Hey John! Great to see you! Thanks for this. Very thorough and thoughtful review. I was shopping the new Aladdin Mosaic series and have been seeing a lot online comparing the Aladdin 4x4 Mosaic with this unit. Im really struggling to understand the $6k price difference! This is great food for thought! Thanks for posting!
Hey buddy, yeah these are an exceptional value... (Travis wears even had a sale on them in his CKL group and i got a 2nd unit for $1350) and i upgraded both OEM LCD to ones from Grid2order.com out of the Ukraine for like $300/each. The color metrics i think on a lot of these various new mats are pretty much on par as to TM30/SSI/etc.... If you want to look closer at inshot DMX cue tests, Andrew does a good job in his review of the 600B: th-cam.com/video/-VLippMT0W8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vdGuaaJaaLJflPtW
I would want to pay more. I can deal with a few less features if it means that it is affordable to those of us on the low end of the totem pole. It just have to have good color accuracy and be durable enough for light travel. I am however, very interested in this light, as it is a step closer to being smaller and lighter. A quest that I am now on. Great review!
Love all the information you provide! Between the Godox 4x4 mat & intellytech 3x5 mat 3.0 , which would you say is a better investment for a large soft light source?
I own both Mega 8 and 600bi (2 each) and they are both great. I think it depends on other factors; do you want square or rectangular, do you need g/m correction and/or full color. Build quality wise they are very similar... color metrics they're very close. the Godox head is IP rated. The Intellytech comes in either bi-color or full color and also has a CRMX option.
Thanks, John! Perhaps you can pass on to your Godox rep that Mir Lada suggested for future models, like a full-spectrum version, they can… 1) can have a compartment in the ballast that the dongle can plug into, to get power, so they don't need to stick a non and CRMX version...just the non, with an integrated compartment for the dongle, and folks can upgrade to CRMX whenever they want. That compartment can easily be IP sealed. Having the dongle model crates better value for users because they can allocate the dongles as needed, versus having one for every light that doesn't have CRMX. 2) A rain cover should be pretty simple and sold as an accessory. 3) For the full spectrum version, they should just have a deeper lip, but sell the deep, high-quality grid separately, and then they can offer 2 or 3 beam spreads. 4) Same thing with extra diffusion materials. These other things wouldn't really raise the price...so they satisfy the $1700 price point in this case, or what they feel they need to be at for the full spectrum version. 5) Sell a “Pro kit” that would have two beam angles of grid, 2 extra diffusions, the CRMX dongle, and a rain cover, for like $600. E-Z peezy. The whole tint shift point issue will be irrelevant in the full spectrum version anyway. It seems that the natural step would be with Aputure to create a weatherproof, pro-quality Aputure line of mats, and a 4x4, or my preference would be a 4x6, or a double 4x3 kit that has a great bracket for easily putting two together, or second position to make two into a 3x8 Strip (amazing for long table shots with folks all around), and addressing all your points.
yeah for sure. I hate dealing with dongles and really feel pro lights should have built in... just one less thing to deal with, imho. Agree on rain jackets for sure. that was large oversight. Intellytech managed to offer built in CRMX as a $150 option at time of purchase which is prob best option for everyone. The issue with full spectrum is, of course, output. I argued with Aaron @ Intellytech that the new Mega 3.0 RGBWW should do what arri did on the Brik Lok and go to a 4:1 emitter ratio - which for Mat lights especially makes the most sense to me to achieve higher outputs while still maintaining decent color control. I also think making these modular would be smart to get 4x8 or 8x8 etc. My main point is vendors are totally missing the sweet spot in middle of market, a fixture that could work on EP/Features and short form work but still comes in far less then the high end stuff with 90%+ of the feature set... I like the Godox but once again we have a non cue-able light, no CRMX and lack of IUP rated balls, diffusions, less then ideal LCD etc etc --- on the other hand its $1700. And in fairness neither the LM plus or 2019 spectrums were cue-able either.
Great review. I opted for the intellycloth rgbww . I just cant buy another unit without G/M shift. over time these Leds also degrade, so im hoping i get more life out of Rgbww units, buy just using their G/M not so much for saturation.
Yes… guy name Andrey in the Ukraine makes one for about $300 usd, excellent product he’s sold a ton, Andrew Lock has many made by him… www.grid2order.com/
Intellytech has rgbww models out now… 4:1 emitter ratio between the white and rgb emitters - but not in a 4x4… but they do have a large mega 8 which is 3x5ft
I ordered magic, all the grids etc from the Rag Place - so I have full inventory of rags-- they were custom dealing with them now because they messed up the Velcro sides, made them flat rather then what I requested which was lite gear lite mat style.. but we’ll get it sorted.
Great video! Did you end up receiving the new rags from the Rag Place for this unit? Im curious if we reference your order, they might get it right on the first go? @@GaffersSalon
there is a link to a zoom call i did with John Tindall, the inventor - it's in the description. check out the first 10-15 min that will give you a good idea about Brokeh.
What do you think about using 4 of these for an outdoor overhead box instead of a couple vortex? Rigging to a boom lift, probably 20-30ft over head and skirted for nighttime shot. Main concerns are weather/wind + weight as this will be in winter conditions on a shore near open water.
In theory don’t see why that would not work, it’s rated I believe to -20C operation and the head only IP rated… right now in USA have not seen longer header cables offered but they say they have some but not sure on total length… that could be issue… suppose you could daisy chain dmx and run dongle at ground level if needed… you’d have to figure solution to protect ballasts from the weather.
Do you know if theyre planning to release a lantern for this? I've been eyeing the Intellytech 3x5 as a new overhead lantern source. Ive been using 2 of the F22Cs on boom arms in situations where I cant rig to the grid or plan for a full menace. Theyre just light enough for round tables when the job is tight. So if they happened to mention a lantern down the road this might be a great alternative.
Can't really answer this for you. I own 2 each of both the Mega 8 RGBWW and Godox 600bi. Build quality wise i'd say they're similar and it's going to come down to other factors as to which makes the best pick for you personally. First up is square form factor (4x4) vs rectangular (3x5)? Do you want full color or just Bicolor? Do you need an IP rated head? Do you want CRMX built in? The Godox has a bit more output 600w vs 400w on Mega8. Color metrics, in bicolor mode the TM30 are very close, the RGBWW version of the mega allows for tint control, allowing you to correct g/m shift even if you never use RGB colors per se. I can't speak to the phone APPS as i never use them. They both have lanterns available. The Intellytech also has an optional secondary diffusion panel (based on their Mega 2.0 version) called the pop up diffuser which is lighter and lower profile. Prices pretty similar, the RGBWW Intellytech is more $ but has the same output as their bicolor version and in the case of Intellytech I would def choose the RGBWW version over the less expensive bicolor (about a $400 price difference). Neither light is cue-able in shot, both are too steppy for smooth cues, generally speaking. I've got away with a bit of in shot dimming here and there but it's most problematic from say 0% to 10% - toward the lower end.
Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for that very informative reply. I totally get how its not an apples to apples comparison. Keep up the good work, this channel is a great resource!@@GaffersSalon
Im convinced that godox doesn't believe in this product. Because why haven't they sent out 10-20 of the to youtubers for review? Something just isnt right with this company.
It’s in their pro light line up, so diff then their other fixtures - they wanted people like Andrew Lock (who is working on a review) and Luke Seerveld etc… they need/want to reach the pro market mainly with these knowled fixtures
@@BoomingVisuals, Godox may not be as large a company as Aputure; their budget for marketing & promotion may be much smaller [I looked, but couldn't find those numbers for either company; couldn't even find capitalization]. That said, the Aputure 1200D & 600D are COB LED monolights; I've seen plenty of filmmakers on You Tube reviewing Godox's KNOWLED M600D, M600BI, MG1200BI, COB LED monolights (Momentum Productions, Disnet, Sharpen, New Layer, The Film Guy, TLDR Filmmaker, Rob Ellis, Art Video Productions, Jason Morris, Personal View, Advanced Media, Chinfat, ProAV TV, Threefold, LensVid, DIY Photography, as well as Gaffer & Gear & Meet The Gaffer), and the coming MG2400BI COB LED has been shown & talked about at trade shows, by News shooter, DIY Photography, CineD, LensVid (it's not out yet). As far as flexible LED mat lights, Godox's F200BI mat lights have been reviewed by DIY Photography, Sam Holland, Essential Photo, RapSyntax, Meet The Gaffer, & Gaffers Salon, their F400BI mat lights reviewed by Spenser Sakurai, Jarrod Parker, their F600BI mat lights by Meet The Gaffer, & Gaffers Salon; other than the lower-than-Aputure-quality less-expensive-than-Aputure Amaran line, Aputure doesn't yet make flexible LED mats under the "Aputure" name for high-end use (equivalent in quality to their LS1200D/Nova P600C/Infinibar), so maybe an apples-to-oranges comparison?😀 Godox has released *so many lights in such a short period* - COB LED monolights: SL300R and SZ300R (both RGBWW), KNOWLED M200D, M200BI, M300D, M300BI, M600D, M600BI, fresnels, & projection attachments, MG1200BI, upcoming MG2400BI, & reflectors & fresnel for the MG series with electronic communication with the power supply, & projection attachments; LED panel lights: KNOWLED P300R (RGBWW), P600R (RGBWW), P600BI (and I think P300BI); LED flexible mat lights: KNOWLED F600BI, F400BI, & F200BI; tube Pixel RGB LED lights: KNOWLED TP8R, TP4R, TP2R; LC500 & PC500R mini light wands; inflatable tube LED light KNOWLED Air Tube Light AT200BI; LED RGBWW bulb lights: C7R & C10R; And the "new" Godox version/copy of Light bridge/CRLS reflectors, KNOWLED Light flow reflectors; and the MF12-DK1 dental flash system; & the ADS200 stick flash head for the AD200 flash; & ring flash heads for the P2400, AD1200, & AD200 strobes; (and all the less-expensive updates, revisions, and cheaper COB LED product lines, & MLP19K, 26K, & 36K projection attachments); AND still producing & updating the strobes - P2400 Power Pack kit, AD1200 Pro pack-and-head kit, AD600, 400, 300, 200, 100, V1, & the smaller flashes; there may just be too many Godox products to keep up with as the technology evolves so quickly (especially with Nanlux & Nanlite, Amaran & Aputure, Arri, Creamsource, Astera, Dedolight, Fiilex, Cineo, DMG, Colbor, iFootage, Hive, Prolycht, Litepanels, BB&S, Intellytech, Aladdin, Kinoflo, Quasar Science, among others, all competing for attention from reviewers).
This perfectly sums up why I don’t trust Aputure. They’re relying on scummy influencer marketing, and those influencers are all essentially just TH-camrs who don’t work in the field. I’ve personally been burned by Aputure customer service, along with a handful of other products that TH-camrs raved about in their reviews.
@@MrAndrewClaycomb I’d disagree in part… those “brand ambassadors” are generally, yes, TH-camrs whose target market is content creatives etc… if you look at the pro side you see Dan and other at Aputure sitting down for meaningful dialogue on lighting and creative process; th-cam.com/video/ea3-sMoV5EE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WmL_4hM4_94ScKYd
Another product in the knowled range that i've played with and am impressed with! Great no thrills video delivering what we want to know - great job
Nice job John.
Thanks Andrew
Thanks, very use-full review.
Hey John! Great to see you! Thanks for this. Very thorough and thoughtful review. I was shopping the new Aladdin Mosaic series and have been seeing a lot online comparing the Aladdin 4x4 Mosaic with this unit. Im really struggling to understand the $6k price difference! This is great food for thought! Thanks for posting!
Hey buddy, yeah these are an exceptional value... (Travis wears even had a sale on them in his CKL group and i got a 2nd unit for $1350) and i upgraded both OEM LCD to ones from Grid2order.com out of the Ukraine for like $300/each. The color metrics i think on a lot of these various new mats are pretty much on par as to TM30/SSI/etc.... If you want to look closer at inshot DMX cue tests, Andrew does a good job in his review of the 600B: th-cam.com/video/-VLippMT0W8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vdGuaaJaaLJflPtW
Someone at Apature will be taking notes huh? ;) Holding off on buying for the same reason, thanks for the breakdown!
love your reviews dude
I would want to pay more. I can deal with a few less features if it means that it is affordable to those of us on the low end of the totem pole. It just have to have good color accuracy and be durable enough for light travel. I am however, very interested in this light, as it is a step closer to being smaller and lighter. A quest that I am now on. Great review!
Thanks… it’s a very good. I own 2 of these and two intellytech Mega 8 rgbww… both very solid offerings.
Love all the information you provide! Between the Godox 4x4 mat & intellytech 3x5 mat 3.0 , which would you say is a better investment for a large soft light source?
I own both Mega 8 and 600bi (2 each) and they are both great. I think it depends on other factors; do you want square or rectangular, do you need g/m correction and/or full color. Build quality wise they are very similar... color metrics they're very close. the Godox head is IP rated. The Intellytech comes in either bi-color or full color and also has a CRMX option.
im considering both and in my research I am leaning towards the f600 due to the fact that its nearly twice as bright. I dont need full RGB.
Thanks, John! Perhaps you can pass on to your Godox rep that Mir Lada suggested for future models, like a full-spectrum version, they can…
1) can have a compartment in the ballast that the dongle can plug into, to get power, so they don't need to stick a non and CRMX version...just the non, with an integrated compartment for the dongle, and folks can upgrade to CRMX whenever they want. That compartment can easily be IP sealed. Having the dongle model crates better value for users because they can allocate the dongles as needed, versus having one for every light that doesn't have CRMX.
2) A rain cover should be pretty simple and sold as an accessory.
3) For the full spectrum version, they should just have a deeper lip, but sell the deep, high-quality grid separately, and then they can offer 2 or 3 beam spreads.
4) Same thing with extra diffusion materials. These other things wouldn't really raise the price...so they satisfy the $1700 price point in this case, or what they feel they need to be at for the full spectrum version.
5) Sell a “Pro kit” that would have two beam angles of grid, 2 extra diffusions, the CRMX dongle, and a rain cover, for like $600. E-Z peezy.
The whole tint shift point issue will be irrelevant in the full spectrum version anyway. It seems that the natural step would be with Aputure to create a weatherproof, pro-quality Aputure line of mats, and a 4x4, or my preference would be a 4x6, or a double 4x3 kit that has a great bracket for easily putting two together, or second position to make two into a 3x8 Strip (amazing for long table shots with folks all around), and addressing all your points.
yeah for sure. I hate dealing with dongles and really feel pro lights should have built in... just one less thing to deal with, imho. Agree on rain jackets for sure. that was large oversight. Intellytech managed to offer built in CRMX as a $150 option at time of purchase which is prob best option for everyone. The issue with full spectrum is, of course, output. I argued with Aaron @ Intellytech that the new Mega 3.0 RGBWW should do what arri did on the Brik Lok and go to a 4:1 emitter ratio - which for Mat lights especially makes the most sense to me to achieve higher outputs while still maintaining decent color control. I also think making these modular would be smart to get 4x8 or 8x8 etc. My main point is vendors are totally missing the sweet spot in middle of market, a fixture that could work on EP/Features and short form work but still comes in far less then the high end stuff with 90%+ of the feature set... I like the Godox but once again we have a non cue-able light, no CRMX and lack of IUP rated balls, diffusions, less then ideal LCD etc etc --- on the other hand its $1700. And in fairness neither the LM plus or 2019 spectrums were cue-able either.
Great review. I opted for the intellycloth rgbww . I just cant buy another unit without G/M shift. over time these Leds also degrade, so im hoping i get more life out of Rgbww units, buy just using their G/M not so much for saturation.
sounds like they need to make 2 series of lights this and a pro line.
I know for me, I rarely use below 3200k and above 5600k. I some times go to 6500k, but that's pretty much it. So not a deal breaker at the ends.
Great review! Can you share where one can pick up a deeper grid for this light?
Yes… guy name Andrey in the Ukraine makes one for about $300 usd, excellent product he’s sold a ton, Andrew Lock has many made by him… www.grid2order.com/
What meter are you using for the color measurements? Thanks and great job!
Sekonic 800
I want to wait for a color variant of this model
Intellytech has rgbww models out now… 4:1 emitter ratio between the white and rgb emitters - but not in a 4x4… but they do have a large mega 8 which is 3x5ft
@@GaffersSalontrue... have you seen the cineroid Jupiter 1000? 1k full color 4x4 flexible mat
@@Cinegavo no have not even heard of it, will look it up
I just got this light and man I really need some more layers of diffusion, any ideas? Great video by the way.
I ordered magic, all the grids etc from the Rag Place - so I have full inventory of rags-- they were custom dealing with them now because they messed up the Velcro sides, made them flat rather then what I requested which was lite gear lite mat style.. but we’ll get it sorted.
So you had to custom make them all? Not you but you paid to have that done? @@GaffersSalon
Great video! Did you end up receiving the new rags from the Rag Place for this unit? Im curious if we reference your order, they might get it right on the first go? @@GaffersSalon
@@GaffersSalon I’m also interested in a thicker diffusion option / magic cloth
Great video! What are the use cases for the brokeh gels? Are they for ambient fill light or something like that? Thanks!
there is a link to a zoom call i did with John Tindall, the inventor - it's in the description. check out the first 10-15 min that will give you a good idea about Brokeh.
@@GaffersSalon Thanks! That is a very interesting product!
What do you think about using 4 of these for an outdoor overhead box instead of a couple vortex? Rigging to a boom lift, probably 20-30ft over head and skirted for nighttime shot. Main concerns are weather/wind + weight as this will be in winter conditions on a shore near open water.
In theory don’t see why that would not work, it’s rated I believe to -20C operation and the head only IP rated… right now in USA have not seen longer header cables offered but they say they have some but not sure on total length… that could be issue… suppose you could daisy chain dmx and run dongle at ground level if needed… you’d have to figure solution to protect ballasts from the weather.
@@GaffersSalon would there be a benefit to a more traditional route with vortex?
@@GoatHousePRODUCTIONin my mind it would be having full color control and not just bicolor. But Godox lighter weight for sure -
Do you know if theyre planning to release a lantern for this? I've been eyeing the Intellytech 3x5 as a new overhead lantern source. Ive been using 2 of the F22Cs on boom arms in situations where I cant rig to the grid or plan for a full menace. Theyre just light enough for round tables when the job is tight. So if they happened to mention a lantern down the road this might be a great alternative.
I don’t know but can ask… I have 2 intellytech mega 8 and the lanterns also 2 fc22/21c and all the lanterns are they are fantastic for sure
Spoke with Godox they will have lantern for all 3 sizes of the mats.
Been waiting since July for B&H to stock these :(
Yeah my second unit on back ordered now until November it seems… very odd.
OMG - you're killing me - It's KELVIIN not CALVIN.
As a former NYC'er I know it's not your accent :)
Thanks for the excellent review!
Damn been saying it that way for 25 years… but I got Houston street in NYC correct. 💡🤣
Both words sound pretty much the same here in Australia.
If you had to pick, the Godox or the Intelly Tech V3.0, which would you pick?
Can't really answer this for you. I own 2 each of both the Mega 8 RGBWW and Godox 600bi. Build quality wise i'd say they're similar and it's going to come down to other factors as to which makes the best pick for you personally. First up is square form factor (4x4) vs rectangular (3x5)? Do you want full color or just Bicolor? Do you need an IP rated head? Do you want CRMX built in? The Godox has a bit more output 600w vs 400w on Mega8. Color metrics, in bicolor mode the TM30 are very close, the RGBWW version of the mega allows for tint control, allowing you to correct g/m shift even if you never use RGB colors per se. I can't speak to the phone APPS as i never use them. They both have lanterns available. The Intellytech also has an optional secondary diffusion panel (based on their Mega 2.0 version) called the pop up diffuser which is lighter and lower profile. Prices pretty similar, the RGBWW Intellytech is more $ but has the same output as their bicolor version and in the case of Intellytech I would def choose the RGBWW version over the less expensive bicolor (about a $400 price difference). Neither light is cue-able in shot, both are too steppy for smooth cues, generally speaking. I've got away with a bit of in shot dimming here and there but it's most problematic from say 0% to 10% - toward the lower end.
Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for that very informative reply. I totally get how its not an apples to apples comparison. Keep up the good work, this channel is a great resource!@@GaffersSalon
are they equal in effort to setup? Timewise...cheers@@GaffersSalon
@@clizzaudioyes about the same… both take a bit of time to build
Im convinced that godox doesn't believe in this product. Because why haven't they sent out 10-20 of the to youtubers for review? Something just isnt right with this company.
It’s in their pro light line up, so diff then their other fixtures - they wanted people like
Andrew Lock (who is working on a review) and Luke Seerveld etc… they need/want to reach the pro market mainly with these knowled fixtures
@@GaffersSalon But when we see the Aputure 1200 and 600d for example, they send them out to 20+ people that work in this industry.
@@BoomingVisuals, Godox may not be as large a company as Aputure; their budget for marketing & promotion may be much smaller [I looked, but couldn't find those numbers for either company; couldn't even find capitalization]. That said, the Aputure 1200D & 600D are COB LED monolights; I've seen plenty of filmmakers on You Tube reviewing Godox's KNOWLED M600D, M600BI, MG1200BI, COB LED monolights (Momentum Productions, Disnet, Sharpen, New Layer, The Film Guy, TLDR Filmmaker, Rob Ellis, Art Video Productions, Jason Morris, Personal View, Advanced Media, Chinfat, ProAV TV, Threefold, LensVid, DIY Photography, as well as Gaffer & Gear & Meet The Gaffer), and the coming MG2400BI COB LED has been shown & talked about at trade shows, by News shooter, DIY Photography, CineD, LensVid (it's not out yet). As far as flexible LED mat lights, Godox's F200BI mat lights have been reviewed by DIY Photography, Sam Holland, Essential Photo, RapSyntax, Meet The Gaffer, & Gaffers Salon, their F400BI mat lights reviewed by Spenser Sakurai, Jarrod Parker, their F600BI mat lights by Meet The Gaffer, & Gaffers Salon; other than the lower-than-Aputure-quality less-expensive-than-Aputure Amaran line, Aputure doesn't yet make flexible LED mats under the "Aputure" name for high-end use (equivalent in quality to their LS1200D/Nova P600C/Infinibar), so maybe an apples-to-oranges comparison?😀
Godox has released *so many lights in such a short period* - COB LED monolights: SL300R and SZ300R (both RGBWW), KNOWLED M200D, M200BI, M300D, M300BI, M600D, M600BI, fresnels, & projection attachments, MG1200BI, upcoming MG2400BI, & reflectors & fresnel for the MG series with electronic communication with the power supply, & projection attachments;
LED panel lights: KNOWLED P300R (RGBWW), P600R (RGBWW), P600BI (and I think P300BI);
LED flexible mat lights: KNOWLED F600BI, F400BI, & F200BI;
tube Pixel RGB LED lights: KNOWLED TP8R, TP4R, TP2R;
LC500 & PC500R mini light wands;
inflatable tube LED light KNOWLED Air Tube Light AT200BI;
LED RGBWW bulb lights: C7R & C10R;
And the "new" Godox version/copy of Light bridge/CRLS reflectors, KNOWLED Light flow reflectors;
and the MF12-DK1 dental flash system;
& the ADS200 stick flash head for the AD200 flash;
& ring flash heads for the P2400, AD1200, & AD200 strobes;
(and all the less-expensive updates, revisions, and cheaper COB LED product lines, & MLP19K, 26K, & 36K projection attachments);
AND still producing & updating the strobes - P2400 Power Pack kit, AD1200 Pro pack-and-head kit, AD600, 400, 300, 200, 100, V1, & the smaller flashes; there may just be too many Godox products to keep up with as the technology evolves so quickly (especially with Nanlux & Nanlite, Amaran & Aputure, Arri, Creamsource, Astera, Dedolight, Fiilex, Cineo, DMG, Colbor, iFootage, Hive, Prolycht, Litepanels, BB&S, Intellytech, Aladdin, Kinoflo, Quasar Science, among others, all competing for attention from reviewers).
This perfectly sums up why I don’t trust Aputure. They’re relying on scummy influencer marketing, and those influencers are all essentially just TH-camrs who don’t work in the field. I’ve personally been burned by Aputure customer service, along with a handful of other products that TH-camrs raved about in their reviews.
@@MrAndrewClaycomb I’d disagree in part… those “brand ambassadors” are generally, yes, TH-camrs whose target market is content creatives etc… if you look at the pro side you see Dan and other at Aputure sitting down for meaningful dialogue on lighting and creative process; th-cam.com/video/ea3-sMoV5EE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WmL_4hM4_94ScKYd