Road Tests

Harman’s lighting division, Martin Professional, has long been the innovator of new light technology, especially along the LED line. Following in the footsteps of their MAC Aura series, they have introduced The MAC Quantum Wash. Rather than concentrate solely on the LED eye candy trend, Martin committed themselves to a fresh new concept — using an LED source to create a stunningly bright, pure white light beam.

The Nexus product line from Chauvet Professional contains the latest in LED technology. There are three versions within the line: 4×1 linear strip, 2×2 block, and the award winning larger block version, the Nexus 4×4. Is it a blinder, wash light, low resolution video wall, or eye candy? The answer is YES! Yes, it is a LED audience blinder. Yes, it is a super bright soft edge wash light. Yes, it is a low resolution video wall. Yes, it is flashy eye candy. And yes, it can be used in many other creative applications.

It is nice to have a pleasant surprise once in a while. I had just that after ADJ, formally American DJ, sent me one of their latest products, the Vizi Beam Hybrid 2R. Let me start off by saying that this is not your typical DJ fixture. Think of it a crossover between a DJ light and a professional grade fixture — hence the “hybrid” reference in the fixture’s name. It truly is a hybrid, meaning that simple DJ setups can include a light that could also work well in a professional rig.

The new WATCHPAX media player from Dataton, the creators of WATCHOUT multi-display software, is a plug-and-play standalone unit designed to be used in situations where you need content distributed to several locations but don’t need or want a computer at each location.

Choosing a lighting console is a personal thing. Most programmers have a particular console that they love and worship. The Hog certainly has a dedicated following — so much so that the Hog 2 series of consoles actually had membership cards! I unfortunately was never a card-carrying member, but still appreciate the power and control behind the console.

Energy efficiency and fast action— that’s what’s on everyone’s wish list as of late.  We want the most out of a fixture with as little power consumption that moves like a bat outta hell. Having a fair price doesn’t hurt, either! Robe Lighting has answered these demands with the introduction of the Pointe. Let me start off by saying that regardless of how you hear it pronounced in Europe, the correct pronunciation is “point,” not “poin-tay.” I have it straight from the mouth of the people from the factory on that one! But that’s really besides the… well, you know.

The REDMX is a new lighting console from Italy-based RED Lighting, a manufacturer of entertainment lighting products. It provides a new approach to entertainment lighting control with the absence of a command line and numeric keypad. The manual is an easy 65-page read with color screen shots and a quick start guide.

With their intense beam, fast pan/tilt and dramatic aerial effects, fast-action beam fixtures have drawn notice from designers in recent years, not with just the aerial effects but the ability to make the stage itself look bigger. Chauvet Professional’s Legend 230SR Beam, launched earlier this year, is positioned as an affordable and versatile fixture that gives designers the tight beam looks they crave.