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 Pro IGNITE740WH LED Wash Moving Head mit Zoom

beamZ Pro IGNITE740WH LED Wash Moving Head with Zoom

The IGNITE740 is a wash Moving Head with single-pixel control and a linear motorized zoom. The light source consists of 7 ultra-bright, state-of-the-art 40-watt 4-in-1 LEDs. This compact Moving...

€499.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

beamZ Hyaden Moving Bar mit 7 LED- und 8 Laserstrahlen

beamZ Hyaden Moving Bar with 7 LED and 8 Laser beams

The Hyaden Moving Bar is a dynamic lighting fixture that combines 7 powerful Fat LED Beams with 8 intense laser beams for a mesmerising visual experience. This space-filling light effect is ideal...

€629.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

Expolite WD 7 FX

The Expolite WD 7 FX is a powerful yet compact LED wash moving head with zoom and an LED ring effect. With its die-cast aluminum housing and IP65 certification, this small washer is also a real...

€1,779.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

ExpoLite ELW CL 12

The Expolite ELW CL 12 represents the latest stage in the development of MultiChip High Power LED wash lights in a compact design. Its twelve 60 W MultiChip LEDs generate enormous brightness and an...

€2,729.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

ExpoLite TourSpot SL 575 Hybrid

The SL 575 Hybrid is equipped with a 250 W LED engine and an electronic zoom from 3° to 35°, including a frost filter. Weighing only 19 kg, this spotlight is one of the lightest in its...

€2,839.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Expolite Dragon CMY 350

The Expolite Dragon CMY 350 is a state-of-the-art LED moving head that combines a powerful 350W white light LED with CMY color mixing and linear CTO, offering tremendous color depth and...

€1,999.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Expolite Dragon Beam 150

The Expolite Dragon Beam 150 is a compact and powerful beam moving head that delivers intense, precise beams with a 150W LED and a narrow 2° beam angle – ideal for impressive show effects...

€799.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Not in stock
Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

Delivery time: approx. 2 weeks

beamZ NOVA68-BK MH Wash Moving Head

Discover the Nova Series Moving Heads – the ideal solution if you are looking for compact moving heads with high power LEDs! These stylish moving heads are crafted to deliver stunning visual...

€119.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

beamZ NOVA68-WH MH Wash Moving Head

Discover the Nova Series Moving Heads – the ideal solution if you are looking for compact moving heads with high power LEDs! These stylish moving heads are crafted to deliver stunning visual...

€119.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

beamZ NOVA68G-WH MH Wash Moving Head mit Gobo

beamZ NOVA68G-WH MH Wash Moving Head with Gobo

Discover the Nova Series Moving Heads – the ideal solution if you are looking for compact moving heads with high power LEDs! These stylish moving heads are crafted to deliver stunning visual...

€179.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

beamZ NOVA420-BK MH Wash Moving Head

Discover the Nova Series Moving Heads – the ideal solution if you are looking for compact moving heads with high power LEDs! These stylish moving heads are crafted to deliver stunning visual...

€179.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

beamZ NOVA80B-BK MH Beam Moving Head

Discover the Nova Series Moving Heads – the ideal solution if you are looking for compact moving heads with high power LEDs! These stylish moving heads are crafted to deliver stunning visual...

€239.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

INFINITY Raccoon S250/4 Junior Professioneller Strobe-/Wash-Scheinwerfer mit motorisierter Neigung

INFINITY Raccoon S250/4 Junior Professional strobe/wash with motorised tilt Professional

252 RGBW LEDs (6-section control) • 21 CW LEDs (3-section control) • Up to 55,300 lumens • Motorised tilt • High CRI (92) • IP65 rated • The Infinity Raccoon S250/4...

€1,227.19 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

EUROLITE Set 2x LED IP Mega PIX Strobe 714 SWING + Flightcase mit Rollen

EUROLITE Set 2x LED IP Mega PIX Strobe 714 SWING + Flightcase with wheels

EUROLITE LED IP Mega PIX Strobe 714 SWING Outdoor spotlight (IP65) with tilt motor for strobe, blinder and matrix effects 126 LEDs 3 W SMD 3535 cold white (CW) 7 segments controlled separately...

€1,999.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

NEW

EUROLITE LED IP TMH-B250 Moving Head Beam

This moving head is designed for use in any weather. With its IP65 rating, it can easily withstand heavy rain.With an extremely narrow beam angle of just 1°, it produces a precise and powerful...

€1,099.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

NEW

EUROLITE LED IP TMH-S250 Moving Head Beam/Spot/Wash

For this moving head, there is no such thing as bad weather. Thanks to its IP65 rating, it can withstand even heavy rain.With a zoom range from a narrow 4° to a wide 35°, it is highly...

€1,149.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

NEW

SHOWTEC Phantom 120LSR Beam 120 W laserbasierte Lichtquelle – IP65

SHOWTEC Phantom 120LSR Beam 120 W laser-based light source - IP65

Razor-sharp 1° beam angle • Colour wheel (22 dichroic colours + open) • Gobo wheel (28 gobos + open) • 8-facet circular + 6-facet linear prisms • Special frost filter...

€2,099.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

NEW

SHOWTEC Phantom 350 Spot 350-W-LED-Moving Head – IP65

SHOWTEC Phantom 350 Spot 350 W LED spot moving head - IP65

350 W CW LED (up to 14,660 lumens) • CMY colour mixing + 3 colour wheels • Motorised zoom (8.2°–38.2°) and focus • 2 gobo wheels (8 fixed + 7 interchangeable gobos)...

€1,799.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available

NEW

SHOWTEC Phantom 280 Hybrid 280 W LED - IP65

Beam, spot and wash effects • CMY colour mixing + 3 colour wheels • Motorised zoom (2.5°–39.9°) and focus • 2 gobo wheels (7 + open, 9 + open) • 8-facet circular +...

€2,349.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Currently not available