Josh S Wilkinson

One of the thing ive done thats worked pretty well is using an M18 into a 8x8 silver lame with a little haze, the silver even cools the light out a little more. Stays very directional. https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArqoFenw5vOLh9Zcpa92CnWvFGRBrw

That was true maybe 3 years ago, not so much now. I have used them side by side with a Joker 1600, the output is very similar across the lens range. I haven't used it personally next to anything bigger than that, but its suited me well for similar night exterior work The fact that you can plug 2 into a wall/putt putt was the main reason for my suggestion. Rents the same as a 1600/2500 as well, at least here.

You're comparing apples to oranges. For 1, an M40 puts out 2800 FC at a 38 degree beam at 10ft. Thats the widest the app shows. The Punch Plus's normal beam is 19 degrees with no "lens". The lens are just plastic diffusion panels, they're terrible, they easily eat 1-2 stops of light. If you're pushing this through a silk or bouncing it there is no reason to use them. An M40 puts out 7000 FC at 18 degree at 10 ft, Punch plus puts out 6000 FC And thats basically the best par fixture in production. You can not like LEDs, thats cool. Don't go putting out false info though.

Not sure if budget or power is more the concern. But you could look into aadyntechs punch plus, better output than a 2.5k and only runs at 5 amps. Could potentially double them up into a 12x12 or space them out. They have become my favorite for budget exterior stuff.

Your best bet under $1000+ is the Deep Parabolic Umbrellas from Westcott, Impact, Inter fit (theyre all the same). Has to be the Deep ones though, the regular "Parabolics" arent really parabolic Edit: Wont let me embed, here is what those umbrellas look like. https://1drv.ms/i/s!ArqoFenw5vOLh48vVm4691N8NimlfQ