RGB Laser Projector Buyer’s Guide: A2 vs A3 vs A5 (Real-World Differences + B2B Options)
Choosing an RGB laser projector is about workflow, not just watts. If you’re a mobile DJ, a small venue, or a reseller exploring wholesale and bulk order options, the details—power source, the app you touch, runtime, and how it scales—decide whether a night feels smooth or stressful. Below is an honest comparison of A2 Starshine Lasercube, A3 DJ Laser Light, and A5 5W Laser Cube RGB Mobile DJ, with practical setups and a quick look at OEM/ODM, custom logo, and factory-direct manufacturer routes for business buyers.
Contents
| Section | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| Quick summary | A2/A3/A5 at a glance: battery vs AC, app differences |
| Spec snapshot | One-table comparison with power, scanner, control, runtime |
| What really differs | Power/runtime planning, LightELF vs Lovely Draw, scanner reality |
| Placement & haze | Heights, angles, throw numbers you can actually use |
| Setup A · Setup B · Setup C | Copy-ready rigs for home, bar corner, rooftop/small stage |
| Picking wattage | 1–2 W vs 3 W vs 5 W without overcooking the room |
| Control stack | When to use app, DMX, ILDA, and A5’s LAN sync |
| B2B & customization | Bulk order, wholesale, OEM/ODM, custom logo, white label |
| Safety & pitfalls | Practical rules that keep shows safe and clean |
The short version
A3 — AC only (no battery). LightELF app + optional DMX. 0.8–2 W, 20K scanner. A steady “plug-in and play” box for short throws and wall text.
A2 — Battery-powered (plan ≈2 h), LightELF + ILDA + DMX. 1–5 W, 25K. The “show-up-and-go” pick for mobile sets and quick turnarounds.
A5 — Battery assist + AC, Lovely Draw + DMX + LAN sync. 2–5 W, 25K. Scales cleanly from one head to a compact array—small stage, rooftop, pop-ups.
Beams need haze. No haze? Go surface graphics (walls/scrims) with thin strokes and moderate speed.
Spec snapshot you can skim
| Model | Power Output | Scanner | Power Source | App | Pro Control | Battery Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 DJ Laser Light | 0.8 W / 2 W | 20K | Mains (AC only) | LightELF | DMX | – |
| A2 Starshine Lasercube | 1 / 3 / 5 W | 25K | Battery + DC | LightELF | ILDA + DMX | Plan ~2 h |
| A5 5W Laser Cube RGB Mobile DJ | 2 / 3 / 5 W | 25K | Battery + AC | Lovely Draw | DMX + LAN sync | Up to ~3 h (assist) |
What actually differs (beyond the sheet)
Power & runtime you can trust — A3 stays on mains: zero battery anxiety, ideal as an always-on dj laser light. A2 / A5 carry batteries: great for speed and quick repositioning. For long nights, plug in. For A2 specifically, plan ≈2 h as a reliable window.
Apps: LightELF vs Lovely Draw — LightELF (A2/A3) is quick for size/speed/pattern tweaks. On A2 it sits beside ILDA (logos/vectors) and DMX (repeatable cues). Lovely Draw (A5) shines when you run two/four heads—pair fast, trim live looks; DMX does the timing while LAN keeps symmetry tight.
Scanner reality: 20K vs 25K — 20K (A3) is fine for short-throw vectors and wall text. 25K (A2/A5) gives cleaner corners and logo strokes in the same space.
Battery tip: on battery, trim scan size and master brightness in LightELF / Lovely Draw for cleaner lines and a touch more runtime.
Placement & haze that actually work
- Height & angle: mount above eye line; start at 25–35° tilt.
- Throw: 2–4 m for small rooms; 5–8 m for bar corners/low stages; keep the nearest meter above heads.
- Haze: thin and even > heavy bursts. A small hazer at 20–40% beats a fogger “on blast.”
- Reflectives: avoid mirrors/chrome rails; a stray hit travels farther than you think.
- No haze plan: bias to surface text/logos; thin strokes and moderate speed read best.
Setup A — Home / Backyard (8–20 ppl)
Rig: A3 ×1, 1.5–2 m stand, small hazer if allowed.
Workflow: LightELF for speed/size; DMX for five simple cues (fan/tunnel/text/sweep/drop).
Why A3: AC runs all night; 20K short-throw looks cleaner than people expect.
Workflow: LightELF for speed/size; DMX for five simple cues (fan/tunnel/text/sweep/drop).
Why A3: AC runs all night; 20K short-throw looks cleaner than people expect.
Setup B — Bar Corner / Mobile DJ
Rig: A2 ×1 (text/logo, warm-up on battery) + A5 ×1 (chorus geometry on AC).
Workflow: A2 with LightELF for last-minute words; A5 on DMX, Lovely Draw for on-the-fly trims.
Note: Treat A2 battery as ~2 h; longer sets = plug in. Aim above the back-bar mirror.
Workflow: A2 with LightELF for last-minute words; A5 on DMX, Lovely Draw for on-the-fly trims.
Note: Treat A2 battery as ~2 h; longer sets = plug in. Aim above the back-bar mirror.
Setup C — Small Stage / Rooftop (30–80 ppl)
Rig: A5 ×2 mirrored or A5 ×4 with LAN sync; one small hazer mid-stage.
Workflow: LAN groups heads, DMX times the hits, Lovely Draw for quick changes.
Recipe: Verse = low-spread fans; Pre = narrow tunnel; Drop = 4-point chase with sparse strobe.
Workflow: LAN groups heads, DMX times the hits, Lovely Draw for quick changes.
Recipe: Verse = low-spread fans; Pre = narrow tunnel; Drop = 4-point chase with sparse strobe.
Picking wattage without overcooking the room
- 1–2 W: short indoor throws with haze; neat at 2–3 m.
- 3 W: small bars/low stages; pushes a bit farther without blinding the front row.
- 5 W: deeper rooms or outdoor edges with decent haze control.
Higher power won’t fix bad angles—just brighter mistakes.
Control stack: when to choose which
- App only (LightELF / Lovely Draw): pop-ups, warm-ups, last-minute events.
- DMX: repeatable hits tied to music form (Intro/Verse/Pre/Drop/Outro).
- ILDA (A2): logos and custom vectors—keep paths simple; thin strokes read better.
- LAN sync (A5): the quiet hero for two/four heads. Keeps symmetry honest when BPM drifts.
B2B & customization (small-batch friendly)
If you’re sourcing for a venue rollout, agency activation, or retail bundle, we offer factory-direct options:
- Bulk order / Wholesale: tiered pricing for low-MOQ pilot runs and volume ramps.
- OEM/ODM: housing colorways, I/O labeling, bundled clamps/cables, user guide inserts.
- Custom logo / White label: laser engraving or silk-screen printing; branded gift boxes on request.
- Kit building: ready-to-deploy packs (projector + clamp + power + quick-start).
- QC & documentation: batch photos on request; compliance paperwork where applicable.
- Shipping terms: EXW/FOB/CIF workable; consolidated cartons for event teams.
Tell us quantity, deadline, use case, and budget—we’ll spec a no-waste kit that fits. Contact: sales@starshinelights.com · WhatsApp +86 135 2139 1704
Safety & common pitfalls (from real gigs)
- No audience scanning unless permitted by your jurisdiction and venue policy.
- Mount above eye height; avoid mirrored walls and polished pillars.
- Outdoor: set hazer with the wind first; then lock angles.
- Tape cables and safe-route DC if you’re topping up batteries mid-show.
- If text fuzzes: reduce scan angle 10–20%, slow speed slightly, shorten throw a touch.