- fect light that immediately caught my eye when its pre-release was teased on Facebook. I messaged Prolight straight away, and a few weeks later, a sample landed at KMG HQ. I was excited to get my hands on it, having previously discussed creating this type of light with Bradley and Andrew from Prolight at a SEDA ShowNight just the year before. Their reply was “watch this space”, and here it is!

80 The Helix Evo XP is a modern take on the classic barrel light, a fixture style we’ve seen from many manufacturers. In the past, LEDs just didn’t pack the punch to deliver a suitable output from this type of light. Fast forward a few years, and Equinox has clearly pushed the boundaries of LED technology with the popular Helix family of products: the original Helix, the Helix XP, the Helix Scan XP, and the Helix Roller XP. The Helix Evo XP is essentially a Helix XP with a mirror drum added in front of the lens to widen the spread of the output and add dynamic movement.

This is a familiar concept, but here it’s paired with a highpower LED source and rotating, replaceable gobos. First impressions and build quality Straight out of the box, the Helix Evo XP feels like a serious piece of kit. The all-metal casing (available in black or white) gives it a clean, professional appearance that will fit into any setup. It’s clear this isn’t a budget fixture trying to punch above its weight; it sits perfectly in its price bracket and class.

The build quality is immediately apparent. The packaging was meticulous – the foam is precut to match the shape, and the mirror drum is protected by a shaped block of foam and a thin plastic bag to prevent damage. The fixture feels substantial without being unnecessarily heavy at just 7.5kg, and all the mechanical components, including the barrel’s tilt and gobo rotation, operate smoothly – a detail often missed on other fixtures. The head surrounding the mirror drum was purpose-built, so there’s no play or wobble.

The mounting points are robust, and the included quick-release omega clamp is a welcome addition. These clamps simply line up with the fixture’s bracket, and a quarter turn locks them securely in place – a proper quick-release mechanism that makes rigging simple and fast. I was also pleased to see PowerTwist TR1 connectors for both power input and a passthrough output, allowing you to link multiple units easily. PowerTwist is similar to Neutrik powerCON TRUE1, and their locking, black connectors are secure and neatly hidden away.

We also liked that there is a dedicated slot for replacing the fan if ever needed, saving you the hassle of opening the entire casing. EQUINOX HELIX EVO XP Technical performance The heart of the Helix Evo XP is its powerful 150W cool white LED, rated at 7700K. It delivers impressive brightness and clarity, but the quality of the light is what really shines. The beam angle of 2.3° per beam creates sharp, well-defined projections, while the gobo flower effect spreads to a 22° angle, giving you versatility.

After the gobo flower, the output hits the mirror barrel, providing a wide coverage angle of 160° that can effectively fill substantial spaces. During testing, the fixture maintained crisp, welldefined patterns even over long distances with no loss of definition or brightness. It’s worth noting, however, that the gobos in the projected flower effect are quite small and spread out more than on some other fixtures. You’ll see 4-5 projected gobo flowers across the room.

While this leaves more space between the projections, the power and definition of the output more than make up for it. Gobo system and effects One of the standout features is the comprehensive gobo system. The fixture comes with eight preinstalled gobos and an additional pack of 11 replaceable gobos, including celebration (confetti, champagne), holiday (snowflake, pumpkin), and other useful shapes (heart, star, reducer). The gobo changing mechanism is smooth and precise, with no juddering during transitions.

My only small criticism is that the rotating mechanism creates a brief moment of darkness between gobo changes, which is only noticeable during a slow gobo scroll. Snapping between gobos is not a problem. The rotating gobos are a fantastic addition, adding extra excitement to the output – they look incredible with haze! Changing gobos is easy and convenient via rear access door.

The gobo wheel is immediately accessible, and the gobo holders can be easily removed and replaced using a slot-and-lock system. The 9-colour wheel (plus open) provides vibrant, saturated colours that maintain their intensity over long throws. I was particularly impressed with the colour saturation – the blues are deep and the yellows are vibrant. The reds are rich, though they do lean slightly orange, but red is always difficult with LEDs!

The colour wheel operates smoothly with variable speed control, allowing for subtle fades or dramatic chase effects. It’s also great that you can do split colours, though for some reason, splitting between red and white, and UV and warm white isn’t an option. EQUINOX HELIX EVO XP equinox helix evo xp This could perhaps be a future firmware update. We also love the inclusion of UV and a warm white filter, especially with the high demand for “champagne” or warm white colours at weddings.

The barrel/mirror dish effect The rotating mirror barrel is what truly sets the Helix Evo XP apart from static gobo flowers. This internal mirror dish creates dynamic, rotatable gobo flowers that are also indexable, allowing you to get them into the perfect fixed position. The rotation is smooth and variable, so you can dial in subtle ambient effects for a first dance or go for full-on dramatic, racing effects for a high-energy dance floor. The motors selected for the pan and tilt of the drum are perfect, capable of both slow, sweeping movements and fast, energy-raising effects.

The drum can swivel (pan) 180 degrees, so you can throw light at almost any angle in front of the fixture. The tilt (rotation) is continuous in either direction and can be indexed, which is incredibly useful for those all-important rig photos we share on social media. Control and programming The Helix Evo XP offers comprehensive control. It supports multiple DMX channel modes, so you can choose from a simple mode for basic control or an extended mode for precise command over every aspect. a 81 equinox helix evo xp The onboard LCD display is clear and easy to read, and the menu system is intuitive.

I liked being able to set custom colour combinations and gobo sequences directly from the menu, which is handy when you don’t have a lighting desk. In addition to DMX, it offers manual, auto and sound modes. The sound mode is well-behaved, producing subtle movements and colour changes rather than going into a strobe-heavy frenzy like some other fixtures. It also includes primary/secondary modes, allowing you to link multiple fixtures to either match each other (secondary 1) or create complementary effects (secondary 2).

You can also control the fixture via the optional CA8 handheld controller. Real-world testing We put our demo unit through its paces for a video, and it delivered! We have since purchased a pair of white and a pair of black Helix Evo XPs for our own business and have used them at several events. We it nearly always use them in pairs for a mirrored look, and they’ve provided elegant, professional-looking effects that enhance the atmosphere without being over the top.

For wedding work, their versatility is invaluable, allowing us to create romantic, subtle effects for the first dance and then switch to dynamic patterns for the open dancing. When compared to other fixtures in its class, the Helix Evo XP’s build quality, output, and fluid movement were it immediately apparent. Installation and rigging The fixture is designed with practical installation in mind. It includes robust mounting points and the balance is well-distributed, making it easy to position.

The omega bracket system simplifies rigging for various scenarios. Cable management is well thought out, with connectors easily accessible but neatly hidden from public view. It’s compact and lightweight enough to be handled easily, and Prolight a even offers a purpose-built flight case on wheels for two units, which includes a storage compartment for cables and spare gobos. Value I The Helix Evo XP has a suggested retail price of £599, which represents solid value.

While not the cheapest option, its build quality, performance and versatility justify the investment. Its versatility means it can replace multiple single-effect fixtures, potentially reducing overall equipment costs and setup time. 82 Areas for improvement While very impressive, there are a few minor areas for improvement. Built-in wireless DMX would be a welcome addition, eliminating the need for additional hardware.

In today’s increasingly wireless world, this feels like a missed opportunity, though I understand would push up the price. I’ve also seen comments on social media about the spacing of the gobo flowers and the size of the projected gobos, but I think it looks great, especially with haze. The Equinox Helix Evo XP is a well-engineered, professional-feeling lighting fixture that delivers impressive performance. Its combination of powerful LED output, versatile effects, and a solid build makes an excellent choice for a room-filling effect.

Its ability to create both subtle atmospheric effects and dramatic visual displays makes it particularly valuable for professionals who need equipment that can adapt to different event requirements. The Helix Evo XP proves that Equinox continues to evolve its product line, delivering fixtures that meet the real-world needs of lighting professionals. It’s a solid addition to any professional lighting inventory and one that will serve you well across a wide variety of applications.

Prolight in the UK is quickly becoming leading brand for DJ lighting, offering great products at a fantastic price point. I love that they take on feedback and use it to develop their products, and they hold a huge amount of stock, which provides peace of mind. personally love the Helix Evo XP, and our investment into a pair of white and a pair of black units clearly shows that this was the right choice for us. The change to LED, the weight saving, and the better optical performance really helped seal the deal.

My old Warlocks served me well for over a decade, and I’m confident the Equinox Helix Evo XP will do the same. EQUINOX HELIX EVO XP E HH AA SS AA RR RR II VV EE DD • 1 x 150W cool white LED (7700K) • Coverage angle: 160° • 8 rotating, replaceable gobos • 9 colours + open • DMX, auto, sound active and primary/ secondary modes plus built-in programs • Pan: 180°, Tilt: 360° continuous • Heavy duty bracket with multiple omega, clamp and wall mounting options • PowerTwist TR1 input/output • 3-Pin XLR input/output • Supplied with an additional gobo pack containing 11 popular gobos ** AAVVAA II LL AA BB LL EE II NN AA WW HH II TT EE HH OO ** ** FF UU LL LLYY LL II NN KK AA BB LL EE WW II TT HH TT HH AADDVV003377__PPrrooMMoobbiillee__PPrrooLLiigghhtt__HHeelliixx__EEvvoo__XXPP..iinndddd for full product specifications or visit website UU SS II NN GG EE HH EE LL II XX XX PP,, RR OO LL LL EE RR AA NN DD SS CC AA NN 0066//0066//22002255 1144::2222