Ayrton has released their brightest IP65 rated fixture to date, the Domino. Designed for hostile weather conditions, cold, heat, wind, dirt, water — even hailstones can be deflected by this model. While this fixture is not being advertised as a hybrid in the normal way most companies boast about their moving profiles, it’s a hybrid of a different sort. They have combined the best technology from three totally different Ayrton fixtures into one badass light. They have captured the light output of a Huracan X and combined it with the IP65 enclosure of the Perseo, with all of the effects of the Khamsin.
Two Models, Two LED Sources
The fixtures are designated by their suffix, and buyers can choose between the Domino-S or the Domino TC models. The “S” version features more light output, with a beefier 75,000 lumen light engine that can emit 51,000 lumens at a 7000°K color temperature. It’s CRI is rated greater than 70. The “TC” model on the other hand has a 56,000 lumen light engine that offers an output of 36,400 lumens at a CRI greater than 90. It’s color temp is 6000°K. In effect, this means that the S model is brighter but with a lower CRI, whereas the TC sacrifices the output but has a better color range. It’s a designer’s choice. Those purchasing the fixtures primarily for theater, studio and key lighting purposes might opt for the TC model. Concert designers, meanwhile, would probably opt for the punchier “S” product and sacrifice the superior color range. Both lamp sources are rated to keep 70 percent of their output for 40,000 hours and offer flicker-free operation for cameras.
The fixture features a smooth electronic dimmer that fared well on a 30-second fade. The light engine also includes a “sparkle” effect, which is the internal chasing between the cells in the light engine, making the beam flicker and the output sparkle. Strobe-wise, the Domino offers up the typical sync and random strobes along with pulse on and pulse off effects. The strobe speed can be adjusted from 1 to 25 flashes per second.
Optics and Adjusting the Beam
The Domino features 13 different glass lenses on board that can affect the output beam of light, not counting each individual gobo. The aperture of the front lens is 178mm, which looks great to my eye when using the fixture as a color wash. But the hard edge is where this light shines, as it’s adopted the exceptional optics of the Huracan X fixture.
The first thing that captures my eye is the speed in which the beam can be manipulated. The 15-blade iris snaps between its 15% smallest opening and full and includes adjustable dynamic effects as well. But what’s really noticeable is that the zoom is just slightly slower. Most moving lights will take close to a full second to travel the length of their drive train from 0 to full. The Domino can do it in a quarter of a second, making quick zoom chases as possible as iris effects. The zoom features a good 10:1 ratio extending from 6° to 60°. The Domino also possesses the ability to shift the focus from its standard flat field to one where there is a noticeable centered hot spot, allowing for longer throws of the beam. The measured 51,000 lumens output was achieved with a flat field and a zoom of approximately 25 to 30 percent.
There are two frost flags included in the unit, thick and thin versions that are both variable and enter the optical path from the side. I note that the thick frost is able to mask the projected image of a gobo pattern completely, enabling programmers to reveal it slowly for a dramatic, theatrical effect. Dual variable speed rotatable prisms are incorporated as well. These include a 5-facet round one as well as a 4-facet linear one. They can both be inserted simultaneously.
The Domino is equipped with two rotating/indexable gobo wheels with seven slots each, designed to hold HD glass gobos. I wouldn’t say one wheel is designed for textures and the other for aerial effects, but I will say there are some original choices that any designer would like to experiment with. There is but one colored gobo of the 14 onboard and that is the simple “nested rings” gobo that looks like three bands of a twisted wedding ring, but one of the bands is yellow. This pattern looks great when a mixed color is added.
Perhaps the logic behind not having many colored gobos can be explained by the two (continuous) animation wheels included in this fixture. One has a swirly colored pattern with Cyan, Magenta and Yellow colors, which is often used in conjunction with a mixed color. The other is closer to the standard black and white animation wheel used to emulate fire and water effects. The animation wheel can be indexed, which is a very clever attribute for both wheels.
The framing system is fairly typical with four opposing shutter blades that can be manipulated in the usual manners. All four blades can join together to black out the beam and each blade can also do a full “curtain” reveal from any side. I find it commendable that the whole framing system can rotate 60° in either direction. I like that they have listened to designers who have complained in the past that the typical 45° rotation most profiles offer is insufficient.
Color-wise, the Domino offers a full CMY mixing system along with variable CTO flags for color correction temperature. The colors will alter slightly between the two types of fixtures but some of that can be overcome if necessary by inserting either the CRI or TM30 filters into the light path. The fixture also has a separate color wheel with six colors and includes half color capabilities.
Movement-wise, the Domino moves fairly fast for its size, executing 540° of pan in just over two seconds. Sixteen-bit motors provide for accurate focus, and the pan and tilt automatically reposition themselves if knocked into.
The Body
As noted previously, the fixture is designed for outdoor use, and as such, it’s one sturdy fixture. The skeleton structure and base are made of die cast aluminum as is the waterproof shell that encases the fixture. The shell has waterproof gaskets and a vacuum outlet, which is actually a test outlet to check that the lids are sealed correctly.
Aluminum and copper heat sink blades are in use along with six fans incorporated into the head of the unit. These fans are IP68 rated themselves and will not allow any dirt or liquid into the enclosure.
The Domino has a new colored, water resistant LCD navigator system that makes setting the personality and address a cinch. Of course the product can also be addressed remotely with RDM. The fixture requires 44 channels of DMX in basic mode, including setting controls such as fan speed (which can be turned to silent mode). There are two other modes with the extended one utilizing 66 channels. It can also be run in stand-alone mode.
Make no bones about it, this is a large fixture — 114 pounds of moving light that’s almost three feet high (33.1”). Handles on the sides make it easier to move around the stage, and it sits on four rubber stands to avoid unnecessary movement by stage vibration or accidental kicks. The manual states it is safe to hang in any orientation, via two Omega brackets.
The fixture can accept signal through an integrated wireless CRMX TiMo RDM receiver from LumenRadio, IP65 XLR 5-pin male and female connectors for DMX connection, or IP65 RJ45 In/Out connectors for Art-Net/sACN connection. The power supply will work between 110-240 VAC and receives power via an IP65 PowerCON TRUE1 TOP male connector. Overall, the fixture draws 1700 watts maximum. Flight cases are available.
At a Glance:
A Pair of IP65 Dynamos
Ayrton’s Domino-S or the Domino TC models give designers a choice between optimum brightness and CRI, respectively. The S version in particular steps up to be that ultimate long throw hard edge fixture that’s perfect for outdoor applications such as stadium and shed concerts, architectural lighting and theatrical exhibition where a lot of lumens are required. Being IP65-rated allows it to stay in place for extended periods of time in almost any climate.
Domino S and TC
PROS: Insanely bright output with full weather protection. All the functions one would want in a hard edged mover plus a great 3-color graphics animation wheel. Good framing system
CONS: Could use a single small-hole gobo to serve as a beam fixture.
SPECS
- Lamp: S and TC model options
- Lumens Output: S = 51,000; TC = 36,400
- Color Temp: S = 7000K; TC = 6000K
- Iris: 15% to Full
- Zoom Range: 6° to 60°
- Framing System: 120° Rotation
- Color System: CMY Mixing, Variable CTO, Color Wheel, TM30 and CRI filters
- IP Rating: IP65
- Prisms: 5-way Lenticular, 4-way Linear
- Gobos: 2 x 7 slot + Open Rotating Wheels
- Animation: 2 Wheels (CMY & B/W)
- Frost: 2 Variable Blades (Thin and Thick)
- MSRP: Contact dealer
Manufacturer: Ayrton
More Info: www.ayrton.eu
