You might also want an
iris if using it for
theatre. I find myself using irises a lot with moving lights in
theatre for pin spotting or highlighting. The
Power Spot 575IE from Elation has an
Iris, and also weighs 10 lbs less then the regular
Power Spot 575. That 10 lbs is a blessing when handling and moving them. Great
fixture for the price. There also isn't a 250w out there right now that will keep up with or out shine a
Power Spot 575, not even the
Mac 250s. The closest lower powered lamp is a
Mac 550s 400w lamp. I can also tell you from side by side they out shine a Studio Spot 575 by a fair margin, which is closer to a 250w by today's standards.
Elation's Design Spot 575 E puts a
Mac 550 ($6200 or so) to shame in all but
power consumption for the price, but costs more then a
Power Spot 575 at 4 grand a piece, much more then your price range. The Design Spot 250 is very nice at $1800 a piece. Its a
Power Spot 575 IE with
frost and a 250w lamp basically. I would agree with you however that a 575w
fixture is better for your application then a 250w. You will find yourself wishing for the 575w often, like you said. I know I do.