Im thinking of buying a laser, not sure which one but also was wondering what lasers others use.
They seem to be a very effective effect and getting more and more popular,(as the price comes down)
So if any of you use one, if you could tell me what one, and if your happy, well what im asking is maybe a little review.
I can't find any reveiws on lasers anywhere, just the short description of what the manufactuer gives.
This will give me my head a rest and give me a few ideas.
Thanks

You may have actually missed the boat on this one Tymmy!

Unfortunately in its wisdom the Health and Safety Executive (I think thats who it was but chris will correct me) have decided that we are not responsible enough adults to use them sensibly. Therefore since the end of July this year officially they are only available to installers and not end users.

This means to you officially you should'nt be able to buy one now, so if your local shop has one snap their hand off! I don't know if Chris has any left but again he will be along in due course to give his input.

I have two of the Apollo TO7 Green laser and there are exceptional in performance! I also have two red lasers from a couple of years ago but the output is not strong enough except with a pitch black room!

Spin

Thanks for the reply
I did here about this, but i see chris still has them as specials on his web site, also other sites have them for sale.
So they still seem to be avaliable to buy.
ive been looking at the appllo, also the double astro, and other EU lasers.
just dont know if i NEED one or just want one,
so any views WILL be resposible for MAKING me spend my money .


I might be wrong on this avaliable for sale buissness, but i soon find out


Tim.

As it stands at the moment, the "Rumour" surrounding the industry at the moment, and circulated by a certain Manufacturer was that selling lasers to the end user (I.E Mobile D.J or non fixed installation) was illegal under HSE Regulations.

Many other distributors (Myself included) stopped selling lasers to avoid any possible legal implications, or action by the HSE. Many other larger distributors continued to sell them however, which raised the question, as to whether they were purely taking a risk, or if they believed that the "law" was just a scaremongering by the industry or a ruse started by an installation company(ies) to boost sales.

So far, there is no way of getting a definitive answer on this one. My own letter to the HSE was simply met by a copy of their Laser Safety guidelines which is freely available on their website!. I have not had a simple yes / no answer to whether I can continue to sell them to mobiles or not .

After some further research, it appears that many distributors are picking up the laser sales once again, and I am talking to two lasers manufacturers about some new website deals. So it looks like I may be able to continue selling the Apollo, and possibly the EU version.

Further speculation, that the rumour regarding lasers sales, is just a rumour is documented Here

If there is sufficient demand, then I may start re-stocking the Apollo as a start, although I won't keep many in stock in case I get attacked by the HSE - I don't want to be stuck with stock I am not legally able to sell on.

Thing is with lasers - in the right environment - they are brilliant.
But a lot of Public venues that use extractors or fan systems will hinder the desired 'effect'.
By all means, get one for that 'extra effect' to a good light show - else get 2x or 4x effect lights that do not require 'atmospere' (or smoke!)

I have 2 Apollo's and I can't complain about them either - but the effect is best viewed in the right atmosphere.

If you're looking for a DMX style laser - and can afford - go for it. Else, I would go with a damn good DMX / gobo-effect light rig first!!!!

Thanks again for your replies

I do have a selection of DMX controlable lighting (which are all different) but do not control them via DMX, I have thought about it and see no point. (extra wiring ect, just switch on the ones i want and let them do their thing)


I use two lighting stands, one either side of my rig,
I pair my lighting effects up on either side of my rig, so 2 gobo floor effects, one either side, same again with 2 scanners, a barrel scanner, a ceiling moon flower, a strobe and another room filling effect.


If i spend more money on more lighting effects ill have to start ditching what I already have.
I realise you dont know me or what I own but I was just wondering if any of you use lasers and if so which ones and what you thought of them to help me make a desision.


May be you have purchased on and thought "If I saved that little more i got have got that 60mW laser" or some thing like that.


Two of you say you have 2 Appllo lasers, why did you buy 2 and not spend the money on one better one, is it so you can one either side of the rig? Why didnt you buy a duel laser? or was they just what was avaliable at the time?


Thanks for reading and for any replies.



Tim.

Ok Tymmy valid questions. I bought one Apollo and was so knocked out by how good it was compared with my two red lasers that I HAD to go buy another so i have one each side of the rig. In this case two IS twice as nice.

I would'nt consider buying a single now unless a nice blue came up at a reasonable price!............. and even then I'd probably still end up wanting two!

Just my 4d worth

Spin

Ditto

lol

Thanks people

I decided to buy my self a laser anyway....... you know just as a treat.

You have to treat yourself at least once a month.

Thanks again


Tim.

True - these Apollo things are quoted elsewhere from £600+ EACH!

At £399 they were a giveaway and forum members even got a Discount off that!. You've just got a bit of a wait until they come back in, but the price will be around the same

I went for a eu pro laser 2.......
Like you say i might just get 2!

I always find sommink to spend my money on.

Last month I bought a new amp and mixer. (Showing off now)

So next month........Who knows, once I get a idea in my head thats it.

Ok got the new laser today..........OMG!

This this is good

I get to try it out on saturday, Ive got a adult School disco.

You dont always need fog with this, obviously it's better to have it for the effects, but because it does pictures and writing you can place them on the wall or floor, choose what size you want it and either have it rotating/flipping (in 3 different ways) zoming in and out, again in 3 different ways or have it moving about the room. (living room and garden today)

you can just let it do it's thing to the music, or have it run through its cycle (without music) or choose a gobo/word/cartoon and do what you want with it.

It's a lot of money on a single effect and the casing is funny looking too, some fish shaped thing with a heart in it?

Whatever you dont see that when its on.

's so far!