I have one of those white boards. I bought it a long time ago when I arrived at a job site, for the second time, without any transformers. Guess my mind isn't what it used to be.
MY demo kit weighs...
I gotta tell you, I am developing a love/hate relationship with my demo kit. the more I use it, the more jobs I get, which i am thrilled to say i have picked up 3 landscape light jobs in the past week, after doing 6 demo's. after a dead time of a month, I am happy to be doing at least part time lighting work again before the big christmas light work starts September 15.
my love hate thing goes like this- I love having 4 75 ft runs of multi-plug cord, 20 brass mr-16 uplights, 5 deck lights with clamps, 2 600 watt trans, and a few paths and a few extension cords. really everything you need for a decent medium home demo.
my hate thing is weight. I have maxed out 2 very large ice chests on wheels w/ collapsable handles ( like luggage) , and I keep the paths and deck lights in a seperate box. each ice chest easily weighs 65-75 lbs, and I am tired of loading and unloading these things in the back of my truck.
I know that firefly does awesome demo's, and probably easily doubles the weight of mine, but I am also curious about the rest of you guys- what do you bring and how do you lug it around? how much time do you give yourself to setup, bid and load back up a demo? I am taking about 35-45 minutes to setup, 15-20 to write out and bid, and 20-25 minutes to load up and go home. all by myself. some demo's take longer if the customer wants me to move around lights, but a single demo typically takes me from 7:30 pm leave house time to around 9:30-10:30 get back home time at this time of year. February is much easier as you can get there at 4:30 pm and be back home by 6:30 pm. let me know if my experience is normal, or what you guys are doing different.
my love hate thing goes like this- I love having 4 75 ft runs of multi-plug cord, 20 brass mr-16 uplights, 5 deck lights with clamps, 2 600 watt trans, and a few paths and a few extension cords. really everything you need for a decent medium home demo.
my hate thing is weight. I have maxed out 2 very large ice chests on wheels w/ collapsable handles ( like luggage) , and I keep the paths and deck lights in a seperate box. each ice chest easily weighs 65-75 lbs, and I am tired of loading and unloading these things in the back of my truck.
I know that firefly does awesome demo's, and probably easily doubles the weight of mine, but I am also curious about the rest of you guys- what do you bring and how do you lug it around? how much time do you give yourself to setup, bid and load back up a demo? I am taking about 35-45 minutes to setup, 15-20 to write out and bid, and 20-25 minutes to load up and go home. all by myself. some demo's take longer if the customer wants me to move around lights, but a single demo typically takes me from 7:30 pm leave house time to around 9:30-10:30 get back home time at this time of year. February is much easier as you can get there at 4:30 pm and be back home by 6:30 pm. let me know if my experience is normal, or what you guys are doing different.
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unprofessional? not if it's done right, anyway its just an idea. I would hate to think how limited I would be without ideas.
I do know the lamps work fine with DC. Of course it doesn't take long to find the limits of DC.
Has anyone seen "downlights with "moonlight" pole " from the FX demo kit?
I do know the lamps work fine with DC. Of course it doesn't take long to find the limits of DC.
Has anyone seen "downlights with "moonlight" pole " from the FX demo kit?
hahahaI have one of those white boards. I bought it a long time ago when I arrived at a job site, for the second time, without any transformers. Guess my mind isn't what it used to be.
I can relate to that!!
I think you should show up in a monster truck like the grave digger and power 75-100 lights!Something else I thought about doing. Call it a drive-by demo. or just a dumb idea.
If I had a 10gauge line ran from the battery of my truck to a multi-plug in the bed area. take 4 maybe 6 spooled extention cords run them from the truck be to the front area of a house. Hit the house in a few places do a couple of trees. How fast could you do that?
When youre down unplug the lights, roll the cords back in and move on down the road. Thats after you sign a contract of course.
I need to figure out how many lights I can run off the truck. The lights will do fine on DC for a demo purpose.
"Has anyone seen "downlights with "moonlight" pole " from the FX demo kit?"
Hey TP;
I'm not positive of what you mean, but I got an extension pole idea from Joey and Billy that sounds like what you are talking about.
I made a mount on the end of an extension pole to put mini-wall washers or a spot on it, to demo hitting upper building surfaces, I suppose you could invert the light to show downlighting, too. I only used it on my own house to experiment.
But for downlighting during demo's, I just use a bungee cord on a tree and hang one of my bullets upside down, but I use at least one or two actual tree lights to hide the source.
Hey TP;
I'm not positive of what you mean, but I got an extension pole idea from Joey and Billy that sounds like what you are talking about.
I made a mount on the end of an extension pole to put mini-wall washers or a spot on it, to demo hitting upper building surfaces, I suppose you could invert the light to show downlighting, too. I only used it on my own house to experiment.
But for downlighting during demo's, I just use a bungee cord on a tree and hang one of my bullets upside down, but I use at least one or two actual tree lights to hide the source.
I think you guys are putting way too much effort into your demos. Yes, I know that your demos would be better than mine, but your purpose is simply to show an "example" of what could be done. You can explain the rest verbally. To a potential client, they have no idea of the power of our systems. Even one light looks pretty to them. If you set up several, then your case is closed. You don't need to go through the effort, IMO, to make it look exactly like the final install. Besides, wouldn't it be better for your image to install "more" and "better" than they expected? Some of the descriptions I've heard so far about what you guys go through to set up a demo just kills me. Granted, they do offer the opportunity to take a picture, but what are you trying to prove. I'd be awfully ticked off if I went through that much trouble just to have the client explain what was done to his landscaper and have them do it for cheeper. In my opinion, these full blown demos are giving away your talents and secrets beforehand. Unless you're getting a sizable fee for the demo, I would not do it so inexpensively. I'll explain my effective demo later, but you guys are just expending too much effort and time.
Just my opinion, so don't get mad and start calling me names!
Just my opinion, so don't get mad and start calling me names!
Large Demos are a PITA in my opinion. But hey I still have a 20 light demo kit, so go figure.
When I first started I would show up with 1 uplight, 1 pathway light, 1 bullet, and truck battery booster. I think that is what it is called. One of those gozmos that you hookup to the battery. Me and the customer would walk around the yard and light different things up.
everyone should have a beer I didn't use "victim"
When I first started I would show up with 1 uplight, 1 pathway light, 1 bullet, and truck battery booster. I think that is what it is called. One of those gozmos that you hookup to the battery. Me and the customer would walk around the yard and light different things up.
everyone should have a beer I didn't use "victim"
Oye.
Big demo for me = nice size job. But, like Chris suggests, I leave some stuff out if it is already represented in another area.
The demo, like Joey will tell you, pushes the scene to a full portrait, and keeps them from thinking just 4 fixtures will do the job.
Chris, this is important to newer guys, since most peeps are merely responding to a postcard and not a referral.
Also, it helps me to position things "just right" as I am still learning some tricks of the trade.
That being said, I hate demo's. haha.
Big demo for me = nice size job. But, like Chris suggests, I leave some stuff out if it is already represented in another area.
The demo, like Joey will tell you, pushes the scene to a full portrait, and keeps them from thinking just 4 fixtures will do the job.
Chris, this is important to newer guys, since most peeps are merely responding to a postcard and not a referral.
Also, it helps me to position things "just right" as I am still learning some tricks of the trade.
That being said, I hate demo's. haha.
I use about 12-20 lights, uplighting only. I can set up in about 15-20 minutes and be knocking on the door for them to come out. I usually can wrap it up in another 30 minutes depending on the customer. The customer needs to see enough lights to get it. As you get better you can use less lights. When I was new I used more lights to offset my skill level. The sheer number of lights was always breath taking. My best demo ever was 4 lights. Understanding the right vocabulary is equally important to me. Read Nate's book and use the jargon and people listen. Part of a great demo is listening to the client. I get put in check every once in a while by a client whom I was listening well enough. The best demo fits the way the client uses the yard and their lifestyle. I have done hundreds of demos and I will continue to use demos. The role of a demo has changed for me and it will for you as you do more of them. I don't demo every job, but I know exactly which jobs need a demo and that comes from experience.I think you guys are putting way too much effort into your demos. Yes, I know that your demos would be better than mine, but your purpose is simply to show an "example" of what could be done. You can explain the rest verbally. To a potential client, they have no idea of the power of our systems. Even one light looks pretty to them. If you set up several, then your case is closed. You don't need to go through the effort, IMO, to make it look exactly like the final install. Besides, wouldn't it be better for your image to install "more" and "better" than they expected? Some of the descriptions I've heard so far about what you guys go through to set up a demo just kills me. Granted, they do offer the opportunity to take a picture, but what are you trying to prove. I'd be awfully ticked off if I went through that much trouble just to have the client explain what was done to his landscaper and have them do it for cheeper. In my opinion, these full blown demos are giving away your talents and secrets beforehand. Unless you're getting a sizable fee for the demo, I would not do it so inexpensively. I'll explain my effective demo later, but you guys are just expending too much effort and time.
Just my opinion, so don't get mad and start calling me names!
I would say that I am the lighting professional that I am, more from all the demos, than all the jobs i've done. I learned more from the jobs I didn't get than the ones I did. It is the process not the demo. To me doing a demo is like being a waiter. You don't get a tip if you don't get it right, just like you don't always get the job if you don't get it right. Just like the waiter gets bigger tips from polishing his craft, you will get more jobs as you learn your craft. I am not referring to you people who don't do demos here, just casting a different light (pardon the pun) on the subject of demos.
Well said. Think about this. For the demos that you did and DID NOT get the job. When you ride by the house on a later date,either to be nosey or you happen to be in the area do you see your design by the HO or someone else or no lighting at all? For me I mostly see no lighting at all. I also use my gut feeling if I charge them for the demo or not.
Spreading out the "weight" of the demo (think of this as mental mechanical leverage).
Most classical artists throughout history used to sketch their landscapes/portraits on separate paper until they studied the scene long enough to get it.
Until I get a lot better at planning, it helps me to show up for a consult on one day, go back to set up the demo on another, and go back to flip the switches in the evening. I gives me time to notice and think, and then each return I come back with a clean (dry) shirt and a fresh start to "see" again and have the energy to care about making some changes or additions.
I also like the consult out of the way, so I can concentrate on a set up without distractions or pressure.
After the demo, I just leave the stuff there and break it down another day. This allows me to see everything in the daylight, and to have a fresh start to carefully put it all away properly.
Oh yeah, I almost have to spread the time to do the demo's this way; I can't bring a commercial truck inside the communities in the evening.
Most classical artists throughout history used to sketch their landscapes/portraits on separate paper until they studied the scene long enough to get it.
Until I get a lot better at planning, it helps me to show up for a consult on one day, go back to set up the demo on another, and go back to flip the switches in the evening. I gives me time to notice and think, and then each return I come back with a clean (dry) shirt and a fresh start to "see" again and have the energy to care about making some changes or additions.
I also like the consult out of the way, so I can concentrate on a set up without distractions or pressure.
After the demo, I just leave the stuff there and break it down another day. This allows me to see everything in the daylight, and to have a fresh start to carefully put it all away properly.
Oh yeah, I almost have to spread the time to do the demo's this way; I can't bring a commercial truck inside the communities in the evening.
So many different mind sets on this. I plan on turning it up a notch this fall on the demo.
"Learning from the demos" best thing I've heard yet.
The Moonlighting pole is listed on the Cast Demo Kit, thats why I asked if anyone had seen it. I doubt I make downlighting a big part of my demo routine. I do have a demo this week where I specifically have to convince two people about downlights using LV. I'd like to use a pole and not a ladder.
This thread started about weight of the demo kit. Then time was mentioned. If you shave 5 mins here and there and make it require less labor then you may be on to something. That is why I think a power source on your truck would be beneficial.
Think of this. You pull up ,"Professionally Ryan", and pull out a large cord with a multi connector end. Maybe its on a autowind spool mounted to the truck.
You then quickly unroll 4 to 6 cords. There are many ways to do that quickly.
Place the fixtures, plug them in and position. You may now choose to move a few lights to different areas as you continue to convince the home owner.
Now if they choose you can offer to leave it overnight. That is a whole other talk show. Regardless if they go for it. Then you pull our a TF.
IF not you roll up and boggie to the next place. Of course the monster truck would help.
"Learning from the demos" best thing I've heard yet.
The Moonlighting pole is listed on the Cast Demo Kit, thats why I asked if anyone had seen it. I doubt I make downlighting a big part of my demo routine. I do have a demo this week where I specifically have to convince two people about downlights using LV. I'd like to use a pole and not a ladder.
This thread started about weight of the demo kit. Then time was mentioned. If you shave 5 mins here and there and make it require less labor then you may be on to something. That is why I think a power source on your truck would be beneficial.
Think of this. You pull up ,"Professionally Ryan", and pull out a large cord with a multi connector end. Maybe its on a autowind spool mounted to the truck.
You then quickly unroll 4 to 6 cords. There are many ways to do that quickly.
Place the fixtures, plug them in and position. You may now choose to move a few lights to different areas as you continue to convince the home owner.
Now if they choose you can offer to leave it overnight. That is a whole other talk show. Regardless if they go for it. Then you pull our a TF.
IF not you roll up and boggie to the next place. Of course the monster truck would help.
BTW if a car battery is rated at 50ah and a 20watt lamp uses 1.6 amps @ 12v, this should be fine for as long as you need it especially with the truck running.
The biggest obstacle would be voltage drop on the extension cord.
The biggest obstacle would be voltage drop on the extension cord.
transformers work better for me because I always leave the demo for about a week if I can. A larger demo benefits from this because they are used to coming home to it and then it's gone.
You can't manage voltage drop off a car battery. Why would they buy dimly lit lights from your demo when they can buy the dim ones at home Cheapo? Use the equipment you are going to install dude. Do it right.
you make a point however, the vista demo kit has one TF a 250watt singel tap. So while your point is valid, it suggests also that the demo kits will not do.
Tommy Wow, learning you may leave them for up to a week is surprising. I figured you had it down to demo/signup/check all in one visit.
Tommy Wow, learning you may leave them for up to a week is surprising. I figured you had it down to demo/signup/check all in one visit.
My evenings are more valuable to me for other things than doing large scale demos. I don't use them to show the customer what the total finished job is going to look like.
If the customer doesn't "get it" with a handful of fixtures placed appropriately, then I'm not selling myself well enough.
I'll usually give them a couple choices when it comes to pathlight styles and effects... and I like to try out different wattages and beam spreads of uplights to get a feel in a particular situation.
I know that a white birch is going to reflect a lot more light than a redwood, or bricks will "soak up" more than a light colored stucco... But sometimes you run into a client that thinks that silhouetting the shrubs around the foundation, or uplighting lapped siding looks too "spooky"...
Sometimes it's an opportunity to weigh their expectations against what I can achieve or mine against what they can (or say they can) afford... better to know these things early on.
Did I count on the streetlight (that I didn't see in the daytime) filtering though the trees on the sideyard? How much do the neighbors' security lights hit the driveway from one side?
Often doing a demo reveals these and other factors that cause me to change the design I sketched out on a quick daytime visit.
If the customer doesn't "get it" with a handful of fixtures placed appropriately, then I'm not selling myself well enough.
I'll usually give them a couple choices when it comes to pathlight styles and effects... and I like to try out different wattages and beam spreads of uplights to get a feel in a particular situation.
I know that a white birch is going to reflect a lot more light than a redwood, or bricks will "soak up" more than a light colored stucco... But sometimes you run into a client that thinks that silhouetting the shrubs around the foundation, or uplighting lapped siding looks too "spooky"...
Sometimes it's an opportunity to weigh their expectations against what I can achieve or mine against what they can (or say they can) afford... better to know these things early on.
Did I count on the streetlight (that I didn't see in the daytime) filtering though the trees on the sideyard? How much do the neighbors' security lights hit the driveway from one side?
Often doing a demo reveals these and other factors that cause me to change the design I sketched out on a quick daytime visit.
The case that the Vista kit uses is called a Pelican Case. We use them for all of our camera equipment and for our special tradeshow items. They are nice but also very pricey cases that dont allow for much demo product.
I would put money against anyone who thinks another manufacturer has a better demo kit then ours. If it's the Par lamps that keep you away from our kit then custom order the kit with brass or copper bullets instead. You can customize a kit anyway you want from us. And unlike those trailer connectors you can buy our quick connectors and adapt any fixture you like in the field.
The stanley cases are a little heavy, especially when fully loaded. But they do have a large retractable padded handle, heavy duty rolling wheels, and a strong hinged and lockable lid. Plus they have a tray on the inside which works well for holding spare lamps, lenses, tools, flags, and tape.
I dont know why anyone would waste time messing with battery's or building a kit according tot he job they are demoing. For a little over a $1200 you can have a fully working kit with 16 lights, a real transformer, extension cord, flags, tape, lamps, lenses, case, home runs, everything color coded and pre wired and be done with it. The first job you sell it is paid for and is now a free salesmen from there on.
http://www.uniquelighting.com/education/Powerofthedemo.htm
I would put money against anyone who thinks another manufacturer has a better demo kit then ours. If it's the Par lamps that keep you away from our kit then custom order the kit with brass or copper bullets instead. You can customize a kit anyway you want from us. And unlike those trailer connectors you can buy our quick connectors and adapt any fixture you like in the field.
The stanley cases are a little heavy, especially when fully loaded. But they do have a large retractable padded handle, heavy duty rolling wheels, and a strong hinged and lockable lid. Plus they have a tray on the inside which works well for holding spare lamps, lenses, tools, flags, and tape.
I dont know why anyone would waste time messing with battery's or building a kit according tot he job they are demoing. For a little over a $1200 you can have a fully working kit with 16 lights, a real transformer, extension cord, flags, tape, lamps, lenses, case, home runs, everything color coded and pre wired and be done with it. The first job you sell it is paid for and is now a free salesmen from there on.
http://www.uniquelighting.com/education/Powerofthedemo.htm
My Vista kit cost me less than half that Joey....
And I have a Stanley box and a Gatemouth bag for others...
I haven't seen your connectors Joey, but I used to use Radio Shack's solderless banana plugs, and they worked OK, but once I discovered these two pole trailer plugs I can't think of anything simpler or more reliable.
And I have a Stanley box and a Gatemouth bag for others...
I haven't seen your connectors Joey, but I used to use Radio Shack's solderless banana plugs, and they worked OK, but once I discovered these two pole trailer plugs I can't think of anything simpler or more reliable.
It cost half but you get half or less what our kit comes with. Plus it takes atleast 15 lights at minimum to usually demo a scene. Not smashing the kit, I have seen way worse, at least it doesnt use a Battery. and I do like the post they supply for the TF.My Vista kit cost me less than half that Joey....
And I have a Stanley box and a Gatemouth bag for others...
I haven't seen your connectors Joey, but I used to use Radio Shack's solderless banana plugs, and they worked OK, but once I discovered these two pole trailer plugs I can't think of anything simpler or more reliable.
We call our connectors the Power pole connectors, theya re similar to those trailer connectors but they are made of plastic. Not as water proof as those but they are easily installed on fixtures in the field.
It is a preference thing. If your not a Unique guy you probably wont ever use a Unique demo kit but if your not partial to any one company or company's then our Demo Kit is definitley one that should be considered. It is in our opinion the best most usuable kit on the Market! The first of its kind!!
Click the link below and you can see the clips I am talking about that are attached to the wire runs on the right. Everything you see in the pciture is also what comes along with the transformer and 16 lights.
http://www.uniquelighting.com/education/DemoKit.pdf
41 - 60 of 67 Posts
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