Hi need some advixe

T

Taslightsguy

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Dec 2, 2023
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Hi I’m looking at doing a nice Christmas display using flights etc. but this bloke is saying his setup cost $350k! Surely it can’t be that expensive to get into the hobby can it?

pulsehobart.com.au

Festive fury: Launceston local says $8,000 fee threatening Christmas light display

A festive fight between a Launceston homeowner and the local council could result in a popular Christmas light display being shut off for this year’s holiday season. Newnham local Max Jago says he won’…
pulsehobart.com.au pulsehobart.com.au
 
Pyro Max... I don't doubt that price figure (reminding myself it is not in USD) because of his expensive pyrotechnics, some of those are 5 figures each, a really overkill computer setup, etc. The pixel light part is a small double digit percentage of it I'd bet... and you don't have to go that big.

But it is not a cheap hobby. Unless you just want a couple of WLED strips, you need a couple thousand to get started... for a controller, cables, extension cords, network, pixels/strips, coro, mounting, etc., sequences, it adds up.
 
No one would class Max’s display as “just getting into the hobby”. Think of that as more the upper limit of what is possible to spend if you add all the flamethrowers and really high res screens.
 
So, this hobby can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. You can get into it for a few hundred dollars or thousands. hand build for cheaper or pre-buy for more money. Information and learning is your friends. Set an initial starting budget and then playa round with the numbers and materials list to see what you might or might not be able to do.

We all go over budget, if we set one.
 
Just with the $8000 fee (when you've spent $350,000 what is another $8000! 😉 ), you could do a ~really~ nice display. In the 101 manual (which you should read), it talks about the parts of your show.

But a somewhat basic show could be budgeted something like:

Show player (FPP on Raspberry Pi with soundblaster, and fm transmitter with power, case and short antenna) about $375 AUD

Controller anything from a $40 ESP controller to a several hundred dollar Falcon with differential receivers.

Pixels $500 AUD for 1000 will get you a 16x50 mega tree and 4 50 pixel arches. Would be a great place to start.

Stuff to make the tree and arches a couple hundred dollars total all in. $200

Power supplies with a couple of cables $100

Miscellaneous another $100.

Round it up $1500 to get started. Of course, your choices will change the budget but this would be one approach to get started.
 
How did I only just see this post 🤣 don’t do it pay your house off instead like I should have 😅

Na but in all seriousness you can start off small with only a few grand invested and have a cool pixel display and add to it over time.

No one starts off with what I have so don’t let it deter you. But ayy feel free todo the same I’m always happy to help 😝

Big investments are things like commercial LED screens, Pyro, computer to render 1.3million Chanel’s. All things you don’t need.

Hope to see you up and running this year 🎄
 
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