Digital Sputnik DS-1 or Hive 100-C

abreu-canedo

abreu-canedo

Well-known member
Hello Forum,

I was wondering about your thoughts on the Digital Sputnik RGB-LED units, versus the Hive RGB-LED unit.

I know both report 100 watt output.

Does anyone have experience with one or the other?

I know the DS units are made with a modular design to be assembled together for more output. However, the DS-1 has multiple LED lenses which would have to be diffused to create a single unit...as opposed to the Hive LEDs, which seem to be a single source, which can be a single hard source (correct me if I'm wrong).

I am budgeting a project where multiple low output RGB-LED units will be very useful, and am wondering which direction to go towards. Sure, I'll try to test them if I can, but I know many good people on this forum may have some helpful experience.
-Thanks in advance, Rafael
 
Hive just sent out a very thorough update last week about the 100C being delayed, but they are hoping to start shipping out to backers 50 and lower next week and higher in April. So you may start to see some production unit reviews in early April. I'm expecting to receive my two sometime in April.
 
Digital Sputnik Pros:
Low weight at 2.8 lbs
Can mount two V-mounts for longer battery life
140w power, so brighter

Digital Sputnik Cons:
No variable beam angle Fresnel lens (stuck at tight 20 degree beam angle) and no barn doors (this to me is probably the deal breaker; how on earth would you control this light?)
Multiple LEDs for multiple shadows
No Anton Bauer mount (that I know of; I'm an AB owner); maybe it could be powered by a separately purchased AB mount which wouldn't go directly on the light, or you could use a V-mount to AB mount adapter
More expensive at $2500

Hive Wasp 100-C Pros:
Fresnel attachment and lots of accessories available to shape the light with
Cheaper at $1000 plus various accessories
Wi-Fi control with smartphone ap (right now I only buy lights that have this feature; once you have it it is hard to go back to wasting time walking back and forth to lights to make small adjustments)

Hive Wasp 100-C Cons:
Heavier at 5 lbs
Not available yet; look at what's happened with SoftPanels Kickstarter as a cautionary tale of putting faith and money into Kickstarter campaigns. I'm planning to buy the Hive Wasp 100-C (assuming nothing better comes out at NAB or such), but I'm waiting until they're shipping and perhaps some reviews are out.
100 watt power draw, so less bright


As I mentioned, for me the deal breaker with the Digital Sputnik is that it seems like it would be difficult to control the light, and control is one of the main reasons to spend more on a professional light. So my vote goes to the Hive.
 
Ah yes, jumped the gun there a bit. Yeah, looking forward to seeing the Hives as they get released.

And all great points, Eric! I'm gold mount too. I didn't realize the limitation of V mount only. However, I did see the DS units now have barn doors, a diffusion panel, and wifi. And if I remember correctly, I think at 5600k they are limited to 100watts...so it's variable brightness across the kelvin range. But still brighter at 3200k and such. I think I read that right, but I could be wrong.

So here is my initial though:
The DS units are highly regarded in some circles. They were widely used in the set of rogue one. Apparently they get pretty bright when used 6 at a time in their frame. However, because of the multiple lens arrangement I fear it may be limited to punching through diffusion. So it's limited wattage is limited by loss of transmission through diffusion. Although I often diffuse lights, I like the single source hard light flexibility that the Hive units potentially offer. The Hives won't bunch together like the DS units, but I wonder if at that point I won't just bring a Skypanel.

I think only the Arri L series offer a hard, single source RGB-LED. I have to say, initially I wasn't super excited about the Hives, due to the low output, but I think it could be great for kickers and back lights, or for creating hard background shadows and shapes.

But yeah, curious about both!
 
For the Sputnik, 140w power draw at say 4300k I'd assume, and 100w power draw at 5600 and 3200k (I haven't seen a listed spec for this, but that would make sense). Now, I'd also assume that the Hive Wasp 100-C is something like 100w power draw at 4300k, and thus perhaps 65w-70w at 5600k and 3200k. So unless the Hive somehow doesn't get less bright at 3200k and 5600k, I'd assume it's still less bright than the Digital Sputnik considering it's peak power draw is 40 watts less.

Digital Sputnik has Wi-Fi control from a phone ap? Not to be confused with DMX. Link to that info?

The only barn door setup I see for the Sputnik is their "Diffuser box" which has barn doors on it. So I guess it diffuses the light, while adding barn doors. But, a diffused light is harder to control with barn doors. And I don't see an option to attached the barn doors directly to the light. And, a multi-bulb light is going to be harder to control with barn doors than a Fresnel point source light. I'd almost consider the Sputnik more like a small panel light with a tight beam angle.


As for it being used on Rogue One, while it's cool to say things like that, it really just shows how rarely it's used on big sets such that they have to continually cite the same singular example, such as that one episode of House being shot on a 5D. Doesn't really mean much.

Arri L7-C is 160 watt power draw. It's size and weight is a really high for its output compared to the competition.

I agree a Skypanel makes more sense than a string of Digital Sputniks going through diffusion.
 
The 100C's haven't been delivered yet, but I don't know if I'd draw too many parallels to Softpanels Kickstarter campaign. Yes, the guys behind Softpanels were behind LitePanels, but SP was/is a new company. Hive is an existing company with a good track record. Also, Hive has been continuously communicating throughout the process, including giving an in-depth explanation about the delay. SP has basically buried their heads in the sand. And let's face it, unfortunately, products not shipping exactly on-time isn't out of the ordinary these days.
 
Rafael - I will gladly report back here when I receive my 100-C. (I backed two.) Another big pro for the Hive is that it also can be powered via battery as well (it's an accessory not included with kit).
I feel pretty good thus far about my first kickstarter backing... running a few weeks behind is certainly not out of the ordinary these days of much over-promising, under-delivering. The fact that you can pick up the phone and/or email the president or others within the company speaks highly of those guys.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
For the Sputnik, 140w power draw at say 4300k I'd assume, and 100w power draw at 5600 and 3200k (I haven't seen a listed spec for this, but that would make sense). Now, I'd also assume that the Hive Wasp 100-C is something like 100w power draw at 4300k, and thus perhaps 65w-70w at 5600k and 3200k. So unless the Hive somehow doesn't get less bright at 3200k and 5600k, I'd assume it's still less bright than the Digital Sputnik considering it's peak power draw is 40 watts less.

Digital Sputnik has Wi-Fi control from a phone ap? Not to be confused with DMX. Link to that info?

The only barn door setup I see for the Sputnik is their "Diffuser box" which has barn doors on it. So I guess it diffuses the light, while adding barn doors. But, a diffused light is harder to control with barn doors. And I don't see an option to attached the barn doors directly to the light. And, a multi-bulb light is going to be harder to control with barn doors than a Fresnel point source light. I'd almost consider the Sputnik more like a small panel light with a tight beam angle.


As for it being used on Rogue One, while it's cool to say things like that, it really just shows how rarely it's used on big sets such that they have to continually cite the same singular example, such as that one episode of House being shot on a 5D. Doesn't really mean much.

Arri L7-C is 160 watt power draw. It's size and weight is a really high for its output compared to the competition.

I agree a Skypanel makes more sense than a string of Digital Sputniks going through diffusion.
Click to expand...

Yes the Digital Sputnik's can be controlled from a phone app:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOxRI4bZy0E

 
Thanks, Mark! Yeah, looking forward to hearing about your experience.

This may sound like a dumb train of thought, but I was wondering if the Hive 100-C would be compatible with a Leko/projection/gobo head. I'd love to use it in that way.
 
Digital Sputnik sent me a DS1 to demo for a week. Great, great color capability, very robust and the wifi app works well.

I have also been in contact with the team at Hive, and they have been really responsive and will be sending me units to demo as soon as they are available on the market. If you're interested in the DS1s, I'd hold off as there are rumors of a group buy coming, with a significant discount. That's all I can say for now.
 
abreu-canedo said:
This may sound like a dumb train of thought, but I was wondering if the Hive 100-C would be compatible with a Leko/projection/gobo head. I'd love to use it in that way.
Click to expand...

Not dumb at all imo. That is one of the ways I also hope to use it...It's compatible with mini source four head which should be similar to Jo-Leko type set up. If you scroll down about halfway on their ks page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...xt-generation-of-production-light/description
you'll see all the accessories listed as being compatible with it... one of the reason's it attracted my attention.
And thanks Travis for the tip on the group buy rumor...
 
Very cool, Travis!

Yeah, I've been hearing great things about the color of the DS units. At the risk of sounding too greedy, did you get a chance to get a spectrometer reading? I know that wouldn't be a conclusive piece of data, but I'm always curious to get independent spectral data.

Also, not sure if you were looking at this for your specific uses or needs, but did you try to use it as a hard source at all? Curious to see if the multiple shadows was an issue for you at all.

In any case, keep us posted on your experience with the Hive.
-Thanks in advance, Rafael
 
Per what has previously been stated in this thread, just want to +1 how great Hive's communication has been.

Have two units coming. Just missed being in the first 50 so I may need to wait a little longer. Can't wait to put them to work.

Been working with a gaffer who uses source maker blanket lights. Tough to express just how useful dialed in color temperature is. If the Hive lights can approach the quality of the source makers, I will be one very happy guy.
 
Thanks, Mark! Glad to know about the mini source four head!

Kohl, can't wait to see the great work I'm sure you'll make with the Hives!

And thanks Travis for the potential group buy heads up!
 
traviswears said:
Digital Sputnik sent me a DS1 to demo for a week. Great, great color capability, very robust and the wifi app works well.

I have also been in contact with the team at Hive, and they have been really responsive and will be sending me units to demo as soon as they are available on the market. If you're interested in the DS1s, I'd hold off as there are rumors of a group buy coming, with a significant discount. That's all I can say for now.
Click to expand...

I'm very interested in any group buy on the DS1, any hints where to look and when?

I'm in the same boat as Rafael, although i'm also considering the DLED7s as well, even though they are just bi-color. I have plenty of soft lights but hard lights in LED are something i would like to use more.

The DS1 form factor looks great, but shaping the beam is the biggest issue. I love the 2 vlock connections and the power output seems okay for the size. They are too expensive for what they are really.

The C100 specs look good, the light being mixed from 5 colours could give good results, maybe better than DS1. I hate to say it though i am not a fan of hive's design at all. I know i shouldn't care but design is a factor in what i gravitate towards!

The DLED7 has just infinite control over shape, that's the draw there. Just like my 150w Dedos.

Also Light and Motion, have some really nice looking very robust portable lights in the stella series, but they are just daylight. Then again gels have always worked in the past...

But i see the toss up between DS1 and C100. If the DS1 was priced similar to the C100 then i would go down that route, no problem.

cheers
Paul
 
Received an update from Hive on Sunday saying that they are "back on track to start shipping this week".
 
Hive shipped the 100C's to the first 30 backers last week, so hopefully initial reviews and impressions start popping up. Hoping my two show up before the end of the month.
 
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