need to buy cheap console to rent out...

[Daveslights]

I did a search and didn't really see anything on the topic. Basically I have some technobeams and we want to buy a console to rent out with them. It just needs to be fairly easy to use for someone who doesn't know a lot about lighting, but I would also like it to be decent for someone who does know lighting, and under $1000.
I know there is the NSI MLC 16, but I would kind of like something a little better and maybe not a joystick.

[mike1023]

If all you are doing is controlling technobeams, go with the technobeam controller. Very easy to use, although not really a good tool for running cues. If you are setting up loops, presets, or a couple basic looks it works great. Manual can be found here:
http://www.technobeam.com/pub/produc...le/Tblcd10.pdf

I did a quick search for this product on yahoo and came up with this.
www.ruehlingassoc.com/usedstore.htm
A fellow member on this board (fxdrew) works for this company. You could prob contact him for more information.

How would you or the renter be using the fixtures???? Theatre, Concert, Architectural????
Might be able to find a Jands Hog 250 or a Status Cue for that budget, these consoles will give you more flexability. If you go with the Status Cue, make sure to read the manual, the way it is setup is very unique.

http://www.gearsource.com/products.c...pkid/7051.html
http://www.highend.com/pub/products/...nual/statq.pdf

[Daveslights]

It's for concerts, but I guess potentially anything - including theatre and corporate stuff.

I didn't even think of a jands 250 I'll check that out.

[gafftaper]

If you could be a little more specific about what you want the console to be able to do you'll get much better responses. How many lights? All conventional lights? Intellingent gear? add as much detail as possible about specific intelligent gear.

There have been several threads about low end consoles so do some searching. NSI has it's fans and sworn enemies around here. Jands products seem to be looked on favorably. What about a Zero88 products?

Don't forget that ETC and Strand both have lower end products. They might be out of your price range but worth taking a look. The new ETC Smartfade and Smartfade ML are both pretty slick and there's also the Strand 100, 200, and 301.

[BillESC]

For lots of power, control and memory take a look at NSI's MLC 128R. It has a MAP price of $ 1049.13 but can be had for lots lots less.

[JD]

At the very low end of things are a couple of controllers that actually give you a lot of bang for the buck.

The Chauvet DMX55 ($199) is pretty simple to use and will control 12 sets of lights (16 channels per set) and has 240 programmable scenes.

The Elation DMX Operator Pro ($329) gives you that, plus includes a dedicated section to run standard DMX stage dimmers as well.

Depending on who you are renting to, sometimes simple is better! (I like the Technobeam controller above, but something about having a key switch on a rental board worries me! .... 5 minutes to showtime, "Hey! Who has the key??)

[Daveslights]

Are these boards better than the NSI mlc16? I want it to be simple, but not too simple. I've used the mlc16 before and feel like it is simple enough, but I wouldn't mind something with a few more features like movement effects.

This will be mostly for moving lights, and sometimes LED fixtures (par 64), possibly a combination of the two.

[JD]

Originally Posted by Daveslights

This will be mostly for moving lights, and sometimes LED fixtures (par 64), possibly a combination of the two.

Generally, if you've used a board before and liked it, then at least you know what you are getting. If you like the 16, and it's in your range, then by all means. The one tidbit that stands out in your post is that you may mix in conventional lights. The protocol for scene switching for movers is different than what you would want for stage dimmers. What works well for movers may be awkward for conventional lights. High dollar controllers usually let you mix protocols, but inexpensive controllers rarely do. That may make the Elation unit interesting. (Owners manual- http://www.elationlighting.com/pdffi...PERATORPRO.pdf ) They show a list price of $439, but usually dealers mark it down into the $329 range. It has a separate 8 channel section for control of stage dimmers. Still, you may want to do a bit more research. Most of the sites these days have pdf's of the owner's manuals.

EDIT:
Just a small clarification about the protocol bit- With stage dimmers, you generally want a "master" that proportionally dims the channels. This of course would not be something you would want the movers to see as they read specific values for certain tasks. (such as "lamp out after 3 seconds" at a certain value!)

[Daveslights]

anyone ever use a Celco Navigator?

This console isn't really for me. I have software that I use for myself. Just looking to rent this out with some lights.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by Daveslights

anyone ever use a Celco Navigator?...

Probably my third least favorite console, behind Compulite Animator and ETC original MicroVision (non-FX).