Chauvet Professional Launches New High-Output Strike LED-Powered Strobe Series

	Chauvet Professional's Strike 324 and Strike 882

Chauvet Professional has elevated one of the industry's most popular classic effects -- the strobe light -- to advanced levels of performance and functionality with its new LED-driven Strike strobe series. Combining the output of SMD LEDs with rugged, roadworthy die-cast casing, the series features two models -- Strike 324 and Strike 882 -- that are ideal for touring and production applications.

Designed to fit a wide spectrum of rigs and venues, the Strike 324 is shaped like a low-profile par can and contains 324 white 1W SMD LEDs, while the Strike 882 is configured like a panel and equipped with 882 white 0.W SMD LEDs. Thanks to the power and efficiency of their 6,400K LEDs, both models produce incredible brightness while consuming significantly less energy than conventional strobe lights of comparable output, offering the ability to run on standard voltages of 110-240V and to link multiple units together on the same circuit. Featuring an extremely wide beam angle of 120-degrees, the Strike 324 emits 206 lux at 5m, and the beefier Strike 882 emits 664 lux at 5m.

But brightness and energy efficiency are only the beginning of the enhanced features that Chauvet Professional has incorporated into these advanced strobe fixtures. More than just "flashy" effects, the Strike units give lighting professionals the ability to create stunning strobe designs, because they offer independent LED zone control -- eight zones for the Strike 324, and six zones for the Strike 882. Using the zonal control feature, the user can design a wide array of shapes such as strobing rings and bars, for example, and even combine zone control with strobe macros for a truly spectacular eye-candy experience.

Another edge the Strike 324 and Strike 882 offer over their traditional predecessors is the capability to be used for more than just strobe effects. Answering today's demand for multi-functionality, both models are equipped with an innovative all-on feature that allows them to do double duty as floodlights. The panel-shaped Strike 882 can also be used for a third function, as a powerful audience blinder, making it what the company calls an exceptional lighting value.

"Strobe lights have remained one of the most popular special effects since the '60s and '70s, so we felt it was time update this classic with LED technology and introduce a version for today's users," said Mike Graham, product manager for Chauvet Professional. "Our LED-powered Strike 324 and Strike 882 have an output that's powerful enough to create intense strobing effects in even the largest productions. At the same time, they consume a fraction of the energy of comparably-bright strobes with a traditional light source, and their LEDs are rated at 50,000 hours so they require very little maintenance."

The ability to run at any voltage and be linked together on the same circuit are huge advantages of the LED-powered Strike strobes, emphasized Graham. As many as 11 Strike 324 units can be linked at 120V; 19 units at 208V; and 21 units at 230V. The Strike 882 can be linked up to three units at 120V; five units at 208V and six units at 230V.

"With traditional Xenon strobes, you may need 208V or higher voltage, and will only be able to put one, or at best two, on a 20A circuit," said Graham. "What makes these units so great is that they are significant time and money savers, with their ability to run at any standard voltage and the ability to connect several together on the same circuit."

"Plus, with LEDs you can add more features such as zonal control and our unique all-on setting, which gives the units additional functionality as floodlights and, in the case of the Strike 882, an audience blinder," added Graham. "Customers today are looking to stretch their lighting dollar with versatile fixtures that can serve more than one purpose, and the Strike Series certainly fits into this trend."

The Strike Series strobes also respond to today's demands for ease of use, featuring multiple modes of DMX control (one-, five-, eight-, or 12-channel for the Strike 324; one-, five-, six-, or 10-channel for the Strike 882). They also offer three- and five-pin DMX connections and power linkability via Neutrik powerCON in/out. In addition to being linked together in like units, the Par-shaped Strike 324 and panel-shaped Strike 882 can be coupled with one another to create more visually interesting designs.

Despite the strength of their die-cast housing, the Strike 324 and Strike 882 are surprisingly lightweight and easy to transport. The Strike 324 weighs just 6.2lb (2.8kg) and measures 9" x 3.7" x 9.8" (230 x 95 x 249mm). The Strike 882 weighs 11lb (5kg) and measures 3.19" x 17.91" x 8.7" (81 x 455 x 221mm).

Both Strike models are CE approved and come with a Neutrik powerCON power cord. Their quiet, fan-free operation makes them ideal for use in noise-sensitive environments.

See Chauvet Proessional at PLASA Focus: Nashville, February 18 - 19, and PLASA Focus: Baltimore, May 8 - 9.