Only 250W
The DLX is equipped with a LED RGBW light source rated for 20,000 hours that lets the fixture as a whole consume only 250W, and because the light source is homogenized, there is only a single shadow. But put it up against discharge fixtures consuming 575W to 700W, and you’ll see a comparable output — in color. After testing this unit, I can say that the claim holds true.
Along with the homogenized source, Robe has added extra white LEDs into the light source to let the DLX can achieve a proper white. And like other LED fixtures, the DLX blows away CMY mixing fixtures when mixing deep saturated colors thanks to additive mixing. The deep red and purples that I use so often outperformed similar class discharge fixtures using subtractive mixing.
Color Temperature Control
One impressive parameter of the DLX is the CTC, or Color Temperature Control. A controllable parameter from the board, the CTC lets users specify color temperatures from 2,700K to 19,000K. What makes this parameter stand out is that, once the CTC is set, the fixture now internally corrects your color mixing with the temperature you set. Mixing Red at 100 percent, Green at 100 percent and Blue at 0 percent in 2,700K gives off a distinctly different orange than when the DLX is set at 9,000K. This should prove to be an extremely useful control feature when using the DLX with different lamps sources in a rig.
In addition to CTC, the DLX offers a virtual color wheel for any standard colors and color temperatures that designers might be looking for. These virtual colors are fine-tuned at the factory to match the colors that are commonly used by designers. (When chosen, the virtual color wheel overrides any other color mixing specifications and the CTC parameters).
Fast Zoom
The optics and beam parameters of the DLX are also impressive, starting off with a zoom range from 10° to 45° — and it really does “zoom” — it’s mind-meltingly fast. The fixture is also versatile enough to be used for aerial beams, as a profile fixture and, thanks to the variable frost parameter, as a wash fixture as well. Robe packed the DLX with other parameters, too — including a motorized iris that nearly cuts out the beam and a 3-facet prism that rotates.
Projection and Gobos
For projecting images, the DLX offers two gobo wheels. The first is a static wheel with nine gobos — eight metal gobos plus one glass gobo, or open. The second wheel offers seven gobos (glass or metal) plus open that are rotatable and, a designer favorite, shake. Both gobo wheels feature the Robe “Slot&Lock” system for easily gobo changing and replacement.
When combining the gobo wheels and playing with the focus, the range of effects and patterns are seemingly endless. The DLX may only have 15 gobos inside, but combine those with the adjustable focus and it seems like there are a bunch more inside. I was able to make a pretty sweet water effect just by playing with color and two of the stock gobos.
Built-In Menu
Something that I have fallen in love with, which is found on all of Robe’s ROBIN series of fixtures, is the built-in menu system. Remember those dip switches and confusing digital clock system read outs that use to confuse even the seasoned veteran? They have been replaced by a built-in LCD touch screen.
Not only are all of the menus clearly readable and easy to navigate, they are touchable! It doesn’t stop there — the QVGA screen also has a built-in battery backup system so programming the fixture can be done before the fixture even receives power. These are the kinds of user-friendly details that make setup quicker and easier.
Changing the fixture profile from any of the three profiles is just a simple click. To change the DMX address, just slide your finger along the slider and bam, done. Setting up the DLX took no time and there was really no reason to go back to the manual to figure out what the different menu items meant.
16-Bit and 18-Bit Control
The only time I had to go back to the manual, in fact, was to figure out the DMX map to build a profile for the desk, but only because the DLX is still fairly new and the profile wasn’t in the desk. Over time, of course, that will change. But to set the DLX to DMX mode 1 required 34 channels of DMX to control and build that one profile. Quite the task, considering I wanted 16 bit control of almost all of the parameters.
On the other side of the fixture’s base are all of the connections. Robe has you covered for any cable you may be using in your rig. 3 pin in and out, 5 pin in and out and even Ethercon for controlling the DLX via Art-Net, MA Net, MA Net2 and ACN. Thinking about cutting the cable? The DLX is way ahead of you. Robe offers the option to include LumenRadio’s CRMX wireless DMX technology.
Calling this fixture “feature-rich” is an understatement; the DLX is jam-packed. Almost ever tool or feature a designer could ask for is already there, and the DLX is energy-efficient to boot. Put this fixture in a key location in any rig, and you open up a whole host of opportunities to cut other fixtures out and still have ample design choices available.
Robe ROBIN DLX Spot
What It Is: Compact, lightweight spot/wash (with frost filter)/projector with homogenized, energy-efficient RGBW LED light source.
Who Its For: Designers looking for an LED combining versatility with performance.
Pros: Bright 250W light source, additive color mixing, color temperature control, versatility, built-in menu system, lots of connectivity options, lots of parameters for control.
Cons: Requires lots of DMX channels with 16-bit control. (Two other DMX modes use fewer DMX channels and 8-bit control of the major parameters.)
How Much: MSRP: $11,000.
Online Demo: Go to http://plsn.me/robeDLX.
Robe ROBIN DLX Spot: The Specs
Electrical:
• Power supply: Electronic
auto-ranging
• Input voltage range: 100V-250V,
50-60 Hz
Mechanical:
• Height: 26.7”
• Width: 15.3”
• Weight: 45.9 lbs
Control and Programming:
• Setting & Addressing:
ROBE Navigation System 2 (RNS2)
• Protocols: USITT DMX-512, RDM,
Art-Net, MA Net, MA Net2
• Control channels: 35, 24, 22
• 3 DMX protocol modes
• Wireless CRMX technology from LumenRadio optional
• 3 -editable programs,
each up to 100 steps
• Stand-alone operation
• Movement control: Tracking and
vector
• RGBW, 8-bit or 16-bit color mixing
• Color rainbow effects in both
directions with variable speed
• Strobe effect with variable speed
(max. 20 flashes per second)
• Ethernet port: Art-Net protocol,
ready for ACN
• Data In/Out: Locking 3-pin &
5-pin XLR
• Power Input: Neutrik PowerCon
• Built-in analyzer for easy
trouble-shooting
Rigging
• Mounting points: 2 pairs of ¼-turn locks; 2 Omega brackets w/ ¼-turn quicklocks
