Chauvet 200b rgb flood

[trcons]

Ok folks, I would like to run RGB floods this year. The Chauvet 200b is about 130.00 is ac powered and is dmx controlled. It is not weatherproof, but somebody on another forum figured out a way around that. It is available today which is the major sticking point on some of the other options I have read about on the forums. It seems to me like a good deal. What am I missing?

Tom

[typoagain]

I am looking at adding DMX to my system next year. RGB follds are something thatI will probibly start with. Those and a product at HolidayCoro.com called coro stars.

Anyway, I thought that since I know nothing about what I am doing, I found a cheap option to learn on. It's a RGB flood that fits into a weatherproof housing and cost a LOT less.

Several members on other boards have delt with this guy and they all have good things to say. So you might consider looking at what he has to offer.

Just do me a favor and let me know it this would be a good project for a bevond-stupid-and-inexperienced beginner!

OH! Here is the link - http://www.christmasonmanor.com/rainbowfloodlight/rfl.htm

PS. He has other products that also kind of look interesting.

[chilloutdocdoc]

Pre-made DMX lights do offer some convenience over the ones that we have to build, mainly, that they're already built. There are a ton of options out there, and you all have to consider what option you want to go with, what fits your budget, and your layout. The Chauvet posted has a beam angle of 45* which means it's a bit more like a spotlight then an wide floodlight.

Whatever floodlight you do choose, if you choose to build it yourself, be sure to check the resistors and make sure that things are working properly. LED's are VERY sensitive devices, and unless used properly won't last long.

[budude]

Anyway, I thought that since I know nothing about what I am doing, I found a cheap option to learn on. It's a RGB flood that fits into a weatherproof housing and cost a LOT less.

Several members on other boards have delt with this guy and they all have good things to say. So you might consider looking at what he has to offer.

Just do me a favor and let me know it this would be a good project for a bevond-stupid-and-inexperienced beginner!

OH! Here is the link - http://www.christmasonmanor.com/rainbowfloodlight/rfl.htm

PS. He has other products that also kind of look interesting.

Those are from DIYC member 'ponddude'. They are fairly easy to build and put out a good bit of light. I've built four of them for my setup this year. I would recommend not installing the RJ45 plugs and hardwiring them however as the plugs do stick out past the sides and may get in the way depending on your particular enclosure.

Keep in mind that these are not a fair comparison to the OP. These still need a controller, enclosure, cabling and power supply to complete them. It will still be cheaper in the end but not quite as what you may have thought.

By the way - Welcome to DIYC!

[trcons]

Thanks for the replys,

I was originally leaning toward the mighty mini. I purchased a couple of lsd48 boards and a couple of rpm dongles. As I was digging around for information I came across a post on the vflood/vdrive system. As I was reading through that thread, I came across a post from the guy who designed it where he had combined 4 kits into one light to compete with the output of a single Chauvet 200b. So of course I typed "chauvet 200b" into google a found out these things have 199 leds and are the size of a coffe can. Cheaper Ebay Par cans exist, so if you are willing to take a chance these can be had for less money. I don't claim to know anything about led floods, which is why I started this thread. I might be missing something obvious, but to me it seems like three or 4 of these and a dmx dongle and you are in business.

[typoagain]

Keep in mind that these are not a fair comparison to the OP. These still need a controller, enclosure, cabling and power supply to complete them. It will still be cheaper in the end but not quite as what you may have thought.

The OP still needs to be controlled-unless you want to hard wore it to a single color, which you can also do with the rainbow flood. so thay both need a controller and cabling.

An enclosure is only around $10, and you have several different options.

The chauvet 200b is about $130 Any way you cut it the Rainbow flood is a LOT cheaper in the end. But in all fairness, DMX is NOT cheap.

[Ponddude]

I also offer the Rainbow Brain, which is a DMX controller that allows you to just "plug and play" with any of the Rainbow lights I offer.

I am not well liked around these parts as I do not offer my stuff as open source and will never open them as open source, but I do have a lot of RGB lights, which can all be controlled by the Brain. You can always swing over to my forums to talk about the lights more and there are a lot of pictures showing how people mounted their lights in their enclosures.

www.christmasonmanor.com/forum

Greg

[Greg Young]

I was fortunate enough to participate in a side by side comparison of the Mighty Mini, the Rainbow Flood, and one other (whose name escapes me) at the Lights Up Ohio mini.
The Rainbow Flood produced much more illumination than the other two.
At the Chicago mini these same three will be compared to the Vflood, and possibly the Aether.
Any way you slice it, the costs of these DIY units are a great value!
Greg

[dirknerkle]

...I am not well liked around these parts as I do not offer my stuff as open source and will never open them as open source...
Greg



You have nothing to apologize for because your system is not open source. Stick to your guns, keep making great display equipment, and don't worry about being "liked." Let the quality of your products speak on your behalf.

[mschell]

I also offer the Rainbow Brain, which is a DMX controller that allows you to just "plug and play" with any of the Rainbow lights I offer.

I am not well liked around these parts as I do not offer my stuff as open source and will never open them as open source, but I do have a lot of RGB lights, which can all be controlled by the Brain. You can always swing over to my forums to talk about the lights more and there are a lot of pictures showing how people mounted their lights in their enclosures.

www.christmasonmanor.com/forum

Greg

Greg,

I think the attitude around "these parts" has mellowed over the last year or so. There's not quite the same affinity for complete open source that there may have been earlier.

In any case, please join in on the discussions about products. Having the option of purchasing a fully DIY design or partial DIY product is better than only having only one choice.

Just don't spam the forums with continued "advertorials" about your product, especially when it's totally off topic. I'm not saying that you've done it, but I have seen it happen...