Thread: For you VEI fog machine owners...

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I am sad to bring the news that at least my brand new V960 1500watt advertised fog machine operates at less than 1200 watts. If any of you read the issue with the Chauvet 1250s last year, that is still lingering this year, it appears we're in a similar situation with the VEI v960. Not sure about the v935. It may be that the v960 has the v935 heater in it, as it's closer to a 1200watt reading than 1000watts.

I did some Kill A Watt tests, and on heat-up ran at 1120 watts, full continuous blasts for 30 seconds topped at 1152 watts of power usage.

So my fellow VEI owners, the V960 is FAR from 1500 watts, less than 1200 too. It looks like once again we have a Chauvet 1250 issue, let's just hope VEI is quick in fixing the issue by replacing these with actual 1500 watt machines, or once again giving us a full refund. I'd prefer they send me a V3000 model and let me keep this one. I will say I don't want my heater replaced... I don't trust that it will be done right and have to deal with more hassle. I personally would want a full refund including shipping costs to ship it back and the price I paid to have it shipped to me, and either buy another one (probably just fork out for an Antari at this point), or give up on fog machines completely. Twice in two years.. this is getting ridiculous.

That said, I am just a bit disappointed that after all the rave reviews of VEI, that VEI themselves did not test these models before offering them. It once again shows another company that sells pro foggers with no QA at all. We the users end up having to deal with the hassles and for me it just ruins my opinion of VEI now. Is there any freaking fog machine maker out there that knows how to advertise a fog machine correctly, and at the very least, if they are buying them from a Chinese company, checks them before selling them? Any at all that is "affordable".. that is in the $150 or so range for a 1200watt to 1500watt?

I am eagerly awaiting whose fault it is for these being sold 350 watts less than advertised, and for that matter, to see a V935, 929, etc owner test their machines and see how much they put out wattage wise, as well as fog output.

I will say this again, I created a thread the other day about fog machine comparisons, probably 3 or 4 pages in now. I put a video of the 960 in action, and there is one of the Antari 1200watt in action. IF you could PLEASE shoot a small video of your fog machine and post it, be it 400 watts, 700, etc.. that would be great.

Thanks.

Wow, here we go again. Do none of these companies have a QC dept?

andjarnic,

I am in complete agreement with you. I believe your post covered everything I would say regarding this matter. I also expect VEI to replace these machines with a 1500 watt version or completely refund my money.

After the Chauvet debacle, I can't believe that we are seeing this again!

Well, at this point I wonder if VEI (or anyone that represents VEI in the fog machine department) was aware of the Chauvet issue. I don't know how large VEI is as a company, nor do I know how many fog machines they sell every year. That said, I am indeed completely baffled even if they are small how they did not at least test the machine before selling it. It seems to me as if they took the word of whoever built it and just went forth with that.

Unlike Chauvet, I hope VEI takes this seriously, as they have replaced Chauvet for quality foggers in my book and from what I can tell from most of this forum. They have a chance to correct what Chauvet screwed up on, and boost their reputation as a quality company. But alas, we'll have to wait till Monday or Tuesday probably to hear anything from them. I have not directly written them yet, figured Gorey was already doing that so didn't want to waste their time with repeated emails.

Here I am answering basic concepts.

You do not understand chinese businesses.
First and formost, if they can screw you, they will.

Example 1: I had LED bulbs made for me 4 yrs ago, samples were fine, recieved product, did not meet specs. they cut corners, regardless of the agreed upon specs.
I switched to a better manufacturer, and have people to do inspections in China, before anything ships.

Example 2: Another co. had LED bulbs made, samples were great, what arrived cooked in less than 24 hours.
I now help them with LED bulbs.

Example 3: A popular prop maker wanted to have their latex products made for them in China, sent samples, molds were made, etc.
They did not know Chinese business practices, did not research the company, nor pay a mold shelf fee.
They did not hire the chinese company, within days the factory knocked off the product enmasse, offering it to anyone who would pay for the product for dirt cheap and flooded the market for the product.


VEI, tested these machines, in Januarary, and in March another company did, and again in May (me!).
However, those machines, were the prototypes - follow what is happening?
This is not unusual of Chinese businesses, many are fly by night, many subcontract the work. They do not care if they have your money. Chinese business practices do not mimic those of western businesses, they get by on aninimity, do not speak the language and thrive on cutting corners.
I suspect the 960s were made by an unscrupulous company.


Taiwan is another story.
This is why VEI machines have been highly regarded for years, and also why the mainstay items have gone up in price, costs from items out of Taiwan went up drastically.

There are no issues reported with the 935s and 3000 models, I suspect they are made in different factories.

Try to keep this in mind as this matter is being dealt with, certainly do not create pie in the sky fantasy solutions you wish would be, you cannot expect a business to meet.

FYI, the truck has arrived, I have v960s on hand to test here.
I will be reporting the test and inspection results back to VEI.

Corey

Good info Gorey. I've seen the same thing happen on several occasions. I recall your post on why the 950s and such went up in price, so that makes sense as well. I hope you find the same results I did and can possibly open one up (or VEI can) and make sure that in general it's a quality safe product. Like I and dead said, it seems to be pretty solid. It's just not putting out near the fog I would have thought it would.

Thank you for filling in on VEI practices, that reassures me. I will trust you and VEI that the issue will be resolved in as timely fashion as possible.

Could someone please test a v935 and post the results?

I do not have the resources to do the tests myself.. Corey, are you able to run the tests? even if its after Halloween when things calm down?

as an owner of two V935's, id greatly appreciate it.

Since the 935s seem to be running as expected, it is not high on the totam pole, but I will test them too when I get a moment.
Today has been snafu troubleshooting day.

Originally Posted by Gorey

Since the 935s seem to be running as expected, it is not high on the totam pole, but I will test them too when I get a moment.
Today has been snafu troubleshooting day.

Good to hear Corey I am pretty happy with my 935 but being it is the only fog machine I have ever owned it is hard to compare. Still need to ask the neighbor guy if he has anything to test the power draw with.

Corey, your right.

I was able to get Chauvet to replace my 1250 with the new 1300 hurricane and running side by side with the V935 they appear (cosmetically and fog output) almost identical (id almost be suprised if it wasnt the same machine)

so by appearances alone, it looks like the 935 is as advertised..