Chauvet Good or Not?

[Cody Lawson]

This is my first post!!! Anyway I wanted to know if Chauvet is a good lighting company or not. Our church is looking into getting some products from them.

Thanks,
Cody

[NdEd]

There are too many different things from Chauvet to give a blanket thumbs up/down rating. For some churches there are some Chuauvet fixtures that are ideal for working within a tight budget situation. For other churches, they are just not adequate. Which Chauvet devices are you thinking about using? Are you adding them to an existing system (lightboard and other fixtures), or is this a special stand alone situation?

[Cody Lawson]

We will be controlling them using the ShowXpress software controller. We are thinking of getting 6 Intimidator 1.0 and 3 LX10's.

Thanks,
Cody

[zactommo]

Chauvet are the cheaper end of the market(but definatley not the cheapests). As long as you have realistic expectations of what your going to get out of the Chauvet fixtures, you should be fine.

When buying new, you get what you pay for.

[Esoteric]

Chauvet fit in for me just below Martin and Elation...

There is a place for them, but don't think you are getting even Martin quality at that price.

Mike

[waynehoskins]

They're not Lightwave or Selador, but if your expectations are realistic they can be useful.

[Esoteric]

Are you sure the Chauvet are the best buy for the money and for what you want to do?

Mike

[theatre4jc]

I would never by Chauvet unless I just wanted some cheap truss warmer LEDs for a specific set. I would never depend on them on a week to week setup. Me and Esoteric can argue for days about which company we would put near the bottom of the quality of intelligent lighting lists but one thing we will agree on is Elation, Chauvet, American DJ and all similar brands are not worth the money. I view Chauvet and ADJ fixtures as temporary solutions when you need something that second and money is to tight to buy something nice, but again I would never put them in a situation where I am always dependent on them.

[RonK]

Ditto all the replies thus far

[NdEd]

Originally Posted by Cody Lawson

We will be controlling them using the ShowXpress software controller. We are thinking of getting 6 Intimidator 1.0 and 3 LX10's.

Thanks,
Cody

Those type of fixtures typically require a VERY DARK room to be of any impact. What type of light show are you working on? Do you have a "hazer" in the mix? If this is a youth room that wants to hold dances and parties, then they might be OK. If these are for a main stage production in a worship center, then I think you won't be happy with them.

[tomtv]

save your money for purchasing a product that will not discourage your leadership to trust you for future purchases. bring both in for a demo and show anyone that you need the differences and they will justify the price themselves. demo your leaders at some level and they are bought in WITH you in the process. could even build the relationship too.

give me 4 great fixtures over 10 crappy ones every day!

brands are only the name and many are almost equal when given the big picture. who will take care of you, service you and most of all not lie to you should be a large part of your decision. this is just one guys opinion though.

[mderksen]

I can attest that anything other than using their LED's for truss warmers it's not worth the risk. when we built our current church building about 3 years ago we were new to the intelligent lighting gig. We went with Chauvet because they fit the budget. but after a few years of repeated failure and terrible support I will tell you to RUN AWAY FROM CHAUVET. We had 10 fixtures (4 wash, 6 spots) and we have had to ship back 12+ times. this is over 100% failure rate. if Your on a budget like most us churches then go with Elation, or buy some used quality fixtures from Solarisnetwork.com or something like that.