Suggestions on rgb projector buy

[onesixty]

Hi!

I would like your thoughts on what rgb projector to buy in the 2000-2500euro price range.
Analog modulation and a good scan set is what I am looking for, for smooth and beautiful overhead beam shows (no fast "flash flash" hardstyle type of shows).

Some suggestions...


Kvant Atom 800 2236 euro
637nm 170mw Red
620nm 110mw Green
445nm 650mw Blue
3mm Divergenz
< 0,36 mrad
35kpps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4chSc7cBGw


Ministar 6000 2680 dollar
638nm 1000mw Red
520nm 1800mw Green
450nm 3000mw Blue
ca.4,5m
m/1.0mr
DT 40 Kpps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxJUEHNGpc4



I've already been told to stay away from the ministar chinaman mostly because of the divergence.
The kvant would be a safe buy, but I'm sure you guys can point out some alternatives.

(ps I have owned a volkslaser alphalase 1,2 rgb in the past and it was out the door after 3 weeks because of the poor scanset, weak red and mediocre beam alignment)

Thanks!

[Bradfo69]

Honestly you're probably fine with the Kvant. Since you're thinking beam shows, I would probably look at the ClubMax line as well. You want a bit more power than what the Atom has. Maybe the 1800 or, the Citadinni Veneno 1800.

Bang for the buck though, it's hard to beat Lightspace. And honestly their PT-A40's or PT-40 scanners I have found to be quite capable. You're doing beams so, they don't have to BE a top of the line scanner. If you were more interested in graphics and abstracts, then yes, it might make a difference but, I think you're going to want to focus on something that goes really wide. Often people slow their scanners down a bit for beam shows anyway.

[onesixty]

Thanks a lot for you input Bradfo69!

I'll be focussing mostly if not only on beam shows. Its hard for me to judge if I'd be better off with a kvant or a cheaper brand with higher output, i'm ordering the kvant 800 atom tomorrow so I can play with it for a couple of weeks, this will give me some perspective.

I did some searches on Lightspace and I see members getting really exited in this topic. Looks like better bang for the buck indeed, and if I have to believe some members their lasers can very well compete next to a kvant. Omar seems to have a good rep on this forum so lightspace is safe too in terms of quality? I emailed them for a price list and the question when the sale is returning... curious if they are still doing those 1650dollar sales.
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...t=eightonlight


Cittadini looks like a respectable european company, but some specs missing on the website.
Fernando was fast to reply, he suggests the following model which has 1w more red than the Veneno 1,8w.
A bit over my buget tho.

Veneno 2.8 W RGB 3,220.00 € vat inc
White Balanced Guaranteed output power 2.8 W,
Red 638nm 600 milliwatts,
Green 520nm 900 milliwatts,
Blue 445nm 1.5 Watt
Pangolin ScannerMax 506 (35k)
http://www.cittadinilaser.com/en/product/3660/


Good to have these options, I appreciate all input!


Ps, What is the benefit of reducing the scanspeed? extend lifespan?

[swamidog]

what is missing from those specifications is any data about beam specs...

Thanks a lot for you input Bradfo69!

I'll be focussing mostly if not only on beam shows. Its hard for me to judge if I'd be better off with a kvant or a cheaper brand with higher output, i'm ordering the kvant 800 atom tomorrow so I can play with it for a couple of weeks, this will give me some perspective.

I did some searches on Lightspace and I see members getting really exited in this topic. Looks like better bang for the buck indeed, and if I have to believe some members their lasers can very well compete next to a kvant. Omar seems to have a good rep on this forum so lightspace is safe too in terms of quality? I emailed them for a price list and the question when the sale is returning... curious if they are still doing those 1650dollar sales.
http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...t=eightonlight


Cittadini looks like a respectable european company, but some specs missing on the website.
Fernando was fast to reply, he suggests the following model which has 1w more red than the Veneno 1,8w.
A bit over my buget tho.

Veneno 2.8 W RGB 3,220.00 € vat inc
White Balanced Guaranteed output power 2.8 W,
Red 638nm 600 milliwatts,
Green 520nm 900 milliwatts,
Blue 445nm 1.5 Watt
Pangolin ScannerMax 506 (35k)
http://www.cittadinilaser.com/en/product/3660/


Good to have these options, I appreciate all input!


Ps, What is the benefit of reducing the scanspeed? extend lifespan?

[onesixty]

Yes I hope to get them from Fernando soon.

[Bradfo69]

For one thing, slowing the scan speed down can make it appear brighter. Most beam cues are simple shapes made up of far less points than a complex graphic and scanners don't have to work nearly as hard jumping from point to point. Think about it... a straight line is really just two points and the scanners are jumping back and forth between them so more of the lasers energy remains in that plane and therefore can appear brighter.
.
For beams, you're really going to want to be concerned with having more power maybe at the sacrifice of a little bit of build refinement. I own several brands of projectors including a few Kvants as well as a number of Lightspace projectors. I've been blasted at times for referring one over the other, for a variety of reasons, including some that are philosophical. I "get" all the arguments... really, I do. Yes, Kvants are nice and may have a bit of an edge over Lightspace in terms of build refinement but, dollar for dollar, or euro for euro, you're going to get a better bang for your money with Lightspace. They're among the best of the Asian manufactured products out there and I can tell you from experience they have excellent customer service. I strongly encourage you to consider them in your search. Maybe it's the same reason I've owned 5 Hyundai's and driven hundreds of thousands of miles on them versus say, a Toyota or Honda. (Or worse, a Ford.)
.
I am in no way knocking Kvant and still intend to buy more in the future but, they do tend to be more on the expensive side so, I fully expect to end up with more from Lightspace as well. They're simply more affordable and often have great specials.

[onesixty]

Makes sense!

Interested to see a side by side comparison between lightspace and kvant to see for myself if it's worth to pay 3 times as much. It bothers me that lightspace doesn't provide a cashback guarantee...

I'm getting offers for projectors from all sides thats not making it any easier

Musicstore made a little mistake, the kvant atom 800 was already discontinued I do have quickshow now so thats fun. Although i'm disappointed about the the timeline. No ctrl c & v ? No undo? No dragging clips to other tracks? Weird grid with 5 blocks per beat? No triplet grid or size adjustment? Can't set zero point in timeline? buggy interface that keeps opening windows while dragging clips... Yesterday I programmed a show to a techhouse track and it took me hours to get a pretty basic result. Maybe i'm spoiled from working with audio daws... I hope all of this will be fixed in quickshow 3.

[onesixty]

Ps, Why can't I see my sent PM's? Do I need a certain post count?

[Imagolux]

Hi all.
I am following this one.

And i would like to throw in a few more models in the 2000$ range.
I am mainly doing beam shows, venues ranging from 300-5000.

Ministar 4000 v4 1490$:
638nm 1000mw Red
520nm 900mw Green
445nm 2000mw Blue
Beam: ca.4mm
m/1.0mr
DT 40 Kpps

Tarm Two 2000$:
R: 680 mW / 638 nm
G: 750 mW / 520 nm
B: 1'400 mW / 450 nm
Beam Specifications (full angle): ca. 3.0 mm / 0.8 mrad
Scanner: 45 kpps@8° ILDA (Rayscan)
Scan Angle max.: 60° (@30 kpps)

Anyone have experience with these units?
Should i go for "fat beams" or good beam specs?

Looking for most "bang for the buck"

[onesixty]

For one thing, slowing the scan speed down can make it appear brighter. Most beam cues are simple shapes made up of far less points than a complex graphic and scanners don't have to work nearly as hard jumping from point to point. Think about it... a straight line is really just two points and the scanners are jumping back and forth between them so more of the lasers energy remains in that plane and therefore can appear brighter.
.

Hi bradfo,

Confused about this, i've noticed more points always equals more brightness. Not enough points you lose brightness, to much points it starts flickering....

I have the Kvant Club Max 3000 at home and experiencing a lot of flickering with pangolin cues (mostly graphics), you think this is due to QS 30kpps limit or the limitation of Scannermax 506?