What's happening
At PLASA Show 2026 in London (Sept 6-8), Robe launched five products including the GigaPointe laser-source moving head, which drew a PLASA Innovation Awards commendation. GigaPointe's GLINT technology is dedicated to beam definition, intensity, gobo projection and contrast, while AERIS filters internal air to reduce optical residue. Robe also showed the IP65-rated Arianne RGBL wash family and the TRANSFERABLE ENGINE field-replaceable LED engine.
Why it matters for buyers
For a retailer, venue or signage buyer, the practical effect is simple: the unit that reads on your wall at your ambient light, with your artwork, beats the one with the bigger number on the box. Specification order — distance, image size, ambient, then brightness — decides the result.
It also changes lead-time risk. Custom gobos and certified outdoor builds need briefing before the date is fixed; the projector is rarely the long pole, the artwork and certification are.
The technical angle
Zoom-focus optics trade a little sharpness for flexibility. If the throw distance changes between installs, zoom saves a re-lens; if it is fixed, a single dedicated lens stays marginally crisper.
What to specify
Before you request a quote, lock these down:
- Ingress rating if it lives outdoors or gets washed down
- Mounting surface and whether the bracket can hold aim
- Gobo material: glass for longevity and colour, metal for cheap short runs
- MOQ and dispatch window before the event date
