Ok....I think I need to put in my 2 cents, considering lightingguy1's original post was from information that I posted.
Now, before I start, I want to just say that I agree completely with (and respect) Footer's opinion about the instruments being knock-offs of
Martin Products, and them not being as reliable as Martins or other brands (and a lot of the other information that other posters posted about not getting them) HOWEVER:
The NW Lighting FX fixtures are a reliable
fixture within reason. Yes, they company's home is in Washington State, and there are no other more-local re-sellers of this particular product. So yes, when they do break, you do have to ship them back out across the country. However, the only problems that I have had with them were (1) the fixtures arriving with a broken color wheel and
prism {which is not the fault of the company, that is the fault of the shipping company not being careful with a
flight case that says fragile on it} and (2) wear and tear on the fixtures for not transporting them properly - the only way I was able to transport them between theatres (I freelanced with them, and they otherwise lived in my garage) was in my Dad's truck - not the most reliable way to move moving lights around. So while yes, I have had some issues with them, I believe that those issues are not from the lights themselves, and that they are a reliable
fixture. Also, I have gotten rental martins (
mac 2000 profiles) that were even more unreliable - the fuses in the fixtures were blowing at least twice a day, to the
point where we had to take them back to the rental shop and get new fixtures (that worked fine)
Another thing is that I originally bought these fixtures to learn the concepts involving moving lights. I had some money saved up that I decided to spend - and you know what, my productions have been aided greatly by having them - I believe that they have been a good investment on my part. Not to mention the experience I got with them was amazing. No they are not
Martin fixtures - but, when I first used a
Martin this past January, I understood the concepts in both programming the
fixture and in how the
fixture worked and thought. I was able to comprehend how the light spun, and what each component on the inside was doing to make it work. I didn't have to question anyone about what a
prism or color wheel or pan or tilt was because I already knew what they were and how to use them. And I believe that that is the most valuable skill of owning my lights - I could practice for hours in an empty
theatre (I used my lights during the summer at a camp that I worked at), and truthfully hone my craft of programming moving lights - not something that I could do in 2 weeks of tech when I had to focus on incorporating cues.
So in short, while the fixtures may not be the best fixtures in the world, they do get their job done, and have taught me a ton about lighting.
So again, no disrespect to anyone on this board - I just wanted to contribute my opinion.
