Neutron Hazer versions

[frostypaw]

So I bought what was advertised as a Neutron XS and what's turned up is a Neutron Pro.

What's a reasonable price in GBP for a serviced Pro with new coil fitted? It seems in quite good nick, but I can't find much in the way of comparisons to decide how bothered I am.

Sorry to ask here, been trawling the lighting forums but they're... odd.

[WookieBoy]

About £40.
They're appalling machines in my opinion. The whole range are very temperamental and mantaince heavy!
I wouldn't rely on it unless it's going to sit in a small venue and not move.

But that's just my experience of them.

[frostypaw]

What is your preference?

I figure that other than going oil-based the glycerol option is most appealing and isn't that a pretty small range? The haze it produces is certainly far far nicer to be around than the gycol gunk for me at least, I save that for the vaping when I want a harsh throat hit!

I have the fear of oil based, especially if I'm going to be setting it off in the same rooms regularly playing with lights and lasers.

[norty303]

Starting to sound like a stuck record I know, but really the Smoke Factory Tour Hazer 2/Haze Base Base Hazer Pro are the dogs danglies in the sub £1k bracket for water based haze.

Ah Guildford, my old home town. I used to be the assistant house tech at Harpers (now Casino/Drink or something) back around '91/'92... (which probably dates me terribly )

[WookieBoy]

Same as Norty. Tour hazer for general things. Pea Soup Phantom for lasers or bigger corporate jobs...
The Phantom is an amazing machine, but it has a price tag...

[frostypaw]

The Phantom is what I really want. You know why already. Those other two machines are glycol based though aren't they?

Would be on the list to check out if buying new though. Right now second hand is the way. Few miles to travel before I'm justifying that to myself! I'd actually been looking at some of the other PS smoke generators which produce some remarkably small particles, then whack a fan on it.....? There's an ex-hire Colt 4 they have for sale at the moment that would be ideal, and a video of them throwing it around car parks and warehouses with no ill effect. I like that kind of engineering, can work with that.

Anyway I've been poking at this Neutron and it looks like there's far less to go wrong with it than the newer one. Been given the hint of using old guitar strings to clean out it's coiling tube - seems very wise. Other than a rattle that a judicious washer quieted it seems solid. Made the room smell like concerts

[norty303]

I bought both my TH2 and my Base Hazer used on ebay for about £450 each, one was like new.
I've got a pile of cheaper water based hazers here all awaiting a trip to the dump. Over a grands worth easily.
In hindsight, I should've just bought the tour hazer first.

Not sure what you mean by glycol gunk, but my TH2 is the cleanest machine i've ever owned. I've had it firing directly onto lighting lifts for a 10 hour event and there was no residue left at the end of the night. They seem to run very 'dry' if that makes sense.

[frostypaw]

Oh no not gunk from the glycol, the dryness is fine if anything there's too much dryness which is the problem.

I'd be one of those annoying artists who whinges about the stuff irritating my eyes and throat. Sorry. The glycerol haze just tastes kinda nice, doesn't irritate my sensitives at all.

And oh really I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on eBay, I didn't think those would come up but in fairness it's not like I've been looking for all that long. Cheers

ps. and there's a TH2 on there now - though already exceeding my neutron and days to go. might be good for someone tho

[swamidog]

the stuff gives me a headache and makes me feel hungover for a couple of days.

Oh no not gunk from the glycol, the dryness is fine if anything there's too much dryness which is the problem.

I'd be one of those annoying artists who whinges about the stuff irritating my eyes and throat. Sorry. The glycerol haze just tastes kinda nice, doesn't irritate my sensitives at all.

And oh really I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on eBay, I didn't think those would come up but in fairness it's not like I've been looking for all that long. Cheers

ps. and there's a TH2 on there now - though already exceeding my neutron and days to go. might be good for someone tho

[CountFunkula]

I've got a Neutron Pro X. Picked it up for about $200. Very happy with it and it's never given me any trouble. An occasional "flossing" of the heating element tube/nozzle with a piece of stiff wire and it's good to go!