Chauvet Intimidator 260 - REVIEW: The best DJ Light you shouldn't buy
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- The Chauvet Intimidator 260 is the best moving head that you shouldn't buy if you use them a certain way. Let's also talk about Totem Mode. If you use DMX some of this may not be a problem for you but other things will. This review is in a new format in a new VIdeo Editing Program, so, pardon the growing pains.
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Thank you for making an honest video.
Wish I had of seen it before I bought a pair of these a while back.
On paper they were my dream moving heads. When I got them I quickly realised that totem mode is basically useless/pointless and I can’t shoot the light on a dance floor using mounted on a totem. I don’t wanna use my movers on a t bar it’s not the look I’m going for and when you do use them on a t bar even with totem mode on when the light is running auto mode it still points behind the Dj booth a lot of the time. It’s disappointing as if I had of known this I would spent the extra for the 360 or bought a different brand. They aren’t a bad light as such they just have huge limitations and if your buying them thinking totem mode is going to save you from running dmx think again
This guy gets it. Too many people who’ve never actually used the light claim that I’m making things up and or it’s just user error. When Chauvet fixes the issue by changing the details manual, you know it’s more than user error.
BLESS YOU and this REVIEW! This is what we look for out of reviews from DJs versus Chauvet reps!
Thank you for the information. I have seen this video at least four times and because of your observations I got 4 260s for my T-stands and got two 140 SRs for my totems. Everything does exactly what I need it to do!
Thank you for your time and honest review.
Thanks for this. I'm a L.A. based DEE-JAY. and this helps alot to make my decision to buy one of these for certain applications.
Thanks for the heads up! Good thing for me, I always mount my moving heads upside down so I'm good with these.
The Totem Mode can be used when the fixture is up or down. That's why there are different Totem Mode options in the software.
Thanks Cleve very informative I appreciate your knowledge on these
I’m glad I was able to see this video before I went and bought them
Thanks again!!
I have two of the Intimidator 355s. A black and white one. Love them both as I usually pair them up with my two ADJ Inno-Spot moving heads. The price point when I bought the Chauvet lights were already in the low $700 range. 😊 I've had them for about a year and a half now.
Excellent review. Right on!
I used the New 260's i bought at a recent wedding at a very nice venue and i had zero issues... i think as a Mobile d.J. were gonna run into challenges and we need to always have our best mindset to tackle any obstacle that were likely to come across and Improvise, adapt, and overcome.. i didn't have any issues, as a matter of fact, the 75 watt 250's were a big hit i am glad I pulled the trigger on two of these Excellent lights. and i am confident that the investment will pay me in dividends in future gig's I guess everyone has their own likes and dislikes. but for these lights, i have no dislikes so far. the Totem mode didn't let me down and the angles were good enough to spotlight couples first dance et... i used the IRC remote that i bought separately and was able to parlay a nice light show for the crowd as they danced for several hours..
great review, pointed out the good and the bad
I'm having this same problem with my Inno Pocket movers! Thanks for sharing man
W
Since buying mine over a year ago now. I've done weddings as well as other gigs. And haven't had any problems. The lighting is very powerful.. crisp and lasts without having any heat issues. They look nice their perfect for medium to large events. 75 watt LED power. Is hard to beat.
Just what I needed as a Mobile D.J.
but like he was talking about, "Bringing LIFE to the dance floor" if it's settin on it's bottom did they mod the software? can it now project dow n right in front of itself without being mounted upside down?
Great info as I'm in the process of purchasing lighting. Thanks
me to bro!!
Great review - good work.
Thank you.!!! Very important info..!!
I had the old 250s and this was never a problem
Love your vids man! Keep it up!
AXL ENTERTAINMENT thank you.
Thanks for the good tips!
If you tip them forward 15° (place on an angled platform, something you build maybe, or even replace the rear feet with taller ones) might be an easy fix, since you already own them. Just a thought.. I do see your point for sure though. I'm a band guy, so I prefer my lighting flown (there's never enough floor space as it is) and these would be killer that way, as you said.
Very useful. Thank you
Great review thanks for the warning :D
Oh no. :( My 260s just came in the mail today. Gonna see if with LightKey2 software I can program them to stay lower. Otherwise these might end up upside down on my lightbars and, like you said, I'd need to get some 355s for the totems (7'4" NovoPro XXL). Great video - format - content. Keep up the good work!
I just bough the 255 IRC and I love them. You guys have to remember...Just because they didn't work for Terry, I doesn't mean they won't work for you either. I have used mine on the same setting Auto/Totem Mode and they work fine. no 2 dance floors are alike. if you're djing on some sort of stage, they work perfectly fine.
My 255 IRC have had no problem hitting the dance floor. Haven't tried the 260's.as I have 6 of the 255's and I love them
This is a great video :)
Hey Cleveland Terry nice review. I was looking at these light but now I'm unsure. What would you suggest instead of the 260s?
Thanks
Great review and information
. I’m just getting a kick out of everyone telling you your wrong when you clearly show exactly why and how they don’t do what you wish they did 😂 you do you T !
Mountain_ready_fitness nature of UA-cam my friend 😂
Wishing that these fixtures did something is perfectly acceptable, however the information presented in this video IS incorrect. He is getting undesired results because he has the fixtures set with the wrong settings. The selection of Totem Mode UP or DOWN is based on how the fixture is mounted and not where you want the light to aim.
Allan Reiss Maybe you should watch the video again my friend, when I talked about the degrees I was using DMX. How do you think I got them to be in a fixed position? I know exactly what I’m talking about.
I own 4 250's and just got 4 260's from a club and they work great. You just need to know how to use your fixtures. The 250 and 260 I set up in smaller venues with limited space. That dance floor you set up at is not the right place. And your right, the fixture is better set up hung over head. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it. When I usually do weddings I take a platinum 5r spot or the 375 led spot to spot the first dances and to add texture to walls and such. I'll put those up in clubs to add more lighting. Just got to know how to use fixtures
I've had these lights for a super long time - make sure you adjust the tilt agle from 270 to 180 degrees to get them to shine on the dance floor.
Great video
Good review and vaiid points
djaceproductions 👍🏾👍🏾
Great to know.
I viewed your video with echoes of dread. I was on KROQ for decades and did live DJ work in the 80s and 90s. I miss nothing about it. However, I have extended stage lighting range with mirrors. It’s a pain, but if that was your only truss, you might have been glad to have a mirror with you. I remember how tough things are when you must adapt to the situation in the moment. My visor is off to you.
I have a pair of Intimidator 110 Spot movers and I'm very surprised! They're great, but I was going to upgrade to the 260's ... Thanks for the honest review!! This wouldn't always impact me as I have mine hung around 80% of the time but for that 20% I'll have them upright, this will be a big bummer. Oh well, I'll still get them. I just wish the 110's had this feature too as they're kinda...basic...
Great blog sir! Saludos from Dj Flex 💪🏽 from Mundo de Dj Flex 💪🏽 watching and following in West Texas
Just got mine set-up using Airstream Bridge. I'm running with 2 units. If you tilt reverse both units, then PAN reverse the 2nd unit, then Invert Channel Output on that same 2nd unit, the beams will come down several more degrees. For some reason, the reverse tilt has a lower bottom angle than the front. I wonder if they would have a firmware update that could fix that?
thank god im usin these for lighting a band and not a dance floor, then i would really have a problem, but i def plan on upgrading to the 350 in the future when the band i work with starts booking bigger gig
Thank you for giving a useful on the field review. This is definately a deal breaker for me, I intended on using them on an actual totem. What good is a light that has totem mode when all is gonna do is blind folks at the table and hit the ceiling, what a shame.
I think soundswitch is for you. You can program the edges of the dancefloor almost creating your own totem mode where you choose the parameters.
That being said, I went with the intimidator trios
djAXCESS that’s funny I have soundswitch and I’m not much of a fan. I’ve been using light rider with a adj wifly box and I’ve been really happy with it.
Cleveland Terry Bowens thanks for the reply man, that really surprises me. I’ll have to look into that setup
What about the new 260X? Have you had a chance to compare them?
Hang 'em from a truss, control with ShowXpress.
Good review and good points for guys that aren't running full DMX control over their lighting. Things like this are why several years ago, I evaluated 1) Full DMX control, and then 2) Going to computer from standard outboard controllers as when they die they take programming with them. Using the laptop with a software DMX control application means I can create a baseline light show, save it, transport it to different laptops and modify it as needed for each event.
It's well worth taking the time to program DMX control and get away from "Free Running" lighting. With the DMX setup to 3 Universes it allows for full coordination of Stage, House Uplighting and Dance Floor lighting both overhead on the ceiling and the floor as well as the Gobo projectors.
UPDATE 2024: Just for fun I checked the "Look Down" capability of the Initimidator 260 Spot. Beam width adjusts from 12 to 17 degrees. The head tilt is asymmetrical with DMX control from 0 to 255. At 0 it's maximum tilt angle is -16 degrees from parallel. Spin the head around and set the tilt to 255 and it's -38 degrees. If it's maximum zoom, add 1/2 of 12 degrees to the -38 and you get 44 degrees of tilt on the light beam. I do this type of testing as a result of lighting design in the college days. Not trying to be a dick, lots of guys free-run lights and I don't know what these things do free-running or in totem mode. With DMX control sitting upright they will look down at ~45 degrees or more depending upon the zoom setting. That equates to hitting the dance floor out the same distance they are elevated. So, for instance on a 6' totem in DMX mode they can hit the dance floor 6' out from the face of the totem.
Look down is an important aspect of any moving head fixture. I check this because I fly everything on a truss. 3 sit on top, a 475 and two 375's and I hang the 260's along with 4x ADJ pocket pro's.
Bottom line, when buying high dollar items like moving head lights do your homework. Definitely recommend taking the time to work out basic DMX control. Chauvet ShowXpress works great and it's really not that hard to learn.
Good thought provoking video sir, thanks for uploading it.
I honestly don't think it's that bad. For me DMX is the way to go. The 260 could be used as an Aerial effect. A lot of the smaller Chauvet movers have a small tilt range. My mhx does have a 270 degree tilt.
Hi! How about the spot 360? Does it have the same issue like the 260 asl well? Thanks
CT what should I look for now June 2023.?? What light do you suggest for Totems now?
My 260 hits the dance floor all night long.
Very True! Looks like I'll have to hang these for full effect. T Bar or truss?
Wouldn't it work for you if you lowered the height or placement? Not on top of the poles maybe?
Good review - djs need to know the drawbacks too many online reviwers kiss arse because they get free stuff and they dont mention the down sides to a product. the up shot of that is others buy the stuff not knowing these things and the guys who make them never innovate enough because they think they are making good products everyone likes dont work in the industrybattery powered and portable if possible around 100 - 200 watts dimmable with everything built in sound active etc stuff dmx. .basicallly i want a moving a pair of heads that does totum mode upright does not need wires to connect or mimic what the other one does x over etc with a remote with a laser pointer to direct a spotlight - or a button for tracking mode and maybe a footswitch so to lock onto with blackout on - or if they really wanna innovate some sort of tracking deivice on remote so they can follow you around . If someone made them they would sell loads...
Are you able to do a video of them using totem mode upright with music for 2 mins. I want to see the run pattern before I make a purchase. I'm currently using ADJ InnoSpot Pro but they are retiring soon. Not planning to use these with DMX, will be using Auto and Sound Activate mode only, which shooting to the dance floor is important. Are you able to do one? I will be the first one to watch it.
If you placed them on a smaller totum, let’s say a 4 foot truss, will they work better?
For my needs, I am making the purchase of the 350s I found, they are just too cheap. I am building a pole mount and hood so I can use it outdoors for my holiday lighting!
I looked up this video because I’m having trouble setting up the IR remote. I feel like George Jetson in the intro of the cartoon: “Jane! Stop this crazy thing!” I know it can be problematic showing up for a gig the day of and encountering these kinds of restrictions. In your situation, I would figure out how to mount a mirror.
Hey man, great review! just wondering if you know how to make it so the lights do opposite movements? Like so they cross each other instead of moving the same direction. I tried to pan / tilt reverse and the movement does the opposite but the angle is different...
tehbui only reverse pan, if you reverse tilt then it will point backwards compared to the other
What is the firmware that you have for the intimidator?
Just put a bit of effort in and program your lights with DMX (not you personally). Fed up with cheap DJ's who don't want to put effort in and leave everything sound to light, or expect the manufacturers to create "magic lights" to do the job for them.. If you're going to do a job do it properly. I have run DMX for 30 years - it takes an extra 5 minutes to set up and reflects on your professionalism. I went to a wedding the other day and the DJ had strobe and laser dots going on through the slow first dance ???? - BTW these are great lights and a good review.
Markymark11 yeah...I’m not a fan of the laser dots. I stopped using them after a photographer explained that they ruin pictures.
Hey Terry - great video! Do you know if the Intimidator 355 suffers from the same totem mode limitation as the 260?
It does not.
@@ClevelandTerry Thank you Terry - based on that, we'll set our sights on the 355 :-)
Can I mount these on a speaker pole??
Great video!! I’ve actually been seriously considering these exact lights. Are the 360’s comparable to the 350’s? I am trying to decide between the 260’s and 360’s, leaning toward the
360’s because I can get them in white.
The 360s are the 350s with totem mode. The 350/360s have a wider spread and better angle. They are considerably heavier and have a bigger physical footprint. I find for the most part the 260s are good enough for most gigs and they would do find is hung are attached on the side.
The 360s are 40% brighter than the 355s they replaced even though the LED only increased by 10W [it's more efficient]. We also added dual prisms, a universal mounting bracket with 1/4-turn quick connects, PowerCON in/out and a dedicated carry bag [model: CHS-360]. All for the same price. The beam angles of the 260, 355 and 360 are the same.
The 360's sound like the golden road but...... $$$$
Did they fix this issue with the 260X??
This review is based on NON DMXing right? other then that DMX is good?
What if you mount them sideways? That would solve the limited down angle and change the rotational axis 90°. Might be tricky for DMX programming, but it gives you more rotation up and down. Would limit how far you can go to the sides, but if you mount them inside the truss it can direct most of the light the dance floor. And you can use the adjacent fixture to light the far side of the room. Just a thought.
I talked about that on the video…
@@ClevelandTerry ahh yes, I heard you briefly mention this as a solution after a second listen. Seems like a reasonable solution for pole mounts or truss towers. Still makes it worth the price to me. Thanks for the info though. Cheers!
what if you set them on a 3FT totem!!!
They actually tilt farther down on one side than the other, these lights work great with DMX controllers , we even supply our customers with a pre-programmed wifly ne1 to get the most out of them. Totem mode is not the best option, it mainly just keeps them in front of you.
Joey Lites I use them on both sides. They may drop lower but still not the same range as the 350s which technically has the same range.
Actually there should be a setting deep in the menu that lets you change the tilt degree from totem modes lets say 90 degrees to your regular 270
If I am correct
You can adjust the pan and tilt restrictions independently from each other using the "pan & tilt range" menu option within the fixture's software.
There is a setting to restrict the movement of the light but even with restrictions set in auto mode the light will shine backwards. It’s dumb as totem mode is one of the main selling points of the light but doesn’t work in auto mode.
Btw. All my lights are run through DMX wirelessly. Unless they are hung, the 260s don't go as far as the 350s. It's a limitation of the light.
You are correct. Due to the smaller size of the 260 head, it's tilt range also suffers a little. It's a limitation - not a defect.
@@reissallan Yes, a limitation that is not posted anywhere in the documentation, so not a defect, but knowingly negligent?
@@ClevelandTerry Actually I had no idea the specs were incorrect until you mentioned it. The correct tilt angle of the 260 is 234-degrees and I have already asked our marketing team to correct this. You should see the updated website within a few hours! :)
Good to hear. I told your guys at NAMM and they said they were going to look into it. I guess not. :-)
@@ClevelandTerry Not sure who you spoke to, but now that I know, the website specs will be fixed ASAP. We spend countless hours developing each item we launch, and the last thing we want is for customers to think we are misleading them - because we are not.
I use a truss stand so could fit these upside down, therefore, I should be ok?
Yup
I wonder if this is the case using a dmx controller?
I was using a dmx controller
Placement had a lot to do with it. The 350 is not directly pointing down it is at an angle you can tell because it is not a perfect circle. You can achieve this with the 260's. My opinion.
I have tried every which way...and as I said, the manufacturers told me it does not go all the way down. It is a physical limitation.
You said in your video that "totem mode is not designed to be used upright." That is incorrect. If you want to use the totem mode when the fixture is upright (hanging from truss), you need to select the UP option from within the Totem Mode menu structure. If you plan on using Totem Mode when the fixture is on the ground (or on a totem, subwoofer, etc), you need to select the DOWN option from the Totem Mode menu structure. There are 3 options total: OFF, UP or DOWN. The selection of UP or DOWN is based on how the fixture is mounted and not where you want the light to aim.
You also stated that “Chauvet never created programs for the totem mode setting.” That is also incorrect. Totem Mode doesn’t need any special settings in order to use this feature. Totem mode will automatically recalculate its position to keep it within the new parameters regardless if you’re using sound mode, auto mode, DMX mode or IR control.
Allan Reiss maybe you should communicate this to your NAMM staff because they agreed with me. I used totem mode in every angle, the programs have very limited options when upright. I would be more than happy to speak with you if you like.
@@ClevelandTerry I'm not sure who you spoke with at the NAMM show, but there are no additional "options" when using totem mode. Totem Mode is merely a pan/tilt restriction regardless of what mode the fixture is in. It works in stand-alone as well as DMX in the exact same fashion. If the fixture is suspended in the air, you need to choose UP. If it's on the ground, you need to choose DOWN. Totem Mode prevents the light from facing the rear of the fixture - nothing else - and no other options. Please feel free to call us (800) 762-1084 so we can discuss.
Easy solution. Just put something in the back legs so it can tilt lower.
That’s a workaround...not a solution.
What if u DMX them?? Then u could get the dance floor.
They work great in DMX I have 4 off them
They are DMX'd but they still won't hit the floor unless the are hung.
@@ClevelandTerrythen you have them facing the wrong way when programming. I noticed the same I thought was the same problem when I first programmed them. But then I kept looking at them and how they're built and one side of the head has a angle that's made for going lower. Look at it again and you'll see what I mean
I've run both ways. It never fixes the down angle limit. I run them side by side with my 350s. They just don't go as low.
@@ClevelandTerry That's a weird one brother. I do over 100+ shows/weddings a year with these things hit the dance floor 3ft in front of me. Hey now when I say hitting my dance floor I actually mean hitting the bodies on my dance floor in front of me. I have a few IF programs (in front) I call them where they work low right in front of me. But I do know what you mean Terry they don't as low as the 350's
Why not lower the light so it can hit the floor?
Arthur Jones it sits on the top of an 8 ft truss. Also if it's lower then it hits the people directly in the eyes. They don't like that.
Bruh, I hear this all the time. people don't stand on the dance floor & look at the dj lights and if they do, they glance at them and that's it. besides, people are dancing and looking at their partner or looking around the dance floor.
so you have to mount it upside down to take advantage of totem mode... I guess buying a cage set up to make it work wouldn't be so bad but now that's more junk to haul in your little Honda Civic... :(
I don’t have a Honda Civic.
Wow, I just found 6 of these at a liquidation auction, closed lightclub, for $25.00 each. And he says DO NOT BUY?
I don’t think I said do not buy at $25 a piece. Come on man.
@@ClevelandTerry yes, then I watched the rest of video..... auction goes until Tuesday am. I hope to score 6 for under $100 each!
@@ClevelandTerry auction closed on those lights and I missed out. They went for $250, still a great bargain.
My family had a kipition fit when they found me bidding.....
Woulda been the best holiday light show ever!!!!
Can I have it can not offered it
Is a great ligth, you just need to buy a proper DMX controller, I own tye Wokfmix and these fixtures perform great
The issue has nothing to do with the dmx hardware. It is a physical limitation.
The 260 doesn't have a 270 degree tilt range
Creatovators CIC check the manual, pg 8. 😀. It’s supposed to.
Dmx your lights and they'll be perfect, I have four of them plus 12 other moving heads. There are so many great DMX programs out there today why would you not My DMX, DMX Show express, Airstream DMX or what ever. Every shot in your youtube video where you show them they're the wrong way for a dance floor right in front of you
I guess you didn't see the light rider iPad. All my stuff is DMX.
And the 355 isn't that much different. Bigger yoke for a larger range of angles and a motorized focus.....same LED engine.
Both the 260 and 355 have motorized focus. The LED engine is completely different; the 355 has a 90W LED while the 260 has a 75W. The 355 also has a rotating prism while the 260 is static.
Deleted my comments, watched the video again and I misunderstood your point.
Sorry man but tbh you're just not using these right. Yeah you gotta position them differently than 350s lol, they're different lights. No wonder the namm guys were mystified lmao. I have 4 260s from back when they used to call them Q-Spots and they're my main workhorse lights to this day. I lost the hanging brackets years ago, they're always stacked. If they're still building them like that, after ww3 the only things left will be roaches and chauvet 260s. I know I've been snarky here but y'all for real please don't grab your moving heads by the yoke like this. The bases have handles for a reason.
The difference in lights have absolutely nothing to do with the tilt degree. The Chauvet guys were not mystified, they literally said they told them to update the manual to reflect the disparity. I typically grab it by the base, I made this video a long time ago. I didn’t realize I did that.
These fixtures are way too advanced for this guy
This guy knows exactly what he’s talking about.
I've seen these trained down onto dance floor but not in totem mode lighting up bride and groom so this post doesn't give right reviews
Not sure what you mean....this "post" is accurate. I own them. I know what they are capable of.
@Cleveland Terry yes I own these from Friday, but knowing dmx settings etc and I'm nearly 40 years in this industry professional for many of them including radio work ,they're are other posts on here which contradict what you're video is about
Please be specific in how I’m wrong considering chauvet themselves changed the manual after this video
@Cleveland Terry we'll you are stating that they won't go down onto audience under 90 degrees from beam angle, mounted on podiums no matter what you do, but I've seen these being used with my dmx go training down under the 90 degrees beam angle onto the dance floor and audience also bride and groom ,this I feel in your video is very misleading and inaccurate
From Allan Reiss who works at a chauvet. His comments are in the chat but here you go.
Cleveland Terry
3 years ago (edited)
Btw. All my lights are run through DMX wirelessly. Unless they are hung, the 260s don't go as far as the 350s. It's a limitation of the light.
Reply
Allan Reiss
3 years ago
You are correct. Due to the smaller size of the 260 head, it's tilt range also suffers a little. It's a limitation - not a defect
Reply
Cleveland Terry
3 years ago
@Allan Reiss Yes, a limitation that is not posted anywhere in the documentation, so not a defect, but knowingly negligent?
Allan Reiss
3 years ago
@Cleveland Terry Actually I had no idea the specs were incorrect until you mentioned it. The correct tilt angle of the 260 is 234-degrees and I have already asked our marketing team to correct this. You should see the updated website within a few hours! :)
Reply
Cleveland Terry
3 years ago
Good to hear. I told your guys at NAMM and they said they were going to look into it. I guess not. :-)
Reply
Allan Reiss
3 years ago
@Cleveland Terry Not sure who you spoke to, but now that I know, the website specs will be fixed ASAP. We spend countless hours developing each item we launch, and the last thing we want is for customers to think we are misleading them - because we are not.
Sheesh a 90 second intro...work on that
I have 4 and I love these fixtures so don’t listen to djs
You can talk to chauvet who changed their manual to reflect what I said in this video. It doesn’t matter how many you own.
I own 6 and there awesome, djs are clueless
What are you implying because you owning 6 of them have nothing to do with actual physics.
Great fixtures. Clueless wonder reviewing it.
Yeah he sucks.