Review of Optima MonsterDMX Controller

[derekleffew]

So back in November I purchased this controller, just as a toy to play with my LED ParCans. It can control up to 12 16channel moving lights. It's far from a SmartFade, but still is a fun toy. It's a "preset-style" console which is annoying, but what can one expect?



And here's what it can do with my three LED ParCans (Chauvet COLORsplash Jr. PAR38 in the middle)

[soundlight]

It's actually PAR83 as they spec on the site, because it supposedly originally had 83 LEDs (before they found space to fit three more). Just thought I'd share that with you, since you seem to have a vendetta against the "PAR-83" nomenclature of this fixture.

[avkid]

How bad does it hurt in the wallet department?

[soundlight]

97 bux from bulbamerica.

[derekleffew]

Sorry, link fixed. $97; the least expensive DMX output device I've ever seen. (Thought I think it was $89 when I bought it).

[soundlight]

Cheaper than the monster: http://www.fullcompass.com/product/335263.html

Looks like a nice unit for setting LEDs with the "hold last value" method.

But it really only has 6 channels.

[porkchop]

Originally Posted by soundlight

Cheaper than the monster: http://www.fullcompass.com/product/335263.html
Looks like a nice unit for setting LEDs with the "hold last value" method.
But it really only has 6 channels.

Oh AMDJ.... there's a huge difference between 6 channels in Hold Last mode and 12 16 channel fixtures. for the extra 30 bucks I would go for the dynamic control ability. Plus how many intelligent fixtures can you play with if you only have a 6 channel output?

EDIT: question, if I wanted to control say a S4 Rev, could I use the monster and set fixture 1 to chan 1-16 and fixture 2 to 17-whatever to get adequate control of the fixture? If so the thing is a steal as long as you don't need more control channels (I think there's another tread somewhere that has that issue.....)

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by porkchop

...EDIT: question, if I wanted to control say a S4 Rev, could I use the monster and set fixture 1 to chan 1-16 and fixture 2 to 17-whatever to get adequate control of the fixture?...

Yes. I'm currently using my 3 ParCans all as Fixture#1, with channels (1>4), (5>8), and (9>12). But it won't really do a cue stack, so is only workable as a disco controller.

[porkchop]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Yes. I'm currently using my 3 ParCans all as Fixture#1, with channels (1>4), (5>8), and (9>12). But it won't really do a cue stack, so is only workable as a disco controller.

Ok so it might not solve all your problems if you need an add on controller, but it still passes as very cool in my book.

[JD]

Looks a lot like the layout of the Chauvet DMX55. I found that to be an amazing little board for the price although awkward to program on the fly. The only thing missing on the Optima is the joystick, although its somewhat useless on the Chauvet anyway.

In the micro-board market, the DMX-70 looks interesting too, as it "appears" to allow you to program 14 data channels without having to page back and forth. Might be a nice board for those small club shows where you have no idea what's about to happen on stage