Pearl Tiger vs. Titan Mobile

[qubazo]

This is my first post - hi everybody!

I'm new to moving head programming / controlling and I'm wondering whether to choose a used Pearl Tiger or a new Titan Mobile.

I've installed both simulators and did some testing (actually I'm in the middle) with both and the AVO visualizer. I love both! Comparing to Freestyler/DMXControl they are much, much better! Now there is on the Polish ebay a Pearl Tiger available, which is cheaper than the Titan Mobile but in the same price range.

I want to use it for my small audio-visual services company as main and only lighting controller - it has to be reliable...

Differences I see right now:
- Titan is based on windows... is that reliable? Pearl Tiger seems indestructible
- Wouldn't I miss all these buttons and faders, which are not there in Titan?
- Pear doesn't have the visualizer...

What you you choose, bearing in mind that this is going to be my learining tool for the next months (so the visualizer seems pretty importatnt, but I could install the demo version of lightconverse as well...)?

[niclights]

Titan Mobile all the way, no question.

The Tiger hardware and software is getting very old now and has limitations, particularly when it comes to multi-cell fixtures like LED battens. Titan is in continuous development whereas the Tiger ended nearly 10 years ago.

Control surface concerns are perfectly valid but given there are only 30 preset faders with associated buttons on the Tiger and that you are limited to only having fixtures on the faders the compromise is less significant and in my opinion outweighed by the capabilities of Titan.

If you are comfortable with using touch screens then everything except faders can be dealt with on screen. Next option is to add a mobile wing (or third-party MIDI controller) for more faders/buttons. And if at some point in the future you upgrade to a larger console your shows will be fully compatible.

There is no need to worry about Windows. Titan has been around for a long time now and uses Windows OS on all consoles - just make sure the laptop has a clean install and is not used for anything else.

[qubazo]

Thanks a lot! That's a big help.

In the meantime I've spent more time with the titan simulator and it's really, really fun. One more option came to my mind though - what about using Titan One + touch screen? This would be super-cost-effective and except the faders, also very functional, right?

[clublights]

Only functionality you lose with a TitanOne is one universe of DMX output only and no external input devices ( Midi, fader wings etc) . Other wise shows are cross compatible with the rest of the titan range ( you could program a show on a sapphire touch then run it with a titan one if you wanted ... or other way around as long as you keep one universe of course )

I've used a T1 ( with and without touch screen) for many shows and these are my feelings on it

Touch screen is a MUST. titan was designed around using touch screens and you will be much happier using touch screens with it . Sure a mouse works in a pinch but touch is tons better.

Great for training and easy corporate type shows .. touch faders are much too slow for Rock and Roll use.

Small.. cheap... easy to carry ... great for a back up you toss in the bottom of your bag just in case the other desk your using craps out you can get some show going! ( I keep mine in the case that carries my other laptop so if an airline loses one case I won't be dead in the water for a show )

IF your still on the fence about Avolites and Titan buy the TitanOne.. after you have the laptop to run it right .. and the touch screen ( or just a touch screen lap top . duh) making the next jump to a Titan Mobile is easy and relatively inexpensive. That is how I "had" to do it . Had an old Pearl 2000 forever at the main shop I work for . Freelanced a tour and used a Pearl Expert titan and fell in love with titan. Got home bought a T1 showed the shop owner how much better Titan was in person. Now he gets it . I now have my own personal Mobile and we are about to buy a Quartz or a Tiger Touch for the shop soon.