Used Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot / Vari-Lite VL3500Q Spot
Used Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot and VL3500Q Spot are high-performance spot moving head luminaires delivering 20,000 lumens from a 1200W short arc lamp, with a 6:1 zoom system, CYM colour mixing, and dual gobo wheels. The second-hand VL3500Q Spot variant is engineered for noise-critical productions where silent operation is essential. Browse the available used listings below to find the right unit for your production.
Used – Good Dealer
Used – Good Dealer
Used – Good Dealer
Used – Good Dealer
Used – Good Dealer
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Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot / Vari-Lite VL3500Q Spot specifications
| Brand | Vari-Lite |
| Segment | Lighting |
| Typical used price | €739 (range €150–€3,530) |
About the Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot / Vari-Lite VL3500Q Spot
The Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot and VL3500Q Spot are high-performance spot moving head luminaires built around a 1200W short arc lamp producing 20,000 lumens. A 13-element 6:1 zoom optics system covers 10° to 60°, while a three-filter CYM cross-fading mechanism and variable CTO colour temperature correction filter offer broad colour control. Two gobo and effects wheels, including one with five rotatable indexable positions, deliver versatile pattern work, and gobos and carriers are interchangeable across all Series 3000 fixtures. A four-blade shutter mechanism with 100° rotation, a high-performance dual-blade strobe, full-field dimming, and three-phase stepper motor systems providing 540° pan and 270° tilt complete the feature set. The VL3500Q Spot variant offers the same capabilities in a quiet configuration suited to productions where noise is critical.
Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot / Vari-Lite VL3500Q Spot — buyer FAQs
What is the Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot and how does it differ from the VL3500Q Spot?
The Vari-Lite VL3500 Spot is a spot moving head luminaire built around a 1200W short arc lamp producing 20,000 lumens, with a 13-element 6:1 zoom system spanning 10° to 60°, CYM colour mixing, two gobo wheels, a four-blade shutter mechanism, and three-phase stepper motors giving 540° pan and 270° tilt. The VL3500Q Spot shares the same full feature set but is engineered for quiet operation, making it suited to productions where noise is critical.
Who makes the VL3500 Spot 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 VL3500 Spot sits within the Series 3000 fixture range, a detail that has practical relevance for users because gobos and carriers are interchangeable across all Series 3000 luminaires, giving flexibility when mixing units on a rig.
What colour control and gobo options does the VL3500 Spot offer?
The VL3500 Spot uses a three-filter CYM cross-fading mechanism alongside a fixed colour wheel carrying six interchangeable colour filters with continuous rotation for effects, and a variable CTO colour temperature correction filter. Two gobo wheels are fitted: one with five rotatable, indexable positions plus one open position, and one fixed wheel with six positions for standard or custom gobos plus one open position.
What productions is the used Vari-Lite VL3500Q Spot particularly suited to?
The VL3500Q Spot is specifically designed for productions where the absence of noise is critical to the performance. It delivers the same 20,000-lumen output, zoom range, colour mixing, gobo wheels, shutter system, and motion capabilities as the standard VL3500 Spot, making it a practical choice for theatrical or broadcast environments where a conventional moving head would create audible distraction.
What should I check when buying a second-hand VL3500 Spot or VL3500Q Spot?
Confirm the lamp hours logged on the unit, as the 1200W short arc lamp is a key consumable. Check that both gobo wheels rotate and index correctly, that all four shutter blades operate independently and in unison, and that pan and tilt move smoothly through their full range. For the Q variant, verify the quiet mechanism is functioning. Every listing on this page carries a 21-day warranty covering major functional faults; full details are in the buying guide at 10kused.com/used-av-equipment-guide/.
