LaserHome

Lasers on the columns

LaserHome

Lasers by the Windows

LaserHome

A line pattern

We had a call for using lasers to add holiday cheer to a home in Austin; the owner was trying to avoid going through the laborious process of hanging traditional lights all over his large home, and thought that lasers might provide the solution.

After some demos, tests, and trials, we settled on four laser projectors from Laserworld – two EL-200 LED projectors, and two EL-200S DMX projectors, a fog machine, and four custom weatherproof enclosures. Total cost: Approximately $2500

LaserEnclosure

Protected from rain

Laser Enclosure

The Laser Inside

Laser Enclosure

Balanced on a rock (temporarily)

These laser projectors use green and red lasers with diffraction grating technology to produce their effects. The main effect is that of a lot of laser “dots” striking the home. The projectors come with hundreds of built in patterns; these can be selected and programmed with any standard DMX controller, or set to change by sound activation, or set to run automatically. In this case the client wanted them to run simply and inexpensively, and chose the automatic mode. They both have an additional LED ripply abstract light projection output next to the laser output. The EL-200S DMX has additionally a pair of scanners that move the entire effect and add additional pattern variation by projecting the light in tiny circles and squares and lines. There is quite a bit of laser movement and dancing in this show! The weatherproof enclosures are made of galvanized sheet metal, and can be delivered powder coated if desired.

Laser Circles

Laser Patterns

Laser Curls

Laser Curls

LaserDots

Laser Dots over the windows

Problems? Mainly, keeping in mind the parameters that you can run the laser on; in this case the specs in the manual say as low as 10° C or 50° F. Well it got quite cold one night, down to 20° F, and the green lasers failed to come on. Fortunately, they were replaced under warranty, but it’s best to keep in mind, in an installation like this, to try to keep the lasers warm. We have even installed tiny thermostatic heaters to maintain a minimum temperature inside the enclosure.

Lasers Far

The home from afar

Laser Smoke

for the parties.... add the smoke

Laser Dots

Lasers on the columns looked good...

All in all, I think that this was a successful installation. It was better perceived from the yard of the home, but it was a large house, set back from the street, and surrounded by a 6′ tall stone wall. My conclusion is that in a dark neighborhood, this would be spectacular, especially as one approached the house, but to be seen from far away, it is better to stick to traditional string Christmas lights, or to do something with higher power lasers.

6 Responses to “Laser Christmas Lights”

  1. Tanya says:

    I found your site doing a search for Laser Christmas Lights. I’m trying to figure out if I purchase an inexpensive laser projector to achieve something similar, if I’m able to do that. What I mean is does the laser stop once you point it towards a structure because I have heard that if you were to point a laser pointer outside, you could get into trouble, but if it’s pointed towards a house, should there be no issues?

  2. laserwizard says:

    Yes, as long is it is just hitting the house, you should have no issues. The trouble begins because some people like to point lasers at airplanes, and this can cause pilots some problems.

  3. Charles Bottoms says:

    I am looking for something to take the place of me stringing lights but still maintain Christmas lights experience. My house is L shaped, garage-3 is 30 ft and house is 40 ft across. What can you recommend for laser lights red&green? Thanks, Charlie

  4. Could you send me a picture to my email laserinfo@laserspectacles.com? Then I’ll give you some ideas. Thanks, Tim

  5. Archie Meredith says:

    Amazing after searching more than a dozen websites, there’s never any mention of price…..

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