Does Anybody Know of/Use Godard Flash Equipment?

[Ari]

I am thinking of acquiring some lighting gear for the occasional time when I might prefer the look of studio lighting to daylight (extremely rarely).
I have a chance to get 3 power packs and four heads for about $400, and I've verified that everything works as it should; the seller is a friend I have bought from before.

Here's the list:
1x Sotexi A150 power pack
2x Sotexi 160
4x flash heads

The problem is, I've never heard of Godard and there is scant information online about them.
I found out they were made in France, were quite respected back in the 90s, then disappeared in North America because of distributor problems.

- I'd like to know if anyone has an operating manual.
- I'd like to know how much power this set-up might give me.
- I'd like to know if any accessories (speed rings, beauty dishes, etc) from another maker are compatible with Godard.
- I understand they only made asymmetrical power packs. Any chance they are compatible with Profoto accessories?

In fact, any information would help, and I will certainly continue my own research.

I got a couple of good-quality leads from Mr Bob Salomon, but I was hoping someone here had used them, or is still using them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Christopher Nisperos]

Hi Ari,

Yes, Godard was made in France. I live there (here) now and, from time to time, you can see quite a bit of used Godard stuff on the e-auction site and a popular French classifieds site. The brand was used in certain rental houses here for awhile, and I-myself used to work in the rental department at Adolph Gasser's in San Francisco back in the late 1980s where --if memory serves-- we carried a couple of packs, for a time, on a test basis (we mainly had Balcar, Speedotron and Norman, as many of the U.S. rental houses did at the time). I remember being called on by the Godard rep --appropriately, a French guy-- who demo'd a power pack which was housed in a clear plexi case and was the first I'd ever seen with an LED lettering display (it read "ALLO" when you turned it on). I seem to recall that you can use certain (older model) Balcar heads with Godard.

Having said all that, don't forget the standard caveat when buying older power packs: that the condensers will probably need to be "re-formed" and may not be able to take a full charge anymore. If you try to go full power on an old unit, you might get a GIGANTIC "boom" loud enough to rattle the windows for blocks around! .. Then your "deal" becomes useless (I repeat: this can even happen with top "known" brands). Best bet is to have the seller demo the thing to you and take the "boom" risk, himself (or herself) before you lay down any cash.

Hope this helps.