A Budget Ape Light Alternative? Are They The Same, But Cheaper?

Plus Ape Light Tune-Up, battery replacement and my stolen lighting solution

[@Ziggy_v2]

Ape Labs for me - I was purchasing about 1 maxi per month until the chip shortage. I was up to 7 lights - now you can't find the new or the old Maxis anywhere. Thanks for this video.

[@jamesmoore6756]

So I just bought 16 used cans with the old battery type. I was surprised that they held regular AA and figured it was a mod the original owner did. Glad to find out is was not. So two of them were not holding a charge. So I bought a few types of rechargeable AA. They all worked but did not give the life that the original batteries offer. But they lasted a good 7-8hrs. After seeing the other comment about lithium batteries so I will give them a shot.

[@justinfank5262]

With Both Lighting you can set them up to where one is master and the rest are a slave. I have the uplights that I use, and they are for the most part really easy to set up. When I do sound mode I have 2 of the uplights at my table while one is a master. I can control all of my uplights just through that one single light. Now these new ones I’m pretty sure are around the same style setup as the master slave as the uplights, but they are seriously simple to use.

[@juliusschrenk1942]

Thank you brian

[@superdad8274]

Thank you for info. May i ask how much these lights cost?

[@djchrisdisc]

Those batteries should be good, I know you can find 3200-3400 mAh Ni-Mh AA's. A great way to lock down the screws a little from loosening over time is on your first maintenance use LockTite Threadlocker on the threads of the screws. Your usage of the Abe Cans are incredible. You are already providing the next level of lighting to your clients, you make if simple and very effective for what you are wanting to achieve. No reason to do more unless the client requests and asks if you can do more.

[@superdad8274]

Why would you purchase these vs the chauvet freedom par hex which are also wifi? Thanks!!

[@bisdakis1807]

DJ's and Musicians are mostly artists. Meaning we lean more to what satisfy us artistically than what is good for business. As a musician, I'll go for Ape Labs. But from a business point of view, Both uplights is the smarter choice.

[@djkeithjust]

The ape labs battery pack sold requires no soldering with the old cans.Just up plug the plastic battery holder and plug the new pack in.

[@DjCraighowarth]

Tbh i got a UK price on the Both RF4 copies. While they’re a lot cheaper than the APE I’m pretty sure I’ll be buying a couple of sets of APE maxi’s next year. I have 5 cans and 12 coins love them and just want stuff to work as a it should so don’t mind paying for quality.

[@michaelcossey8929]

Craig, where did you purchase the Both RF4s in the UK?

[@DjCraighowarth]

@@michaelcossey8929 you don’t. Need to order from both lighting direct!

[@osvaldosantos8670]

Thanks you for your honest reviews. I’m new on Djing (at my 55y). Looking for ambient and dance floor lights. I’m between Both lightning vs Ape Lightcans. With Both lights is easier for ROI but isn’t the same quality and effects of the Apes. I have two questions, first it’s better to buy the Ape Lightcan V1 instead of V2 because it’s easier to change battery? And second question is how can I use the Lightcan create a dance floor light, ideas? Saw a few videos using speakers stand with Lightcan and Maxi on the dance area.

[@villanousspyder405]

I don't think the cans are bright enough UNLESS you have the W-APP, and or you put them on the mode where it just changes colors to the beat on the remote. I own 24 Cans, and 4 Maxis . When I firsr got to use them I took them to a party where it was basically the only source of light, and it was pretty dark when I had them on raimbow chase mode on the remote but when I changed it to where it just changes colors to the beat it was a huge night, and day difference, and they did the job pretty well.

[@osvaldosantos8670]

@@villanousspyder405 Thanks for your advice. Do you use the Maxis for the dance area?

[@martinrohleder6714]

I don‘t know the prices in the States, but in Europe V1 and V2 are close in prices, so i would Go definitelly for V2, because of the amber Color, the higher Brightness and the 15 degree Lens. Also the Existenz V1 are the SE Type (like Brian‘s White ones) with the Battery packs, which are Identität to V2. Pricewise the Spares are Not much More expansive than the Single batteries, but the last longer, so for me they are the better Solution. But you can buy the old battery Adapters as spare Part, which should also fit for V2 (Not testest, because I still wait for mine).

[@villanousspyder405]

@@osvaldosantos8670 For sure, no problem! Do you mean on a Truss? Or just.close by the dance area? I want to try, and put them on a truss whenever I have the chance. I have all kinds of lighting ideas I want to do with them. Like buying the swivel for the can, and sticking them on Maxis hanging from a Truss or buying 12 Ape Labs Tubes + extension aa well as an extra lens to be able to stick an extra can at the top, and maybe buy some weights to make sure the tubes don't move.

[@chriswerner6557]

I purchased the Ape Labs lighting 1 year ago, nothing but amazement by clients and easy to set up and use. Reliable for starters, but Music Mode, nobody compares to this feature. All the different lights from the coins, sticks, cans, maxi, and mini, are all impressive. Nobody can duplicate this product. Sorry China!!! If Ape Labs EVER come out with moving heads. . . . . I'M ALL IN. Thanks Brian for all you wisdom

[@djchrisdisc]

My only thing about Ape Labs, if they can provided a bridge device to control them with a DMX connection, wired or Wireless I would be all in. Theirs so many times I need the lighting to switched at an instant, I don't want to forget to change a flashing or quick changing efx to a solid/stationary lighting or even off. Hence DMX scene selection in DMX programing with a one button toggling set up. Yes, I know a lot of prep work, but when done you are now above most with my mind at ease.

[@DayNNyteDJs]

@@djchrisdisc I think you can do that in the W-App. Not positive, but I know it has a lot of features. I run mine with the included little remote.

[@DJJunkfoodJay]

I use Rockville Wedges. They last over 10+ hours, wireless dmx, sound, multicolor, strobe etc. They were $100 each and weigh only 3 pounds each.

[@masterpdj2623]

What DMX controller are you using?

[@DJ2Legit007]

Same here! Loveeeee my Rockwedges!

[@DJJunkfoodJay]

@@masterpdj2623 no dmx controller, I use the remote controls they came with. I like the simplicity.

[@Nogi-aka-DJNugz]

You can use those in your old cans

[@djsteveslick7067]

they should work just fine

[@oldschooldjernie]

SUPPORT US LIGHTING COMPANIES. THEY EMPLOY OUR CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES. Buying Both or Ape labs is your decision but like most merch, I try to buy from US companies like Chauvet, ADJ, Blizzard, etc. Chauvet is in Burbank CA and Florida, ADJ is in Los Angeles, Blizzard is in Wisconsin.

[@skiddz17]

But don’t they source from China?

[@masterpdj2623]

Rockville has them too. I just returned all 30 of them as you can not control them from a distance as the RF remote is junk and you can't DMX them even in 001 channel as they told me I could. Would've been great if they worked but they don't. Maybe if you're just starting they be ok

[@Andrew20000]

Both Lighting manufacturers for Rockville, all Rockville does is have Both print their name on it, and then they charge more. You can DMX them, not sure why it didn't work for you, but we use Chauvet ShowXpress and solely use DMX mode.

[@djthomas325]

I have a set of knock offs. And they switch pretty easy. You master one then slave the rest wireless. You just control one. From a small venue to a 5000sq. Get a good 8-10 hours. I control fades strobe color etc. Easy to use and affordable. Plus I can change battery’s without solder Down the line.

[@jamesmoore6756]

So can you set them master slave and choose a solid color and they all do it?

[@billpatterson9361]

What brand are you using? Interested for sure if it's wireless and only have to control one.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Which set. Brand? Help us out here please

[@djerniet350]

@@jamesmoore6756 yes

[@borg386]

Too expensive!

[@Skudaproductions]

Never buy any light with the batteries soldered to the fixture. Also, IMO the fixtures should not look like a toy out of a cereal box. I personally keep trackers inside my uplights and only use Chauvet Freedoms.

[@briansredd]

The batteries were not soldered to the fixture. The group of batteries are "welded" together, which creates a pack that plugs into the fixture. Most battery powered lights, or battery powered anything rechargeable uses this same technique

[@ladjkaoz]

👎you get for what you paid for... I love my pac they may cost 4x and weight as much but they do work... about 3 yrs not a problem yet and are IP56.

[@mcentertainmentiom]

rick webb sells the both lighting products, he will want to sell them so offcourse he will say they are good and to buy them as he will make money from them! clever marketing!

[@cedricjones1736]

Did you even watch the video?

[@briansredd]

Rick was very honest about the light's capabilities in his video.

[@timbates1155]

Toooooo much rambling just compare lights

[@paiddj3397]

Ape is like Apple. They aren't really better for the extra you pay but they have a name following.

[@GravesGREECE]

What do you mean they arent really better for the extra pay? 😂because both are lights (ape vs china made) and both are laptops (mac vs any windows machine) doesnt mean that they are the same. You forget about the most important thing.... the software and build quality. No windows machine, no chinese uplight can compare with those mate. I would start learning a bit more about technical details if i was you before start commenting random things without the knowledge. Its 2024, the "they look the same, so must be the same, and all of you are spending extra money for the branded one you are stupid" has to stop😅Also, every company that "has a name following" that means that they are good on what they are doing, dont you think?

[@timbates1155]

Toooooo much rambling just compare lights