Control/Dimming - EOS Laptop Dongle still available by registering?

[Morte615]

We have an EOS RPU that has been owned since 2008. Unfortunately no one ever registered the unit (at least not that I can find) we were using an ION to do programming, but have recently taken the ION to another location and it can no longer be used. We are wanting to use a laptop with a client dongle to do our programming and some non-show critical control items during our Halloween event this year. But since no one ever registered the RPU can we go ahead and register it and get the dongle for free, or do we have to purchase the kit from a dealer for $500?

[SteveB]

Have you maybe called ETC to ask ?

1 800 688 4116

The difficulty in asking here is any reply directly from ETC then becomes the "public" answer, for something they might not normally do (with 4 years elapsed) but have now committed to. Asking on the phone allows them the freedom to say Yes to you and not make it official policy.

[Chris15]

Not to mention, if you're on the phone to them, they can take your details and get it in the mail if that's the way they decide to swing...

[jglodeklights]

Officially that program has been discontinued. As others have said, no harm in asking. Keep in mind, if the answer is no, that the cost is for very real reasons of needing to pay people to develop and maintain the software for the Apple and PC platforms and thus worth paying over having to purchase another console.

[SteveB]

All true Joe, but I think what he was asking [EDIT] since it was free at the time they purchased but never took advantage of the offer, thus possibly ETC would provide free. Again, never hurts to ask.

[Morte615]

Yeah that's pretty much what I was asking. Another tech said that he wrote ETC an email and was told that it was only available through a dealer. But I don't think he explained about already purchasing the system and just never registering. The cost is not really an issue (there's a LOT of money in this company) but it's more a matter of trying to convince people that we actually need it and to spend the money. If it was only $100 or so I could probably get them to buy it no problem, but for $500 that becomes more difficult. Especially since we only need it 2 months out of the year!

So does anyone know if the dongle can be rented? I will be giving ETC a call when I get more information about what is going on this season and when I know for sure whether we will need it or not.