DS250 vs DS250 Pro

Depends on what they are competing against. 500w Fresnels no problem, 750w S4 Par/Nels, depending on colors, they might look like flash lights. My last show I used 4 Power Spot 250s in conjunction with 7 DLED36 MHs at a height of 15', area of 32' x 24', and it was impressive. Had my 575s on the deck for air effects, a couple of X-310s and I was very happy. I'll have to post a picture tomorrow when I get into the office.

I can tell you from experience that a trim height of 20' is the upper limit I would use 250s. Above that I start looking at 575s seriously, even if it means cutting the amount of fixtures I take out. I haven't used 300s, so I can't talk about brightness vs other fixtures.

However, something to think about is lamp life here. 250s last for 3000 hours until 50% brightness, 300s only 1000 hours. If you used them for 365 days a year, 8 hours a day average, you would have to replace the 250s once a year and the 300s 3 times a year.

The next question is how many fixtures is the church looking at? If looking at say 8 fixtures, maybe trade 4 of those for 2 575s and 4 250s. Then they could use the 575s where they need more punch or darker colors. The frost filter with the 575 works fantastic, even with dark colors. Again, can't speak for the 300s.

Ops, got a little side tracked.

As for DS250 vs DS250 Pro, the Pro is meant more for tour situations in my opinion. Changeable colors, pan and tilt lock, and an LCD screen probably aren't needed for an install situation. Pan and tilt lock are for transporting, and the LCD screen makes the menus easier to navigate. An install will most likely be set and forget, meaning you are rarely going to be looking at the menu. Changeable colors are the only thing you might really need in an install, but only if you truly need them.

Thanks Serra. The movers will be competing mostly with the Tri 64 Led cans, if they work as well for front lighting as I have heard. I was looking at 8 fixtures, 6 over the stage and 2 on the front truss. I was planning to stay around 16K for my moving lights, which going with 250s, I could do 8 easily.

I am really considering doing 4 DS575s over the stage now, and just doing 2 250s on the front truss. The only reason I am doing 2 lights on the front truss is for dramas or children's plays where I might wanna light a certain area with a spot...

Justin

Your most certainly welcome.

I would go with the 575s then. With the zoom and the frost filter on them, you should be able to do a whole stage wash with just the 575s. With prism and zoom, wash the stage in gobos then.

250s from the front should be fine. Front light is where you actually need the least amount of power do to how an audience views the stage. Air effects is where you need the most power. So I think the 4 575s and the 2 250s should work wonders for you.

As for the Tri-Color 64s, I actually have a few Opti Tris I am getting ready to put into an install. Going to write a mini review on them when I get the chance comparing them to Opti 30 RGBs, DLED36s, and S4 750w ParNels. From glancing at them, color shadows are almost non existent which is a great thing. The other nice thing, they are really punchy. Can't wait to see what they do side by side against the ParNel.

Hi EBAC,

At 25' height, I would highly recomend you go with 575's.

I had a customer do a theatre with 16 CMY zoom 250's.
I didn't know what he bought them for he just did, then he told me about it afterwards.

All 16 full on 25' high. you would think it would be bright.
No deal.. a 250Watt light even though its a MSD250 gas dischargre lamp is still only a 250watt light. Not bright enough.
250's would look good on the stage.. but not hanging.

Ok, I will try to go with the 575s. If budget just does not permit, how well will the 300s do in my situation, and what are the lumens on the 300(they are not listed in catalog).

Thanks,
Justin

Warning, math ahead.

A DS250 is 18,000 lumen with a 250w lamp. A DS575E is 43,000 lumen with a 575w lamp. (575-250)/250=1.3 or the power of a 575w lamp over a 250w lamp is 130% greater. 18,000 x 2.3 = 41,400 lumen for a linear progression from 250w to 575w. So going from a 250w to a 575w, the 575w puts out more light watt for watt.

With the above in mind, (300-250)/250=.2 or a 300w lamp is 20% brighter then a 250w lamp. So 18,000 x 1.2 = 21,600 lumen for the 300w lamp. Again, this is linear progression, it might be worse or better. That is the same amount of light as a 750w standard life HPL. So it has some punch, but again, not quite sure if it will work from 20'.

575s seem to be your best bet, and again, the numbers above are just guesses.

Thanks again Serra... I did finally find the specs on the MSR300 lamp and it was 23K lumens so you are pretty close. I think I will go with the 575s, even if I have to leave the front lights off the budget.

Justin