Need some info on fog/haze machines.

So yah, my crew and I are looking to buy one, but not sure what to look for in one. Ratings/specs, etc...

fog/smoke machines are dated, dont bother with them.

haze is the thing now! basicly id buy the biggest and most expensive one you can afford. they have intensity controls built in, so you can set it to a low output in a small room, or crank it in a bigun. also, the cheap ones tend to have a habbit of thermistats breaking, leaving them to internally superheat and go up in flame mid-gig! not ideal!


a search would have found this, posted just 2 days ago!!

SteveAATW wrote: All about hazers since the smoking bans, smoke machines dont get into the corners nor linger enough

Would avoid the Martin hazers though, for what they are they are expensive and drink fluid like nobodies business

Look Solutions Unique 2 is where its at, daddy of a machine, proper touring job - not much more than the Jem and well worth it, uses much less fluid, better effect, longer hang and wider distribution

My laser geek friends say the same thing.
Don't bother with a used fog/smoke machine.

ok, there are 3 choices here:


1) glycol based smoke machines / hazers - jem, le maitre, antari etc. short hanging time, cheap fluid, cheap machines. ok for smoke effects and where you dont need a thin even haze.


2) glycerin based haze machines - this fluid hangs longer, producing better haze effects. more expensive, sometimes less reliable due to bigger residue buildups within machines. Look unique machines, le maitre neutron star etc. the best option for haze unless you can run to option 3


3) oil based crackers - the most expensive option, but by far the best for haze. very small particle size, so hangs for ever without dissapearing, expensive fluid, expensive machines, but generally very reliable. due to the small particle size, oil residues can get into equipment like moving lights and projectors causing problems. reel effects df50, cirrus crackers, antari hz400.