Moonflower

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For years, I have used an American D.J. Sparkle (moonflower). As simple and as inexpensive as this fixture is, it's probably one of my favorites. This particular light is no longer made. I'm looking to add something like this effect to my t-bar light setup. On the bar presently are: two color changers (linked, but not run DMX), and an American D.J. Vertipro (slight variation of the Vertigo), and an Elminator E103 moonflower, which is similar to what I'm looking for, but it's just not very bright. I've found TONS of "moonflower" effects, some of which seem interesting, while others are completely NOT what I'm looking for.

What I'm looking for: slow-rotating (and possibly the option to completely stop the motion) white points of light. I've described the Sparkle as "the mirror ball effect, without the mirror ball". That's what I want from whatever fixture I might choose.

What I'm not looking for: multi-color, sound activated.

Has anyone used the American D.J. Sparkle LED? It says it's the "updated" version of the same effect. I like LED for it's low power draw, lower weight, long life, and lack of duty cycle. Would I be better off with a starball (which is also available in LED)? Or, something else completely?
 
Steve,

I do not recommend the Starball for use anywhere but your living room. This effect is not very brilliant. It's a nice effect but doesn't offer much intensity.
 
Steve Sharp;31345 What I'm looking for: slow-rotating (and possibly the option to completely stop the motion) white points of light. I've described the Sparkle as "the mirror ball effect said:
Hey Steve...I use 2 Sparkle LED's to great effect...very bright and they have a switch on the back that also allows for a "still" effect (no rotation). This combined with another moving "mirrorball" effect looks pretty cool. For such a small unit, they throw a big light. They run cold (LED) and are either ON or OFF - no sound active or DMX link. The AMDJ video http://americandj.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=1780&MainId=2&Category=L.E.D. is exactly what you get (provided you have fog or haze to create the beams)

I also bought 4 AMDJ Pinspot LED's and dusted of my Old Skool mirrorball - these are crazy bright lights too and provide another option. I've moved to all LED lighting.
Click to expand...
 
Based on real life experience, I have 2 of the Led Starballs and I find they work just fine and are plenty bright. No they aren't the real thing; nothing will replace a real mirror ball, but in a small- medium side room; two look fine. It could have used more beams; that's why two is optimal....I find it looks more like a real mirror ball the the Starballs, I posted some video.....with fog/haze, they look great...Price is decent too.
 
I'm saving up my pennies for the tri-led version. In theory they have white light also, but like all the current tri-leds, they bleed out into separate fringes of red, green & blue not providing a true white light but I'm giving that up for the colored effects which I think look great in sound activated linked mode. The colors not only change together when linked, they also run in different colors and opposite rotation at times. Looks VERY cool! They also seem to work well with both slow & fast music.

I have not bought them yet and none of the reviews that I have found show them in DMX mode, so I'm not sure what they have for DMX control using their sound programs. I'm guessing they are not available like most other fixtures of this type and price range. :sqfrown: I wish manufacturers would enable their sound active programs in DMX so it could be a simple option and DMX could act the same as their simple 1/4" jack controllers, but their marketing departments probably tell them they will sell more 1/4" controllers if they block that from DMX. Maybe Chauvet will make one that is more friendly? :sqbiggrin:
 
Chauvet does the LX-5
probably not very bright
but at that price, you can buy two!
 
If you have to start buying two lights to get the mirror ball effect, just get a mirror ball...

I use a 12" at 100% of my gigs,,, one or two pin beams, one is fine, but I like two and you are set.... you can gell one of the pin beams if you have two. I use one red and one white at Valentine Dances..

you can even put the motor on an on/off switch if you want for that static effect.
 
Nice Thread... am putting together my next NLFX order and was considering dumping the old school mirror ball for the Starball-LED - I thought it looked a little too "dorm room" and after Chuck's post, I'm keeping the old ball and looking at LED Pin spots instead.

-Joe
 
Chuck The DJ said:
If you have to start buying two lights to get the mirror ball effect, just get a mirror ball...

I use a 12" at 100% of my gigs,,, one or two pin beams, one is fine, but I like two and you are set.... you can gell one of the pin beams if you have two. I use one red and one white at Valentine Dances..

you can even put the motor on an on/off switch if you want for that static effect.
Click to expand...

Buy the tri led pinspot and you can have all colors (no white)...you can then do some interesting things with fast music...
 
Steve, I am guessing you own them..... are they bright enough in a med size room?
 
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