RGBLAC COB Light with Room for Improvement Review Nanlite Forza 60c
Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at the Nanlite Forza 60c, an RGB ACL COB LED light designed for creators seeking flexible, color-controllable lighting. This Review Nanlite Forza 60c will unpack the good, the bad, and the quirks that come with this unique light.
1. First Impressions: Reflector Design
The Forza 60c includes a reflector that, at a glance, resembles the higher-powered Evoke 1200W LED light. While it looks impressive, the reflector's performance falls short, creating a noticeable "onion" pattern around the light beam. For those after a clean, even beam, the FL-11 Fresnel attachment is a recommended upgrade. It includes four-leaf barndoors that allow more precise control over the light spread, creating a smoother and more consistent beam. However, the original reflector’s main advantage is its lightweight nature, perfect for overhead rigging where minimal weight is critical.
2. Design Flaws: Locking Knob
The locking knob mechanism is a peculiar aspect of the Forza 60c’s build. The knob includes a small internal spring that doesn’t seem to serve a functional purpose, actually complicating the process of tightening the knob. Removing the spring improved the knob’s usability, and the mechanism worked flawlessly afterward.
3. Fan Noise: Inconsistent and Distracting
The fan noise is one of the Forza 60c’s major drawbacks. The sound levels fluctuate irregularly, sometimes producing a low hum, other times a higher-pitched whine that can be distracting on set. Despite being a relatively low-powered LED, the fan noise is louder than that of many higher-wattage lights, such as 300-watt models, which could hinder usage in quiet shooting environments.
4. Dimming Performance
A standout feature of the Forza 60c is its ability to dim accurately down to 1%. While this works well within the app in RGBW mode, issues arise below 15% brightness, where light output becomes unstable, particularly in HSI mode. CCT mode performs well until brightness drops below 40%, at which point the color temperature shifts, with greens especially susceptible to color instability.
5. Glitches in Color Accuracy
The color control modes in the Forza 60c offer flexibility, but with some notable issues. In CCT mode, changing the Kelvin value can result in unintended shifts in color balance, particularly green-magenta shifts around specific points (like from 4100K to 4000K and 4900K to 5000K). Similarly, desaturating colors in HSI mode results in an unstable white point of around 7000K, only reaching around 70% of the output available in CCT mode.
6. Battery Powering and Settings Memory
The Forza 60c struggles with memory consistency. When powered by a battery, accidental depletion can cause a full factory reset. In HSI mode, any settings, such as hue, are lost once the light is turned off, requiring a time-consuming recalibration each time the light is reactivated.
7. App Control vs. Onboard Control
Nanlite’s mobile app offers additional control options, such as RGBW and XY modes, unavailable on the onboard interface. The app’s RGBW mode allows for precise RGB color tweaking but suffers from some major flaws. For example, activating the white light in RGBW mode defaults to a 5600K tone with an overpowering magenta cast, rendering it nearly unusable. For a balanced output, set all RGB values to 255 without the white light, resulting in a more stable white point at around 7000K.
XY coordinate mode could be promising for color adjustments, but full saturation is often unattainable, especially with reds and blues. Additionally, the app’s functionality is one-way only, meaning any changes made on the light itself won’t sync back to the app. Reconnecting the app also forces the light to jump back to the last saved app setting, often requiring manual readjustments and re-links that slow down the workflow considerably.
8. Wishlist for Improvements
While the Forza 60c offers innovative features, several upgrades would elevate it to the next level:
RGB ACL Mode: This would enable finer spectral control, enhancing color accuracy.
Enhanced Onboard Controls: Additional options, including RGBW, XY, and finer effects adjustments, would reduce reliance on the app.
Hue Range Customization: A hue loop feature would allow skipping between hues without covering the entire spectrum.
Conclusion
Despite being a compact RGB ACL light with some impressive capabilities, the Forza 60c has room for improvement. The bugs, particularly with color accuracy, fan noise, and app functionality, need to be addressed to bring it up to a professional standard. With these changes, the Forza 60c could become a compelling choice for filmmakers and photographers alike, providing high-quality, versatile lighting in a lightweight package. Until then, it remains a unique but imperfect addition to Nanlite’s lineup.
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