What is moving light and how does it work?

Moving light describes motorised, remotely controllable stage fixtures that redirect their beam in real time across a room or stage. Moving lights work by driving pan and tilt motors — pan rotates the beam horizontally (often up to 540°), tilt moves it vertically (up to 270°) — while simultaneously changing colour, gobo, dimmer and beam width. Control usually runs over the DMX512 protocol from a lighting console or, on simpler models, via built-in music control. This dynamic behaviour lets a single moving light replace several static spotlights and create constantly changing, atmospheric effects.

What is a Moving Head?

A Moving Head is the most common type of moving light, in which the entire projection head — lamp, lens and effects — moves on motorised pan and tilt axes. This gives a Moving Head a large action radius and smooth, natural beam movement, allowing it to light different zones, objects or performers in sequence. Moving Heads come in three optical variants: Spot for sharp gobo projection, Wash for soft area coverage and Beam for narrow aerial effects. They are controlled via DMX and are the backbone of professional stage, club and concert lighting.

What is a light scanner?

A light scanner is a moving-light fixture that keeps its housing stationary and steers the beam using an electromechanically driven mirror. Because the mirror has far lower mass than a full moving head, a scanner can reposition its beam extremely quickly, making it ideal for fast, rhythmic and punchy dancefloor effects. Scanners typically include gobo wheels and colour options to create distinctive patterns. Their rapid movement gives a different visual character from Moving Heads, which is why many lighting designers combine scanners for fast accents with Moving Heads for versatile main effects.

What types of moving lights are there?

There are three main types of moving lights. Moving Heads move their entire head on pan and tilt motors and split into Spot, Wash and Beam optics. Scanners keep the body fixed and steer the beam with a fast-moving mirror, ideal for quick effects. Moving effects are multi-beam fixtures that produce rotating beam patterns and colour rays with minimal programming, popular with mobile DJs. Combining all three — Moving Heads for flexibility, scanners for speed and moving effects for easy dancefloor coverage — gives you a complete, layered light show for any venue.

What is the difference between Spot, Wash and Beam moving heads?

The difference between Spot, Wash and Beam Moving Heads lies in beam angle and edge quality. A Spot Moving Head produces a tight, sharp-edged cone (roughly 10°–25°) and carries gobos and prisms for object and pattern projection. A Wash Moving Head uses a Fresnel or diffuser lens for a wide, soft-edged beam (up to about 60°), providing coloured base light for stages and dancefloors. A Beam Moving Head emits an ultra-narrow, razor-sharp parallel beam of just a few degrees, creating dramatic aerial effects that come alive with haze. Most rigs combine all three.

What are LED moving lights and what advantages do they offer?

LED moving lights are fixtures that use LED light sources instead of traditional discharge lamps. Their advantages are significant: LEDs run much cooler, last far longer, draw less power and switch colours instantly. LED moving lights offer rich colour mixing from RGB up to RGBWA+UV, and COB LEDs are available in power classes from around 30 W to 400 W. They require little maintenance because there is no lamp to replace, and lower heat output makes them safer near performers and easier to fly on truss. This makes LED moving lights the standard choice for modern event lighting.

What does a moving light cost and which one should I buy?

Moving light prices span a wide range depending on type and power. Compact LED moving effects and mini Moving Heads for mobile DJs start in the low three-figure range, mid-size club Moving Heads (100–200 W) sit in the mid three figures, and professional heads with CMY colour mixing and high output reach four figures. Which moving light you should buy depends on your venue: choose small LED effects with music control for private parties, DMX-controlled Wash and Spot heads for clubs, and high-output professional fixtures for large stages. At LTT you get free shipping from €69 and a 3-year warranty.

How do I safely fly moving lights on truss?

To fly moving lights safely, you must respect the Working Load Limit (WLL) of every component — clamp, truss and hoist — and never exceed the combined weight of fixture, clamp, cable and safety steel. Attach each fixture with a clamp matched to the truss tube diameter (35 mm, 50 mm or 60 mm) and always add a second independent safety cable. In Germany, DGUV Vorschrift 17 governs loads suspended above people, so plan your rig within the truss manufacturer's span and load tables. As a truss and rigging manufacturer, LTT supplies load-rated Naxpro-Truss systems and Riggatec clamps for secure suspension.

Moving lights

beamZ MHL75 Hybrid Moving Head Spot/Wash

The MHL75 is a powerful hybrid moving head, consisting of a combination of Spot and Wash effects. This lightweight and compact moving head is packed with professional features that DJs,...

€199.95 *

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SHOWTEC Polar 100 Beam IP65 100 W LED Beam Moving Head

Powerful 100 W LED Beam Moving Head • Highly focused 1.7° beam angle • 8 bi-rotating gobos + open & 9 colours + white • IP65 (dust and water resistant, fit for outdoor use)...

€2,815.75 *

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Infinity iW-741 RDM RGBW-Wash, elektronischer Zoom

INFINITY iW-741 RDM RGBW Wash, Electronic Zoom, 3P DMX

Ultrafast movements and zoom 3.6° to 60° • Selectable PWM rate by DMX • Silent fan • White Output Mode • Battery powered display • RDM • 3P DMX • The...

€891.01 *

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INFINITY iW-741 RDM RGBW Wash, Electronic Zoom, 5P DMX

Ultrafast movements and zoom 3.6° to 60° • Selectable PWM rate by DMX • Silent fan • White Output Mode • Battery powered display • RDM • 5P DMX • The...

€1,114.14 *

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Infinity iW-1941 RDM RGBW-Wash, elektronischer Zoom

INFINITY iW-1941 RDM RGBW Wash, Electronic Zoom

Pixel control and zoom from 3.6° to 60° • Selectable PWM rate by DMX • Silent fan • White Output Mode • Battery powered display • RDM • The Infinity iW-1941...

€3,415.00 *

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beamZ Fuze2812 Wash Moving Head mit Zoom

beamZ Fuze2812 Wash Moving Head with Zoom

The Fuze series consists of a series of compact moving heads equipped with a powerful LED light source that guarantees impressive colour washes and stunning visual effects. Exact positioning is...

€499.00 *

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beamZ Pro IGNITE300LED Moving Head BSW

The IGNITE300LED is a powerful Beam/Spot/Wash moving head with a powerful 300W bright white LED source and super smooth 3 phase motors. Equipped with 2 gobo wheels, 2 effect wheels and a rotating...

€1,449.00 *

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Showtec Shark - The Meg - Beam One Kompakter 100-W-LED-Strahler mit Moving Head und LED-Ring

SHOWTEC Shark - The Meg - Beam One Compact 100 W LED Beam Moving Head with LED Ring

100 W LED beam moving head with controllable LED ring • 11 colours + white and rainbow effect • 14 gobos with gobo shake • Two rotating prisms, 16- and 24-facet • Frost and...

€919.00 *

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Showtec Shark - The Meg - Hybrid One Kompakter 160 W Hybrid LED Moving Head

SHOWTEC Shark - The Meg - Hybrid One Compact 160 W Hybrid LED Moving Head

160 W hybrid LED moving head • 9 dichroic colours + white and 3-facet rotatable prism • 2 gobo wheels with 7 rotating and 12 fixed gobos + open • Motorised zoom from 3.8 to 15.8...

€1,229.00 *

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FUTURELIGHT EYE-740 MK2 QCL Zoom LED Moving Head Wash

PRO Washlight with 40 W Osram Ostar RGBW LEDs, large zoom range and pixel control 7 powerful LEDs 40 W 4in1 QCL RGBW (homogenous color mix) LEDs separate controlling • Compact lightweight...

€1,549.00 *

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ADJ Hydro Wash X7

The ADJ Hydro Wash X7 is an IP65 rated 280W professional moving head wash fixture with seven 40W RGBW (4-IN-1) LEDs. With robust construction and IP65-ratings, the Hydro Wash X7 is designed for...

€2,499.00 *

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beamZ Pro Nereid120W Outdoor Moving Head Strahl

beamZ Pro Nereid120W Outdoor Moving Head Beam

The beamZ Nereid120W is a powerful LED beam moving head for indoor and outdoor use. Equipped with a very powerful 120W LED source, enough to light up even the biggest dance floors. With an...

€998.00 *

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beamZ Pro IGNITE400 LED 400W BSW Moving Head mit CMY 2pcs im Flightcase

beamZ Pro IGNITE400 LED 400W BSW Moving Head with CMY 2pcs in Flightcase

The beamZ IGNITE400 set consists of a set of two powerful LED BSW moving heads delivered in a custom-made flight case. This moving head features a very powerful 400W LED source, enough to light up...

€4,895.00 *

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Bulky goods

beamZ Pro IGNITE400 LED LED 400W BSW Moving Head mit CMY

beamZ Pro IGNITE400 LED LED 400W BSW Moving Head with CMY

The IGNITE400 features a very powerful 400W LED source, enough to light up even the biggest dance floors. Equipped with a dual gobo wheel (1x with interchangeable glass gobos) to create stunning...

€2,295.00 *

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beamZ Pro IGNITE220 LED Spot Moving Head

The IGNITE220 is a spot moving head with a linear motorized zoom, equipped with a powerful ultra-bright 220 Watt LED according to the latest technology. This moving heads also features 2 gobo...

€998.00 *

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beamZ Pro MHL760 LED Bee Eye Moving Head mit Zoom

beamZ Pro MHL760 LED Bee Eye Moving Head with Zoom

The MHL760 is a wash moving head with a linear motorized zoom equipped with 7 ultra-bright 60 Watt 4-in-1 LEDs according to the latest technology. This moving head is equipped with unique honeycomb...

€1,149.00 *

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beamZ Pro MHL760 LED Bee Eye Moving Head mit Zoom 2pcs im Flightcase

beamZ Pro MHL760 LED Bee Eye Moving Head with Zoom 2pcs in Flightcase

A complete kit of 2 MHL760 moving heads supplied in a solid and rugged flightcase. The MHL760 is a wash moving head with a linear motorized zoom equipped with 7 ultra-bright 60 Watt 4-in-1 LEDs...

€2,599.00 *

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beamZ Pro IGNITE300A LED BSW Moving Head mit Animation 2Stück im Flightcase

beamZ Pro IGNITE300A LED BSW Moving Head with Animation 2pcs in Flightcase

The IGNITE300A Kit is a set of 2 powerful Beam/Spot/Wash moving heads with a powerful 300W bright white LED source and super smooth 3 phase motors. Equipped with an animation wheel, 2 gobo wheels,...

€3,195.00 *

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Bulky goods

Eliminator Stryker Beam

Suitable for installation in nightclubs and other entertainment venues, as well as for mobile use by production companies and entertainers, Eliminator Lighting’s Stryker Beam is a potent...

€689.00 *

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Eliminator Stryker Wash

The Eliminator Lighting Stryker Wash is a 228W professional moving head wash featuring nineteen 12W 4-IN-1 (RGBW) LEDs, and motorized zoom (6 ~ 50-degrees) that allows the versatility to use this...

€599.00 *

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EUROLITE Set 2x LED TMH-S400 CMY Moving-Head + Case mit Rollen

EUROLITE Set 2x LED TMH-S400 CMY + Case with wheels

EUROLITE LED TMH-S400 CMY Moving Head Beam/Spot/Wash LED moving head hybrid with 400 W COB LED, color wheel, CMY color mixing, static and rotating gobo wheel, prisms, focus, zoom and frost 1...

€3,399.00 *

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Bulky goods

LASERWORLD tarm BLAZE Moving Head

Weather-proof moving head with white light laser Positioning within 540° PAN, 270° TILT • Exact positioning (16 bit resolution) • Prism 6-fold linear rotating; prism 16-fold...

€6,399.00 *

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Bulky goods

beamZ Pro Nereid760 Outdoor LED Bee Eye Moving Head mit Zoom

beamZ Pro Nereid760 Outdoor LED Bee Eye Moving Head with Zoom

Experience the weatherproof moving heads of the beamZ Nereid series. This series of professional outdoor moving heads guarantees durability and top performance, thanks to its weatherproof IP65...

€1,329.00 *

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beamZ Pro Nereid700 Outdoor BSWF Moving Head

The Nereid700 Outdoor is a powerful and versatile IP65-rated BSWF moving head, specially designed for outdoor lighting applications. With a 700W white LED module, it delivers exceptional...

€4,795.00 *

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