LED vs. Hybrid Moving Head Lights: What's the Difference?

As technology advances, lighting fixtures have become available to provide a better lighting experience for audiences in various events.

For event organizers, choosing the right lighting fixtures is crucial to creating that perfect atmosphere for their events. One of the most significant decisions one would have to make is choosing between LED and hybrid moving head lights.

In this article, we will explore the differences between LED and hybrid moving head lights, and which one is best suited for your event.

What Are LED Moving Head Lights?

LED moving head lights are modern fixtures that use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to create a high-intensity and efficient lighting effect. They come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, making it easy for event organizers to create the perfect ambiance for their event.

LED moving head lights are popular in both small and large events because of their durability, versatility, and low power consumption. They produce less heat than traditional lighting fixtures, making them safer to use as they reduce the risk of fires and electricity-related mishaps.

What Are Hybrid Moving Head Lights?

Hybrid moving head lights, on the other hand, combine LED and traditional discharge lamps to create a more versatile lighting experience. They provide the best of both worlds and are typically brighter and more efficient than traditional lights.

Hybrids are versatile fixtures that can be used as wash lights, spotlights, or beam fixtures. They offer better control over colors, gobos, and effects than LED-only fixtures, allowing event organizers to achieve the desired effect.

With their ability to switch between different lighting sources, hybrids are preferred by event planners who need a wide range of lighting options for their event.

LED vs. Hybrid Moving Head Lights: Which is Better for Your Event?

Now that we have briefly explained what each fixture is, let's compare LED vs. hybrid moving head lights by looking at some key factors that will determine which one is better suited for your event.

Brightness

Brightness is a significant factor in determining which fixture to use for your event. As a rule of thumb, the bigger your event is, the brighter the lighting fixtures should be.

Hybrid moving head lights are generally brighter than LED moving head lights, mainly because they use traditional discharge lamps. This means that if you're planning a large-scale event, you might want to consider using hybrid moving head lights to ensure that your lighting is bright enough to cover the entire space adequately.

Color Mixing

Color mixing is another factor to consider when choosing between LED and hybrid moving head lights. LED moving head lights have an advantage when it comes to color mixing because they can produce a wide range of colors by simply mixing the primary colors of light.

However, hybrid moving head lights can also produce colors by combining the different lighting sources. They typically have a more extensive range of color options and can produce warmer colors such as amber, which is challenging to achieve with LED-only fixtures.

Effect Options

Effect options are another feature that separates LED and hybrid moving head lights. LED moving head lights have a wide range of built-in effects, such as strobe and color pulse, which can be controlled through DMX.

However, hybrid moving head lights typically offer more customizable effects, such as rotating gobos, which can be changed to suit the event's theme.

Control Options

The control options for both LED and hybrid moving head lights are similar. They can be controlled via DMX, which allows you to program the lights for different scenes and effects.

However, hybrid moving head lights tend to have more control options than LED moving head lights. For example, hybrids can be programmed to switch between different lighting sources, creating a more dynamic and versatile lighting experience.

Power Consumption

Power consumption is an important factor when choosing lighting fixtures for your event. LED moving head lights are generally more energy-efficient than traditional lighting fixtures, consuming less power and requiring less maintenance.

Hybrid moving head lights consume more power than LED fixtures because they use traditional discharge lamps. However, they are still more efficient than traditional lighting fixtures and can save you a significant amount on your electricity bill.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether to choose LED or hybrid moving head lights for your event depends on your event's size, theme, and lighting needs.

LED moving head lights are generally more affordable, easier to use, and are best suited for small-scale events. Hybrid moving head lights, on the other hand, are more versatile, have a wider range of control and effect options, and are best suited for large-scale events.

When making your final decision, consider the factors discussed above, and make sure you choose the lighting fixture that will create the perfect atmosphere for your event.