Showtec RP-405 MKII Relay Pack

42

Switchpack with built-in relays

  • Each channel is patchable
  • Can be controlled via DMX or sound
  • Pattern speed can be set between 20 seconds and 2 minutes per step
  • Suitable for small events where no external controller is required
  • Power input: 240 V / 50 Hz
  • Output: 4x 240V / 5A
  • Built-in patterns
  • DMX-512
  • Sound control
  • Master / Slave
Available since October 2015
Item number 374019
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
111 €
All prices incl. VAT
In stock
In stock

This product is in stock and can be shipped immediately.

Standard Delivery Times
Delivery free of charge expected between Thursday, 21.03. and Friday, 22.03.
1

42 Customer ratings

4.5 / 5

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25 Reviews

t
Decent quality, real relays
thelxman 23.11.2018
I bought this switchpack to switch some mirror balls, so I needed a unit with real clicky on/off relays rather than a "switched dimmer" which would have sufficient "off" leakage to run the motor. This unit fits the bill - switches my Showtec mirror balls just fine.

I selected this unit over the other brands for a number of reasons:
(1) Manual clearly stated it was relay based (6A/channel fused)
(2) Good chunky dual-pole main power switch, not the tiny one seen on other units
(3) Both overall (15A) and per-channel (6A) fusing
(4) Good experience with the Showtec brand
(5) From Thomann, better pricing (the list price is quite a lot higher - it's not worth twice as much as the other brand competitors).

As others say in their reviews, the metalwork is not the thickest, but I don't see any issues with it for the intended use.

The Schuko sockets seem reasonably nice, and with sprung flip covers.

The menu buttons are nothing special. The display is bright. When setting the DMX address, the display flickers rapidly (almost strobing) - it would be better if it just flashed at a few Hertz whilst you set the address.

I've not seen the display auto-blank, so it looks like it stays lit, which may be an issue for your application as it's quite bright. It's a nice blue.

You can set different DMX addresses for each channel if you like, they don't have to follow on consecutive addresses. I'll just write a 4-channel LX desk profile for this, but being able to set non-consecutive addresses may be useful for your application if you have a low-end controller and want to put a relay in DMX addressing gaps in your rig - or you wanted to associate relay channels 1:1 with specific lights in your rig.

You can set the unit as 1, 2, or 4 channels. There are inbuilt sequences and an internal microphone for "sound to light" (but this is of no interest to me so I haven't tried it).

The XLR plug/socket are 3-pin. They are pretty cheap and nasty, and the one specific weakness of the unit for me. Neither plug or socket have a retention latch so you will only get latching if you have a latching mating connector.

Mains cable is decent PVC 3G1.5, about a metre. Schuko sockets and plug on this version. UK buyers get a Schuko plug to UK plug adaptor for free from Thomann - and the plug did actually fit it! However I'll probably cut off the Schuko and fit a good quality UK 13A plug.

Packaging is good enough for shipment and there is some foam over the front panel - but not a foam "bed". The box won't last long as a permanent storage unit.

Manual is decent enough. Showtec generally provide a properly constructed manual for their products (rather than just a sheet of paper in Chinglish for some other random product that you get with some cheap brands...).

Unit could be improved with:
(1) Better XLR connectors
(2) Being able to auto-blank the display
(3) Nicer buttons
(4) Slightly better menu structure and flashing rather than strobing the DMX address
Note: Because you can set up to 4 different DMX addresses, the display defaults to showing "Addr" rather than the DMX address.

Overall very pleased. Glad I selected this unit. Awarding 5 stars overall even though as noted above some slight quality downs/possible improvements.
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Has DMX issues
Anoko 03.10.2020
The device has some issue with DMX. When I chose it to respond to a certain DMX address, say channel 100, it will only work correctly DMX channel one is not zero. When it is zero, and I set channel 100, the device starts to erratically switch on and off (tens of times on and off in 1 sec) which can't be good for either the switchpack nor the devices behind it!). While it's possible to work around this by making sure channel one is always set, it is a burden. This occurs even on short DMX links that are properly terminated, and I have several DMX controllers, including a USB one, and it responds to all the controllers in the same way. It's also the only device I have that seems not compatible.

The device itself is very sturdy and looks good, so other than the DMX issues it is of good quality.
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DMX flakey -not recommended!
Dr Man 13.07.2022
Will not trigger on DMX channel commands, or will trigger on wrong DMX channel commands. Took me ages to figure out that the fault was with the lamp, and not my code. I've practically turned balled from tearing hairs out!
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A
Ist Blech so teuer...?
Andreas 19.02.2016
Die "Verpackung" dieser Geräte ist ja irgendwie immer ähnlich - sollte man zumindest denken.

Ich besitze auch einen Stairville DDS-405 der rein äußerlich von Gehäuse her sehr ähnlich aufgebaut ist und der auch preislich in der gleichen Liga spielt.

Wenn man die Gehäuse der beiden Geräte mit einander vergleicht, könnte man auf die Idee kommen das es sich bei dem Stairville um einen Panzer und beim Showtec um einen Trabbi handelt - obwohl beide vermutlich aus der selben Fab rollen. Da hat Thomann bei der Eigenmarke wohl deutlich besser verhandelt... ;-)

Das der Showtec ein Stabilitätsproblem hat, merkt man spätestens dann, wenn man in an eine Traverse geschraubt hat und beim einstecken des ersten Steckers feststellt das, dass Blech an dem er hängt sich bereits verbogen hat.

Sorry - so was geht eigentlich gar nicht (ich schätze mal Herstellungspreis des Gerätes 20¤ - wenn überhaupt -... da währe noch genug Luft für dickers Blech - und wenn nicht könne man das Bodenblech es auch falzen...)

Auch interessant: Wenn man die beiden Geräte nebeneinander legt stellt man fest:

Stairville hat Setzmuttern - und zwar zwei. Damit kann man eine Öse einschrauben und das Gerät gescheit saven und in die andere ohne frickelei einen Half-Coupler schrauben.

Beim RP-405 - ... hmm... Na gut, es ist ein Loch da. Dass festziehen der Mutter des Half-Couplers gestaltet sich dann aber dank künstlerisch geschungenem Blech schon schwierig. Tja und wie saved man ihn...? Ok da gibt es ja noch ein großes Blechloch... Diese Vorgehen wird auf Dauer aber weder für den RP-405 noch für das Savety bekömmlich sein...

Oh - und dann die Technik... Ein enorm helles blaues Display verkündet die Betriebsbereitschaft des Gerätes und illuminiert den Raum. Der erste Gedanke: Kann man das auch abschalten? Den Knopf dafür hab ich bislang leider noch nicht gefunden...

Gibt es auch eine Gute Nachricht? Ja. Er schaltet zuverlässig vier Steckdosen per DMX und _wichtig_ Relay_ ein und aus. Das ist wichtig wenn man keinen "Reststrom" gebrauchen kann der Bauart bedingt bei Phasen Anschnitt / Abschnitt Steuerung in den üblichen Dimmer / Switchpacks entsteht.

Gut - er kann auch noch etwas mehr, aber das war - wenigstens für mich - nicht so wichtig. Schade das die Auswahl hier nicht so groß ist.
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