Which Pixel Controller is Best?

[Gilrock]

Fine when people buy the e682's and have issues I'm gonna stay quiet and expect to see you two helping out.  That's why I get upset cause I'm the one here helping everyone more often than not so I see which boards cause users more issues.  If you guys think they are so great then I expect to see you helping the ones that have problems.

[vincerules]

Fine when people buy the e682's and have issues I'm gonna stay quiet and expect to see you two helping out.  That's why I get upset cause I'm the one here helping everyone more often than not so I see which boards cause users more issues.  If you guys think they are so great then I expect to see you helping the ones that have problems.

I didn't see you mention that in any other post. That is good information for people to know who are choosing a controller. Not just X controller is best because I use it. 

All I was doing was giving my opinion on the controller I use, and I did say that I am excited to purchase a couple of the f16v3 on the presale because they have been so highly talked about. I do try to help people as much as I can, and I know I don't even come close to giving as much help as you do/can.

The topic of this post is which pixel controller is best, I've only used J1sys and sandevices controllers so I gave my opinion based on that. I haven't used falcon boards but because of this thread I will be using a falcon board soon. We're all here to help each other out not put anyone down.

[Ebuechner]

I'm using a PixLite16 mkII board that I like. I bought this board because I have 2 PixLite16 4 controllers that I've been using for a few years without any trouble. Looking to buy an f16 but with the version 3 coming out I want to wait and see what it has to offer.  I haven't been able to find any solid information on the f16 v3 specs but I think it's too early in its development. But which controller is best would really depend on what you're trying to get out of it. This is where I would start
http://nutcracker123.com/nutcracker/rgb_controllers/

[Gilrock]

Vince if you read this thread again I don't think I ever insulted the e682 so why are you saying it turned into an e682 vs falcon thread?  The only thing I was poking at was someone claiming the Falcon costs twice as much.  I'd say you'd have trouble finding too many people that have more of a variety of controllers than I do.  I think you've turned it into more of a "vs" thread than I did.

[Ebuechner]

While you two are going back and forth I thought I would mention I don't think many people would recommend the AlphaPix.  I own one and I don't think I would ever recommend it.

[vincerules]

I haven't been able to find any solid information on the f16 v3 specs but I think it's too early in its development.

Here is a decent amount of info on the v3 from dpitts in case you hadn't seen this thread:  http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?45066-F16V3-is-in-development&highlight=f16v3

[Ebuechner]

I haven't been able to find any solid information on the f16 v3 specs but I think it's too early in its development.

Here is a decent amount of info on the v3 from dpitts in case you hadn't seen this thread:  http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?45066-F16V3-is-in-development&highlight=f16v3

Thanks I didn't see that one yet.  it looks like Dave timed it just right so we can all get some new toys.

[jnealand]

I would never let money be the answer.  This is a hobby.  I have golfing friends who spend way more than I have in total investment of lighting to play golf or have a membership  and have to pay more every year.  A hobby is a hobby.  I have sold controllers and lights that I have used for several years and never even taken a 50% hit on my costs.  I've used LOR, Lynx and now Falcons.  All have been good in their time.  Try an F16v2 and don't like it, and you will easily find a ready buyer even at full list when there are none in the store.  LOL

[Gilrock]

Yeah that's the only problem.  I wanted a F4v2 and the store says out of stock.

[kentd]

I just want to chime back in. As a newbie to this hobby January 2015 I saw where people were using the San Devices boards but was concerned about the 12 Universe limitation. I saw Holiday Coro coming out with the Alphapix boards so I pre ordered some. I had need to get an immediate board so I ordered  an Alphapix 4 and got it. It had some firmware problems that David said was my lack of understanding the product, he later retracted and said I was correct and fixed the firmware. That then prompted me to cancel all Alphapix orders and I went with Dave and the Falcon board. I have not looked back, one E682 would only run by Mega Tree however my Falcon that runs that tree also runs my Dalek Trees, Dalek Stars, Tree Star, Candy Canes, Globes and my Tune To Sign. That would have required at least two more E682 boards so the Falcon actually was a cheaper way to go and much more reliable. The Alphapix was offered by David to be returned and me given credit, however it is being used to run some lights on a Funnel Cake Concession Stand and works just fine.
I have nothing against the Alphapix or San Devices but many newbies do not understand how everything works and get caught using something that because it has been around a while seems like the way to go.
I am grateful I never started with other controllers or LOR to do a light show, It has been Xlights from the beginning and my show ran last year without a hitch and now that everything is working has run without a hitch this year. I drive the show with a Raspberry Pi B+ feeding an Ethernet switch that feeds my Falcon Controllers.
I am glad I got started this way and do not have to unlearn things. BTW my background is in electronics and computers so understanding this hobby was not a problem and when I told David he had a problem I knew what I was talking about which he later did acknowledge that I was correct and fixed his problem.

[markrvp]

While you two are going back and forth I thought I would mention I don't think many people would recommend the AlphaPix.  I own one and I don't think I would ever recommend it.

I'm curious why?  I would always recommend the Falcon over the Alphapix, but the 6 Alphapix controllers I'm using, the 4 my friend Mark B is using, the handful my friend NJ are using, plus the several my friend Fabio uses personally and in professional installations have been rock solid.  Remember, I also have Falcon and Pixlite boards and Falcon are my favorite, but I'll always be fond of how easy the Alphapix is to set up and deploy. 

[Ebuechner]

While you two are going back and forth I thought I would mention I don't think many people would recommend the AlphaPix.  I own one and I don't think I would ever recommend it.

I'm curious why?  I would always recommend the Falcon over the Alphapix, but the 6 Alphapix controllers I'm using, the 4 my friend Mark B is using, the handful my friend NJ are using, plus the several my friend Fabio uses personally and in professional installations have been rock solid.  Remember, I also have Falcon and Pixlite boards and Falcon are my favorite, but I'll always be fond of how easy the Alphapix is to set up and deploy.

maybe it's because I got the first run of not ready for primetime controllers and I was immediately disappointed with the lack of features that it had. Number one complaint can only change the color order for the whole controller not per output.  only two options for color output RGB or BGR. I tried running 200 pixels off one port and the controller couldn't keep up with fast-moving items. ( I split them in half and it works). Then there's the whole problem that everyone had with random pixels flickering.  and the controller is sensitive to set up, God forbid you set up 512 channels. These are all problems that I didn't have with the PixLite controller that Dave sold just before this. I now refer to it as my BetaPix board.

[markrvp]

While you two are going back and forth I thought I would mention I don't think many people would recommend the AlphaPix.  I own one and I don't think I would ever recommend it.

I'm curious why?  I would always recommend the Falcon over the Alphapix, but the 6 Alphapix controllers I'm using, the 4 my friend Mark B is using, the handful my friend NJ are using, plus the several my friend Fabio uses personally and in professional installations have been rock solid.  Remember, I also have Falcon and Pixlite boards and Falcon are my favorite, but I'll always be fond of how easy the Alphapix is to set up and deploy.

maybe it's because I got the first run of not ready for primetime controllers and I was immediately disappointed with the lack of features that it had. Number one complaint can only change the color order for the whole controller not per output.  only two options for color output RGB or BGR. I tried running 200 pixels off one port and the controller couldn't keep up with fast-moving items. ( I split them in half and it works). Then there's the whole problem that everyone had with random pixels flickering.  and the controller is sensitive to set up, God forbid you set up 512 channels. These are all problems that I didn't have with the PixLite controller that Dave sold just before this. I now refer to it as my BetaPix board.

That all makes sense.  Those are features that are in the controller now.  Like I say, I'd still recommend the Falcon over the Alphapix.

One of the biggest reasons some of us are using Alphapix controllers is because they are available.  Like always.  If one got hit by lightning today, I could have another one by tomorrow.  I get why Dave can't have 200 Falcon controllers in inventory.  But I also can't really afford an inventory of backup controllers that may never get used.   It would be awesome if somebody/business offered to bankroll Dave for expanded production and inventory.

[sean]

Dave carried inventory on his f16 for most of the year. Every two years he seems to have a new version. I can understand him not wanting v2 inventory as he gets ready to offer v3 in 2017.


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[jnealand]

You can think of a spare as a backup controller or as some of us do it becomes the testing controller on the workbench and a backup if needed.  With all the money I have invested in lights, props and active controllers, the cost of one extra controller is a pretty small investment and since it can used on the test bench it is also a useful investment.  I also consider it insurance.  I try not to have anything that would kill my show not have a backup.  I even have a backup FM transmitter, albeit an older one that I used in the past.  I started with LOR, migrated to Lynx AC, migrated to Lynx RGB, and now use mostly Falcons.  I sold all my LOR which paid for my Lynx AC at the time, actually for more Lynx channels than LOR channels, sold most of my Lynx AC and bought Falcon pixelnet stuff with those proceeds, have now been selling Lynx smart string stuff.  When I can sell a used controller for 75-90% of what they cost me I don't consider that a bad deal, or a bad investment or a waste of money.  Sometimes I even sell stuff low to get a newbie a head start.