Thread: Lightning machines...opinions please

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I am planning on adding a thunder/lightning machine to my yard this year. I am a bit overwhelmed but what to choose and what to expect. I want something that i can use in a very realistic manner. So, what to choose? The FX boxes are super cheap, but how many would i need to make it work?

Lightning FX?
Pico Storm?
Zombie?

The Lightning FX box (there are x-mas and Halloween versions but it's the same box with different colored plastic):

Sound Activated Christmas Tree Lights - On Sale - Things for Christmas - Things You Never Knew Existed

This is a cheapy sound sensitive effects box - it can take I think up to 3 or 400W. This is VERY effective if you get a photographer's flash bulb from a photo supply, put it in a simple plug-in clamp holder like this:
8.5 In. Incandescent Clamp Light - E-245 at The Home Depot

and stick it up a tree. As long as the sound source is close to the FX box, it's VERY effective at creating a great lightning effect. One super bright bulb would work great for this effect.

The other ones are going to be more money...

i have the I-zombie for good reason . i love it , but you should really consider getting the multi-channel one you can control up to 4 lights.

I'm with Frankie's girl - the FX box works well. I run two at 500W each, using photoflood bulbs. You can plug the sound source directly into the box. They sell for as little as $12 at times.

I've also used the little FX box and it worked great. I bought another one this calendar year for $8 at Tuesday Morning (weird place, I know--but I've found some good H'ween stuff there at great prices) and someone recently posted on HF that they've seen them still for sale there (it's the Xmas version tho). So you might want to check out Tues Morning...

I'll have to agree with dept1031. I just got the I-Zombie box and it's awesome. The price is steep but it definatley delivers on its promises. There are cheaper options but they take some inginuity to create them. Do a search on the sight and there are several tutorials on how to make all this on the cheap.

I have four of the Lightning F/X boxes (well, mine are Christmas F/X but it's the same thing) and I've been very pleased. I used one running two photo flood bulbs at the bottom of my driveway and another by my porch. I run them with boom boxes and little MP3 players (which I start at the same time so the sound is synchronized). All four were only $40 so I have no complaints (and I have two extra for other applications)!

Well I'm kind of leaning toward the I-zombie I guess. If i have to hook up 3-4 of the little boxes, I would probably rather just get one self contained box. Seems like on beneift to the picostorm is that the sound is internal, so you only need to plug in powered speakers and lights and turn it on, no cd player needed.

So dept1031, the 2 channel unit says it can handle over 2000 watts. I could just run a splitter to as many lights as i want right? I know they wont all flash independently though.

Save yourself some money and just buy one of the lightning fx boxes. They support up to 500 watts of power. That should be plenty of lightning! they have/had the X-mas version at Tuesday Morning for only 7.99.

Well for $7.99 I would give it a shot, but all the online retailers are selling it for $30+. None fo the tuesday mornings in my area have this unfortunately. Any suggestion on an online retailer that has them that cheap?