Thanks for your comments. You should update us in a few months and let us know how often you use it, how long and where you use the unit. Maybe I got a bad run, but the more people that comment the more info we have.
Hey Andre XD Very nice to hear! The older units definitely were high quality. I'm taking the one in this video out for a whole week of work in the hot eastern oregon sun and I think it won't give me any trouble.
Thanks for the honest comparison. I’ve been on market for a good machine and this has helped with making decisions. If it weren’t for videos like this one, we wouldn’t know what to look for.
No Problem Carolina, like I say in the video all of us put our all into our work and we don't have time for investments that don't last. I've learned that brand names matter up to a point. Some products are great and some are duds. I'm glad the video helped someone.
Just had the pump in my gen 1 1800 flex die after 8 years. I took it apart and everything looks good, but the plunger just doesn’t seem to want to move (maybe the coil is weak or broken internally). I bought a replacement pump from Chauvet, but they sent me something different than the part that was in my gen 1. Of course, it’s still the right shape/size and does work, but I’m a little worried since it’s a 41W Class H [1 min on/1min off] pump (produced 20042001) vs the original 48W Class F [2 min on/1 min off] pump (produced 20130311). I’m guessing they sent me the pump they use in the gen 2 machines, which is pretty disappointing.
Interesting, yeah from my observations the newer machines have a stronger spray of fog at the expense of longevity, pretty inline with those specs. I was thinking it was an age difference but it's likely they just started using a different pump. Those fog fury type machines became really popular maybe they just simplified supplies and started standardizing on parts for ease and cost reasons. If the newer machine didn't constantly break I wouldn't have minded the reduction in continuous output.
I'm curious if the gen 2's cheaper hose is the main culprit for the inconsistent output? I also noticed your side by side comparison has them both shooting straight up. I'm wondering if you ever had any of that inconsistent output from your gen 2's when the nozzle was NOT aimed up. I'm a filmmaker looking for a good fog machine to add haze/fog/smoke for shoots, and wouldn't typically need a machine that shoots directly up. Reliability is obviously a must have, though. Do you have any thoughts on a machine (any brand) that would best suit my particular needs?
The ability to aim these is seriously one of the coolest features but honestly I'm usually just shooting straight out as well. My opinion is portability and control for you are crucial, I would check out the ultratec ultra handy fogger. Another that comes to mind is Rosco Mini V and Look Solutions Viper S. Here's a list of additional companies that could provide a solution. Reel EFX ADJ Antari Le Maitre MDG Froggys Fog If the warranty is only one year, the build quality is going to likely be low. Plenty of manufactures are offering 2 to 5 year warranties if they stand behind the product.
Chauvet do a bunch of other foggers as well. The Geysers are really good. I have used Chauvet products for quite some time and everything I've received is still working. The only thing I've had break on me is a fader on my Obey 70, but I started using Chamsys to control my lights then.
I love Chauvet stuff, I've used many of their products and own some as well but I really don't understand what happened with this particular product. These machines kicked so much ass and then they changed everything about them. The original units are incredible so it's sad to see the decline in quality. I've learned that every company has duds now and again.
@@lostproductionspdx yeah. I'm getting the Hurricane 1600 and I've heard they got good reviews. It has continuous output even at full volume and DMX comparability. All Chauvet products are made in China as are most products so there will be a small number of faulty units.
@@andrewgrindley6773 i have a 100% failure rate on these 4 units, I'm steering clear of this particular iteration of the product. My needs are more demanding perhaps than the intended audience but the old model filled my needs easily.
So how would you even find the first generation models????? All the ones listed on eBay are selling the current generation even though it shows photos of the one models..
Well at this point they're all used, you won't find any unopened new ones. Plus they're all likely pretty heavily abused. I would just highly recommend you avoid this current gen unless you're using it indoors all the time and it doesn't move much. My needs were too demanding for it though. Go Ultratec if you want made in USA or Antari, Froggys Fog, or ADJ for good Chinese units.
@@lostproductionspdx Well Ultratec looks to be way out of my price range at over 1k and 2k.. Antari doesn't seem to have much of a good selection other than hazers.. ADJ has a nice one out with the LED lights and can be used in different directions, and I'm hearing those are better with the thinner fog that disappears pretty quick, and also they don't have the control that can be used with settings/timer etc.. like the Chauvet has.. So I'm completely out of ideas.. It's for mobile DJing, and the one I was using the ADJ Dynofog died on me.. Those weren't great machines and have been discontinued years ago....
How long did your Dynofog last? Throwing these machines in the car every night definitely takes it's toll. Honestly if you're happy with the dynofog used one's are so affordable. Most of the ADJ machines have timers btw, look under atmospheric/accessories on their site. The remotes are not interoperable so check the manual first. I'm not saying all Chauvet machines are bad but this particular one was very unreliable for me.
Hey Lucy, You have many options however I can't really speak to the reliability or quality of all these machines from every manufacturer. Look at the warranty and availability of parts though. Ultratec for example while 2 to 3x the price offer a 5 year warranty. ADJ offers the closest to Chauvet in terms of pricing and model line up. I run ADJ haze machines and they've been reliable for years so far. I'm seeing many negative reviews of lower priced machines. If you want something reliable, you need to increase your budget sadly. ADJ Chauvet Froggys Fog Antari Reel EFX LeMaitre Effects Ultratec Effects Look Solutions MDG Fog
Just shows how chauvet has ruined their products, they also had the geyser RGB, discontinued that and replaced with weak ones. I hate what they have done to the 1800... they also ruined the 700, the smallest fogger they sell, utter garbage now - doesn’t even have a gland around the fluid tank and the bottle is so cheap it strips out when you tighten it
I hope they see this and get their act together, we don't want to buy crap it's simple right. Like I mention in the video though every body has duds even the biggest most respected names, hope they get it together.
If you're in the Portland OR area, I can offer repair services, however depending on what's wrong, at this price level of machine; sometimes it doesn't make sense to repair them. There are two main parts in the machine that fail, heater or pump.
See the Hurricane in Action in my live stream th-cam.com/video/AHaYZCi5r_0/w-d-xo.html
I Bought an 1800 Flex brand new just last month and the thing works just fine. (Authorized chauvet dealer on ebay..brand new)
Thanks for your comments. You should update us in a few months and let us know how often you use it, how long and where you use the unit.
Maybe I got a bad run, but the more people that comment the more info we have.
Great video! I just got a Gen 1 1600 and so far it's been great!
Hey Andre XD Very nice to hear! The older units definitely were high quality. I'm taking the one in this video out for a whole week of work in the hot eastern oregon sun and I think it won't give me any trouble.
Thanks for the honest comparison. I’ve been on market for a good machine and this has helped with making decisions. If it weren’t for videos like this one, we wouldn’t know what to look for.
No Problem Carolina, like I say in the video all of us put our all into our work and we don't have time for investments that don't last. I've learned that brand names matter up to a point. Some products are great and some are duds. I'm glad the video helped someone.
Just had the pump in my gen 1 1800 flex die after 8 years. I took it apart and everything looks good, but the plunger just doesn’t seem to want to move (maybe the coil is weak or broken internally). I bought a replacement pump from Chauvet, but they sent me something different than the part that was in my gen 1. Of course, it’s still the right shape/size and does work, but I’m a little worried since it’s a 41W Class H [1 min on/1min off] pump (produced 20042001) vs the original 48W Class F [2 min on/1 min off] pump (produced 20130311). I’m guessing they sent me the pump they use in the gen 2 machines, which is pretty disappointing.
Interesting, yeah from my observations the newer machines have a stronger spray of fog at the expense of longevity, pretty inline with those specs. I was thinking it was an age difference but it's likely they just started using a different pump. Those fog fury type machines became really popular maybe they just simplified supplies and started standardizing on parts for ease and cost reasons.
If the newer machine didn't constantly break I wouldn't have minded the reduction in continuous output.
I'm curious if the gen 2's cheaper hose is the main culprit for the inconsistent output?
I also noticed your side by side comparison has them both shooting straight up. I'm wondering if you ever had any of that inconsistent output from your gen 2's when the nozzle was NOT aimed up.
I'm a filmmaker looking for a good fog machine to add haze/fog/smoke for shoots, and wouldn't typically need a machine that shoots directly up. Reliability is obviously a must have, though. Do you have any thoughts on a machine (any brand) that would best suit my particular needs?
The ability to aim these is seriously one of the coolest features but honestly I'm usually just shooting straight out as well.
My opinion is portability and control for you are crucial, I would check out the ultratec ultra handy fogger.
Another that comes to mind is Rosco Mini V and Look Solutions Viper S.
Here's a list of additional companies that could provide a solution.
Reel EFX
ADJ
Antari
Le Maitre
MDG
Froggys Fog
If the warranty is only one year, the build quality is going to likely be low.
Plenty of manufactures are offering 2 to 5 year warranties if they stand behind the product.
Chauvet do a bunch of other foggers as well. The Geysers are really good. I have used Chauvet products for quite some time and everything I've received is still working. The only thing I've had break on me is a fader on my Obey 70, but I started using Chamsys to control my lights then.
I love Chauvet stuff, I've used many of their products and own some as well but I really don't understand what happened with this particular product. These machines kicked so much ass and then they changed everything about them. The original units are incredible so it's sad to see the decline in quality. I've learned that every company has duds now and again.
@@lostproductionspdx yeah. I'm getting the Hurricane 1600 and I've heard they got good reviews. It has continuous output even at full volume and DMX comparability. All Chauvet products are made in China as are most products so there will be a small number of faulty units.
@@andrewgrindley6773 i have a 100% failure rate on these 4 units, I'm steering clear of this particular iteration of the product. My needs are more demanding perhaps than the intended audience but the old model filled my needs easily.
@@lostproductionspdx I don't know why this happened. I'm guessing maybe Chauvet switched manufacturers.
So how would you even find the first generation models????? All the ones listed on eBay are selling the current generation even though it shows photos of the one models..
Well at this point they're all used, you won't find any unopened new ones. Plus they're all likely pretty heavily abused. I would just highly recommend you avoid this current gen unless you're using it indoors all the time and it doesn't move much. My needs were too demanding for it though.
Go Ultratec if you want made in USA or Antari, Froggys Fog, or ADJ for good Chinese units.
@@lostproductionspdx Well Ultratec looks to be way out of my price range at over 1k and 2k.. Antari doesn't seem to have much of a good selection other than hazers.. ADJ has a nice one out with the LED lights and can be used in different directions, and I'm hearing those are better with the thinner fog that disappears pretty quick, and also they don't have the control that can be used with settings/timer etc.. like the Chauvet has.. So I'm completely out of ideas.. It's for mobile DJing, and the one I was using the ADJ Dynofog died on me.. Those weren't great machines and have been discontinued years ago....
How long did your Dynofog last? Throwing these machines in the car every night definitely takes it's toll. Honestly if you're happy with the dynofog used one's are so affordable. Most of the ADJ machines have timers btw, look under atmospheric/accessories on their site. The remotes are not interoperable so check the manual first.
I'm not saying all Chauvet machines are bad but this particular one was very unreliable for me.
What you would recommend if the gen 1 is so hard to get? Different brand? Different model?
Hey Lucy,
You have many options however I can't really speak to the reliability or quality of all these machines from every manufacturer. Look at the warranty and availability of parts though. Ultratec for example while 2 to 3x the price offer a 5 year warranty. ADJ offers the closest to Chauvet in terms of pricing and model line up. I run ADJ haze machines and they've been reliable for years so far.
I'm seeing many negative reviews of lower priced machines. If you want something reliable, you need to increase your budget sadly.
ADJ
Chauvet
Froggys Fog
Antari
Reel EFX
LeMaitre Effects
Ultratec Effects
Look Solutions
MDG Fog
Lost Productions thanks for the reply on an old video
Just shows how chauvet has ruined their products, they also had the geyser RGB, discontinued that and replaced with weak ones. I hate what they have done to the 1800... they also ruined the 700, the smallest fogger they sell, utter garbage now - doesn’t even have a gland around the fluid tank and the bottle is so cheap it strips out when you tighten it
I hope they see this and get their act together, we don't want to buy crap it's simple right.
Like I mention in the video though every body has duds even the biggest most respected names, hope they get it together.
I need your help with my hurricane
If you're in the Portland OR area, I can offer repair services, however depending on what's wrong, at this price level of machine; sometimes it doesn't make sense to repair them. There are two main parts in the machine that fail, heater or pump.