Element 2 Pan and Tilt

is the "not sweeping around" issue while you program, while you run a show (with the Go button) or when you run spontaneous shows manually?

Oh, I haven't even hung the MH's yet. Was just looking for how to handle same once up. Sorry for the confusion. We had some less expensive MH's a while back on a simple DJ console and when we turned them on with X, Y and Intensity channels they would light up and then find their aiming point. So it was more a; How does one normally" handle a two step process  point and then illuminate on a sophisticate console like ELE2

the question remains. what's the situation. the answer depends on that...

the first time you point it at a new position you have to do it while the light is on, otherwise you wont find the position. for everything after that there is an answer, but we need to know what you're trying to achieve

The 1st part makes sense. During setup up we will turn on the light and set the x, y. During performance we want the light to come on, on the performer. I recognize this may be a big subject so a ref to perhaps a video would be easier for you. In the meantime I'm off the stage floor now and heading to a Café where I can go though the manual.

good news! the console does that for you. there is a function called AutoMark.

if a channel is off the console compares it to the next cue. if the intensity is > 0 there it will compare everything else and if it find a difference it will secretly mark (i.e. pre-set) that moving light, so when you hit Go the next time, all the channel does is bring up intensity. it will not need to move since it's already where it's supposed to be.

so when it's at position A in cue 1. and it's supposed to be at position B in cue 3. all you need to do is turn it off on position A for cue 2 and record that. when playing the cues with Go magic will happen.

this function is always on on an Element, you you don't even need to think about settings.

OMG! Every time I turn around EOS has done it already. Kidding aside; this is one smart system. I've taken to keeping EOS manual pdfs on tablet, so its coffee and AutoMark before I go back and look (at least) a little intelligent.

Back to 2nd part, so when you very 1st aim these guys do you find one of the software panels or x,y assigned to subs better to position the device?

no subs, they're not meant to handle this. to make them would create more work than they would help safe.

i would suggest having a look at lighthack: https://shop.etcconnect.com/lighthack-box-1/

you will need to solder and be comfortable using tools, but if you're not, maybe you know someone who is...

As an experienced Raspberry Pi hacker, Linux lover and having a soldering iron as a 6th finger from birth this looks very good to me. 

If you have an Element and an iPad or Android tablet , I highly recommend getting oscRFR from Alien Stagecraft (http://www.alienstagecraft.com). Its virtual encoders make using movers with Element super easy. 

The GitHub folder is missing the assembly instructions .pdf. for the Lighthack Box 1.

Thank you, it does look interesting, off there now to see what it costs. Probably not the place to say this but I just did a simple 3 cue experiment (EOS on desktop computer) and watched the AutoMark in action. It was awesome. I guess this is old hat to most on this board but it blew this newbie's mind!

How do I get one? I can't order it from ETC from Canada.

one more detail regarding AutoMark:

Element will use the time of the fadeout for the marking as well. this usually works reasonably well unless you have a really slow down fade. so if cue 2 fades out in 30 the following marking happens ins another 30. so you can't press go for those 30 seconds without having the old fade-while-moving issue.

in Setup > System > Cue Settings you will find Mark Time. if you enter e.g. 3 Element will use 3 seconds to do the marking.

github.com/.../box_1_assembly_instructions.pdf