Martin Lighting

[D.X 0]

What is it about Martin lights that make them so much more expensive than the rest ???

[DJGAVT 0]

Build quality I would say is one big factor with Martin Lighting. My Martin stuff is still going long after other gear I own breaks down. Plus I think Martin stuff looks so much nicer than gear made for example by ACME, Kam or Prolight. Also think the optics on most martin stuff is much nicer.

 

But now people will disagree tongue out icon but everyone can have there own view :Thumbup:

[spinner 0]

R&D probably has something to do with it.

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Have to disagree about Martins optics being better. The optics on the ACME range are fantastic. You only have to look at the Dynamo scans to see this, there only 100 watt effects but as bright as most or even brighter than some 250 watt effects !

[DJGAVT 0]

Have to disagree about Martins optics being better. The optics on the ACME range are fantastic. You only have to look at the Dynamo scans to see this, there only 100 watt effects but as bright as most or even brighter than some 250 watt effects !

 

That may be but no offence they look so cheap to me and dont look like they would last for the years a martin scanner would.

[spinner 0]

they look so cheap to me and dont look like they would last for the years a martin scanner would.

 

 

I bought a set of 4 Acme Scimitars when Terralec first imported them ( around 10 years ago albeit not branded "Acme"). They're still in immaculate condition and performing faultlessly.

[Andy Westcott 0]

My Martin experience is a bit limited, owning as I do just a pair of Adventureres & a pair of Destroyers.

However, they are all well over 10 years old and apart from bulb changes and a microphone replacement, they are still working perfectly.

 

Speaks volumes for me and I will try to by martin in future, and hope they haven't gone downhill in the quality control.

[infinity disco 0]

Have owened 4X MX1's and 2X Acrobats for over 5 years never had a problem with them ran through the showtime controller they give a top notch light show

[DJGAVT 0]

I have 2 Martin Wizard Extremes and 4 812 Scanners none of which have had a problem (had the 812's for about 6 years and only changed 3 bulbs, the wizards over a year and never changed a bulb) Also owned Martin Acrobats for 5 years and never had a problem. Also owned a T-Rez and a raptor none of which ever broke down on me.

[nrgize 0]

I have 2 Ego's and 2 martin T Rex's.

 

The ego was £250 and now I could get a dmx twister for that price like my abstract Extreme twisters, but they are great build quality, same with the t-rex, only changed the bulb in both lights twice since i had them!

 

Shame with Abstract Lighting tho, they used to be well known and used by most DJs, and now they dont even offer much on their website, just LED products !

 

 

 

Cheers

[Corabar Steve 0]

My oldest bit of kit is a martin light that was at least 8 years old when I bought it second hand 10 years ago. Still works perfectly

[Gary 0]

I think with Martin lighting it's a question of function, durabilty, ease of replacement parts and the optics.

 

I have a pair of Martin Entours. Coming up on 2 years old, and no problems at all.

 

They also have a range of useful features, such as bulb timer, DMX lead tester, manual adjustment of all motions etc. I like the way that all the parts inside are modular - and if I should ever need to, each section (eg: Gobo wheel 2 motor etc) can be replaced fairly easily.

 

I Like the newer models too, the latest having slot in gobos - literally, there's a slot on the outside of the head casing, which you just eject the current gobo, and pop in a new one, just like feeding a coin into a coin slot.

[D.X 0]

Well that's answered my question then :Thumbup:

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

So how good are the Martin T Rex i know they are not dmx but how good is the effect ?

[superstardeejay 0]

I agree, its build quality, components, design, ease of use and servicing, durability and pedigree. You strip one down for a clean or service and then do the same with an Acme and you realize straight away the difference.

 

 

[norty303 0]

I'll start by saying that i own a number of Mertin lights and like them all (bar the Ego range that have a tendancy to blow boards that makes them uneconomical to repair)

 

It's worth bearing mind that Martin buy themselves a lot of market share through their marketing tactics. The reason why lots of venues and touring companies have them is because they offer great deals to installers and touring co's alike. When the Mac500 came out they virtually gave away lots to the big companies which lead to them being the 'industry standard' moving head for a long time. Whether they were better than the competitions offerings is open to debate, and if you ask theatre and pro lighting ops which they prefer to use and maintain it'll often be one of the less well known competitors. However, for the averageman on the street, the lighting company they'll most likely have heard of is Martin. Very clever.

[JCarey 0]

Just to answer the question about the t-rex.

 

A band I come across from time to time has one. They point it at the ceiling. It's an excellent effect, bright and wide range of coverage.

 

As an owner of an Acrobat, but not a DMX user, I'd go a T-rex if the Acrobat had to replace. Coverage not as good but still impressive.

I bought one of the last acrobats from Thomann. In two years I've only had one bulb change and there is a story for another time to go with that.

 

I've said this before if your doing a couple of gigs every week in the long run your better off with the more expensive better built equipment. If your doing a couple of gigs every few months then why tie up money Some will sneer but a couple of mushroom type lights used as they were designed will do a great job for those of you who don't work that often,

 

John

[TopNotchEntertainment 0]

well guys

 

martin lighting whatever you say is plain & simply put

 

high quality gear, long lasting, and easy to use

 

also the gear is easy to maintian, and reliable.

 

if you shop around for the deals... you will get the gear for a great deal less that the retail pries quoted.

 

the martin label seems to have had a reputation for expensive, and rightly so... to keep the gear at good quality costs money.

 

whay do you think that the cheaper lights fail early or dont seem to last as long..... build quality & quality of board componants.

 

the martin service backup is the best..... try getting a dmx board or gobo wheel out of KAM or Prolite within 3 days !!!

 

theold addage of

 

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

 

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

 

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

 

Spot on.

[titansounds 0]

I wouldnt buy anything else but martin gear, ive had destoyers, pinishers, acrobats, mac250s, minimacs and the quality of the stuff is amazing, they just seem to get stronger as the years go on!

 

4x Mac250s and 4x mx1 scanners and you wouldnt need to buy anymore lighting ever!

[norty303 0]

Don't discount some of the gear from other manufacturers though, just because it isn't so high profile as Martin. If you're spending Martin money, there are quite a few options open to you, often better value for money with equally good support networks, just not so visible in the DJ store arena.

 

I think one of the bargains of the second hand market has to be the old Futurelight MH660. Basically became the Robe 250XT (which had a few minor problems it has to be said) but nonethe less a great featured head at a great price now.

[TopNotchEntertainment 0]

well as i pointed out earlier

 

where could you get parts withing 3 days off the shelf with other manufacturers

 

the chinese parts tend to have long waiting times for parts !!!!!

 

and other unusual kit ... tends to go through different suppliers ... so again time !!!

 

what you need is kit that is reliable .... easy to service... parts available

and minimum downtime if it fails !!!

 

martin products though expensive...... give all the above

 

thats what you are paying for !!!!

[norty303 0]

where could you get parts withing 3 days off the shelf with other manufacturers

 

Most other higher end manufacturers have a good support network, but it might not be so instantly obvious who they are, because of the lack of public profile. Don't forget, on tour you have to good support, but its not always Martin units you see is it.

 

 

the chinese parts tend to have long waiting times for parts

 

I never mentioned the Chinese, Futurelight and Robe are Eastern European.

[JCarey 0]

Anybody know what brand of bulb Martin used to put into the Acrobats? Had to change mine last year, just not as bright as it used to be. The one I put in is a long life lamp which is one factor. I have cleaned the lens but there was little dust.

 

Thanks

John

[BK Sound 0]

You cant go far wrong with Osram bulbs