: £299..CHAUVETDJ.EU I recently the Equinox Gyrocopter here in Pro Mobile and that brought back memories of the traditional ‘80s and ‘90s disco lighting effects that I used to use ‘back in the day’! So, when I saw the recent launch of CHAUVET DJ’s new Helicopter Q6, I was intrigued. 66 66 As soon as they came into UK stock, I felt that I had to secure at least one with a view to making it the centrepiece of my overhead rig. You may wonder why?

Well, I started DJing back in the ‘80s and par- 36-based effects were the thing of the day. So I’ve always had fond memories of those ‘high tech’ moving pinspot lighting effects, such as scanners and helicopters. Back then they featured heavily in many nightclub lighting rigs and mobile roadshows, mine included. So, in the days of DMX and LED technology, I was interested to see how a modern take on a traditional disco lighting effect would look and work.

I think we can all agree that effects with an eyewatering number of dots are in decline and that a move to narrow pencil-thin beam effects is underway. Therefore, not only is the Helicopter Q6 a throwback to the past, it is also – perhaps – a sign of things to come for the future! When the unit arrived, I had it out the box in minutes. Its light weight and compact size surprised me, especially as it is more than just a 6-head helicopter.

Old-school Par 36 helicopters were always a fair size and quite heavy beasts, with weighty transformers and chunky glass bulbs in them (they were also quite noisy in operation). The base of this modern version is constructed from metal and features solid grab handles at each end. But its six heads – or pods as CHAUVET DJ refers to them – are all made from plastic. This brings the overall weight down to an incredibly manageable 4kg.

The unit can sit on its feet on the floor or, by using the supplied hanging bracket, can be mounted onto a stand or overhead rig. It is also fitted with both input and output IEC connections to allow the power supply for multiple fixtures to be linked together. Each pod contains a 6.9W RGBW LED and offers a 3-degree beam angle, which is narrower than a traditional Par 36. In smoke, these will provide a true narrow beam of light that looks very impressive.

The four separate coloured LED elements inside the pods are mounted as a square broken into quarters. While the light from the individual LED elements appears to blend together mid-air to create one solid beam, the separate dots of coloured light can be seen when the beam hits nearby surfaces. Not only are the pods plastic, so are the lenses. Unfortunately, one of the lenses on my unit had a small crack.

This likely happened in the post. Luckily it does CHAUVET DJ HELICOPTER Q6 not affect the light’s performance a variety of and isn’t visually noticeable when it far surpass what is in action. back in the ‘80s There are two key differences I have a couple between the Helicopter Q6 and a Glides, which traditional Par 36 helicopter ef- LEDs, and the fect. Firstly, there is no need to use beam widths coloured gel, as LED colour mixing the Helicopter can be used to select any desired age of the LEDs hue using DMX.

Secondly, each head can be controlled indepen- Offering plenty dently, both for colour and brightthrough RGBW ness, where the original helicopter variable rotation effects could only be switched century helicopter either all on or all off. in its own right. manufacturers Each of the heads can be indepen- CHAUVET DJ dently angled, enabling them to further by be fanned out or used to create a within the one tighter ‘tunnel’ effect. Just like a traditional helicopter, the whole An SMD LED head can rotate continuously.

Howincorporated ever, modern technology means the unit’s central that both the rotation speed and 24 x 1W white direction can be adjusted to achieve strobe rate of SCTHAAYUINVGET M DOJB HILEELICOPTER Q6 CHAUVET DJ Helicopter Q6 different effects that When all the LEDs are lit, the light could be achieved output can be seen in a darkened and ‘90s. room for about 15-20 feet. It’s not a particularly strong strobe, howof KAM Power ever it’s a nice addition, and adds incorporate 10W to the overall visual effect. light output and were comparable with Like many modern fixtures, this is Q6.

The lower watta 3-in-1 unit which also features was not noticeable. a red and green pattern-cluster laser positioned in the centre of of versatility, the helicopter’s rotating hub. The colour mixing and red laser diode is rated at 100mw, speed, this 21st while the green diode is 30mw. is a great effect This is equivalent to many of the But, as with many ‘GOBO Star’ type standalone laat the moment, sers on the market. However the has gone a step big difference between this and including other effects other cluster laser effects is that it compact unit. rotates when the head spins.

This provides, in my eyes, a laser version strobe ring has been of a rotating oil wheel effect. As around the outside of with any other laser product, there hub. This utilises is a safety key switch, so the laser LEDs which have a part of the effect can be easily between 1 and 20Hz. switched off if needed. THE EARLY DAYS elicopter Q6 I tested the unit with the optional For those that do IRC-6 wireless remote which enplete control over hances the effectiveness of the that is possible whole unit without having to resort fixture offers a choice to full DMX mode.

The selectable and 16-channel programmes consist of various 3-channel option combinations ranging from just one selection of the of the three effects through to two patterns, with or all three combined. This further control, as well as enhances the flexibility of the unit. the rotation direction The full 16-channel Of course the fixture can also run individual RGBW standalone, if you prefer a ‘set it each pod as well as and forget it’ kind of approach, and programme selection multiple units can be connected control for the as a Master and Slave(s).

The fairly functions. standard 4-digit LED screen and corresponding push buttons pro- Whilst the main unit vide access to a variety of operating ed from metal, the modes. The unit can be set to run – which are mounted any of its 10 internal patterns at a able metal stalks – set speed or in Sound Active mode. to transit damage. For the latter there is an in-built unit, I would microphone with a physical sensiminimum, the tivity control (rather than having to 40 padded bag (it select the sensitivity through the Accu-Case AC-125). menu as per many other effects).

It is also possible to use the menu So, to sum up my to set a custom colour and rotaunit, the effect has tion speed/direction if you want to of options and achieve a particular ‘look’ but don’t provide plenty of want to use DMX control. ibility. From the front, 6688 like the coma haze-filled environment, it cretheir lightshow ates an interesting and impactful using DMX, the visual effect. I love the helicopter between 3- aspect – a modern take on a clasmodes.

The basic sic effect – and I’d say that is the provides remote unit’s strongest point. The laser pre-programmed is a useful addition for any smallvariable speed to-medium-sized event, while the control over fixture’s weakest aspect may – to and speed. some – be considered the strobe mode provides effect. Granted, it’s not particucolour mixing for larly powerful, however from the independent front it does provide an interesting and speed ‘eye candy’ effect and I consider it strobe and laser to be a ‘value added’ bonus!

Will it be staying as part of my rig? is construct- Well, yes, especially as I’ve got one plastic pods or two ‘80s themed nights coming on moveup later in the year. That aside, it’s may be prone a useful, flexible, and eye-catching To protect the addition to my show. The Helicoprecommend, as a ter Q6 can currently be picked up CHAUVET DJ CHS- for just under £300, so – for three will also fit in a effects in one – I’d say it represents reasonable value for money.

So, if you’re looking for a new centrethoughts on the piece or eye-catching effect to add a good range to your rig, I’d say it’s well worth programmes to a visit to your local CHAUVET DJ variety and flexdealer for a demo. especially in CHAUVET DJ THHEEL IECAORPLTYE DRA QY6S