Used Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash / Vari-Lite VL3000Q Wash
Used Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash and VL3000Q Wash are high-capacity wash moving head luminaires built around a 1200W short arc lamp delivering 20,000 lumens, with a 6:1 zoom range and a full CYM colour mixing system. The VL3000Q variant adds considerably reduced audible noise output for productions where silence is critical. Browse the second-hand Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash listings available below to find the unit that suits your production.
1 listed right now — list yours to the buyers searching this model.
Get an email when a new Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash / Vari-Lite VL3000Q Wash is listed.
Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash / Vari-Lite VL3000Q Wash specifications
| Brand | Vari-Lite |
| Segment | Lighting |
| Typical used price | $427 (range $427–$427) |
About the Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash / Vari-Lite VL3000Q Wash
The Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash is a high-capacity wash moving head luminaire powered by a 1200W short arc lamp producing 20,000 lumens. A zoomable 6:1 beam spreader delivers continuous beam size control from 10° to 60°, enabling both rapid changes and smooth timed transitions. Colour is handled by a three-filter CYM cross-fading mechanism combined with a fixed colour wheel carrying six interchangeable filters and continuous wheel rotation for effects, plus a variable CTO colour temperature correction filter. Separate dimmer and strobe mechanisms provide smooth fades and ultra-fast dual-blade strobe effects. Pan covers 540° and tilt 270°, both driven by three-phase stepper motors at 0.3° resolution. The VL3000Q Wash shares these capabilities while considerably reducing audible noise output, making it suited to productions where silence is critical.
Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash / Vari-Lite VL3000Q Wash — buyer FAQs
What are the Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash and VL3000Q Wash, and what sets them apart from each other?
The VL3000 Wash and VL3000Q Wash are high-capacity wash moving head luminaires sharing identical core specifications. The key difference is that the VL3000Q variant considerably reduces audible noise output, making it the preferred choice for productions where quiet operation is critical, such as theatre or broadcast. Both models run a 1200W short arc lamp producing 20,000 lumens and offer the same colour mixing, zoom and motion capabilities.
What zoom range and pan/tilt movement does the VL3000 Wash offer?
The VL3000 Wash uses a zoomable 6:1 beam spreader giving continuous beam size control from 10° to 60°. Pan travel is 540° and tilt is 270°, both driven by three-phase stepper motors with 0.3° resolution. This combination allows smooth timed transitions and rapid positional changes, making the fixture well suited to large-scale wash applications requiring precise, repeatable movement.
How does the colour system on the VL3000 Wash work?
Colour is produced by a three-filter CYM cross-fading mechanism that blends cyan, yellow and magenta for a wide mixed-colour range. A fixed colour wheel carries six interchangeable colour filters and supports continuous rotation for additional effects. A separate variable CTO filter allows colour temperature correction. Strobe and dimming are handled by independent mechanisms, including a dual-blade strobe capable of ultra-fast operation.
Who makes the VL3000 Wash and where does it sit in the Vari-Lite range?
Vari-Lite is an American entertainment lighting brand established in 1981 and credited with developing the first modern automated moving light. The brand, now owned by Signify, focuses on moving heads including wash and profile luminaires for concert touring, theatre and large-scale events. The VL3000 Wash is one of the brand's high-capacity wash luminaires, with the Q variant addressing the specific noise-sensitivity demands of theatrical and broadcast productions.
What should I check when buying a used Vari-Lite VL3000 Wash or VL3000Q Wash?
Confirm which variant is listed, VL3000 or the quieter VL3000Q, as both appear on the used market. Check lamp hours, since the 1200W short arc lamp is a consumable, and verify the condition of the six interchangeable colour filters on the fixed colour wheel. Confirm pan, tilt and zoom mechanisms move correctly. Used units on 10K Used carry a 21-day warranty covering major functional faults; full details are in the buying guide at 10kused.com/used-av-equipment-guide/.
