FloLight FL-330AW with Wireless Dimmer vs Cool Lights CL-655PMD The Debate...

M

Max Diesel

Active member
Hi everyone,

So here I was ready to take the leap and purchase 1 CL-655PMD 6 bank from Cool Lights (Also looking at to purchase 1 4 Bank --- FL-220AW or CL-455PMD)

http://www.coollights.biz/cl655pmd-cool-lights-portable-dimming-watt-softlight-p-71.html

For the price and service as far as I could analyze this was a sure thing.

But today I came across this FloLight FL-330AW Wireless Dimmer for 200$ less.

http://www.flolight.com/fluorescent-lighting/fl-330.html

That's a 400$ savings and it comes with diffusion and yokes, granted not as convenient as cool lights but still included.

I'm thinking of taking the plunge this week...

I'm going to purchase Kino Flo True Match Bulbs and some (Minus Green Filters) Since I often use a Kino Kamio and want the bulbs to match.

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I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this light or is this the first time it comes to light?

Any Ideas on what the Max Distance would be for the Remote?

The Dimming range is different as well 30-100% as aposed to 2-100% for Cool Lights is the ballast better on the Cool Lights?

Four-Way Barndoors Vs Two that's a bonus.

One is made of Metal - Aluminum? The other of Polycarbonate Any thoughts on that?

Thanks in advance.

Remote Wireless Dimming... Now that's GOLD... I wonder how many available channels they have?
 
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Well, having experienced the customer service of BOTH companies, I can say that on that experience ALONE I would choose Cool Lights.

The Prompter People (importers of the Flolight), have THE WORST CS I have ever experienced. EVER.
 
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Prompterpeople stuff is exorbitantly overpriced.
You can buy those exact same flo units and others that prompterpeople sell direct from the same Factory that makes them and save a ton of money. Unfortunately, I wasted a lot of money with them before figuring that out. FWIW, you might want to consider a bank selectable unit with the dual mounts instead of the yoke model which is heavier and limits you to one orientation of the fixture. Product quality is very good and shipping is fast ---1 week direct from China via U.S. Mail!.
 
gco, what have you purchased from steven.studio? how is the quality and customer service? i would assume if the light went down, it would have to be shipped back to China?
 
I would normally agree that Steven.Studio has a better option, but their still selling FloLight's old version of lights, non dimmable with that terrible reflective surface... these new versions come from a different supplier, I have yet to find whom.. but have found copies here in Canada.

http://www.bigcitylights.ca/lightbank.htm

As for weight, Cool Lights wins by 1.2Lbs enough to make a difference, not really.

Customer service... We'll Richard seems to win that one hand down. Good Job on that Richard its not easy to keep 99.9% happy.

Any of you had any experience with these FloLight FL-330AW Wireless Dimming Lights, If I end up buying them I'll for sure keep all of you posted on how they function.

I did find 1 store on ebay that has a Steven.Studio Type Product with Dimmable Lights.

http://stores.ebay.com/2dreammaker

This could be an option... just have to paint over or rip off those reflective panels on the barndoors.
 
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Barndoors don't do a lot of good on a soft and diffused light like a fluorescent. They work great on hardlights like fresnels though.

We put mirrors on the softlight barndoors and use as what is known as "intensifiers", which effectively increase the light emanating area. Otherwise, for side spill control, eggcrate attachments are far more effective for diffused lights like flos.
 
boo said:
gco, what have you purchased from steven.studio? how is the quality and customer service? i would assume if the light went down, it would have to be shipped back to China?
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It was the FA-06B. Quality is very good for the price---solid construction and light weight. Can't really say much about customer service. Had a few bent clips from shipping and they immediately sent me a few no charge. Owned it for about 3 years now and no issues whatsoever. I specifically wanted a bank selectable unit to avoid the complexity/cost of a dimmable. You can switch on/off the number of banks to suit, then fine tune by adjusting distance between light and subject. I figured the only thing likely to fail besides a bulb is a ballast and I can replace it myself via factory warranty or buy it outright. So far, so good.

Max Diesel said:
I would normally agree that Steven.Studio has a better option, but their still selling FloLight's old version of lights, non dimmable with that terrible reflective surface... .......
http://stores.ebay.com/2dreammaker
This could be an option... just have to paint over or rip off those reflective panels on the barndoors.
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That looks like a SS reseller. However, the barns look a bit different. Might want to check with the seller to see if the reflective panels are removable.

mcgeedigital said:
Because barndoors are meant to be used as mini-flags to CONTROL the light not reflect it.
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Those shiny panels do spill light unless you close the barns way down.
Fortunately, the factory attaches them to the barns with Velcro :thumbup:
 
flos are inherently weak. If physical size is not an issue, go with 6--you can always turn off a bank if you need to.
 
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