[WTB] Altman Comet follow spots

T

Tom Manchester

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
607
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Delaware
www.electrosoundsystems.com
Looking for 1 or 2 Altman followspots. Used preferred but will consider new if you can do a good price on them.

If used, they must be in very good condition. I don't mind doing a little cleaning or repair work, but they can't be rusted and beat to hell like most comets.

Oh yeah...and I need these in my hands by Thursday October 2nd! Don't mind driving if you're nearby.

Let me know what you've got.
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

Sorry for digging up this old thread but I'm hoping to upgrade from the entry level el-cheapo Chauvet type follow spot to something noticeably better. I don't want to make a sideways move so is the Altman Comet noticeably better or more of a sideways move?? The little Chauvet type has a 350 watt bulb so I'm thinking that something with at least 1000 watts is in order but the Comet says 360/410 watts. Is there something similar in size but not crazy expensive that will be a lot better than what I'm using now?
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

Gene Hardage said:
Sorry for digging up this old thread but I'm hoping to upgrade from the entry level el-cheapo Chauvet type follow spot to something noticeably better. I don't want to make a sideways move so is the Altman Comet noticeably better or more of a sideways move?? The little Chauvet type has a 350 watt bulb so I'm thinking that something with at least 1000 watts is in order but the Comet says 360/410 watts. Is there something similar in size but not crazy expensive that will be a lot better than what I'm using now?
Click to expand...

The 410 watt rating is for the FXL lamp, which offers a pitiful 38 hour life expectancy.

I haven't used the Chauvet, but I have used the Altman. They are in my opinion entry level spots. Based on the Chauvet gear I've used, it's probably a little nicer, but not by much.

In looking for a follow spot, I'd want to look for something that has an arc source lamp instead of a halogen. The risk of a lamp dying mid song would be much less with an arc lamp. Those usually fail at startup if they are going to fail.
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

Brian jojade said:
The 410 watt rating is for the FXL lamp, which offers a pitiful 38 hour life expectancy.

I haven't used the Chauvet, but I have used the Altman. They are in my opinion entry level spots. Based on the Chauvet gear I've used, it's probably a little nicer, but not by much.

In looking for a follow spot, I'd want to look for something that has an arc source lamp instead of a halogen. The risk of a lamp dying mid song would be much less with an arc lamp. Those usually fail at startup if they are going to fail.
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What about this thing called a Altman 1000Q? http://www.altmanltg.com/followspot-1000q.htm
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

Gene Hardage said:
What about this thing called a Altman 1000Q? http://www.altmanltg.com/followspot-1000q.htm
Click to expand...

That was kind of the original Comet. It uses an FEL lamp (horrendous... I can try out my FLKs to see if they're better in them), and is perhaps the most disappointing spot I've ever worked with. Twas a champ, though, and has stood up to far more abuse than our Lycians (the brand I would consider purchasing).
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

Max Warasila said:
That was kind of the original Comet. It uses an FEL lamp (horrendous... I can try out my FLKs to see if they're better in them), and is perhaps the most disappointing spot I've ever worked with. Twas a champ, though, and has stood up to far more abuse than our Lycians (the brand I would consider purchasing).
Click to expand...

Please elaborate on "horrendous".

I'm trying to learn about entry level follow spots. The Comet uses a similar style lamp to the thing I'm using now with only a 350 watt reflector looking thing and it won't cut through all my newer LED par-pucks (Blizzard brand) so I'm guessing that it will take at least a 1000 watt lamp to make a noticeable difference?

Sorry to keep asking so many questions on this old thread - just wanting to learn about follow spots in my price range.
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

Gene Hardage said:
Please elaborate on "horrendous".

I'm trying to learn about entry level follow spots. The Comet uses a similar style lamp to the thing I'm using now with only a 350 watt reflector looking thing and it won't cut through all my newer LED par-pucks (Blizzard brand) so I'm guessing that it will take at least a 1000 watt lamp to make a noticeable difference?

Sorry to keep asking so many questions on this old thread - just wanting to learn about follow spots in my price range.
Click to expand...
I have no personal experience between these two products and it seems the spec sheets are inconsistent, but generally wattage is only part of the story. Other factors include:

- Type, lifespan, and efficiency of the lamp - long life bulbs are lower brightness for a given wattage, and HMI has many more lumens per watt than quartz halogen, and there are lots of grades and subtypes of quartz lamps

- Efficiency of the fixture - its ability to capture and direct the light from the lamp vs losing it inside the fixture our out the back

It is not hard for me to believe that a 1000w old-design lamp in a poor fixture is outperformed by a high-tech 360w bulb in an efficient fixture.
 
Re: Altman Comet follow spots

The 1000Q is an inefficient spot design. It uses a dish reflector, and with an FEL lamp the LCL is far too large to stay coherent through the optics - which barely qualify as high tech optics. The Comet uses a lamp with a proper reflector and far better optics. I'll keep it simple - my MagLite is comparable in raw output. In fact, a our 1980s Strand Century Lekolites have far superior performance now that I've put in modern lamps and done some instrument maintenance.

If you really want to find a better spotlight than the comet, you'll have to prepare yourself. Lighting often has the same issue with audio when it comes to stepping up to the next level of intensity/power. 3dB takes twice as much power - and in terms of lighting, that means a heck of a lot more lumens. What really matters is the efficiency of the fixture as a whole. Interestingly enough, for a few hundred more than would be sunk into a Comet, you could purchase a 5deg Source Four and all of the applicable City Theatrical followspot accessories. It's significantly brighter and easier to transport (though does require assembly and higher level lighting electrician knowledge to maintain at the level where it would surpass a Comet. However, it's only a small upgrade.

If anyone here checks my work and feels like I've made an error, please let me know. I think I've done my math correctly, and I feel like the only real upgrade from a Comet you're going to get, Gene, is going to cost you upwards of 4k unless you buy used - and even then not much below.
 
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