Which HD Props?

Hi all,

I’ve decided to add a few high-density house props to my display this year, but I’m having trouble choosing which ones to buy. At this stage, I’m thinking of one larger prop, around 45 - 46", along with two smaller props.

I really like the look of the Showstopper spinners, as well as some of the Gilbert Engineering spinners. However, after looking through the vendor sequences I’ve already purchased, it seems there isn’t always much overlap between vendors when it comes to prop support and submodel mapping.

Does anyone have recommendations for high-density props that stand out visually and are also easy to map across different vendor sequences?

I’d be interested to hear what has worked well in your displays.

The easiest ones across sequences are the Showstopper Spinner, GE Rosa Wreath / Rosa Grande, and Boscoyo GeoWreath. All fine things to own. (Easiest does not mean completely easy, of course.)

merryoncherry said:

The easiest ones across sequences are the Showstopper Spinner, GE Rosa Wreath / Rosa Grande, and Boscoyo GeoWreath. All fine things to own. (Easiest does not mean completely easy, of course.)

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Pretty much all of these are great. The Boscoyo GeoWreath (I think this is the PPD GeoWreath) is used by plenty of sequencers. The Showstopper props are really great, and they constantly update the sub-models. If you go with the SS Snowflake, you can combine it with the SS Mini Flake and I believe visually they will look similar.

We are also "minutes" away from having an Australian based corro supplier that does the EFL-designs props and SS props.

If you want something less "round" the Showstopper Phat-Boy mini tree combined with the SS Mini trees are a good alternative.

We can all give our opinions, however let me ask you this: what do YOU want to look at every night and be happy with?
If youre looking at HD props, im going to make an assumption that budget is not much of a concern, given not only the price of the prop but the number of pixels (and spares ) needed.
For my 2c, I have a hattitude quartet which features a spinner, singing faces and many other sub models all in the one prop, giving lots of options for sequencing all in one prop (or 2 like i have)

Would definitely vouch for my hattitude quartets, but they stand in as a spinner or very versatile singing face. They don't easily map to HD spinners (with gobs of submodels) in sequences.

And have been led astray by things I thought I wanted to look at. The impression stargazer and dazzler I got are not that great and are very hard to sequence.

Would add things that are just round with tons of pixels to the list. Every vendor has these kind of spinners and wreaths. Mesmerizer, Grand illusion, etc.

My top 2 favourite standout props are the Showstopper Snowflake and MOC spinners.

Pay attention to the size of the HD props. You really need to understand how many of any particular size you can use and where you can place them. There are only so many places that I can hang a 48" prop so I only have two at this time, the ppd geowreath and the ge hattitude (which is brand new). Most of my HD props are 36" or slightly under which allows more opportunity of moving them around and changing things up year over year. I also like things to be balanced and that is easier for me. Not everything maps directly to sequences but with some time and effort you can map different props to your new HD props and get some nice effects going also.

Don't be tied to what is in your sequences which makes you avoid an HD prop that you like. As was already stated, pick what you like and you can make it work. Also, HD props do not have to be large to have the full effect i.e. snowflakes and small spinners.

Just to add to your confusion, props often surprise me. Like MerryOnCherry mentioned some props that looked cool, but were somewhat underwhelming once sequenced, I was extremely surprised at how much I like the Boscoyo Ice Queen Snowflake once it was sequenced. I'm able to consistently get great movement out of whatever I map it from on a sequence, and I didn't really expect that. It's probably worth watching some of the display videos here on the site and just asking people, "Hey, what's that prop on the furthest right window?" Anyone here would be happy to answer.

Thanks for the input all. I definitely have analysis paralysis!
I was leaning toward the baby illusion for the smaller props, and I have just found a custom sub model for it that includes some Showstopper sub models. Is there any issues with using these? I assume these sub models wont be exactly the same, but I was hoping it would be close enough to allow easier mapping and still look good enough to the general public.
As always in this hobby, I feel this is going to be a steep learning curve

merryoncherry said:

The easiest ones across sequences are the Showstopper Spinner,

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I only have one HD prop, and its the ShowStopper Spinner. Very versatile, and I think it adds a heap to the show. Very impressed; an easy to map random props onto submodels if it's not sequenced, and it looks good.
The big appeal here for me was it was one of the few that came in a 90cm/3ft version, rather than the usual 120cm/4ft one - which is what I needed for the space I had.

Trent_Berries said:

I assume these sub models wont be exactly the same, but I was hoping it would be close enough to allow easier mapping and still look good enough to the general public.

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Correct, there are a lot that look good enough to me even, general public will definitely not know.
Things that are usually easy to move between props:
1. Radial spokes. And if they aren't directly in/out (like the GeoWreath), any inward/outward path will be fine
2. Rings, perfect circular or wavy paths around the center, complete outline, etc. These are largely interchangeable
3. Some sort of path that goes out, across, and back in again, such as petals, alert, radiation, torch, these have varying counts, sizes, and shapes, but they all look good
4. "Arms" of some sort, broader sections like DiamondArms, snowflake arms, there are lots of these, but the point is they make interesting solid shapes
5. Some repeated geometric pattern (often balls, diamonds, etc), The exact shapes, location (outside edge vs some in the middle) vary but the effects translate well
6. Additional interesting radial paths, like hooks, spirals, zigzag, lightning, arc, etc. Again, find some that work and cross-map them, should be OK
7. Sections, like the center, middle, outside

There will be some things that are a real struggle when cross-mapping (but the general public will likely not notice):
1. Exact geometric shapes, like circles, stars, spiders, ovals, fireworks, etc. In the rare case when theme matters, it won't work
2. Exact counts. One of the things about the props I like less (Dazzler, SpinReel Max) is that they have odd number symmetry, and a lot of sequences use even/odd groups, so it doesn't play nice, but there can be other subtle ways where a sequence looks best if there are 6, 8, 12, or some other exact number of something.
3. Perfect concentric rings. The wreath, illusions, etc have these and can display an arc of text bent around the center, the rest do not.
4. Sometimes just the sheer number of submodels collected is daunting, and some sequence vendors (BF comes to mind) have made a point of "trying them all" for fun. Taking the community together, things like Showstopper Spinner and Rosa Wreath have a ton of submodels - approaching 100 varietals (they're not all that different, but they exist). Things like GeoWreath/PPD wreath have about a dozen that are used consistently. But, that really makes them a great, consistent source of effect mapping, rather than steering a buying decision.

One tip:
People rarely notice missing effects. They don't know what was supposed to be there, and if a prop isn't interesting they just shift their gaze to look at something else. All of the props mentioned above by everyone have plenty of features to keep them interesting. On the other hand, something that looks bad does draw attention to itself. A dead light string - people won't notice. It sometimes takes me a day to notice. On the other hand, something lit up that shouldn't be (dead pixel, locked on white) gets noticed quickly (and the young kids, the kind who are more inquisitive than polite, will ask if it is supposed to be that way).

Thanks Merryoncherry, there is some great advice and information there.
It seems no matter which way I go there will be a certain amount of trial and error in cross-mapping between models.
For now I will continue to play with a few models in Xlights until I find a few I am comfortable/ happy with.

Trent_Berries said:

Thanks for the input all. I definitely have analysis paralysis!
I was leaning toward the baby illusion for the smaller props, and I have just found a custom sub model for it that includes some Showstopper sub models. Is there any issues with using these? I assume these sub models wont be exactly the same, but I was hoping it would be close enough to allow easier mapping and still look good enough to the general public.
As always in this hobby, I feel this is going to be a steep learning curve

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I have two of the GE baby Grand Illusions in my show. The only thing I wish was different about them is the hole opening in the middle of the prop. I keep trying to put images on them and there is this hole in the middle! I 3d printed the mounts from Inspire lights and have been using them for a couple of years now.