Conventional Fixtures - The continuing saga of finding the perfect followspot

[NHStech]

I am pulling out my hair, but thanks to all on this forum who have helped so much. This website is a Godsend.
I have posted before on followspots, and I am trying to decide on one. Does anyone know anything about TimesSquare Moons (575 and 1200)? What about anything made by elation? I am looking at the Lycian mini-arc, as they would be the safe bet given their brand name. But, it looks as if the Moons and the Elation pro utilize some brighter lamps (575 HMI and 575 MSR). Any thoughts on either of these units or, for that matter, the Imarc Phoebus 200? Thanks again.

[BDS0111]

Why don't you tell us a little bit about how you want to use them?? What is the throw distance like? Where do you want to put them? What is the power like where you want to put them? What is your budget like?

[derekleffew]

None of the brands and models listed will have build-quality or performance even approaching the Lycian.

The list goes:
Lycian, Strong
Robert-Juliat






Selecon
Altman
Phoebus



Times Square

Others

[JD]

The Moons should be excluded. You can not change colors as there are three permanent filters. Very strange.

Get a Strong, or go with the Lycian. More up front, but you will not be kicking yourself later.

[BDS0111]

I agree also that some of the models in the original post should be excluded but lets face it...follow spots, especially Strong and Lycian, are expensive!! Strong and Lycian are the best in my opinion, but may not be right for him depending on his needs.

Tell us more about your needs, throw distance, venue, what are you operators like?? What kind of shows/events are going on in your venue?? You budget???

[tomed101]

Also the filters in the Moons are terrible. The colors they chose look awful.

[NHStech]

Thanks to all for your responses. I didn't put throws or anything because I had posted earlier on a different thread, but I suppose background info can't ever hurt. We are a high school with a 1200-seat auditorium that is, as our rigging inspector put it, "a working museum." Our throw is about 75', from the front of the balcony. Occasionally (rarely) we may have them close to our control booth at the top of the balcony (was the old projector room), so the throw is then about 100 ft. We have two coves each of about 12 ellisposidals/source 4s above the house. Onstage, we have two strips (about 30 fixtures each), one of really old fresnels, the other of etc par cans We use the follows perhaps a total of about 50-75 hrs a year. My operators are high schoolers on my stage crew. I am not sure of the peak FCs on the stage because I do not have a meter, but perhaps the prior info can give you an idea. Presently, we use two Trouperette IIIs from the 60s. They can be seen only in the dimmest of conditions.
Perhaps this info can facilitate some recommendations, as it appears my hope for an endorsement for the times squares appears dead.

[waynehoskins]

Since the Trouperette is a Strong, that maybe might speak well to your powers-that-be for a basic Trouper or Super Trouper, depending.

The other options that comes to mind are Lycian's Super Arc and Clubspot. The standard 1275 Super Star is a little overkill, preferring a slightly longer throw, which probably means the Super Trouper is in the same boat.

In fact, thinking about it, I did a dance show in a venue with a similar throw to its spot booth a few years back and rented a Super Arc for it. The Super Arc was a perfect fit. Nice blue light, not a halide like the 1275.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by NHStech

...Presently, we use two Trouperette IIIs from the 60s. They can be seen only in the dimmest of conditions. ...

The Trouperette III was sold from ~1975-~1995. IIRC, the Trouperette II used a 650W T/H lamp and the Trouperette I a 1000W or 1500W incandescent lamp. If they are infact T-IIIs, are you using 1000W FELs in them? You might try the 750W GLD lamp. Although less wattage and lumens, the higher color temp and superior filament design may allow the beam to appear brighter. Cleaning reflector/lens train/optical path could gain you as much as 25% more output.

The additional information does help a great deal. The next step up would be either an HTI 400W or HMI 575W source, but not from one of the "off" companies you listed. Since quality fixtures using these sources are indeed much more expensive than the incandescent units, I would suggest renting. Or have you considered moving the existing Trouperette III's to one of the cove positions to shorten the throw? Obviously, some modifications to the yoke/stand would need to be made, and it would be less convenient for the operators.

You're indeed in a precarious predicament. Good luck.

[JD]

Don't forget the Lycian Midget 1209
(HMI 575)
Although there is no zoom like the Trouper, at a fixed distance, it is a very nice spot.