I'm sure ADJ has something in the works. I've been getting the Chauvet catalog and the ADJ DVD and catalog for the past few years now. I notice that the Chauvet and ADJ lines have so many similarities, that I know for a fact that the base for most of these fixtures is coming from the same plants, which Chauvet and ADJ putting in different DMX chipsets, different gobo and color wheels and maybe other nifty things like gobo spin(shake is just a change/move function) and number of gobos and colors.
I bet given a bit more time, ADJ will release a similar if not better fixture, or as a minumum, same quality.
Here's another thought:
We all like to shop by dollar, especially when we have the knowledge and skills to use a fixture. And this does make sense, we don't need to just spend like mad. But, some of us don't. Now, I do have the skill to use the lights. I also lack the creativity at the moment of a rgular lighting designer because my skill-set is based around audio, which is an art unto itself. That's not to say my lighting design is getting better, it is, but it's not able to progress as I'd like because I never get help setting lights and audio is the priority. I make do.
But here is a key reason why it makes sense to stick with one brand: Support. One point of contact, one support base.
Different companies have different release schedules. They all try to one-up each other, only to have it taken away by the other company a little while later, only to have the process repeat. They flip-flop. It's an ongoing circle of marketing "one-upsmanship".
When it comes down to it, both ADJ and Chauvet do make quality fixtures aimed at a the low/mid and DJ market. And sometimes, for whatever reason, one company may not make a fixture that you need/want/can't live without and so you have to jump ship and break away. That's life.
My experiences with Chauvet hasn't been as comforting as with ADJ. So, while I'm no giving up and trashing my Chauvet fixtures, I've chosen instead to stick with ADJ. Yes, sometimes ADJ can cost more, but rarely never a huge amount more, maybe a $25 price difference, generally enough to be absorbed. Also, since my "needs" for lighting are rarely ever urgent, I can afford to wait for ADJ to release their lights.
I am not some small timer. I've estimated my investment to be well over a quarter million dollars in hardware, and that number keeps growing. So, I'm not some nobody with a box of stuff in the back of my pick-up truck and trying to "just get by". But that's the difference between a professional and a weekender as well. But my focus is on live-sound production, so my investment is going to be MUCH MORE than that of a DJ, mainly since a DJ's requirements are not as extensive.
I also think it's good to let people see what the other companies are working on, even if it is a competing brand. Marketting people need to hear what WE, as their customers, have to say. Sometimes they take a chance on new innovative lights, hoping we can find an application for it, or some of us will run out and get the "latest and greatest new cool light". This is good, because sometimes just having something different makes you stick out in a good way. But sometimes ADJ has to look at existing lights and sometimes re-engineer them or improve or upgrade them.
Yeah, I definately hear you. Hoping things will be out before you do an install job. That's never a fun waiting game to play. I'd get yourself on the phone ASAP and get schedules and find out more information.
Thank goodness DMX-512 is a universal protocol. Sure makes life easier and lets us mix and match brands. Of course, that's the whole purpose of such standards!