Blizzard led's

[remdim]

Hello,

I've been renting Blizzard Pro-Par tri's a few times now and really like the color/intensity for concert lighting. They do, however, suffer from the instant-on visible 'kick' of the led's....no sneaking them in from black. I've tried slowing the low-end of the instrument's dimming curve but that didn't solve the problem. Anyone else have experience with these?

I'm guessing this is why they are at this price point (~$350). The Pro-Pars also are not able to be turned on/off via dmx. Still great lights at that price, but the lack of subtlety is keeping them at a 'rental-only' for me.

Thanks!

[Esoteric]

I mainly use the Rocklite series from them.

Technically all LEDs (period) have that momentary "click on" between 0%-1%. But in some units the software and electronics can overcome this and make it invisible to the human eye (just like all LEDs flicker on video, it is the nature of the beast, but the high end units will avoid frequencies that video cameras normally operate at so that you will never "see" the flicker on video, but if you try hard enough you can see it). Some are better at it than others (for example the $10k VLX appears to have no "click on" even to very sensitive trained eyes, while the cheap $50 China Inc specials have a very noticable "click on" effect even though technically both have a "click on" at a certain percentage).

I have found, for the average viewer the Rocklite units, ColorKey LEDs, the higher end Elation and Chauvet gear don't have a noticeable "click on" moment. I can see it, but most people can't.

It will of course be easier to notice coming from a solid blackout as well. Often when I use LEDs I never go completely black. Which is why mostly when I use LEDs in theater I go with higher end units for finesse.

But there are tricks to get around it.

Mike

[remdim]

Cool; I'll have to check out the Rocklites sometime. I haven't seen them at any of the rental houses around here but I'll try to dig a bit deeper.

If I'm remembering right the colorkinect colorblast 12tr's I've had didn't have a noticeable click-on. They're much more expensive however.

[waynehoskins]

I used to have some of the Rocklites. Great little LED, especially for the price. If they and a bunch of speakers and such weren't stolen from the storage unit a month ago, I'd be using them for Easter this weekend.

[Esoteric]

Yeah, let me know if you want to replace them and I will work with you on the price.

Also there is a difference between a click on and a noticeable click on. Even the CK and VL units have a click on but the other hardware overcomes it and it is not visible to the human eye. But like you said they are on a different level price wise. Even the PL1 the lowest end VL unit goes for $1700.

But Strand will release some units in the $500 range early next year that promise the quality of the PL and VL fixtures in a budget range.

Mike