comparison videos of different power outputs?

[TheDetourist]

Greets!

I am researching purchasing or building a laser to install in a small/medium size nightclub (capacity 500 people) and would love to see a comparison of different power levels of laser...

we all know that most sellers will video their laser in a completely dark room, with NO reference or other lighting, so it is VERY hard to get an idea of the actual 'perceived brightness' of a laser.

does anyone have any good videos or images that compare laser powers and colors in a REAL WORLD setting?

Our nightclub has LED ambient lighting and 250W discharge lamp scanners on the dancefloor, I would say the overall light level is a solid 'moderate'...its not a super dark dance club, but its also not lit up with neon beer signs or anything tacky like that.

can anyone make suggestions on what a good first entry level laser would be? we do have oil-based hazer for atmospheric effect (the club is non-smoking inside for patrons)

i do not care about drawing pictures with the laser, but i really enjoy beam effects ("liquid sky" etc etc)....

Thanks!!

(i am in the USA if that matters also)

[DZ]

Hi TheDetourist, welcome to PL. In which part of the USA do you live? As it so happens, we are having a gathering of laserists just outside of Orlando, FL next weekend and there will be quite a variety of projectors and effects. May be worth a visit so you can make a well informed decision or what lasers/projectors are worth buying.

[allthatwhichis]

I am sure we can demonstrate a wide variety of power examples and ambient light levels during the event.

[TheDetourist]

i would love to attend an event, but I am currently travelling with a totally unrelated job... I just still communicate with the old nightclub as more of a consultant since I did the original sound and light install, I'm kindof the only one who really understands how it all works...

I know back in 'the old days' i went to several events that Tim Walsh of Laser Spectacles in TX had done and was absolutely blown away with his lasers. I *believe* if memory serves me, he was running a couple 2W YAG lasers as his 'small' ones and a 5W as the centerpiece.... they were obscenely bright, and well beyond what I would ever really 'need'....

Also...thats tech of 10 years ago, before I even started seeing any colored lasers...it was all just green stuff...

[buffo]

You know, Tim is a member here on PL, if you'd care to get together with him again...

Video of a laser show can fool you. Depending on the camera used, it can look very bright or very dim. Your best bet is to see it live, especially if you want to try and get by with lower power.

However, as a general rule (and depending on the size of the club), you will probably be happy with 2 watts of balanced RGB, and you might be able to get away with as little as 800 milliwatts of balanced RGB if the club is small enough. (How big of an area are we talking about - in feet?)

More important, however, is the requirement for a variance from the CDRH. You didn't mention anything about that in your initial post, so I thought I'd bring it up. If you're already familiar with the process, then I apologize for being pedantic. But if you are not familiar with the process, then you've got some research to do before you decide to buy or build that projector... (We can assist you with that part too.)

Where are you located when you aren't traveling? (You didn't fill out your profile information, but since you know Tim, I'm guessing you're somewhere near Texas?)

Adam

[TheDetourist]

Well when I originally came into contact with Tim I was living in Austin and helping out with events in San Marcos, Austin, San Antonio, and I also ran into him at a couple events in New Orleans...

The area is really rather compact, its not a large concert hall or anything, I don't have the measurements off the top of my head but I'd estimate the dancefloor area is really only maybe 25x25' and the overall lounge is maybe 75x100?

Just a rough estimate, I know fire code capacity is about 350 people, not a large space.

And right I understand I'll have to deal with getting the paperwork in order to be legit and have the proper safety specs....

Lastly, this place is in a third-tier type market, so I don't honestly think they even need an RGB laser... I think a *nice* green would be a good start for them and they can add on later...

Here is a link to rendering of the nightclub/lounge, with people included for scale.

http://img243.imageshack.us/gal.php?...0newbooth4.jpg

[buffo]

Ok - that helps a lot! If you're looking for green-only, you can put a pair of 300-400 mw units in there and they'll look great. (Why have just one, when you can put two in there - still running off a single controller - and have the X signal reversed on one so they'll mirror each other.) Also, the lasers will be quite affordable at that power level.

If you want to go full RGB, you'd be fine at 1 watt. More than that is overkill for such a small venue.

That's my opinion anyway! Also, glad to hear that you're aware of the CDRH requirements.

Adam

[allthatwhichis]

What is your budget?

[TheDetourist]

What is your budget?

well, with club owners you know that most of them want to do it for free. and if its not free, as little as possible.

im actually considering buying the laser with my own money and giving it to my friend who is the manager and just letting him use it....

soooo, give me price ideas, and ill tell you if its too much or not. im looking for a best bang for buck. remember, 3rd tier market, small place, good oil haze, not a huge outdoor aerial show. but i dont want it to look lame/wimpy.

[TheDetourist]

Ok - that helps a lot! If you're looking for green-only, you can put a pair of 300-400 mw units in there and they'll look great. (Why have just one, when you can put two in there - still running off a single controller - and have the X signal reversed on one so they'll mirror each other.) Also, the lasers will be quite affordable at that power level.

If you want to go full RGB, you'd be fine at 1 watt. More than that is overkill for such a small venue.

That's my opinion anyway! Also, glad to hear that you're aware of the CDRH requirements.

Adam

cool, yeah my best guesses I was guessing around 300mw would be a decent start for them without breaking the bank or looking totally wimpy... i did not know you can run two lasers off one controller... is it similar to dmx addressing?

and what do you suggest for a controller? right now they use elation/compu pro for the dmx lighting, so something of a similar complexity level would be accessable for the current light/sound guy.