Disco Ball + Lasers =

[White-Light]

There used to be 2 different Pangolin products - Discoscan and the Dazzler.

Both similar but each with their own forte.

I believe the Dazzler has now been dropped as the discoscan was more popular.

You can read about the discoscan here: http://www.pangolin.com/wideangle/index.htm

This Pangolin graphic also shows the discoscan, I think its basically a fisheye style lens fitted to the aperture of a vertically downward facing suspended projector:



The dazzler used to work the other way up, it was a lens + mirror assembly which also attached to the aperture of the projector but this time the projector was suspended vertically upwards facing below the mirror. You can see it here:



From memory, the discoscan could do 360 degree scanning around the y axis and 180 degrees around the x (basically anywhere below the horizon).

I believe the dazzler by virtue of the bottom suspended projector could do less, 360 around the y axis but I think it was something like 120 degrees around the X axis (because the projector suspended below it restricted the movement as it physically got in the way).

I'm sure Bill could fill in the details for anyone interested.

[mixedgas]

One of them is a MODIFIED panoramic photography product.

As for the lens, its a bit more involved then just a fisheye lens. But the principles are similar.

I have some lenses that do the same function as Dazzler. They are not inexpensive.

EDIT, I think I have the terms backward... OH well... I'm off to work.

Steve

[White-Light]

Confused about the disco scan.

Does the laser come from the back and shine through the 'lens' or does it come from the front and bounce from the lens / mirror.

scene 1?
Attachment 37551

or scene 2?
Attachment 37552

In either case how comes it looks possible for the laser to completely fill the floor underneath the installation without being obstructed by the equipment?

Graham

Sorry I missed the question yesterday Graham.

What you have pictured there is The Dazzler not the Discoscan I believe. Scene 1 is the correct scenario, the black cone that contains a lens connects to the projector which is then suspended vertically pointing upwards towards the silvered mirror and the beams then project out and down depending on where your scanners are pointing.

The Discoscan is a lens that fits over the projector and the projector points downwards and projects through the lens.

Your lenses sound interesting Steve, although talking to Bill, Discoscan is the correct the name for the product - apparently it excels at mirror ball type disco effects but I gather it may be more limited when it comes down to more traditional laser effects, presumably by the horizon line.

[mixedgas]

Solving the lensmaker's equation for a mirror -F1 that is equal in average power to a lens +F2 with equal focal lengths might just give you a clue.

Steve