Which laser setup is best? Also some pics of a recent gig :)

[Humphry]

Hey guys, I am upgrading my rig to colour and unsure of what is a preferable setup.
I have all the parts for a a 15W center RGB (5W 532nm, 6W 445nm, 4W 635nm), and then two 1W 532nm satellites.

HOWEVER, I have recently been working with larger production companies who nearly always use large center LED screens and using a middle projector is becoming impractical and sometimes impossible due to needing to place it above the 8m x 5m LED screen, plus it gets overpowered by the screen.

Here are my obvious choices:

CHOICE 1:
15W center RGB (5W 532nm, 6W 445nm, 4W 635nm), and two 1W 532nm satellites.

CHOICE 2:
2x 4W RGB (1W 532nm, 2W 445nm 1W 635nm), and one 5W 532nm which I can then whip out for outdoor shows. I suppose there is always the option of upgrading the center unit to colour in the future. I suppose my question would be; which one should I do first?

OTHER:
I have the following units available to me so if you can think of any other good ideas please let me know!:
1x 5W 532nm
5x 1W 532nm (four are being used as single colour projectors)
10x 445 diodes
8x 300mw mits diodes
2x daves correction optics for the mits diodes
tons of flex mounts

And insight and opinions are much appreciated.


Oh and here are some pictures of some of my green-only shows for your enjoymeny:
EDIT: Struggling to upload, see my facebook album Kid Cudi Live - Blackberry Secret Gig


Looking forward to hearing your views!!

[Bradfo69]

Seems to me the largest part of your dilemma is the imbalance of the various accumulated parts. Particularly the 5 w 532, therefore... my suggestion would be option two and then simply sell me the 5 watt so you no longer have to agonize over the decision and continue to second guess yourself after the fact.

[Bradfo69]

But seriously..., I agree that potentially is a tough decision. There is part of me that says go with the 15 watt because if you're moving on to larger production companies, that in turn, means larger crowds and larger venues where 2 four watts might not be enough. BUT, as you indicated, it's quite possible you'd be limiting yourself because is a larger production company going to be interested in some guy with just 2 - 1 watt greens? As much as it pains me to not have a 15 watt RGB, in your case from a business standpoint, I think option two gives you the most flexibility.

[Humphry]

Thanks for your valuable insight and advice. I must, however, politely refuse with the following...

U NO HAV MY 5W

Seems to me the largest part of your dilemma is the imbalance of the various accumulated parts. Particularly the 5 w 532, therefore... my suggestion would be option two and then simply sell me the 5 watt so you no longer have to agonize over the decision and continue to second guess yourself after the fact.

[Bradfo69]

Awwww...... shucks. Here I thought I was helping you out.

Yeah, more I think about it, option two... and then make sure the 5 watt is built into a case allowing for an easy upgrade for adding more red and blue down the road.

[Humphry]

Yeah, and most of my shows have been inside where 2x 4W RGB is plenty.
And if I do go that route I will still have some diodes left over to add color to my 5W 532nm if there is ever a particular job where that would be required (and worth the upgrade). Festivals seem to not really care about color from my experience.
It's just 15W RGB <------

But seriously..., I agree that potentially is a tough decision. There is part of me that says go with the 15 watt because if you're moving on to larger production companies, that in turn, means larger crowds and larger venues where 2 four watts might not be enough. BUT, as you indicated, it's quite possible you'd be limiting yourself because is a larger production company going to be interested in some guy with just 2 - 1 watt greens? As much as it pains me to not have a 15 watt RGB, in your case from a business standpoint, I think option two gives you the most flexibility.

[andy_con]

bin off your fat beam red diodes, buy 50 single mode 120mw 638's send em to me and ill build you a massive red ;-)

[norty303]

Build laser projectors in pairs, or multiples of 2 is my advice. More versatile and greater earning potential.

[Humphry]

Thanks for the advice Norty, that is definitely the direction I am leaning.

Build laser projectors in pairs, or multiples of 2 is my advice. More versatile and greater earning potential.

[norty303]

The biggest problem then is finding well matched 532nm heads with similar power outputs and modulation characteristics.