The PROLiGHTS Astra Hybrid330 IP is a hybrid beam/spot floodlight with a wide zoom range. There is also a non-IP rated version of the lamp available with all the same features and specifications.
It produces a nice beam of light, has an impressive zoom range and a good range of gobos, with 11 fixed and 8 rotating. The main selling point would be that it is a bright LED hybrid moving head that offers exceptional output considering its size.
Construction
At 21kg, it’s about the middle of the range for a mobile light. We’re seeing a lot of manufacturers getting into the IP space. Older IP lights were pretty bulky and heavy, and you could tell from a mile away that they were IP. These days, IP lights are supposed to look good and not be too heavy. PROLiGHTS has ticked that box with the Astra Hybrid330 IP, which is IP65.
The lamp has a smooth, flat, matte finish. This is a nice touch and doesn’t seem to reflect or absorb as much light from other sources as the more common black or charcoal finish found on many other lamps. Because of this, the lamp could work very well in a more “visible” space like a floor pack at a corporate concert.
At 21 kg, it is also in the range of models that can be lifted by a single person, making it more convenient to move. The handles are easily accessible and are suspended from two standard omega brackets, like most mobile projectors these days.
Optics, color and brightness
One of the main selling points of the Astra Hybrid330 IP is its brightness relative to its size. The beam quality is also on point. It has a punchy beam with a solid zoom range that maintains its brightness throughout. The gobo sets can be used as beams in the air or projected as a breakup on a stage, curtain or wall.
The zoom range is 3° to 50°, which gives a zoom ratio of 16:1 with a motorized linear zoom. The 3° beam is very impressive for an LED light. We may not be far from the day when we see LED lights offering a 1° beam, which would be a game changer.
The light source is a single-source 330W high-power white LED engine with a native color temperature of 7000K. The front lens diameter is 140mm.
Color mixing is CMY (cyan, yellow, magenta), or subtractive color mixing. Colors are mixed on three color wheels that gradually fade out.
It’s worth noting that the yellow is very “yellow”; one of the purest yellows I’ve seen come out of a light. Most yellow flags can appear a bit greener, and most colors mixed using additive color mixing (RGB) tend to lean more toward green or orange.
Apps and Features
A light like this in a haze filled room will produce some very impressive beams. It would be perfect for a venue looking to tick a lot of boxes with a single light. It could also work well as part of a production company’s inventory that offers a wide range of concerts.
It would work on the ground or in the air. It could work well in most applications, with the major exception of front lighting or visual effects.
The wide zoom range makes it a handy backdrop light for a silhouette look. The gobos can also do a nice slow rotation and add a walking effect for a corporate dinner. The powerful beams are a great way to party at an awards show. These same beams would work well in a concert setting or even on TV. It’s also quiet.
Control and programming
The Astra Hybrid330 IP has a single control mode with a 29 channel DMX footprint.
Compatible control protocols include DMX, RDM, Artnet, sACN, and CRMX. It has a 5-pin DMX input and output as well as an Ethernet input and output. It also has built-in wireless capabilities. It works with just about anything a modern moving head is supposed to do.
On the power side, it is equipped with a PowerCON TRUE input and output. It consumes 517 W of power, which means you can plug up to four devices into a single 240 V circuit.
It has a 540° pan range and 270° tilt range, moving quickly with reasonable accuracy.
Verdict
Hybrid lighting is a great way to tick a lot of boxes and is a cost-effective option for a venue or production company looking to cover a lot with a little. The trade-off is that it probably won’t be the best at any of the many areas it covers. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you know what you want to achieve. This isn’t unique to the Astra Hybrid330 IP, but applies to almost all hybrid lighting.
It will be interesting to see what PROLiGHTS decides to do with the development of this light in the future. Will we see some additional features added over time, such as a shutter kit or infinite pan and tilt? I feel like if it had both without being too big or more expensive, it would be the ultimate hybrid mobile light.
That said, if you’re looking for a bright hybrid moving head with a good zoom range and a quality gobo set, this is the light for you. If you’re looking for a light that produces powerful beams and beam effects no matter what your application, the Astra Hybrid330 IP is worth your consideration.
Product information: www.prolights.it/product/ASTRAHYB330IP
Distributor Australia and New Zealand: www.showtech.com.At, www.showtech.com.au/homenz
The specifications
- Source: 330W high power white LED CCT: 7,000
- Luminous flux: (3°) 8,493 lm – (50°) 15,272
- Zoom: motorized linear zoom 3° – 50°
- Color mixing: CMY color system on 3 color wheels with gradual fading
- CCT: on 2,400 K and 3,200 K wheels
- Color wheel: 9 dichroic filters on 3 independent color wheels
- Color Wheel: High CRI Color Filters
- Animation Wheel: Animation wheel with CW and CCW rotation
- Rotating gobos: 8 rotating gobos + open, interchangeable, indexable
- Fixed gobos: 11 fixed gobos + open
- Circular prism: 8f with bidirectional rotation, indexing
- Linear prism: 6f with bidirectional rotation, indexing
- Gel: linear antifreeze filter 0 – 100%