Direct Answer: The Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy is the 2025–2026 flagship compact beam — a 250W OSRAM short-arc HID lamp pushing 100,000 lux at 20 m, true CMY, dual rotating prisms, IP66 weatherproofing, infinite pan and low-noise mode, proven on tours like Bad Bunny’s 286-fixture rig. The Gram/Beam 295 is the factory-direct clay paky ultimo sharpy alternative for indoor entertainment: a 14R 295W lamp with a 156 mm lens, 14 colors, 14 gobos and dual prisms (8 + 48), in a lighter 13.8 kg body — at a fraction of the price. Pick Ultimo Sharpy for outdoor, broadcast and top-tier touring; pick the Gram/Beam 295 for bars, discos and events on realistic budgets.
The original Sharpy defined the compact beam category, and Clay Paky’s Ultimo Sharpy is its next-generation successor — brighter, IP66-rated and loaded with broadcast features. For most bar, disco and event buyers, however, the question isn’t whether Ultimo Sharpy is great — it’s whether the budget fits. The Gram/Beam 295 is the clay paky ultimo sharpy alternative that answers it. This comparison uses official specifications from both manufacturers and explains where the Gram/Beam 295 is the practical clay paky ultimo sharpy alternative.
Head-to-Head: Official Specifications
| Spec | Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy (official page) | Show Time Gram/Beam 295 (official spec) |
|---|---|---|
| Light source | Custom 250W OSRAM short-arc HID (6,000 h) | 14R 295W lamp |
| Output | 100,000 lux @ 20 m (9,300+ fc @ 65 ft) | On request (factory photometric data) |
| Beam angle | 2° with focus lens | Sharp beam, 156 mm lens |
| Color | True CMY mixing + 14-color wheel | 14 colors |
| Gobos | 17 + open (static wheel) | 14 |
| Prisms | Dual rotating: 8-facet + 6-facet linear | Dual: 8 + 48 (48 available) |
| Frost | Integrated 10° frost | — |
| Dimmer | 24-bit mechanical + ultra-smooth electronic | — |
| Movement | Tilt 275°, infinite pan, ±0.46°, mechanical lock | — |
| Control | DMX / Art-Net / sACN / RDM / CRMX, 27/16/27 CH | DMX512, 18 CH |
| Weather | IP66 (Shield Family), Marine Shield option | Indoor |
| Noise | LOW-NOISE mode (−7 dB) | — |
| Power | 100–240 V, 460 W | — |
| Weight | 19.48 kg | 13.8 kg |
| Availability | In production (flagship brand) | In production, factory-direct |
Sources: claypaky.it/products/ultimo-sharpy (checked 2026-09) and showtimelite.com product data.
What the Ultimo Sharpy Is Famous For
Ultimo Sharpy is the icon reborn: a custom 250W OSRAM short-arc HID lamp delivering 100,000 lux at 20 m from a compact body, true CMY color mixing, dual rotating prisms, and an IP66-rated housing that survives rain, dust and even salt air with the optional Marine Shield. Add infinite pan, LOW-NOISE mode (−7 dB at 90% output) and Sharpy Emulation Mode, and you understand why The Prodigy (40 units) and Bad Bunny (286 units) spec it on world tours.
What the Gram/Beam 295 Delivers
The Gram/Beam 295 targets the same compact-beam job description for indoor venues — the clay paky ultimo sharpy alternative with the dual-prism signature and a lighter body:
- 14R 295W lamp + 156 mm lens — bright, sharp beams for Bar, Disco and Event stages
- 14 colors and 14 gobos, plus dual prisms (8 + 48) for layered aerial effects
- 18-channel DMX512 — simple, standard console compatibility
- 13.8 kg — noticeably lighter than the 19.48 kg Ultimo, easier rigging and freight
- Factory-direct pricing, 24-month warranty and spare parts from the manufacturer
When to Choose Which
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor / festival / weather exposure | Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy | IP66 + Marine Shield options |
| TV broadcast / film | Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy | CMY, 24-bit dimming, low-noise mode |
| Top-tier touring / rider compliance | Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy | Proven on Bad Bunny / The Prodigy tours |
| Bar, disco and event installs | Gram/Beam 295 | Same compact-beam look, factory-direct budget |
| Lighter rigging & freight | Gram/Beam 295 | 13.8 kg vs 19.48 kg |
| Dual-prism aerial effects on a budget | Gram/Beam 295 | 8 + 48 prisms at entry-premium pricing |
| Fleet build with parts support | Gram/Beam 295 | 24-month warranty, spares from factory |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy worth the investment?
For outdoor events, broadcast and high-end touring, yes — IP66 weatherproofing, true CMY, infinite pan and low-noise mode are flagship features productions pay for. For indoor bars, discos and events, most of that capability goes unused, which is where a clay paky ultimo sharpy alternative fits.
What is a good alternative to the Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy?
The Show Time Gram/Beam 295 is the practical factory-direct choice: a 14R 295W beam with 156 mm lens, 14 colors, 14 gobos and dual prisms (8 + 48) at a fraction of the flagship price — the most direct clay paky ultimo sharpy alternative for indoor entertainment.
How does the Gram/Beam 295 brightness compare to the Ultimo Sharpy?
Clay Paky officially rates the Ultimo at 100,000 lux @ 20 m. The Gram/Beam 295 runs a higher-wattage source (295W vs 250W) through a 156 mm lens; Show Time provides photometric data on request for venue planning.
Does the Gram/Beam 295 have dual prisms like the Ultimo Sharpy?
Yes — dual prisms (8 + 48, the 48 available on request), matching the dual-prism capability that makes the Ultimo Sharpy’s aerial effects famous, at entry-premium pricing.
Which is better for a rental company?
For indoor-focused fleets, the Gram/Beam 295: lower unit cost, lighter weight (13.8 kg vs 19.48 kg) for freight and rigging, factory spares and the crowd-pleasing beam look. Ultimo Sharpy pays off for rental companies serving outdoor, broadcast or high-end touring contracts.
Is the Gram/Beam 295 weatherproof?
No — it is designed for indoor venues (bars, discos, events). If you need outdoor/weather resistance, the Ultimo Sharpy’s IP66 housing is the reason it exists; for indoor work, weatherproofing is an unnecessary premium.
Can the Gram/Beam 295 replace a Sharpy-class beam on stage?
For indoor shows, yes — 14R 295W output, 14 colors, 14 gobos and dual prisms deliver the compact “pencil beam” look of the Sharpy family. The Ultimo’s CMY, broadcast dimming and IP66 remain its own advantages for outdoor and broadcast.
Can I order a sample of the Gram/Beam 295?
Yes. Show Time offers samples with factory-direct pricing — test the beam in your venue, then scale. OEM branding and flight-case options are available for volume orders.
Our Beam Lineup
The Gram/Beam 295 is our mid-tier beam — step down or up within the same factory-direct line:
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References: Clay Paky Ultimo Sharpy product page (checked 2026-09) · Show Time Gram/Beam 295 product page (product data 2026-08). Sharpy is a trademark of Clay Paky; comparison is factual, based on published specifications.
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