Customer Reviews

Chauvet 4 Bar Lighting System

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought two of these units and they are very easy to transport and set up. My only issue is that when I set them to flash to music I couldn't turn the sensitivity down enough to slow the lights to an acceptable level. The band I was working for asked me to turn them off.

Love the product and works very well! Exactly as described. A few tips:
1. To illuminate after blacking out - hit the blackout button again
2. Travel with the IEC cable in the bag with the foot controller in the pouch
3. The beat sync switch is super sensitive. Make small adjustments

We have used 2 of these unit in small to medium clubs with great success! LEDs produce such vivid colors and the output is better than anticipated.

This is a very very great lighting piece. You have foot pedals for illuminating how you want the effects of your lighting. You also get two bags for easy stoarge for the 4 bar, and stand. Great but. Even better, It's great for the mobile dj's

I bought two of these from amazon for $310. $90 less than guitar center and $40 less than my local music shop could get it (at their price). They are excellent for my band and theatre projects. You can't focus them, but add one or two traditional lights or an LED follow spot (recommended) and you're all set. I also mounted Derby X and J-6 FX lights on top of these bars and they are still sturdy. Works great with Eurolight board.

I could have spent less on this item through another supplier but I chose to purchase it through Amazon because I thought it would be safer. The initial product was defective. I called the manufacturer and they identified the problem. Chauvet was very helpful and said that if I had a problem with getting a replacement unit through the supplier to call them. One of the signals on the light bar did not allow the blue LED on one light to come on.

I needed the item even in its less than ideal state to do a show. Company refused (Factory Direct) to send a new one until they received the old one even though they had my credit card iformation. So I purchased another one so it would arrive ASAP.

The new unit arrived on time ( 1 week). Everything appeared to be in working order.

I returned the original unit. I was told I would get a credit when I proved it had been shipped. This was not the case. As a matter of fact I had to call repeatedly after they received the unit back to get my credit. The credit took another 10 days to be credited to my account.

I bought two of these and replaced the old style par cans with expensive bulbs that put out a crazy amount of heat. These LED lights run cool and don't use much electricity. I use them with a 3-piece and 5 piece band and we can fill the stage with no problem. In fact, when running them full on white, it can wash out the stage too much.

They are easy to set up and work as advertised. Two complaints, although minor considering the heavy usage and our clumsy roadies. The zippers on the cases that hold the lights failed after about 6 months. After a year, I had to fix the wiring on the connnectors that go into the back of the light bar as wires pulled loose and needed to be re-soldered. Equipment maintenance goes with the territory and is expected so I didn't lower my rating.

Well this is hard. I'm a full-time working professional of 35 years on stage and now doing a fully interactive family show with 3-5 drum sets, 12-25 guitars, wireless mics, stage monitors, lighting and broadcast video with anywhere from 1-15 people from the audience on stage at one time.

Lighting, although I have plenty of professional experience, has never been all that an issue for this show... mostly because it typically occurs in broad daylight in close proximity to the audiences, on stage or ground level. I use lighting for the effect...ie: the flashing of colors in the peripheral of the audience and volunteer performers.

This year, I decided it might be beneficial to beef that up a bit, and add some ambient colors, some wash to the performers areas and researched these "new" LED's for several weeks. Sadly, I gotta tell ya, I'm NOT, repeat NOT, in favor or a fan of LED at all!!!! It's not warm or bright, and often NOT user maintainable, LIKE THESE CHAUVET units.

Still, reading the reviews, it was clear they were the best in their class, and that people were genuinely IMPRESSED with their brightness. NOT ME! Aside from the issues of shipment (see elsewhere), these lights barely outperform the old 4 35-Watt COLOR BANK systems. Oh, they're more...brighter at times and the beams travel farther, but they're far from HOT! They were...hmmmm, okay? if I can say that! In the dark (I'm testing in a 24' slanted ceiling, 3800 square foot condo against walls and ceilings about 18 feet away), beams were distinct and colorful, but not bright. Turn on a 4-bulb 60-watt each ceiling light for the entire huge room, and they're almost LOST! That's NOT cool!

Stand? Hmmm, it's much like an On-Stage P.A. stand...using thumb/wing knobs instead of full circular, with a VERY SPECIFIC warning NOT TO OVER-TIGHTEN. I've seen, used and miffed over a lot of these newer designs, and my on-stages are great. These...not so much.

The controller? Hmmm. Well, again, for the price and intent, I guess 30' of cable to the foot unit works if you're the guitarist or drummer responsible to using it. It does NOT work for serious stage and there's the thing...cable is NOT that expensive. The unit has reasonably cheap connectors, save for the fact they have actual screws and can be repaired on the road, but it's NOT like CHAUVET is doing any favors here. You'll have to treat this with kid gloves.

The case? Oh my. Nice idea, but please. We "hang" lighting trusses in the trailers. The thought of a case was nice...especially at this thin profile, but it's hardly road ready...meaning it's fabric and foam, NOT like the picture, and here's a kick....read carefully.......whomever designed a "hinged cover/lid" that ONLY tips back to vertical (90 degrees) is an IDIOT. Absolute IDIOT. If you find a level surface on the road at all, good luck, but the lid of this case needs to be able to tip back AT LEAT another 10 degrees to STAY OPEN so you can load it. If you plan to PACK this in the rig...you'll need an anvil case, cuz this case won't make one road trip sitting on the floor or between other hard cases, sorry. BAD BAD!

What else? Power cord. INSULT. Give us a cord more than 6' please...it's NOT that expensive. Tri-pod case. FORGET IT. Individual stand cases are a joke for any serious musician anyway.

Patterns and features....FAIR! I mean, how many patterns can you really make out of 4 lights that matter? Like SO MANY products today, it features a large number of possibilities YOU WILL NEVER USE! Sincerely, you want to buy this unit to fill dark areas, make for easy set-up your bass player can run, and exit stage right.

Don't get me wrong...for the price....it's iffy! Jury's still out but I gotta tell ya, with this item I also bought the Eliminator Piranha for $80...intending to spill on the audience for some shows this summer after dark and, well, WOW!!! Lights ON and this puppy is clear and sharp.

In conclusion, I neither confirm nor deny the other reviews...! It's SPENDY, for relatively little road-worthy build or power, but it may add some splash. Makes me wonder, though, if I gutted the housings and went with Par cans, stealing from the trigger system if I wouldn't be slightly ahead.

Thanks folks!