cheap chinese video light review

[kelemvor]

Hard to say what those LED chips are with any certainty. Cree doesn't bother marking their stuff, probably because the markings would just get copied so it's a waste of time (that's an assumption). There are 28 legitimate variations of the XM-L2 LED so you can't even get away with trying to make a visual comparison. The datasheet seems to indicate you have to go by markings on the reel... which only works if you buy a whole reel.

 

[runsongas]

@West Indiaman beam angle will not solve the backscatter issue in murky water

 

[D_Fresh]

While it's very true that beam angle itself will not solve backscatter issues in murky water, and honestly, not much will.... but the spread between the lights as compared to the distance to your subject will help to a finite degree... That is to say, even a more narrow lightbeam angle, with the sources spread wide apart, and the subject closer, can help to reduce the amount of backscatter, though never eliminate it... There really is no magic solution for scatter, save for maybe post processing.... But as with all aspects of photography, it always comes down to a balance between attributes, you never can have all in your favor....

 

[Grifin]

There are at least 3 types of this China lights with the same QH27 (15+6+6 led) head. Is there any difference between them?

 

[Germie]

Yes and no. The first ones had bad Orings, but since a while I only see the better Orings. Just buy the cheapest. They hold wat least 70m depth.

 

[Grifin]

I have ordered one to test. Have decided to get middle one as it has wider area around the head to cool off. Will try to emerge it to 10m without batteries to see if it will leak.

On first look it is solidly build, I have expect less for this price.

 

[Addison Snyder]

I've had the third one, didn't have too many issues with it. Most recently the buttons began to have issues where it would turn off randomly, so I sold it with full disclosure of those issues.

As with overheating, I (back when I was looking to get rid of it) took a bunch of zip-ties and attached it to my mountain bike for night riding (roughly one-hour of brightest/second-brightest setting). The amount of light coming from that thing was wonderful. Then I hit a decent sized bump, and the light turned off. Turned it back on, rinse and repeat for a while. Not the safest, and if the interested party hadn't wanted to buy it right then, I would have experimented more with it. Maybe the batteries bounce off the connections. Actually, that was likely the issue because I tried using the red/blue light and having the same issue on the trail.

Overall, great video light for the price. Obviously may come with quirks, but for a fraction of 'vetted' designs, I'll buy all 3 and probably be happy.

 

[Andy Willett]

Hi
I have found many cheap Chinese hand torches have mostly let me down quickly and corroded. But not all, it is a bit of a punt.
I have found the larger video lamps are much better, The quality control isn't there, so you may get a out of box failure, just get refund from Ebay so no issue. Its true the longevity isn't there, however, LED technology moves so fast, there is a case to have a cheaper Chinese lamp and replace it in 2-3 years anyway. I have 3 QH27 type Chinese video lamps, all very good. I have measured outputs and colour temperatures and are all as I expected. Keep in mind what the published sales data says and reality are quite different. However they are still good value. Clearly professional users just need the longevity and reliability, In saying that the Chinese lamps are 10x cheaper, just buy a spare or two.
Mine are 6500K temp. At 1 metre square coverage area I got 10K lux using a light meter. That about 0.4m away from the target to get 1 meter square.

If I were diving to far flung places I would have a spare lamp with me, ie take 3. Even though the spec says deep use, Always be pragmatic, its a cheaper lamp, just don't push it and all may well be fine. Clearly dep dives push the equipment so best not take the punt in more critical areas.
If one keeps the expectations reasonable then you wont be disappointed. In the end, pay your money and take your choice. Happy New Year

 

[rwe]

I also have used a variety of cheap Chinese lights over the years. The ones with magnetic switches have been reliable until I did something stupid like not fully tighten the tail cap. However, I have not had much luck with the two I purchased with the push button micro switches. One wouldn't turn off after it was turned on the first time and so never made it to the water. I eventually got a refund for less than half of the purchase price but it took about 10 emails and a lot of haggling (their dropback position is that you can mail it back and get a replacement but the US mailing cost can be close to the cost of the item). The second light switch was corroded and quit working after about 10 dives. I have not been able to come up with a repair for these switches so if someone has a repair I would be interested in hearing it.

 

[Addison Snyder]

The ones with magnetic switches have been reliable

I agree. I've got a bunch of 12-dollar lights for backups, it's harder for those to screw up over time as the design is pretty robust.

All the button-switch ones I've had have had cheap switches. I don't buy those without considering them disposable after a year or two. Still worth the money though, even with the lower life-expectancy. I also beat the ever-loving crap out of my lights. I couldn't imagine the scuba equivalent of mudding in a lamborghini if I purchased a thousand-dollar canister. Right now I just stick to the goodman handle, 4x18650 lights. This one in particular seems to be pretty solid, have been using in caves for a few months. Bought a goodman handle, some machine screws and washers, and now I have a really nice setup on the cheap (and disposable!). See here for more.