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[align=left][font=Verdana]When my son and I put together our first system, we bought all Chauvet lighting.  True, we did buy a reasonably priced package for most of it, but now he has nothing but problems with it.  He has a Q-Mix, which not only the bulb, but where the bulb plugs in burned, a Mini Line Dancer that keeps blowing bulbs, a strobe light and fog machine that are a  joke.  About the only ones that are operating as they should is the two 4 light color banks he has.  He knows some of these have to be cycled, so that's not the problem, but the bulbs keep blowing out, and the replacement bulbs aren't cheap.  I think he told me he could buy another Mini Line Dancer for not much more than what he pays for bulbs, that last a couple of hours, then blow out.  I may not even bother with lights for my system, as they seem to be more of a headache than anything.  What's your opinions?[/align][/font]

Well these lights aren't supposed to be left on for anymore than 5-10 minutes at a time.  These are dance floor lights - which is why where the socket is burned, left on too long at a time, not really stage lighting designed to be on for longer periods.  LED lighting is becoming the new thing, brighter, can leave on longer & lasts like 20 years (they are claiming).  BUT on the flip, they are more expensive right now.

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I'm not sure what to say about your Chauvet problems. The vast majority of my lighting including my dimmer packs and controller are NSI, but I do own some Chauvet gear which have performed well for me. I have 5 CH605 Intimidators that are probably about 3 to 4 years old, I replaced a fuse in one once and thats about it, they still have the original bulbs. I have a Chauvet F1250 Fog machine that I have to clean the nozzle every once in awhile, but other than that it has been trouble free, it's about 4 years old also. I believe both of my strobes are Chauvet ST2000's and they are still on their original bulbs as well with no problems. Perhaps there is an underlying voltage situation going on?

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

or ensure everything you get is fan assisted. the Atrix light I have had for 3 years and still running the same bulb. Once its turned on its on for the night. you just have to be sure you dont bump or move it within 5 mins of switching off cos it has to take time to cool. On the whole its a tad too bright for most of the smaller intimate gigs we do so I have an ultra cheap kalidescope type light that changes colours and shapes and is far less intrusive that I use for my small gigs. It has been used virtually every gig we go to and has never missed a beat. Its so cheap its not even branded

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I agree with Lonnie. Most of the lighting has what you call duty cycle. It's how much on and how much off. Typically later round lightings are 50% duty cycle, which mean you can turn on for a few then must be turned off for a few. This works well if you use controllers to cycle the light. However, if you keep it turned on, you will get a lot of issues with burning out bulbs, etc.

You can avoid this by going with new technology, LED lighting. They don't have duty cycle limitation, runs much cooler and uses less amps, which is critical for large lighting set up with limited power supply. I just ordered ADJ Rovers, which is LED based, and cheap. I got used ones for about $100 each, got two. The only complaint is that they are not DMX controlled. However, I am just going to plug them in and let them run in the beat mode so I think it will be ok.

Another option for you is to check out if there is a equivalent LED bulb you can use to replace the current bulbs. The same benefits apply.

Good luck.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

When it comes time for me to look into lights, I will be seriously considering the LED option.  As Jian has said, they are more efficient as they do not waste energy creating heat.  Actually, a lighting problem of another kind was brought to my attention this morning... apparently the lenses of traffic lights which have been changed to LED are getting covered with snow, making it hard to see them.  The normal lights generate heat which melts the snow quickly!