Is the WholeHog 2 still useable?

I just bought a Hog 2 on ebay and as I wait for it to arrive I am wondering if this is still a useable board? I have a jazz club with about 50 various light including some moving heads.

Just wondering what the general consensus was.

Will
  • I think its still a good board. I just used a Jands Hog 1000 for my Christmas lights this year. It took me a minute to remember the syntax, but after that, muscle memory took over.

    You aren't going to get software updates, and new fixtures won't be in the library.
    BUT, custom fixtures are super simple to make for Hog 2.

    The hardest part will be finding floppy disks!
  • About floppy disks:

    There are replacement kits available to swap the diskdrive to a USB-port
    So that USB Sticks could be used
  • I have been using the Elation Emulator software and its a pain. WAAAY to much clicking to get something to turn on. We have a live music venue and we don't really know what is going to come next because we don't really have rehearsals (just basic sound checks) for us to make real cues so i was hoping that a physical console would make it faster to throw things on and off. I hope I didn't make a mistake!!

    I know very well how to make custom libraries for newer fixtures on Emulator, but how is it done on the Hog 2? Is there a program or something?
  • Create a new show on the console. Save to a floppy. There will now be a lib.lib file on the floppy.

    You'll need a Windows machine and a Floppy drive that is either built in or external. You need to add the profiles to the lib.lib file. You can open the lib.lib with notepad or a basic text editor.

    or you can use the fixture builder at:
    www.lightingapps.de
    It'll create the lib.lib for you to load on the console.

    Check the manual for specifics and the formatting.
  • You don't need Windows (well, not unless you want to run the generator) . . . . I do all my H2 library work on Linux just fine . . . likely a MAC would work as well.

    - Tim