When comparing the latest LED wash lights from Robe, the Robin 600 LEDWash and the Robin 300 LEDWash, it is like comparing the same fixture. The main difference between the two fixtures is size. Throughout my testing of the two fixtures, everything was exactly the same except for the size, output and LED count. I’ll begin with features and functions that can be found on both fixtures.
Control
Contained in each fixture is a wide assortment of control protocols. On the outside of the fixture you find the standard 5 pin XLR in and out for DMX as well as 3 pin XLR in and out. Additionally, there is an etherCON port for network control, which is ready from ACN. The Robin series of fixtures offers multiple control protocols built into the fixtures, such as ArtNet, Art2DMX, RDM, MA-Net 1 and MA-Net 2.
Addressing and Configuration
On all of the Robin series of fixtures, the menu system is worth mentioning on its own. For setup without power, the fixtures have a battery inside. Present are the standard [Menu], [Enter], [Escape] and arrow keys. You’ll find that you will never use them, as the screen on the fixtures is an LCD touch screen. The menu system is clearly laid out into folders sorted by functions. Addressing the fixtures is as simple as sliding your finger across the scroll bar on screen.
With both versions of the fixture, you have three rings of LEDs that can be controlled independently. This comes at the price of requiring more DMX addresses to operate each ring’s Red, Green, Blue and White LEDs. But the menu system offers five different modes — from 11 to 37 channels. So for those users who want simpler operations with less control, there is a mode for them as well.
Built into the menu system are numerous controls for operation without DMX signal. You can set the individual parameters of the fixture for static looks. There are built-in presets, manual looks, effects and playbacks. There is even an option to calibrate the rings of LEDs at the fixture.
Parameters
Both fixtures offer 0 to 100 percent high-resolution dimming in either 8-bit or 16-bit mode. The Cree MC-E RGBW LEDs (each quad chip = 10 watts) offer a 60,000 hour life expectancy with 8-bit or 16-bit control. A linear motorized zoom is built-in with ranges from 15° to 60°. A “digital” color filter is also included in the fixture. Through the desk, you can change the color temperature to any of the 237 variations of white pre-programmed in the CTO filter (from 2,700K to 8,000K), offering the ability to create a “true” white light.
Similar, but Different
So far, I have talked about the features that are found on both versions of the Robin LEDWash fixtures. The first noticeable difference between the fixtures is the size. The Robin 600 LEDWash is 17.5 inches high and 23 pounds, while the 300 LEDWash measures in at 15 inches high and 18 pounds. The other noticeable difference is in the number of LEDs. The 600 LEDWash features three rings, or zones of LEDs. The inner zone has 7, the middle zone has 12 and the outer zone has 18, for a total of 37 homogenized LEDs. The 300 LEDWash has three rings or zones of LEDs as well. The inner zone has a single LED, the middle zone has 6 and the outer zone has 12, for a total of 19 homogenized LEDs.
Overall Performance
I love having as much control of a fixture as it will allow. Running the fixtures in mode 5, which offers the greatest control of the fixtures, offered quince control, but also presented some challenges when programming. A happy side effect of the fixtures being so similar was that I was able to create a single profile for mode 5 and use it for both of the fixtures.
In mode 5, I have individual control of each ring or zone of the fixtures. I was able to put each ring into separate colors, but it took a bit to program. Similar to a media server, the master control channel operated the overall fixture. The three subchannels allowed for individual control of the rings. This all is dependent on which control desk and profile you use, of course. The old adage still prevails — with greater control comes greater programming time.
A recent development in LED wash heads has been speed of pan and tilt. A new standard has been quietly set where we are expecting these types of fixtures to blind us not only with their output, but with their speed of movement as well. Both versions of the fixture do not disappoint, in terms of output or speed. A good index of a fixture’s speed is the time it takes for a headache to come on when the fixtures are ballyhooing at full speed. Mine started to hurt after 30 seconds — and the fixtures’ fast strobing didn’t slow that down a bit.
Robe 300 & 600 LEDWash Fixtures
What They Are: LED fixtures with three-ring control; similar in concept, different in size
Who They’re For: Touring productions, corporate and theatrical gigs, other applications requiring LED washes.
Pros: Lightweight, compact, fast, multiple control protocols onboard.
Cons: Attached power cable, no power pass through.
How Much: Robe Robin 300 LEDWash, $4,990; Robe Robin 600 LEDWash: $8,190.
