Some quick numbers that make me think the way I do. A quick search for products has the following prices:
Right arm $1225.00
SeaChanger $995.00 (to much higher)
Then you probably want an EZ Iris so you can change the size. That costs $400.00+
Now add in the cost of a source four at about $300.
Without the iris I suggested the cost is $2520.00+ and with it is $2920.00+. Now keep in mind you can't do gobos (or if you do you just get the one) and you can't change focus (making that gobo useless if you did want the one). The cost of a used VL2500? Between $2000.00 and $2500.00 if you do your shopping. That means that for less money you get a light that is all in one and has more features, more punch, and more functionality. It has about the same moving parts and the only part that is inherently more expensive is the lamp, that give you a better output so it's worth it. Now you could argue that the VL2500 is a used fixture, but the prices for the the source four add ons were as well.
Lets go new.
Apollo Right Arm $1350.00
SeaChanger $1650.00
Source Four $365.00
Apollo EZ Iris $490.00
Bringing your light to a total cost of $3855.00. Now this light creates a lot of heat, has lamps that go out, can't change gobos, can't focus, can't zoom, has lots of moving parts that go bad, and has to be programmed as multiple fixtures (I realize that on new consoles they can be treated as one in programming, but they still all need to be patched properly to work that way.)
Lets look at a GLP Impression Spot One which is an LED light that takes less power, creates less heat, creates a brighter light output, has multiple gobos and spinning gobos, can focus and zoom, and is all in one.
$9849.00. Yes, more expensive, but 3 of these is far more powerful then 9 of the others and will last longer with less repairs and less operating costs.
Right arm $1225.00
SeaChanger $995.00 (to much higher)
Then you probably want an EZ Iris so you can change the size. That costs $400.00+
Now add in the cost of a source four at about $300.
Without the iris I suggested the cost is $2520.00+ and with it is $2920.00+. Now keep in mind you can't do gobos (or if you do you just get the one) and you can't change focus (making that gobo useless if you did want the one). The cost of a used VL2500? Between $2000.00 and $2500.00 if you do your shopping. That means that for less money you get a light that is all in one and has more features, more punch, and more functionality. It has about the same moving parts and the only part that is inherently more expensive is the lamp, that give you a better output so it's worth it. Now you could argue that the VL2500 is a used fixture, but the prices for the the source four add ons were as well.
Lets go new.
Apollo Right Arm $1350.00
SeaChanger $1650.00
Source Four $365.00
Apollo EZ Iris $490.00
Bringing your light to a total cost of $3855.00. Now this light creates a lot of heat, has lamps that go out, can't change gobos, can't focus, can't zoom, has lots of moving parts that go bad, and has to be programmed as multiple fixtures (I realize that on new consoles they can be treated as one in programming, but they still all need to be patched properly to work that way.)
Lets look at a GLP Impression Spot One which is an LED light that takes less power, creates less heat, creates a brighter light output, has multiple gobos and spinning gobos, can focus and zoom, and is all in one.
$9849.00. Yes, more expensive, but 3 of these is far more powerful then 9 of the others and will last longer with less repairs and less operating costs.