Board Upgrade Part 2

Stoldal

Stoldal

Active Member
The admin at the school i am helping at does Not want to get a ION, but they are going to get a different board then the innovator 600. They still want to go with a levitron board, I don't know why tho. The board they are thinking of getting is the 8700 Series. I am hoping for the 8700 GX.

Has any one used this board?

any comments about this board?

Thanks!!

MAtt S
 
That makes no sense... is it because they have to stay with Leviton to avoid bid change order markups? Do they understand they are getting a second class brand of console?
 
I do not know, i just send a email asking them about it. From the specs on the web site is look like it is going to be a better board then the innovator.
 
Talk to them about students learning an industry standard console, even if its just an express. Leviton definately isnt anywhere in the professional relm. And I have had to explain to schools even though they have leviton dimmers they do not need leviton consoles, same with schools that have strand dimmers do not need strand consoles. I'd tell the admin, its the same as the school teaching their students how to use windows 3.1 rather than something newer.
 
How different are the prices for the 8700 Series GX from NSI, and ETC ION?

I still have not found out why they are staying with NSI, but i think now that are more open to changing to board. I think it may have some thing to do with the theatre being delayed by 2 months, just a thought.
 
While I can't speak specifically to price point I do want to chime in here that the choice of an industry standard board, be it an Express of some flavor or the ION, cannot be understated. Buying a Levitton board will be huge disservice to those that will learn in this enviroment. There really is no comparison in my eyes. One (the ETC) will provide a skill set that will be with them for years; the other will be a set that they will likely have to forget when the get to professional equipment. Not to mention the service support that ETC will provide as opposed to Levitton.

Lord save me from those administrative types pinching pennies and reading sales literature as gospel.
 
meatpopsicle said:
While I can't speak specifically to price point I do want to chime in here that the choice of an industry standard board, be it an Express of some flavor or the ION, cannot be understated. Buying a Levitton board will be huge disservice to those that will learn in this enviroment. There really is no comparison in my eyes. One (the ETC) will provide a skill set that will be with them for years; the other will be a set that they will likely have to forget when the get to professional equipment. Not to mention the service support that ETC will provide as opposed to Levitton.
Lord save me from those administrative types pinching pennies and reading sales literature as gospel.
Click to expand...

Strand Palletes as well, ETC is not the only one out there. Or you could always go the hog PC route.
 
Strand wouldn't at all be a bad option, it's still fairly common, and who knows about the ION / Pallette wars. It's a very legitimate option, especially if you're a Strand man. (Though some users here might disagree).

I wouldn't say a hog PC route necessarily, though I actually don't know of very many (at least nearly) professional grade PC options for specfically theater boards. Which isn't that surprising, because you usually want the hardware especially for theater stuff.
 
the admins are asking for a rough price of what the 8700 series costs, the ION, and a strand Palette. Any help, plz, and thank you
 
List price for the 1000 channel version is $6,750.00
A 2x20 wing list price is $2,300.00

Neither of those include factory training. If you can get your local dealer to provide that for free, then more power to you. However, if you get the factory to provide training for your site, then it is going to be a cost adder on top of theat pricing. (I am not saying it is going to be 15k, but it might be more than the price listed here...)

A 1500 channel and 2000 channel version are available but are POA (Priced on Application) Those pricings will usually come with factory training included in them. I have no idea what those pricings will be, you would have to talk to your local dealer and get them quoted.

You guys have to remember that the 1K version was designed to go into High schools and community theatres and the like. To price it that high would have put it out of the marketplace.
 
Do you guy think that 1000 channels is going to be enough, if i did my math right for a one to one patch i will be using about 500 channels, is 500 channel enough room for the future.

I think it is going to be, but what do you guy feel.

Thanks
 
Let's also remember here that channel really translates into device and output. Meaning that on this console, when you patch a moving light, it takes up 1 channel. However it does eat up as many outputs as there are attributes on the fixture. Your thousand channel desk has 1000 outputs. If you buy the first thousand, ETC will throw in the next 24 for free. (you actually have 1024, or two universes of DMX out of the desk)
 
for most shows 2 universes is plenty. 1 for dimmers the other for movers. If the mover universe actually gets filled up then start stacking more movers in with the dimmers. So far i have never had a highschool, and very few professional shows needing more than two universes. I know several schools using hog 500/1000 and they only have 2 universes. Also most highschools have between 96 and 192 channels of dimming.
 
Well i am sold on the ION, but it is just now how to get the admins sold, I have a meeting with them tomor, would it be fair to say 10-11k for a ball park price, The price includes the 1000 channel version,
A 2x20 wing and two LCD touch($400-500 each). I know i have to get a price from a local dealer, but i just need a price to give them a idea.
 
Mstoldal said:
Well i am sold on the ION, but it is just now how to get the admins sold, I have a meeting with them tomor, would it be fair to say 10-11k for a ball park price, The price includes the 1000 channel version,
A 2x20 wing and two LCD touch($400-500 each). I know i have to get a price from a local dealer, but i just need a price to give them a idea.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the Radio Focus Remote, which you are going to be screaming for in short order. Add about $2,000

SB
 
SteveB said:
Don't forget the Radio Focus Remote, which you are going to be screaming for in short order. Add about $2,000

SB
Click to expand...

Important point. This should be included with the package. Don't ever spec a console without a RFU. And wireless makes it so much better.
 
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