Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Craig (Proton Labs) on July 2, 2012 at 7:31pm

The feedback I've received has been overwhelmingly in favor of the Helix.  There are several components that we see as an advantage in the Helix and I'm happy discuss them if you're interested -- I just don't want to give you a "sales pitch" here.

One thing that I think is important to note, however, is that there is a dramatically different approach to the patterns between the Phoenix and the Helix.  The Phoenix has been designed to display patterns that are more graphically complex.  For example, you can actually put a photo of President Obama on the Phoenix and in ideal conditions moving the hoop in a perfectly straight line you can make out the image.  Technically speaking, this is pretty cool!  However, the motion required to make this happen isn't the type of motion anyone does while hooping.

However, because of this many patterns on the Phoenix look chaotic or just like a random strobe in most typical hoop styles and especially low speed or on-body hooping styles.  This is almost certainly what Cassandra is referring to as this is typical feedback we hear.

However, the Helix has been designed for symmetry.  Every pattern was designed to look perfect in motions that are natural to hooping.  Weaves, vortexes, tosses, and on-body all look awesome when the hoop is displaying a perfectly symmetrical pattern.  The Helix is the only hoop ever designed that actually scales every single pattern to be in perfect symmetry on every size hoop.  This means that if the pattern is supposed to display three items to form a perfect triangle the pattern is preserved and it is a perfect triangle on a 26" as well as a 40" hoop.  No other hoop has ever featured this.

Additionally, the Helix has a dedicated graphics processor that creates smooth fading gradients, complex geometry, and applied color theory.  Again, this processor calculates everything and it is scaled in real-time on the Helix no matter what size hoop you have.  It's perfect geometry every time!

To see what I mean about the geometry and real-time color gradients, theory and calculations in the patterns, check out a few of these pictures of the Helix:

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StudentPermalink Reply by Isabel on July 2, 2012 at 9:38pm

But does it have a remote control? :)

Serious question! I thought it did but see no mention of such a thing on the website. I know the Phoenix does.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Jessica on July 3, 2012 at 5:59pm

to my knowledge, it doesn't. 

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Permalink Reply by Laura Flora on July 18, 2012 at 3:00pm

ouuuut of this world..... i am completely in love <3

personally i think symmetry and a polished look is more important than how customizable the hoop appears in photographs. if, as LoopDLu stated, the Phoenix's patterns are only clear in photos then what is the point? 

i appreciate your values and hard work craig!

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Permalink Reply by Alice Robins on July 18, 2012 at 11:21pm

If you added the ability to make one's own patterns from scratch, I would be more interested. It's more about features, and which ones the buyer wants.  As another stated, one can experiment and figure out how many leds are in the phoenix to achieve symmetry. I like testing things out and trying new things so it's not a problem to me. I have a few patterns in mind I'd love to create and would feel like I was missing out on without the chance to.

Photos are great fun. I'd like to be able to make patterns for that purpose, and make whatever comes to mind for patterns that would look good in normal hooping motions.

I am very glad you have the helix available though for those who don't care as much about making patters to the level I wish to. Perhaps, one day I may get one from you as well, but I'd just like a phoenix first. Hooping with both would be fun! 

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StudentPermalink Reply by Jessica on July 19, 2012 at 10:13am

this is just my two cents, as I don't have mine yet, so I'm really not sure, but i was under the impression that with the software, you can -fully- customize patterns, you just can't save them as a new mode. for instance, you can work on mode 1 preset 1, but completely make a new pattern out of it... the only thing is that it would save as mode 1 preset 1, not a new mode with a new preset. just something to think about, and maybe someone else can give more insight on it. 

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Permalink Reply by JJ Hula on November 26, 2012 at 7:37pm

mmmmmmmmmmm President Obama...I think you just sold me for the Phoenix lol

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StudentPermalink Reply by LoopDLu on July 3, 2012 at 10:20am

Here's my take on it.  I own a Phoenix.  I haven't used a Helix, I have seen several in person though and they look great.

I purchased the Phoenix so that I could have total control of the patterns - I purchased it before Helix's were out there though (last November).  If given the choice now, I would still definitely go w/ a Phoenix.

I absolutely love making new patterns and testing them out and getting oohs and ahhs...it's really satisfying to be able to take an idea from my head, create an image on my computer and then see it physically manifest in my hoop.  I get a little giddy rush and feel like Master of the Universe!  I created a flickr group for sharing patterns... http://www.flickr.com/groups/phoenixhoops/pool/ 

I get what Craig is saying about the sometimes chaotic visuals.  I have some crazy patterns, like giant "Om" symbols and rainbow hearts, that don't look like much when hooping but are amazing in photographs...I created them especially for taking pictures of and don't really use them when just hooping.  The other cool thing is I can recreate patterns that I have seen on other brands of hoops.

I also think the patterns that ship w/ the Phoenix are phenomenal...love them.  I also used a lot of the Phoenix patterns as bases for my patterns, just changing the colors around.

If I want symmetry, I create patterns symmetrically.  It is easy to figure out how many LEDs are in your hoop, so my patterns are sized for my hoop.

I am not a computer engineer type, so as far as the processor stuff goes...I don't really know about it...but my colors have all been very true and gradients look great.  Jeremiah has been making hoops for a long time and using this type of technology for years, so I'm sure he has all that stuff figured out.

The other thing that I like about the Phoenix is it's bluetooth connection.  I have it synced to my android tablet and can control the hoop from that...skipping to a specific pattern instead of scrolling through.  I also like that I can organize the patterns in any order that I want so I put my favorite 30 patterns first.   Right now I probably have close to 350 or 400 patterns on the hoop! The remote is nice too.

People tend to flip every time I use the hoop.  I'm sure people react similarly to the Helix.

My hoop is really well built and sturdy.  I got the HDPE tubing because I don't trust polypro w/ it's tendency to crack.

I just did a photo shoot...haven't uploaded the pics yet.  When I do (which should be in a day or two...I will post a link...I will probably add some of them to the Phoenix pattern page too, so they will show up at the link I posted above.

It is a little apples to oranges....I think preferences as to whether you want to construct your patterns from the ground up or would prefer to use the Helix software to do the patterns would be the best way to decide which one to get.

Sorry this is so long.  If you have any specific questions let me know!

~Loop

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Permalink Reply by LilyHoops~ on August 28, 2012 at 1:12pm

i want to the Phoenix hoop soooo bad but he's not currently taking any orders so i was just wondering if you had annnny idea when they might be available for purchase again?! also, thanks so much for your detailed review.. that's exactly the kind of review/info that i'm looking for :) 

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Permalink Reply by keeley breuer on November 26, 2012 at 9:21am

I'm getting ready to purchase a phoenix myself, but have not been able to find out if the hoop comes with preloaded chaser patterns, does your phoenix have chasers or did you have to program them in? also, I only have a mac computer, and all of the phoenix tutorials are for windows. do you run your phoenix on windows or mac? how compatiable is the phoenix with mac?

Thanks for your help :)

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StudentPermalink Reply by LoopDLu on November 26, 2012 at 9:27am

He has a bunch of chaser patterns on there. In just about every color of the rainbow and few that are rainbow. 

As far as loading new patterns, mac vs. pc doesn't really make a difference.  The patterns basically live on a flash drive, so it is just a matter of copying images from your computer to the hoop's flash drive via the USB cable.

The only Apple related incompatibility (that I am aware of) is w/ the Iphone, his bluetooth app is for Android only, but I almost never use that anyways...I just use the little remote and the joystick.

Have you seen his news about the PhoenixHD?  That thing is crazy! I have no clue when that would be on sale though or how much it would cost.

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Permalink Reply by keeley breuer on November 27, 2012 at 9:21am

Thanks so much for your help! how long have you had your phoenix, and how long did it take you to get it after you ordered it? This wait is killing meee, I keep contemplating the proton, but my friend has had hers for about three months now and she's already had to send it back. I'm hoping these crazy wait times from hoopdaddy will ensure that I will hardly ever have to send it back.

 

I did see the PhoenixHD, Holy Eff it's amazing, but I was reading that with all the extra led's it would make patterns even harder to see to the naked eye...and I kinda wish that he was only working on catching up with his phoenix orders. This wait is seriously going to be the end of me!

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