The Official Stewart Film Screen thread.

LydMekk

Sounds like you need a Firehawk.

Scott

Check this out:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home...er_screens.htm

Is it only possible to get the screen sizes that are on the stewart site... is the deluxe fram only available in 110" and 123" in 16:9.. nothing in between?

Just how good is the FireHawk at shedding ambient light? Right now, I'm torn between the FireHawk and the Da-Lite High Power. I'm leaning towards the High Power based on input from Tryg and also just on price. Strangely though, I haven't really been able to grasp how the FireHawk and High Power match up against one another.

My setup will be:

- 106" diagonal 16x9 screen: bottom edge 28" off the ground; top edge 6'8" off the ground
- primary seat is 12 feet from screen, dead center width wise, eyes are about 3'6" off the ground
- other seats are just to either side of primary seat (one on either side) and on a riser behind: all seats within 30 degrees of screen center (15 degrees to either side of center)
- projector is 13 feet from screen: center of lens is even with top of screen (6'8" off the ground)
- I will have total darkness for serious movie viewing
- Walls, ceiling, floor and furniture are all dark so reflected light should be at a minimum
- For TV and gatherings though, I will have some ambient light.
- Ambient light is still low and controlled: 4 x 60 Watt sconces; two on either side wall.
- Light from sconces goes up onto ceiling and down along wall.
- All 4 sconces are behind the projector

Now, I've heard that even though I've got a ceiling mount, the High Power will still perform better than most other screens with some ambient light. But I also have a setup that should work well for the FireHawk (at least according to Projector Central).

What I really want to hear are opinions or experience on the High Power vs. the FireHawk in my particular setup.

Thanks,

Jon

No, they can do whatever size you need.

Do you have to pay extra for this... I´m wondering why they have certain sizes then on their website?

No, production just might take a little longer though. The reasoning for "standard" sizes is to allow people to do a quick-type spec for their screen. Kind of like shopping from a catalog. What takes longer with the custom screens is that the extrusions have to be custom cut for the frame, and the skin itself may need to wait for another order to be manufactured (make one very large section of material as opposed to several smaller ones- manufacturing efficiency).

Dan

Brilliant.. thanks!

No, that's not normal for Stewart. They have 3 different factories in the US, I don't believe any specialize. My first inclination is to say that there's an issue with the dealer. I had my Greyhawk RS (perfed) in 2 weeks from the production date ( 2 weeks from the time I was told it was going to production).

Just my .02

You could try to get the order number from your dealer (generated by Screen Assistant) and then call stewart to see what's up. Stewart P.O.s are done by SA, not by the last name of the customer-like most other manufacturers.

Dan

Generally US Stewart screens ship within 2-4 weeks depending on model. However, not sure for overseas sales how their lead times are. You should check with your local dealer to see what's up.

Good call, Jason!

I totally missed that LydMekk is located in Norway- yeah, that can add some serious time to screen shipment. (I waited 3 months for my buddy's Screen Research screen- they only send a boat ever once a month, and then there's customs....).

'Sorry about the oversight- my statements are probably inaccurate then.

Dan

I'll share my experience comparing firehawk to high power. I have a similar setup for projector mounting location, screen size, and viewing distance. Currently I'm just using blackout cloth, and am hard pressed to justify the marginal improvement I'll see in dark viewing for the expense. However, I find I'm doing more and more viewing with ambient light. So I ordered samples from Da-Lite and Stewart to check them out. I suggest you do the same (they were free).

In my evaluation I decided on the Firehawk. Although the high power does provide a higher gain image than other screens with a ceiling mount, it's depressing to stand up and see the image get much brighter and seemingly more vibrant. I think I would end up wanting to stand during movies! The firehawk provided the best picture in my actual viewing area. I also found it shed light better in ambient situations. The relative contrast between black and white were more profound to me, especially compared to the high power OUTSIDE of it's sweet spot.

Of all the materials I tested from Stewart and Da-lite only the high power and the firehawk were compelling enough of a difference from black out cloth for me to consider. FWIW the black out cloth was indistinguishable from matt white screen material. I hung both samples on my screen for a while just to see different situations. With lights on, I was always impressed with the firewhawk.

When it comes down to it though, you'll get used to what you have and until you see something better you won't really know what you're missing. With the high-power you'll always see what you're missing every time you stand up. That would drive me crazy! You may be different. Good Luck.

MM

The reason sometimes Stewarts take longer is that every screen they make is made from scratch. Its not like they have the material cut to size already waiting for it to be attached to the frame. Every time an order comes in, every piece of it has to be created from that moment so sometimes it takes a little longer. However, it worth the wait once you receive it because they put quality and lots of quality control into every screen you receive. I understand it can be fustrating to wait, but its worth the wait once you do

I´d recomend that noone would buy a firehawk without getting a sample. I notice the sparklies on the finish from my seating position and for that reason I´d never get it.
Is it not possible to have the splattery sparklies smaller and more consistant, it doesn´t sound that hard to to. The silverstar doesn´t have these sparkly splatters(but it has sheen which is another matter).

Was there never a rumour that they were working on an improved firehawk(I´d personally want it not so dark to lower the gain layer a little - for less hotspotting - and I´d like to see improved smoothness to the finish).

I have a Firehawk Luxus model A with the following problem: The edges are sticking to something and beginning to wear through the material. The problem is on the upper 1/3 of the screen, along the outside edges near the tab tensioners. It's almost as though the tension wires are rubbing when rolled up. I'm not sure how to fix this or stop it from getting worse. Anyone?

http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/eng.../firehawk.html
Do stewart have a new version of the firehawk called "g2" out? The gain is 1.25 but it used to be 1.35.. I can´t open their .pdf for more info.

Anyone got more info on this?

Bump for details on the "G2" screen

Yes, they reformulated the formula in their laboratory (sounds sinister doesn't it) and came out with a screen that has less sparklies and also slightly less gain

Are stewart screens come preassembled or do the frames need to be assembled (fixed ones)

They need to be assembled, but it is SIMPLE.

Scott

The original version of the firehawk was suppose to have an 1.8 gain layer wasn´t it... then how can the new one which has even less gain still have a narrower viewing cone than the 1.8 gain ultramatte?

So I'm the only one with this problem?

Have you checked with Stewart about this? From what I have heard, they are supposed to be really good about supporting their products in the field.

Question: when did Stewart begin manufacturing the G2 version of the Firehawk?

Gary Dahl

I'm also curious when the G2 firehawk started to roll out. I just received what I assume to be the Firehawk G1 last friday (11-4-05). Have yet to use it. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the two by model #. My model # is (SNDQ110HFWezX). I would hate to have spent almost 2 grand on the old model. Timing is everything.....................

The G2 was supposed to be a "silent" update from stewart.
The changes seem minor from the G1, and it has been shipping for about 6 months now. There is no G1 still available.
(Got this info from my stewart)

FireHawk G2 (From Stewart Website)

FireHawk G2 is ideal for using with digital projection technologies in today's home theaters. FireHawk G2 produces outstanding black levels and color saturation. Use FireHawk G2 in business and church facilities when ambient light is present.

FireHawk G2 increases black levels, shadow detailing and color saturation. FireHawk G2 maximizes screen brightness at 40 percent peak foot lambert increase over all existing gray screens. Preserves image contrast by dampening room cross light reflection as much as 90 percent. FireHawk G2 also maximizes the screen's passive black level for digital projectors. FireHawk G2 is available in retractable and fixed screen models.

FireHawk G2 Benefits
Ambient Light Resistance
Increases Black Level
Increases Color Saturation
Bright, Vibrant Image
Washable
Flame Retardant

Performance Response
Projection Screen Flexible Front Projection
Perforations Micro Perforation
Framing and Design Available in fixed screens and motorized
retractable screen models
Masking Available
Gain 1.25
Half Gain @ 30º
Seamless Size Restrictions Contact Manufacturer
Seams None
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Couple of questions:-
1) Does it mean that Firehawk would only be available in micro perforation only? If it is, does it mean that G2 version is superior than the previous non-perforated Firehawk?
2) If we would like to upgrade from previous Firehawk to G2 version, could we get special discounted rate?

yes i have. Weeks later and still no response from them. I have posted photos of the problem:

screen.jpg

Re: Firehawk and ambient light

I attended the Colorado Springs PJ shootout recently and we spent an entire day comparing Stewart Greyhawk, Studiotek 130 and Firehawk. We had two 3 chip DLP Infocus 777 and Sim 3X, 7210, H79, AE900 and Z4 to name a few.

We had room lights from bright, subdued and almost dark. Inputs were content from DVD, and HDTV. Watched the same on all combinations.

I had ordered a Studiotec 130 but after the demo with room lighting I changed my order to a Firehawk. It help to have a bright PJ if you want to watch sports with some room light. The combination of the Infocus 7210 / Firehawk sold me.

Great to hear. I just ordered a Firehawk for my 7205. We've been projecting on a light blue/green wall and the image was surprisingly good. Even chose it over the HP that we had, but that was with a ceiling mount of the projector. I'm hoping the Firehawk is a dramatic improvement over the wall or my wife is going to kill me.
Jason