upon, time and time again. If you want a different color, get ready for some bench time and delicate finger work — it’s not so simple changing colors out.
Everyone can use a prism now and then. Robe gave you the choice, an 8-facet circular prism or a 6-facet linear prism. Both prisms have variable speed rotation, expanding the user’s options even further.
At this point, you may be thinking, “that has to be it, there isn’t room for anything else.” But Robe begs to differ. Along with everything else, Pointe fixtures offer motorized zoom and focus, plus one more feature: variable frost.
Fast and Versatile
Like similar fixtures, the Pointe zips through its external pan and tilt motions in what seems to be no time flat. You could get a headache as it’s whizzing around, just trying to watch it. The internal components — wheels, zoom, prism and focus — move quickly as well. Everything about this fixture is fast.
One of my favorite Robe features is the menu system. It might not be the only thing you look at when making a purchase decision, but I really appreciate that the touchscreen is so easy to read for addressing and configuring the device.
Another nice Pointe feature is the option to run it by using built-in wireless DMX technology from LumenRadio. With it, you can forget the requirement to run 3-pin, 5-pin or Ethernet cable to the fixtures. Another Pointe plus: RDM, and all the other different protocols that Robe supports.
Depending on the level of control you want from the Pointe, Robe offers three DMX modes. First is the 16 bit control on parameters; second is the 8 bit control and third is the “ultra-pro” mode. Not just 16 bit control, but the inclusion of timing control for almost every parameter.
Summing up, I’d say the Pointe is a fantastic fixture. It can do whole bunch of things. Maybe you won’t always need a fixture this versatile — tool makers are still making Phillips-only and flathead-only screwdrivers; not every screwdriver has to have an interchangeable tip. But it never hurts to have a lot of options, either!
Robe Robin Pointe Features
Size: 22.6” x 14.3” x 9.8”
Weight: 33 lbs.
Lamp: Osram Sirius HRI 280W
Lamp Life: 2,000 Hours
Power Consumption: 470W
Certifications: cETLus, CE
Light Output:
• Beam Mode: 75,250 lx @ 20 meters
• Spot Mode: 82,400 lx @ 5 meters
Zoom Range:
• Beam Mode: 2.5° to 10°
• Spot Mode: 5° to 20°
Gobos:
• 2 Gobo Wheels: 1 interchangeable wheel (9 rotating/indexable gobos).
• 1 static wheel (14 gobos + open).
Colors:
• 1 color wheel (13 + open)
Effects:
• 1 eight-facet prism (circular)
• 1 six-facet prism (linear)
• Frost
• Zoom
MSRP: $7,660
