Hog 250 - 500 - 1000

[Daveslights]

I did a search and didn't find anything on this.

I'm looking at getting a hog 500, but may not be able to afford one so I was thinking about a hog 250. Does anyone know the differences, other than channel limitations?

I definitely want the 500, but may have to settle for now. I've been reading the Hog 500 manual and without the actual console in front of me I don't know what they mean by accessing the 'menu banks' through the key pad. The Hog 1000 has 4 menu banks, that the Hog 500 does not. Does anyone know the process of accessing more palettes that the one on the Hog 500?

[soundlight]

I wouldn't buy a hog unless it was made by Flying Pig and not Jands. I've heard alot of bad stories about the Jands hog boards, but much more successes with the Hog 500 and Hog 1000 Flying Pig releases. I don't know the exact timeline of the Flying Pig takeover of the Hog line, but I know that Jands still sells the Hog 500 and Hog 1000.

Also, depending on the size of the gig, you could run out of channels on the 250 pretty fast...I'd go for a used Hog 500.

[Dillon]

My Jands Hog 1000 runs great. No problems here. Plenty of memory and channels for my uses (all theatrical musical productions, 32 scrollers, 4 Mac550's, 250 conventional dimmers, 1 chameleon LED curtain).

To answer the original question... I'm not 100% sure, but without the menu banks (which is what I think you're telling me the 250 is lacking), you'll have to access the groups (or colors or positions or beam looks) by number (ie, [group] 5 [at] 99) much like an ETC Expression. One of the best things about the Hog IS those menu banks. Being able to label each of those buttons with a different group (or color or position or beam look) saves SO much time in cueing a show... no more having to remember channel or group numbers. I'd recommend getting yourself a 1000 (find the money somewhere), just for this feature alone. I have no idea what the difference is/will be between the Jands and Flying Pig models.

[Daveslights]

I'm hoping to use the Hog 500 as a stepping stone to get to a 1000. Get the 500, save more money sell it and get a 1000.

I'm talking about the 4 sections at the top of the Hog 1000, which I think are the menu banks.

it looks like there is one accessible palette. So it sounds like your saying that in order to get to more palettes I would have to use the keypad, to type Group 2 @ Color and then the number of the cue I want?

[SerraAva]

Its not quite like a ETC Express line. You take control of whatever lights or group you want, and then hit Position, Beam, or Color and a number to bring up that palette. So, fixture numbers or group (whatever number you want), enter, color (whatever number you want), enter. To view a palette list, press and hold the pig key and whatever palette list you want to view. Cues still work off of the palettes unlike an ETC console, which works off of what the value was at the time it was recorded.

The menu banks on the 1000 remove the extra key strokes above. Hit a group button or just select what you want and hit the palette button.

[dj_illusions]

I reguarly use my friends Hog 250, but wish I didnt.... they arnt that user friendly and are very hard to update!

[Daveslights]

Originally Posted by SerraAva

Its not quite like a ETC Express line. You take control of whatever lights or group you want, and then hit Position, Beam, or Color and a number to bring up that palette. So, fixture numbers or group (whatever number you want), enter, color (whatever number you want), enter. To view a palette list, press and hold the pig key and whatever palette list you want to view. Cues still work off of the palettes unlike an ETC console, which works off of what the value was at the time it was recorded.
The menu banks on the 1000 remove the extra key strokes above. Hit a group button or just select what you want and hit the palette button.

Thanks SerraAva! Thanks makes sense now.

Does anybody know if you can access these palettes via a midi input or with something like the "X Keys" (http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys/xk12884.php)

[derekleffew]

I'm late to this discussion, but wanted to try to clear up some misconceptions.

The Jands Hog 250 is NOT in the same class, nor does it use the same OS as the Hog 500 or 1000. Both of the latter use the tried and true FPS/HES WholehogII software. While High End Systems has discontinued the Hog 500 and 1000, they are still available from Jands, who has always made them, as I understand. I believe Jands has discontinued the Jands Hog 250, or so it appears on their website. The Hog 500 is perfectly acceptable and usable, provided one doesn't need more than one universe. It has one bank of eight palettes, and the user must press <group> <position> <color> or <beam> first to access them, or <pig color> to open them on the external monitor and select them from the screen with the cursor.

I can't speak to the Jands Hog 250, having never used it, but I would go with nothing less than the Hog 500. Just my 2¢.

Rather than "settle" for the Jands Hog 250, I think you would be much happier with Hog3PC and the appropriate programming wing and widget. But first, see this thread.

[Daveslights]

agreed that I would be much happier with HogPC, but after the widget and programing wing i'm looking at almost $6k that doesn't even include a playback wing.

[derekleffew]

I had no idea it was that much, but "Quality costs." Hog 500, used, $3799 US, 6633,00 €, $2750 US (may not be a true "Hog500"). Also check UsedLighting.com, their website seems to be down at the moment.