I was surprised today

[BillESC]

I got a pair of Chauvet's Q Spot 150 LEDs in today and set one up to play with.

OMG, so much brighter than I expected. Probably equal to an HTI150 fixture and yet it only uses a 20w diode. The movement is exceptionally smooth and it can be operated in either 8 or 16 bit mode.

Other features:

Lots of nice colors
Rotating (variable speed and direction) replaceable gobos
Rotating (variable speed and direction) three facet prism
Gobo shake
Variable speed strobing and pluse
Very smooth dimming
Can move in blackout (neat feature at the price point)
About the size of a Par64 can.

Q-Spot? 150 LED | CHAUVET Lighting

[chris325]

Wow. That looks really impressive, especially considering it's an LED spot, the first of which I have seen. How much do these cost?

[BillESC]

Wow. That looks really impressive, especially considering it's an LED spot, the first of which I have seen. How much do these cost?

I believe the MAP price is $ 699.95 but I'm at home and don't have the information on this computer.

[chris325]

I believe the MAP price is $ 699.95 but I'm at home and don't have the information on this computer.

Only seven hundred dollars? I gotta recommend these to my TD. Compared to, say, the VLX, that's incredibly cheap (in price).

[Pie4Weebl]

Only seven hundred dollars? I gotta recommend these to my TD. Compared to, say, the VLX, that's incredibly cheap (in price).

And in quality!

Don't for an instant think this is anywhere near being a substitute for a VLX.

[BillESC]

And in quality!

Don't for an instant think this is anywhere near being a substitute for a VLX.

Agreed, not in the same league at all.

For what it is at the price point, the Q Spot 150 LED represents a great value for application based usage.

Although I haven't had the pleasure of actually playing with one, Chauvet's Q Spot 260 LED boasts a 60w diode which should make it 3X brighter than the 150 and has two gobo wheels.

[JD]

I like the 14 pound weight! (A direction my back prays all movers will move in!)

[BillESC]

I like the 14 pound weight! (A direction my back prays all movers will move in!)

Got to love the weight. I installed two of them today in the community theatre that purchased them. Carried one up a ladder and hung it on a pipe without assistance.

I was still impressed with the output as the beam could still be seen against a stage wash of 500w lekos and fresnels.

[chris325]

And in quality!

Don't for an instant think this is anywhere near being a substitute for a VLX.

Oh, I know. I got to see the VLX and a lot of other high-quality LED fixtures at Illinois High School Theatre Festival this year, and I was blown away by the fixtures. Incredibly bright, beautiful color mixing, and much less power usage. Thing is, this Chauvet spot is the only LED spot I've seen, so there really isn't much to compare to. I would definitely choose a VLX anyday over a Chauvet spot (if price wasn't a factor.)

[bishopthomas]

I like this unit and would consider buying some if it didn't have the Chauvet name. Unfortunately I have to consider name recognition in my purchasing. I'm sure there's an Elation equivalent that costs 3x as much made by the same folks.

[BillESC]

I like this unit and would consider buying some if it didn't have the Chauvet name. Unfortunately I have to consider name recognition in my purchasing. I'm sure there's an Elation equivalent that costs 3x as much made by the same folks.

You can easily fix the name problem with a bit of black gaffers tape.

[bishopthomas]

Sure, for those who are LOOKING at the actual unit. But when I'm bidding on a job and the rider calls for MAC2000's which one are they going to accept: the Mac250's I'm building my inventory with or some Chauvet units? I'm not usually worried about riders, but for the few times a year I am I don't want to have to rent equipment while mine stays in the shop.

[Pie4Weebl]

Sure, for those who are LOOKING at the actual unit. But when I'm bidding on a job and the rider calls for MAC2000's which one are they going to accept: the Mac250's I'm building my inventory with or some Chauvet units? I'm not usually worried about riders, but for the few times a year I am I don't want to have to rent equipment while mine stays in the shop.

If they want Mac2Ks I'm pretty sure they will be pissed no matter which one you bring

[Lotos]

If they want Mac2Ks I'm pretty sure they will be pissed no matter which one you bring

Especially if they meant the MAC 2000 Wash

[JD]

Depending on which country you are from, this is either good or bad news- Although there is still quite a gap, the Chinese pieces are getting better and better. It may however be years before they gain wide acceptance on equipment calls. (Think Super Trouper)

[Pie4Weebl]

Depending on which country you are from, this is either good or bad news- Although there is still quite a gap, the Chinese pieces are getting better and better. It may however be years before they gain wide acceptance on equipment calls. (Think Super Trouper)

I'm a youngin', have super troupers not always been the golden standard in spotlights?

[derekleffew]

I think the point JD was making is that the Super Trouper wasn't successfully "copied" from its introduction in 1956 until the mid-'90s(?), when Lycian brought out the 1290. (Xebex in the 1980s never had much market penetration into the US, even with Berkey-Colortran selling it as the ColorArc.)

The Super Trouper is still the most requested followspot on artist's riders.

[bishopthomas]

If they want Mac2Ks I'm pretty sure they will be pissed no matter which one you bring

I'm just making the point that Mac250's are MUCH more rider friendly than some Chauvet LED's. I wish it weren't so, but that's the way it goes. I can cross rent when needed, gobos are readily available... The list goes on. If I were buying something for my band or installing them in a theatre then it would be a different story. I am in no way bad mouthing the Chauvet unit. I was only making the point that sometimes buying what you know will do the job (and maybe the best for the money) isn't always equivalent to what should be purchased.