Are you LOOKing for an atmospheric effect machine? What do you need? A hazer, fogger, low fog generator, battery powered fogger, or miniature fogger? Whatever your needs are, Look Solutions has it covered. Let’s take a quick look at three of the 10 units available from Look Solutions.
Cryo-Fog
First up is Look’s Cryo-Fog; which is a 2,200-watt low-lying fog generator. It comes in a small — compared to competitor’s products — road case (26.3 by 20 by 11.8 inches) with just about everything you need. Inside the case, you’ll find a built-in fogger, cooling chamber, fan and removable fluid container. Behind the front cover is the output nozzle, which can easily adapt to an extension hose to direct the low fog wherever you need it. Inside of the back cover is the CO2 inlet, power cord, DMX connectors, remote connector, on-board display and controls, and the fluid jug and hose. The fluid supply hose connects to the jug with a locking liquid tight fitting which is impressive if you have ever handled a leaky hose.
Without CO2, the Cryo-Fog is just a great fogger, but if you have your hands on a Cryo-Fog machine, you aren’t looking for regular fog. To generate the beautiful low-lying fog, a high-pressure liquid CO2 tank is required. Using the Low Fog Fluid and CO2, the machine outputs low-lying cloud-like fog that stays on the ground.
The unit features variable output via the on board display or through 3-channels of DMX (1-Pump, 2-Fan, 3-CO2 Valve). There’s an option for an analog remote, but I doubt many use it. It consumes CO2 at the rate of 4.5 lbs. per minute so be sure your tank is appropriately sized for the event. Include enough time for testing the effect and a little extra for showing it off, because everyone loves low-lying fog!
Viper NT
The Viper NT is a powerful 1,300 watt fogger. It takes seven minutes to warm up, and then it’s go time. At full 100-percent jet-like output, the Viper can continuously create fog for 40 seconds. If you cut back to 50 percent output, which I’d say is equal to the output of a typical professional fogger, the Viper can run continuously. Operating the unit is easy using the on-board controls; there are buttons to turn fog on/off and to vary the output. Or, you can use the built in timer to set wait and duration times. DMX comes standard and there also is a connection for an analog remote.
There are three types of fluid available — quick fog, regular fog, or slow fog. I tested the unit with both quick and regular fog and the only difference was the amount of time it took the fog to dissipate. More interesting though, is the type of fluid Look Solutions doesn’t make — cleaning fluid. That’s right, they don’t make cleaning fluid because the unit does need any! As a matter of fact, the warranty will be void if any type of cleaning fluid is used in the machine.
One of many great applications for this unit is a fog jet. It can be operated in any direction, which is easy to do with the hanging yoke accessory. After you hang it, aim it, and turn it on with a quick burst at 100 percent output, using quick fog fluid, you create a large jet of fog that lingers only for a few seconds. The effect lasts a bit longer than a jet of CO2, but with the Viper NT, it doesn’t require any inconvenient CO2 bottles.
Tiny FX
The Tiny FX is the smallest fogger in the world! It comes as a kit with multiple parts and pieces. The case is similar in size to a handgun case. Inside are the fogger, battery pack, wired remote, six syringes of fluid, and a syringe refill kit. The fogger is less than four inches long and looks like a hot wheels car in my hand. It connects to, and runs off of, an 11.1V Lithium-Ion battery pack, which lasts for approximately 10 minutes of continuously outputting fog. The syringe of fluid gets inserted fully into the back of the unit and screws a few turns to secure it. On top of the fogger is a single button to control the fog. The button can also be used to program a fixed duration, which can be recalled from the same button or the wired or wireless remote.
I was pleasantly surprised when I plugged it in and pushed the button and fog instantly came out. Yes, that’s what we expect, but the surprising part was, the fog was immediate, with no warm-up time required. The Tiny FX features a vaporizer technology instead of a heating block so the unit instantly generates fog and doesn’t need to heat up or get hot. The vaporizer has a limited life and will need to be replaced over time, but it’s a quick and simple fix.
This miniature fogger is perfect for performers, props, and small-scale special effects that need a small poof of smoke. A wired remote is included in the case, which is useful if the fogger is inside a set piece, prop, or an actor’s sleeve. A wireless RF radio remote is available as an accessory. Since it runs off of a battery, you can take it anywhere and use it anytime.
Conclusion
In this day and age, it seems that smoke effects are now divided into categories dependent on need. It’s comforting to see that this company has become the “One Stop Shop” of the smoke industry. If you’ve used Look Solutions’ products before, then you know they are easy to use, well built, and don’t require any cleaning. If you haven’t used their products, check them out online, at a trade show, or contact a dealer for a demo.
More info at looksolutionsusa.com
