Direct Answer: The Clay Paky Sharpy Legacy page lists the original Sharpy — 189W discharge, 19 kg, 59,760 lx at 20 m — and marks it PRODUCT DISCONTINUED. The Show Time Mini Beam 230 is a factory-direct clay paky sharpy alternative: a 7R 230W beam with an ultra-narrow ~2° beam, 13 colors, 8 gobos and 8/16-facet prism, in a compact body built for volume deployment. Pick Sharpy for brand-specified legacy shows; pick the Mini Beam 230 for new purchases, fleet builds and rental ROI.
The Clay Paky Sharpy is one of the most famous beam fixtures in stage lighting history — the fixture that defined the “laser-like beam” category. When buyers search for a clay paky sharpy alternative, they usually want the same sharp, parallel beam without the legacy-brand price and availability risk. This comparison uses official specifications from both manufacturers: Clay Paky’s product page and Show Time’s own spec sheet — and it explains why the Mini Beam 230 has become the most practical clay paky sharpy alternative for current production.
Why the Comparison Matters Now
Clay Paky’s official product page for the Sharpy Legacy currently displays PRODUCT DISCONTINUED. For buyers that means: no new units from the factory, shrinking spare-parts channels, and rental operators holding Sharpy fleets face an aging inventory. That aging inventory is exactly what a clay paky sharpy alternative replaces in a single purchase order. That is precisely why the Mini Beam 230 — an in-production, factory-direct beam — has become a practical clay paky sharpy alternative for new builds.
Head-to-Head: Official Specifications
| Spec | Clay Paky Sharpy (official page) | Show Time Mini Beam 230 (official spec) |
|---|---|---|
| Light source | 189W discharge | 7R 230W discharge |
| Beam character | Laser-like, perfectly parallel, no halo | Ultra-narrow ~2° (1.5°), sharp high-penetration |
| Output | 59,760 lx @ 20 m (5,100 fc @ 65 ft) | On request (factory photometric data) |
| Weight | 19 kg | Compact design (spec sheet on request) |
| Colors | 14 | 13 + white |
| Gobos | 17 | 14 |
| Prism | — | 8/16-facet, frost, dimmer, strobe |
| Control | — | 16/20-channel DMX, 540°/270° scanning |
| Availability | Discontinued (official page) | In production, factory-direct |
| Warranty / parts | Legacy channels | 24-month warranty, spare parts available |
Sources: claypaky.it/products/sharpy-legacy (checked 2026-09) and showtimelite.com product data.
What the Sharpy Is Famous For
The original Sharpy earned its legend honestly: a 189W fixture producing output normally associated with much higher wattages — 59,760 lx at 20 m — with a beam so parallel it reads as a laser. It has no halo or color fringing at the edges, 14 colors and 17 gobos, all in a 19 kg package. For TV, touring and high-end events, it remains a benchmark. For new builds, a clay paky sharpy alternative now carries that workload at a fraction of the cost.
What the Mini Beam 230 Delivers
The Mini Beam 230 is built around the same design philosophy — maximum beam purity in a compact, light body — at a different price point and availability reality. That is what makes it a genuine clay paky sharpy alternative rather than a lookalike:
- 7R 230W source with an ultra-narrow ~2° beam (1.5° at one spec point) for sharp, high-penetration aerial looks
- 125 mm lens and 5,000 h lamp life, 6,500 K color temperature
- 13 colors + white, 8 gobos, 8/16-facet prism, frost, 0–100% dimmer and variable strobe — a full effects arsenal from one fixture
- 16/20-channel DMX with 540°/270° scanning, compatible with standard consoles
- Compact, lightweight body that saves trussing and shipping — designed for fleets of 10, 50 or 200 units — a genuine clay paky sharpy alternative at volume
When to Choose Which
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-specified show / legacy rider | Clay Paky Sharpy | Rider compliance and proven touring track record |
| New purchase, current production | Mini Beam 230 | In stock, factory-direct, no discontinued-supply risk |
| Rental fleet ROI | Mini Beam 230 | Lower unit cost = faster payback, compact = cheaper freight |
| Need spare parts & warranty | Mini Beam 230 | 24-month warranty + parts channel from the factory |
| Top-tier photometric spec | Clay Paky Sharpy | 59,760 lx @ 20 m remains the benchmark |
| Volume deployment (10+ units) | Mini Beam 230 | Designed for fleets, OEM/ODM branding available |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Clay Paky Sharpy discontinued?
Yes — Clay Paky’s own product page for the Sharpy Legacy displays “PRODUCT DISCONTINUED.” Buyers can no longer order new units from the factory, and spare parts rely on legacy channels.
What is a good alternative to the Clay Paky Sharpy?
The Show Time Mini Beam 230 is the closest factory-direct fit: a 7R 230W beam with an ultra-narrow ~2° beam, 13 colors, 8 gobos and an 8/16-facet prism, built for the same sharp, high-penetration aerial looks in a compact body.
How bright is the Mini Beam 230 compared to the Sharpy?
Clay Paky officially rates the Sharpy at 59,760 lx @ 20 m. The Mini Beam 230 runs a 230W source (higher wattage than the Sharpy’s 189W) with a 125 mm lens; Show Time provides full photometric data on request for venue planning.
Is the Mini Beam 230 compatible with Sharpy-style shows?
Yes — both are standard DMX fixtures. The Mini Beam 230 offers 16/20-channel DMX with 540°/270° scanning, so it patches into the same consoles and workflows used for beam rigs.
Which is better for a rental company — Sharpy or Mini Beam 230?
For new fleet builds, the Mini Beam 230 wins on unit cost, freight (compact body) and parts availability. The Sharpy makes sense only for specific rider-compliant contracts or when a client explicitly requests the brand.
Can I get spare parts for the Mini Beam 230?
Yes. Show Time supplies spare parts directly from the factory (lamps, motors, boards, lens assemblies) with a 24-month warranty on core components — the practical advantage of buying from the manufacturer rather than a discontinued legacy line.
Is the Mini Beam 230’s beam as sharp as the Sharpy’s?
The Mini Beam 230 produces a sharp, high-penetration beam at 1.5–2° — the same “pencil beam” family as the Sharpy. The Sharpy’s optical system remains legendary, but the Mini Beam 230 delivers comparable beam character, which is why most buyers testing a clay paky sharpy alternative end up comparing beam photos side by side before ordering.
Can I order a sample before committing to a fleet?
Yes. Show Time offers samples with factory-direct pricing — order one unit, test the beam in your venue, then scale. Most clay paky sharpy alternative evaluations start exactly this way, and OEM/ODM branding is available for volume orders.
Our Beam Lineup
The Mini Beam 230 is the entry of our beam range — need more output? Step up within the same factory-direct line. Every tier in that lineup is still a factory-direct clay paky sharpy alternative, so a growing fleet stays on one supply line.
Start Your Project
Tell us how many units and which beam tier your venue or fleet needs — we’ll send factory-direct pricing and a sample offer within 24 hours, and help you spec the right clay paky sharpy alternative for your shows. The clay paky sharpy alternative decision always starts with a real beam test before you scale.
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References: Clay Paky Sharpy Legacy product page (checked 2026-09) · Show Time Allerno/Mini Beam 230 Moving Head product page (product data 2026-08). Sharpy is a trademark of Clay Paky; comparison is factual, based on published specifications.