iColor 3 Single Head

[Jimbo55 0]

Bought these today.

 

Seem well made. Takes the 500w halogen bulb x3. Units are supplied with bulbs (£1.00 each from B&Q). They have a 'Twin' mounting Bracket that allows them to be floor mounted. Foot controller and a control unit is supplied with all cables required. Control unit is powered by a 'wall wart' transformer. Power cables to lights are of a generous length (5m). Supplied Dmx cables are about 5m long too. Units are DMX controlable with a microphone buit in each unit for sound to light control.

 

I was worried that the 1500w output for each light would be too much, but a dimmer control will take it from off to full brightness and still allow chase/spectrum modes to perform without change. There are 12 chase modes and 32 spectrum mix colours that will run from the slider control or sound to light. You can hold and dim any of nine base colors. If you hit the 'Full On' button then full power to each bulb is given no matter what mode you are in. This results in a white light output. There is a 'Black out' button that will gently fade to off. Speed and fade time is adjustable.

 

I set them up in my 'Practice Room' and spent the afternoon Having 'a play' and learning how to drive them. First thing to do was turn of the fire off as at full brightness you can feel the heat from the lamps several meters away. Units are fan cooled and the case only just gets warm to the touch. The lenses get VERY hot.

The sound to light is resonably responsive but to be fair the controls offer a lot of adjustment and I got better at it as time went by.

 

Will post more after the first time out with them. First impressions are very good. great for colouring a room for slow dances while offering good sound to light colour chase and changes. Will make excellent lighting for Band or karaoke.

 

Jimbo

[DJ SPARKO 0]

Sound very much like the lights i have although not to sure on the name i think mine are called 'mad 4s' not a recent up to date set of lights although sound much like what yours do as mine have a mic, with the options of moving to the sound, a slow version (for the smoochies) a strobe and a stand by option. although yours sound alot better than mine therefore i see a great buy and should enhance your show

 

like i said not to sure on the specs but they provide 5 diffent shapes and colours that alternate at your wish

[brianmole 0]

Product page

http://www.prolight.co.uk/images/products/images/340_0_m.jpg

 

So, how much was it?

[FDDJ 0]

I have been looking at the 4 head version of these (we have needed some contollable "dead" lighting for ages) and have seen a twin pack including flightcase, two tripods, normal controller, foot controller and leads for around £490.

 

I thought this would be good for hiring out to light bands as well.

 

Clicky Click

 

[Kingy 0]

I bought 2 sets (ie 4 heads) of the 3 way lights a couple of weeks ago to light bands with. Before that I used to use cabaret colours. These units are great, I have had no problems with them at all, however I have changed the lamps to 300watt versions because if I put all on (to get white) 4 heads draw around 25 Amps!! Using 300watt lamps makes virtually no difference to the output but saves a heck of a lot of current, loading at around 14 amps!!

 

They look great on the bands from the audience point of view.

[ChrisPointon 0]

I use the NJD Quartet and NJD Spectre for this type of effect, and it is a great feature to hire out to bands whom we may work with.

 

These are a cheaper version of the NJD lights, but do much the same thing, with the added advantage that you don't need to pay extra for a controller as you do with the NJD Products. Plus the 500W bulbs are cheaper too - 50p from the local market http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

[jeffwall 0]

You can get 500w/300w/200w/100w in 100mm haqlogen tubes, may be worth downsizing the tube to 300 if it gets too hot

 

branded lamps in halogen a must in my opinion...osram, Gec, phillips, etc etc

[Jimbo55 0]

Did a long reply but it seems to have disappeared!!

 

Short version

 

£325 or £329 can't remember ...I have filed the invoice now. This is for the 2 heads, contoller, foot controller and all cables and bulbs.

 

Jimbo

[ChrisPointon 0]

They also have the Acme 4 colour version available Here for £124.00

 

Optional foot controller is £32.80

 

[Kingy 0]

I saw the four way ones, but because I wanted to run 4 heads they drew too much current when all on.

[NJD 0]

Would a product plug be bad etiquette?

 

If not, then I can tell you that Spectres are now available in a kit: 2 Spectres, 1 SFC hand-held controller, and all the leads in a flight-case.

 

(so you don't have to pay extra for the controller)

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (NJD @ Dec 14 2005, 09:34 PM)

Would a product plug be bad etiquette? If not, then  I can tell you that Spectres are now available in a kit: 2 Spectres, 1 SFC hand-held controller, and all the leads in a flight-case. (so you don't have to pay extra for the controller)

A product plug, on a related thread, such as this, or a "What sort of colour mixing light should I buy" is fine. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

You can even elect to become "retailer" (for forum intents and purposes) where you can do one pro-active "plug" for special offers, promotions etc, every month.

 

Eg: New range of Event Wheels for the NJD event projector... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/whistling.gif

Edited December 15, 2005 by Gary

[transeurope 0]

NJD, seeing as we are discussing the relative merits of the Acme vs NJD, can I put two points to you that I faced when I purchased my Cabaret Color?

 

Undoubtedly the Spectre is capable of a lot more intense colours, somehow, however the bulbs it uses are extremely expensive and additionally the whole unit is not very successful at lighting an audience space, more appropriate for stage use only.

 

Also the controller for the Spectre used to be ludicrously expensive.

 

Care to share an opinion on this?

[ChrisPointon 0]

Transeurope, whilst I agree with you entirely on the bulb issue and the many ££'s difference from some retailers between the Theatre lamp used in the NJD Spectre and the domestic R7 floodlight tube used in the Acme, I don't agree that the spread of light from the Spectre is only restricted to stage use.

 

If you read my post in the 'How was it for you' from last weekend you may have seen mentioned that I used a pair of NJD Spectres to light the large high roof at a function at Chester Cathedral. The Spectres were simply positioned on a lighting bar at either side of the stage and pointed upwards, and it was more than enough 'throw' to light the high roof space front to back, and give an ambient level of light for the rest of the room. In fact I was quite pleasantly surprised how effective they were, hence the comment on the post in the other section.

 

I have often used the Spectres for room lighting purposes at functions where clients have stated that they only require a more relaxed level of lighting, rather than conventional fast moving effects and find that when used at between 50 - 75% on the controller dimmer they are more than enough to light an average function room for 100 or so guests. (Which is a good job because the reduced light output means greater bulb life http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif ).

 

I also confess to buying the Terralec 4 colour version to compliment the Spectres and will give my comments and a review shortly. However I brought this Unit for stage use, because in my mind it is more similar to the R7 + gel design already used for years in conventional footlight rows for drama and theatrical use.

 

But the bulb cost (and poor bulb life) of the Spectre is likely to be the biggest bugbear, and being the owner of them myself I must admit that it is a big factor for DJ's who may use them on a regular basis, and where a band may only use them for 20 or 30 min sets, DJ's will tend to use them all night, often 4 or more hours a time. Even with the Bulb extender switched on, the Spectre lamp life is largely disappointing http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sad.gif .

[NJD 0]

QUOTE

Undoubtedly the Spectre is capable of a lot more intense colours, somehow, however the bulbs it uses are extremely expensive and additionally the whole unit is not very successful at lighting an audience space, more appropriate for stage use only. Also the controller for the Spectre used to be ludicrously expensive.

 

We did design it for stage use! but I'd agree with Chris that it does find use elsewhere - there are currently 42 of them lighting the columns and the bell tower of Nottingham Council House.

 

Oddly enough, the first prototype Spectre had R7 linear lamps, but they don't work with dichroic filters and we didn't want to use gel, or standard coloured glass filters.

 

Manufacture of the Spectre was moved abroad somewhat before the controller, so the Spectre price dropped before the controller price did, and there's as much processing power in that controller as there is in the rest of the product, so the cost of the microprocessor is a significant part of it.

 

As for lamp life - Osram had a bit of a problem a while ago with the A1/244 and air leaks - the lamp fails and goes either black or yellow (giving the appearance that they might be full of custard). They seem to have it sorted out now.

 

Also make sure you have 240V lamps. I know Harmonised Document 472-S1 of the European Community says that we all have a 230V supply, but its a higher 230V supply* in Britian than it is in the rest of Europe. That's why the manufacturers still make 240V lamps.

 

*Britain's is 230V +10%-6%, Continental Europe is 230V +6%-10%, so ours is 240V, theirs is 220V just like it always used to be!

[Jimbo55 0]

Used the lights for the first time yesterday. I placed them on the top bar of my stand at 45 deg upwards to the ceiling. Used the doors to adjust them so that light did not hit any of the guest 'Face On'. Messed about with the chaser. Used supplied controller. Used 300w instead of 500w bulbs as only two sockets available. Combined output for show. 1Kw (4amps) sound and 2.7 Kw (12 amps) lights. I prefer to use seperate socket for sound. You can change bulbs in seconds. Ran them with 4 x dynamos and 2x moon flowers

 

Well chuffed http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

The effects from the stand looked unimpressive. From the floor and the back of the hall http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/cool.gif The mix of colours is amazing, sound chase is good this can be varied with the controller as can the way the colours mix. The hold function is great. I.E. fade out chase into red for slow dance or any other colour of your choice.

 

Jimbo

[transeurope 0]

Thanks for your response to my question Chris and NJD.

 

Government Health Warning Transeurope is very suspicious of explanations of product cost that involve those damn pesky European workers and their labour costs.

 

NJD: Granted the microprocessor in the controller, I am sure, is rather expensive, however I cannot see how moving production to Asia is going to change the price of the unit, if the microprocessor is the main cost? As far as I know microprocessor manufacturing costs are not really labour related to any significant degree?

 

I am sorely aware of the fact that bulb manufacturers go through bad batches.

 

As a sidenote I would love to hear from the retailers who pride themselves on service etc...how many times have you credited a customer because of a faulty bulb? I have yet to come across one that does (admittedly I have not purchased bulbs from those retailers that are good enough to frequent this forum).

 

It has to be said though that lighting effects from Chinese manufacturers seem to have no problem with this variable voltage issue compared to those from their UK counterparts. The lamplife of Chinese units in general is significantly longer than that from their UK cousins. This is a design issue surely? Either something to do with the thermals of the unit or the way it handles incoming power?

 

I still don't understand why NJD had to use such an expensive bulb in the Spectre. The Acme Cabaret Color has glass that appears to me to be dichroic. Am I wrong?

 

Chris I know the Spectre can be used for crowd illumination, but to understand what I am talking about you would need to see the Spectre used first then the Cabaret Color. I have done a straight A/B comparison using the Spectre of a band playing before me then changing to the Cabaret Color. This happened accidentally because I was playing in a venue with limited space, so to help overcome this I started the gig with a limited set of gear and kept rigging as the band derigged.

 

No word of an exaggeration, when my Cabaret Color went on the crowd actually made an "oh" noise. There is quite simply no comparison.

 

Lest people think that I am bashing NJD, again I have to point out that the colour control on the NDJ unit is far superior and if I were JUST illuminating a stage, I would have a much more difficult choice to make.

 

Thanks.

[Jimbo55 0]

Used them again last night was working with a live band and used them to light the band. Band thought it was "Pretty Cool". Used 500w bulbs

 

The venue was a very clean and spacious hall white walls and a high white ceiling. I could and did paint the hall any colour I chose. Used them with my knight spots and Falcons. The hirer thought it was Awsome.

 

The lights are definately a good buy. Still yet to use the supplied foot controller.

 

Jimbo

[NJD 0]

To answer a few questions. . .

 

There's a HUGE cost saving in manufacturing in China - hence the dramatic reductions in price of the Datamoon, Spectre, DMX250 over the last two years.

 

I have only briefly seen the other units mentioned. You can tell if glass is dichroic by looking at the light that reflects off it. Look at the light reflecting at an angle off the filter, with the lights off. A blue dichroic filter will reflect yellow, a blue coloured-glass filter will always look blue. (The green filter reflects magenta, and the red filter cyan).

 

Having seen a few Chinese lighting effects I doubt very much that they all have better lamp life - the cooling on some of them is quite appaling. The only explanation I can offer on lamp-life is that the transformers are not as efficient, so the lamps get a lower voltage - life is increased at the expense of light output.

 

 

 

 

[superstardeejay 0]

I'm sure NJD are well aware of their competition, in particular a certain manufacturer in the far east is producing a 'silver' spectre look-alike complete with barn doors which is distributed by several UK brands.

 

These 'copies' have certain disadvantages when compared to the spectre, the most annoying one being that the DMX channels are simply in control of the three internal dimmers which makes the mixing of specific hues, and colour-balanced dimming very fiddly with a standard generic controller.

 

A second annoyance I find when servicing them is that sometimes when powering them up, the dimmer triacs 'blip' on and if all three 'blip' at the same time, it can blow the mains fuse. I suppose it's due to bad triac selection in the design, probably due to what is called dv/dt triggering.

 

 

[transeurope 0]

I have already pointed out that colour control is superior on the Spectre.

 

However I must take issue with your classing of the Chinese article a "copy".

 

Dicrolights and piano lights have been available in Germany since the 80s and NJD have only recently become known in that market on a significant scale. Even now they are not really well known.

 

I am pretty much allergic to this "copy" thing as you may note in other posts.

 

Products take on a recognisable form factor, that's life. We all know what a bleach bottle looks like, what a fabric conditioner bottle looks like and also a wine bottle.

 

Are these all copies also?

[superstardeejay 0]

Well here in the UK it's been NJD who've visibly pioneered the Spectre-type lights, the only similar ones I can think of from a UK manufacturer were the Technotronics stage flood units which needed external dimmers and were more like an 8-lamp version of a Quartet (or the JB systems Dichrolight) Everyone else seemed to jump on the bandwagon later.

 

Amusing story: I once had a customer who complained his Spectre would only display white.....turned out he'd had the dichroics out and scoured them with a brill-o pad!! Made them all clear.

 

What makes of DMX stage floods are common in Germany, T/Europe.?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[transeurope 0]

Whoa now....let's make sure we are all singing from the same page here.

 

DMX dimmer lights were not common in the early 80s in Germany, I must hasten to add, but dichroic (externally dimmed) dimmer lights were, and before that plain old coloured glass ones were.

 

As for brands, well up until about the mid 90s, German dealers were every bit as superior to their customers as British ones now are...that's the reason why there are so few left!

 

Frequently you purchased these things with either no brand name, or the brand name obviously removed....from a dealer whose idea of customer service was to smirk at you when you started asking reasonable questions like "who makes this?"

 

This kind of carry on was resented in Germany and DJs started trying to figure out who made all the CD players, who made all the lighting effects and so on. Meets were held where people contributed as much information as possible.

 

This basically resulted in more effective new dealers who undercut the old smug dealers and so on ad nauseum until the situation got ridiculous and virtually everyone was a dealer. Then a big shakeout happened.

 

Big boys took over the show, buying in bulk, holding stock, ya know...all the things that shops are supposed to do.... and cutting prices.

 

My original point was that the form factor of the Spectre and the Cabaret Color was already well established in the 80s as being non-brand specific. There are only so many ways you can package 3-4 lenses or 6-8 lenses in a box.

 

These days the brand leaders are undoubtedly Thomann, Showtec, JB Systems, American DJ and the various brands that Musikstore Cologne uses. Off the top of my head I can't remember if Eurolight do such a fixture, but they are another common brand.

 

People don't really pay attention to the brand much anymore for these kind of generic lights.

[superstardeejay 0]

Oh ok. No problem, what you mean is the basic colour mixing concept has been around, yes I'd agree, our old English teacher used to have the coloured gels in front of the footlights in the school hall aligned with the dimmer channels so he could tint the stage any colour he wanted, off those old Furse rheostats!!

 

I just remember the NJD PLASA debut of the spectres and the awe of the audience was tangible. I dont think there are many of the DMX variety where the maths behind the hue, saturation and intensity is done for you, outside of CMYK theatre fixtures? Well I'm still impressed.