This little brute comes equipped with 12 built-in 10W quad-color LEDs. They mix the red, green, blue and white LEDs internally so one only notices the mixed color coming out of the front. What separates this fixture from the other mini LED heads is the fact that the 12 LED openings can be run in one mode where they all change color together or another mode that separates the LEDs on the face plate into four quadrants. Split color combinations are endless.
Color-Mixing and Fades
If one runs the fixture in 12-channel mode, there are simply four channels for color selection. I was able to mix any color easily this way and can record perfect linear timed fades in a cue. I notice the actual LEDs are seated about an inch into these columns. To me, this is a built-in top hat. Very useful, as I notice very little halation of the beam when I shine it on the wall. With many LED fixtures, one will notice a slight ring of discolored light around the circumference.
I changed settings on the Legend 412 to run in 28-channel mode. This mode is similar to separating the beam into 4 separate fixtures (through 16 channels of color). I was able to make cool color chases in circular patterns and splash separate colors in all kinds of fascinating eye candy ways.
When run in 28 channel mode, the operator can utilize a DMX channel filled with various built in color macros. One can also utilize pre-set color correction values stored inside the head.
The white beam by itself is not all that bright, but by putting all four colors on at once (to make a white with a pinkish tint), you can get it a lot brighter. From 15 feet away, I measured almost 120 foot candles on my meter. The cut sheet on this fixture states I should be reading 1680 lux, but I am seeing 2/3 of that on my meter. There is no flicker in the beam, and it is blinding when it passes by my eyes. The beam spread on this fixture is 12° with no zoom mechanism. I can use this fixture to adequately wash a surface with light or use it for a tight aerial beam.
Crazy Fast
The body seems to be quite sturdy hard plastic. There are slots for ventilation, and the head does not get too hot to touch. It moves crazy fast. It can pan a full 630° in well under a second. The 200° tilt is equally fast.
I test the light by putting it in a circle effect at a pretty quick speed. It works flawlessly, and blows away its competitor. The fixture comes with a movement time channel as well, which is good for running in standalone mode or on simple consoles not normally utilized for running moving lights. The fixture has built-in pan and tilt macros that can put the fixture in many different preprogrammed moving cues, from tilt ballyhoos to figure eights, etc.
The fixture has a nice strobe. The manufacturers have done something quite clever here. Rather than devote one channel to just different rates of strobe, they provide the user with about 10 levels of that, and several various strobe macros that chase the fixtures quadrants in various colors, chase speeds and pulsing strobe effects. The dimmer channel provides a very even fade electronically.
Multiple Modes
The Legend 412 can be set up to run in standalone mode with no DMX signal. One can daisy-chain the signal between fixtures and designate one to be a master and the other ones to be slaves. This way, the user can preset values in the master fixture and all the slaves will just mimic the behavior of the other one.
There are a few auto programs included, but I found it quite simple to record my own values into the fixture. The Legend 412 also has what they refer to as a blackout mode. This mode determines whether the fixture will go straight into the preprogrammed sequence you have built whenever AC is first turned on, or if the user would rather have the fixture start up in the dark preset default position of straight up.
Hardware-wise, the fixture has a self-sensing power supply that can work between 100V-240V and a locking IEC connector for AC input. There is no on/off switch. The unit offers easy addressing and programming through the LCD readout on the base, and it uses 5-pin panel-mount XLR connectors for DMX and pass-through. A simple bracket accommodates multiple clamp styles, and the LED bulbs are rated for 50,000 hours of use.
Chauvet Legend 412
Pros: Affordable, lightweight; good eye candy; great standalone light
Cons: By itself, the white beam could be brighter.
How Much: $949
