[SML] Opinions of Strand control and dimming equipment

[Riter, Andrew]

My university building is coming up 20 years old.  Original install was CD 80 racks (6 in 3 venues), and 2 Strand consoles.  Since then, we’ve replaced the consoles with Ions (yeah!).

The CD 80 racks and dimmers remain, but we’ve replaced the brains with the C21 retrofit.  Of the 7 CIC drawers and processors (14 items) sent new from Strand, 2 failed out of the box, and one came back from warranty repair not fixed.

Beyond that, they’ve been fine.

Whatever dimming system (ETC Strand), get spare modules (non-dim, dimmers, different flavours).  I’m at the point where I need more non-dims for LED power supplies, but need to source extra modules for the 20 year old system.

We replaced the CIC drawers and processors since Strand was unable to repair any failed components (chips not manufactured anymore).

Get an ETC console, or Strand.  What’s a NEO??????  Never heard of it.

I think the par can/S4 issue kind of says it all.

Andrew M. Riter
Assistant Technical Director / Head Lighting Technician

604-822-2372
Andrew.riter at ubc.ca<mailto:Andrew.riter at ubc.ca>

From: Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net] On Behalf Of Joe Wilson via Stagecraft
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 12:33 PM
To: Stagecraft
Cc: Joe Wilson
Subject: [SML] Opinions of Strand control and dimming equipment

Hi all,

My space is looking to upgrade our existing dimming system which is currently a hybrid of Kleigl analogue dimmers and a few CD-80 packs.

We're working with a facility-mandated design consultant company who reviewed our space and delivered us a half-baked proposal that we are now to review and comment on.

One of their suggestions was to recommend a pair of Strand C21 dimmer racks and a NEO console over an ETC Sensor-based system based on price and the fact that Strand provided them with a detailed bill of materials while ETC did not.

We've been a bit leery of Strand's products after our experience with their CD80s and we have a bit of a negative association around their products and service availability.

However, I'm trying to make sure I don't just have a personal bias, so I am soliciting opinions and experiences from you folks regarding Strand's dimming and control systems.

Please share any relevant opinions or experience on or off-list, and thanks in advance!

(The consultant company is also recommending we replace our S4s with PAR64s, but that's a totally different discussion.)

Cheers!
~joe



--
_________________________
Joe Wilson, ATD/Sound
Indian River State College

Adding one more "me too" to the
collective internet consciousness.
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