Spartacus
Veteran
I know two rental houses, who eather use their own build/modified ballasts or the Kino compatible ones from goeasylighting which are IMHO better than the Kino standard ones.
IMHO because I own them and use them.
Kino Vs. Cool Lights
- Thread starter Abaddon
- Start date
IMHO because I own them and use them.
Spartacus
Veteran
Just to make things clearer for everyone, you are using metal studio-type fixtures as a cheaper alternative to true portable flos / Kinos?
And now they are worn down because they weren´t used as intended?
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
I think poeple should keep in mind here that cheezweezl's review was for the studio lights not the portable ones which I think are not even out yet . (Is that correct.) So don't confuse oranges with apples.
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
Hi cheezweezl,
It's okay. So you just thought you'd drop by and tell me about it here in public as opposed to the normal support channel. I described the fix in public too in my previous post to you if you're interested. If it's not worth getting into though, why did you?
We are keeping it real... No one deleted your posts did they? You haven't been censored in any way. Your posts are here to live on for years to come in archives. You got your say and I answered. What's wrong with that? A thread is nothing more than a collection of opinions and everyone has one. My threads are just a bit more colorful and long than some. If you don't like them, just change the channel. And, my message back to you was (and still is): if you want to use a product in unintended ways--great. Go ahead, but don't post reviews on them in public and say they don't hold up and not expect a rebuttal from interested parties. That's a normal reaction from a manufacturer and everyone who's reasonable here understands that. They also know we have a new line coming. You haven't seen them, nor have they. In other words you can't generalize about all our products either as you haven't seen the new ones yet.
Or just use them in a studio as they are the studio models. Or just use fixtures meant for the road.
Is there such a thing as "anti selling"? Let me research that. Maybe I invented a new term there...
Defensive, defensive, who's defensive! Me? Defensive? No way am I defensive! Defensive you say? Impossible!:grin:
I answer lots of questions here and I don't always sell something -- everyone here that's a regular knows that.
I've said many times, "We're crazy here at Cool Lights"! You're just confirming it. Thanks for that. Selling your house, your car, breaking all ties with your old life, moving to China to get something going. Yups. You're right! My wife and I are crazy...
Anyway, thanks for your comments and welcome to say more about us if you like either good or points for improvement. But, maybe you need to take a "Cool Lights break." You've been using them once a week now for quite a while and after your two posts here about us on this site, I'd say maybe your a bit tired of them. So, take a break. Maybe they won't seem so bad when you come back to them.
It's okay. So you just thought you'd drop by and tell me about it here in public as opposed to the normal support channel. I described the fix in public too in my previous post to you if you're interested. If it's not worth getting into though, why did you?
We are keeping it real... No one deleted your posts did they? You haven't been censored in any way. Your posts are here to live on for years to come in archives. You got your say and I answered. What's wrong with that? A thread is nothing more than a collection of opinions and everyone has one. My threads are just a bit more colorful and long than some. If you don't like them, just change the channel. And, my message back to you was (and still is): if you want to use a product in unintended ways--great. Go ahead, but don't post reviews on them in public and say they don't hold up and not expect a rebuttal from interested parties. That's a normal reaction from a manufacturer and everyone who's reasonable here understands that. They also know we have a new line coming. You haven't seen them, nor have they. In other words you can't generalize about all our products either as you haven't seen the new ones yet.
Or just use them in a studio as they are the studio models. Or just use fixtures meant for the road.
Is there such a thing as "anti selling"? Let me research that. Maybe I invented a new term there...
Defensive, defensive, who's defensive! Me? Defensive? No way am I defensive! Defensive you say? Impossible!:grin:
I answer lots of questions here and I don't always sell something -- everyone here that's a regular knows that.
I've said many times, "We're crazy here at Cool Lights"! You're just confirming it. Thanks for that. Selling your house, your car, breaking all ties with your old life, moving to China to get something going. Yups. You're right! My wife and I are crazy...
Anyway, thanks for your comments and welcome to say more about us if you like either good or points for improvement. But, maybe you need to take a "Cool Lights break." You've been using them once a week now for quite a while and after your two posts here about us on this site, I'd say maybe your a bit tired of them. So, take a break. Maybe they won't seem so bad when you come back to them.
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
Hi Lenny!
Did you measure the fresnel lens size? I could probably make a new business just in replacing old glass...
cheezweezl
Veteran
yes. to be clear, mine are the "studio" models. but to be even clearer, i don't believe they were called "studio" models when i bought them many many months ago. it seems that the upcoming "portable" models may be the answer to the problems i am talking about. i was never told that they would not make good portable lights when i bought them.
sunporchmedia
Well-known member
I recently used the Flolights from Prompter People. Good construction, reasonably lightweight. Not "portable" models but they looked like they were holding up pretty well on the grip truck. Of course, the gaffer owned his own truck and he babies these lights. Also nearly $180 more expensive than Richard's studio fixtures for a 4 light setup. ($499 vs 319).
The only somewhat comparable flo lights I've seen cheaper than the Cool Lights original "studio" fixtures is the Falconeyes units that are sold on ebay. Not much cheaper than Cool Lights, and impossible to get much of a read on the quality.
The only somewhat comparable flo lights I've seen cheaper than the Cool Lights original "studio" fixtures is the Falconeyes units that are sold on ebay. Not much cheaper than Cool Lights, and impossible to get much of a read on the quality.
cheezweezl
Veteran
i have used these and they are pretty awesome.
http://www.cinemills.com/fluorescent.php
these are nearly identical to the 4 bank select kino's. i rented them and would be interested in purchasing maybe. however i can't find them for sale anywhere and acn't even get a price. if anyone has any insight on this, please share.
http://www.cinemills.com/fluorescent.php
these are nearly identical to the 4 bank select kino's. i rented them and would be interested in purchasing maybe. however i can't find them for sale anywhere and acn't even get a price. if anyone has any insight on this, please share.
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
It really is a small world of what's available here in China for sale. I count 3 companies selling the same fixture now. The Falconeyes models are the same ones being sold by Fotodiox and the non-dimming Flolights models--and what a difference in price too from one to the other. All made here in China. The same place manufactures that new 500 LED panel that Flolights is selling also. The Flolights dimming models however come from Taiwan or their agent in Hong Kong and everything from either of those places is a bit more expensive so that was a reason I rejected that one which I could have also carried. I did a survey of just about everything made in Asia and I really didn't like many of the these models, so I had one made based on my previous prototyping experiences during the making of the Cool Lights Video.
I generally try to find something existing on the open market that can be found reasonably. It's not often the case they can please me with off the shelf stuff though--I'm pretty picky! One thing I didn't like was the lack of a real yoke which makes the most sense for studio use. Try to keep that center of gravity where it belongs. The Falconeyes/Fotodiox/Flolights non-dimming models have got this kind of cheap positioning thing (sort of a baby female adapter on a pivot with a clamping handle to hold it in place) on two different sides so you can mount it horizontally or vertically to a baby stand. Seemed to not be so stable to me as a yoke. Also didn't like the hammered aluminum barndoors although they will make other models for a large enough order.
All the Flolights models would be classed as studio lights as well. In effect, if its metal and has a yoke, its generally, really meant for use in a studio. Powder coating and the road just don't mix all that well unless there's carrying cases involved. Particularly the dimming models as it would be a rare occasion indeed when you need DMX control of dimming in many of the small productions that are done which are probably most commonly interviews.
To my knowledge, there are only two location type fixture competitors on the market (now). Kino's plastic series of Diva and Bank Select and Lowel's Caselite. Soon to enter across from these will be our x55P/PMD series. Filmgear carries something as a competitor to the 2 and 4 foot Bank Select series but there hasn't been major acceptance of it to any great extent. The hallmark of all these units is usually that they avoid powder coating wherever possible, some plastic is involved, they're light weight and they all have alternatives to the classic mounting yoke. Usually the "lollipop" or some variation thereof.
I generally try to find something existing on the open market that can be found reasonably. It's not often the case they can please me with off the shelf stuff though--I'm pretty picky! One thing I didn't like was the lack of a real yoke which makes the most sense for studio use. Try to keep that center of gravity where it belongs. The Falconeyes/Fotodiox/Flolights non-dimming models have got this kind of cheap positioning thing (sort of a baby female adapter on a pivot with a clamping handle to hold it in place) on two different sides so you can mount it horizontally or vertically to a baby stand. Seemed to not be so stable to me as a yoke. Also didn't like the hammered aluminum barndoors although they will make other models for a large enough order.
All the Flolights models would be classed as studio lights as well. In effect, if its metal and has a yoke, its generally, really meant for use in a studio. Powder coating and the road just don't mix all that well unless there's carrying cases involved. Particularly the dimming models as it would be a rare occasion indeed when you need DMX control of dimming in many of the small productions that are done which are probably most commonly interviews.
To my knowledge, there are only two location type fixture competitors on the market (now). Kino's plastic series of Diva and Bank Select and Lowel's Caselite. Soon to enter across from these will be our x55P/PMD series. Filmgear carries something as a competitor to the 2 and 4 foot Bank Select series but there hasn't been major acceptance of it to any great extent. The hallmark of all these units is usually that they avoid powder coating wherever possible, some plastic is involved, they're light weight and they all have alternatives to the classic mounting yoke. Usually the "lollipop" or some variation thereof.
Kelly Olsen
Well-known member
Richard,
C'mon, let it go. I't's turning into a soap opra. Too few hours in life to be spent this way.
C'mon, let it go. I't's turning into a soap opra. Too few hours in life to be spent this way.
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Shawn Philip Nelson
Veteran
I recently bought the FalconEyes 2-bulb model from eBay and was really dang impressed. The mount is not as you described. Interestingly, what the guy sent me was not exactly as shown on the eBay picture, it was better. My light mounts from a yoke, which is cool, so I can position it however I want (tighteners on each side). It was quite the amazing value. $99+$29 S&H and it came with two 3200k OSRAM bulbs and even a padded, zipper-closed carrying case! Also the reflectors were not the "hammered" type, but rather shiny silver. Also the bulbs mount at opposite ends from each other, which helps distribute the light more.
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
Filmgear units are made in China. The only distributor in the USA is Cinemills so you already found the website. You'll have to call for the price. Good luck.
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
As I said, you can get it in other configurations for a large enough order. The yoke and polished mirror barndoors are available as options but the stock config is the one I described. Sounds like falconeyes decided to change to another model.
cheezweezl
Veteran
yeah i tried that. no luck. they don't seem to have any distribution elsewhere either.
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
What? I just answered Mark from Sunporchmedia with a post about all the models and where they come from and I gave information to cheezwhezl where he can find the filmgear models. What's wrong with that?
Cool Lights
DVXuser Sponsor
I wanted to carry it but I found it too pricey. That's why I went my own route. Didn't see any interest in being just a few dollars cheaper than Kino Bank Select Series. We'll eventually have a 6x75w when I can get the time and use our new polycarbonate housings. Hope to also do a 12x55w as well which is like 2 6x55's/
cheezweezl
Veteran
i think your post was more about stating that they are "made in china" than trying to help me locate... it had a negative tone... i have to agree with kelly. you are really taking all this personally.
i have no interest in slamming your product. as i've said at least three times now, I LIKE MY COOLLIGHTS. i know what i paid for them and i know what kino's cost so to me they are worth the money. it's too bad that all you saw from my post was negative stuff.
to be fair, when i wrote my post i was not yet aware of your new "portable" line so it may have sounded like i was generalizing your entire line of products. last time i saw your site, the "studio" models were all you had.
Jason Ramsey
Admin
Oh, my goodness 
Can we get this on topic, or should we just let it go. Getting Too personal back and forth. It's getting to the point that this thing needs to just be closed down and continued in another thread. If we can please shift the tone back towards products and away from individuals, that would be great. Otherwise, I'll just call this one done.
Thanks,
Jason
Can we get this on topic, or should we just let it go. Getting Too personal back and forth. It's getting to the point that this thing needs to just be closed down and continued in another thread. If we can please shift the tone back towards products and away from individuals, that would be great. Otherwise, I'll just call this one done.Thanks,
Jason
Shawn Philip Nelson
Veteran
Yeah guys, lay off on Drewski here, this dude is helping us all. I've never met a more helpful poster. He has a business to run and still answers all kinds of questions that don't directly pertain to it.