What is the primary light source of the Equinox Hot Rod MKII?

The fixture uses eight 3W LEDs. These are divided into four colours: red, green, blue, and white.

How many moving bars does this fixture have?

It features two independently controllable tilting bars. Each bar contains four of the eight total LEDs.

What is the pan range of the Hot Rod MKII?

The unit offers a 540-degree pan range. This allows the base to rotate significantly for wide room coverage.

What is the tilt range for the individual bars?

The bars have a tilt range of 205 degrees. Because the bars move independently, they can create complex sweeping effects.

Which DMX channel modes are available?

Users can operate the unit in 1-channel, 11-channel, or 15-channel modes. The higher channel counts offer more granular control over movement and individual LED colours.

Can the Hot Rod MKII be used without a DMX controller?

Yes, it features several standalone modes. These include automatic programs and a sound-active mode that reacts to music.

Does the fixture support Master/Slave operation?

Yes, it includes master/slave functionality. This allows one unit to control others in a chain for synchronised light shows without a DMX desk.

What is the beam angle of this light?

The Hot Rod MKII has a wide 34-degree beam angle. This provides broad coverage suitable for lighting up dance floors and stage areas.

Is the dimming and strobe speed adjustable?

Yes, the unit features variable dimming and variable strobe effects. These can be adjusted through the onboard menu or via DMX.

How is the unit configured manually?

It uses a simple four-button interface located on the base. This menu allows for easy setup of DMX addresses and operating modes.

What kind of environments is this light best for?

It is designed for gigs, live performances, and club spaces. Its compact size makes it particularly useful for mobile performers and smaller venues.

How does it differ from a standard moving head spot?

Unlike a standard spot that emits a single beam, the Hot Rod MKII uses two bars to create multiple sweeping beams. This results in a 'hot rod' style effect with more dynamic movement patterns.

Gear article

Equinox Hot Rod MKII Moving Head

The Equinox Hot Rod MKII is a compact dual-bar moving head lighting fixture designed for stage, performance, and club environments. It features eight 3W LEDs arranged across two independently controllable tilting bars to produce dynamic, sweeping multi-coloured effects.

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Overview

The Equinox Hot Rod MKII is a specialised moving head fixture that differentiates itself from standard spots through its dual-bar configuration. Each of the two bars is independently controllable, allowing for complex, scissor-like movements and multi-directional beam patterns. The unit is built for versatility in small to medium-sized venues, offering a combination of RGBW (Red, Green, Blue, White) colour mixing and high-speed mechanical movement.

Design and Mechanics

The fixture is powered by smooth, high-speed stepper motors providing a 540-degree pan and a 205-degree tilt. Each bar houses four 3W LEDs, resulting in a total of eight light sources. The wide 34-degree beam angle ensures that the light spreads effectively across a stage or dance floor, rather than remaining a narrow, focused pin-beam. Users can access variable strobe and dimming functions directly via the onboard interface or DMX control.

Control and Integration

For professional integration, the Hot Rod MKII supports DMX512 protocols with selectable 1, 11, or 15 channel modes. This allows for deep customisation of individual bar tilts, colours, and strobe rates. For users without a dedicated DMX controller, such as the Chauvet DJ FlareCON Air 2, the unit features several standalone modes. These include automatic programs, sound-active mode via an internal microphone, and master/slave functionality for synchronising multiple units without external programming.

Applications and Comparisons

The Hot Rod MKII is primarily suited for mobile DJs, small clubs, and live performance spaces where space is at a premium but high-energy visuals are required. Compared to traditional wash lights like the Chauvet DJ Sentinel Wash Q7Z or spot fixtures like the Eurolite LED TMH-41, the Hot Rod MKII provides a unique 'fan' or 'sweep' effect that covers more vertical and horizontal space simultaneously. It is often used alongside static fixtures like the Equinox Spectra Strobe Batten or Cameo ROOT PAR 4 to create a layered lighting design.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary light source of the Equinox Hot Rod MKII?: The fixture uses eight 3W LEDs. These are divided into four colours: red, green, blue, and white.
How many moving bars does this fixture have?: It features two independently controllable tilting bars. Each bar contains four of the eight total LEDs.
What is the pan range of the Hot Rod MKII?: The unit offers a 540-degree pan range. This allows the base to rotate significantly for wide room coverage.
What is the tilt range for the individual bars?: The bars have a tilt range of 205 degrees. Because the bars move independently, they can create complex sweeping effects.
Which DMX channel modes are available?: Users can operate the unit in 1-channel, 11-channel, or 15-channel modes. The higher channel counts offer more granular control over movement and individual LED colours.
Can the Hot Rod MKII be used without a DMX controller?: Yes, it features several standalone modes. These include automatic programs and a sound-active mode that reacts to music.
Does the fixture support Master/Slave operation?: Yes, it includes master/slave functionality. This allows one unit to control others in a chain for synchronised light shows without a DMX desk.
What is the beam angle of this light?: The Hot Rod MKII has a wide 34-degree beam angle. This provides broad coverage suitable for lighting up dance floors and stage areas.
Is the dimming and strobe speed adjustable?: Yes, the unit features variable dimming and variable strobe effects. These can be adjusted through the onboard menu or via DMX.
How is the unit configured manually?: It uses a simple four-button interface located on the base. This menu allows for easy setup of DMX addresses and operating modes.
What kind of environments is this light best for?: It is designed for gigs, live performances, and club spaces. Its compact size makes it particularly useful for mobile performers and smaller venues.
How does it differ from a standard moving head spot?: Unlike a standard spot that emits a single beam, the Hot Rod MKII uses two bars to create multiple sweeping beams. This results in a 'hot rod' style effect with more dynamic movement patterns.