I'm not sure about details on how the EDI Bijou operates. But from the Demo I saw at LDI it seemed perhaps a little too similar to an Express, so I'm guessing it's very similar on how you can patch channels. They don't seem to have a picture of the 24/48 model on their website. They show pictures of the Bijou Plus instead. The basic Bijou doesn't have the row of subs across the top or the encoder wheels... it looks a lot like an Express.
As for your Strand hate. Have you test driven a new one? Even though I would call myself an ETC guy, I'm quite happy with mine. At the time my new theater went to bid the option was to get a new Strand console or an old Express, so I'm very happy with the choice to get new technology. If I had to choose between Ion and Palette today, it would be very hard for me to decide. ETC makes excellent equipment and has a stellar reputation but... but they don't make a product in the price range we are talking about, for the customer we are talking about here. I know Strand has not had a great customer service reputation in the past. But I have to tell you they have worked VERY hard to take care of all my issues. Heck, at one point things went bad and they flew in a top guy from the other side of the continent, on short notice, to make sure I was taken care of immediately. I think with the buyouts in recent years new ownership has changed some things at Strand for the good. Perhaps the amazing people at ETC have forced Strand to improve in order to keep in the game. Either way, my customer service experience continues to be excellent from Strand.
Remember that both Ion and Palette are just PC's with a really nice interface. There are very few things you can do on either console that you can't do on the other as well (and if there is something good on one, the competition is likely to be add it to their own in the next software update). Strand gives you a choice of like 7 different console styles to choose from all running the same software. So that basic model runs the same software as their tricked out Light Palette consoles that cost like $30k more. One really cool thing about the Strand approach (that I believe is not possible with an Ion/Jr) is that there is a master USB key inside the console. If your console goes down, pop the hood, pull the key, and plug it into any computer with the Strand software, connect the computer to the network, load the show and in 5 minutes you have a fully functional light console again.
Finally, consider what you are getting with the Basic Palette for that price. While in the pro world many laugh at a console with only 100 channels, there are many venues where they want something with some legs to it but the extra $2k to move up to an Ion is a deal breaker. The Bijou is a nice console at a great price, but it's extremely limited compared to the Palette's software. There's Smartfade. Lehigh, Zero88, Leprechaun, Leviton/NSI all make some decent memory consoles. Some of them are very "Express like", some are "Express like" and add some nice modern features as well. I was very impressed with the new console from Lehigh at LDI... very user friendly and "Express like" but adds a lot of great features to make intelligent lighting easy. Unfortunately, it costs more than Ion. When it comes to bang for your buck in that $3k-$5k range I see no serious competition for Basic Palette. Reconsider your hate and take a test drive!
EDIT: I just got a PM from Derek that Bijous seem to be selling on line for higher than I was told by the sales guy at LDI. Not sure what to make of that.
As for your Strand hate. Have you test driven a new one? Even though I would call myself an ETC guy, I'm quite happy with mine. At the time my new theater went to bid the option was to get a new Strand console or an old Express, so I'm very happy with the choice to get new technology. If I had to choose between Ion and Palette today, it would be very hard for me to decide. ETC makes excellent equipment and has a stellar reputation but... but they don't make a product in the price range we are talking about, for the customer we are talking about here. I know Strand has not had a great customer service reputation in the past. But I have to tell you they have worked VERY hard to take care of all my issues. Heck, at one point things went bad and they flew in a top guy from the other side of the continent, on short notice, to make sure I was taken care of immediately. I think with the buyouts in recent years new ownership has changed some things at Strand for the good. Perhaps the amazing people at ETC have forced Strand to improve in order to keep in the game. Either way, my customer service experience continues to be excellent from Strand.
Remember that both Ion and Palette are just PC's with a really nice interface. There are very few things you can do on either console that you can't do on the other as well (and if there is something good on one, the competition is likely to be add it to their own in the next software update). Strand gives you a choice of like 7 different console styles to choose from all running the same software. So that basic model runs the same software as their tricked out Light Palette consoles that cost like $30k more. One really cool thing about the Strand approach (that I believe is not possible with an Ion/Jr) is that there is a master USB key inside the console. If your console goes down, pop the hood, pull the key, and plug it into any computer with the Strand software, connect the computer to the network, load the show and in 5 minutes you have a fully functional light console again.
Finally, consider what you are getting with the Basic Palette for that price. While in the pro world many laugh at a console with only 100 channels, there are many venues where they want something with some legs to it but the extra $2k to move up to an Ion is a deal breaker. The Bijou is a nice console at a great price, but it's extremely limited compared to the Palette's software. There's Smartfade. Lehigh, Zero88, Leprechaun, Leviton/NSI all make some decent memory consoles. Some of them are very "Express like", some are "Express like" and add some nice modern features as well. I was very impressed with the new console from Lehigh at LDI... very user friendly and "Express like" but adds a lot of great features to make intelligent lighting easy. Unfortunately, it costs more than Ion. When it comes to bang for your buck in that $3k-$5k range I see no serious competition for Basic Palette. Reconsider your hate and take a test drive!
EDIT: I just got a PM from Derek that Bijous seem to be selling on line for higher than I was told by the sales guy at LDI. Not sure what to make of that.
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