Part 2: ... GVM 650B Pro is not what was promised.

This time I have another 600W light (Aputure 600D) to compare to GVM 650B Pro.
And it does not look good for GVM.
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Lighting:
Aputure 600D:
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Aputure 600X Pro:
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Aputure 600C Pro:
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GVM 650B Pro :D :
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Olympus 17mm F1.8 (MFT Lens):
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[@JoATTech]

I have inspected closely the box the GVM 650B Pro been send in. And it got original GVM tape around it. Does not look like Amazon repackaged. It's is still possible it's amazon return since it was send from Polish warehouse which might be actually GVM owned. Or this might be a demo unit which they repurposed for sale. The scratches on the ballasts suggest it is not brand new, unless they do not have protective foil on the displays and the scratches are from the production process (I doubt it).

[@SystemParanoia]

I didn't realise only the 600d pro was weatherproof, and not the regular 600d as well. Good to know!

[@JoATTech]

600x pro and 600c pro are also water resistant, but actually aputure gives a bit different rating for 600d pro (they say it's light rain resistant). Also ballasts for these lights share the same resistance as the heads. 600d pro ballast is also a charger for v-mount batteries ... not a case for 600d. And 600d pro got 0.1% increments while 600d just 1%. But DMX implementation is better for 600d (non-pro) :D

[@kingdom001_]

Bi-color lights are usually only a little over b\half the strength of the monocolor version. So the results you're getting make sense. GVM probably wrongfully posted the results from a mono-color D version.

[@JoATTech]

Not really half. They are usually 10-30% less powerful when they are rated the same electrical power. Aputure 600D is 22000lux at 1m (5600K) and Aputure 600X (bi-color) is 16040 lux (1m 5600K). But GVM actually make the marketing case claiming their 650W bi-color light is as powerful as 600W daylight from competition. I've seen 5+ reviews on YT with this claim repeated over and over again. And actually in one of the reviews the reviewer measured 21600 lux (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGSQaHVqepykmsU) ... So they either lie on purpose about the output (I doubt it since there results above) or my unit is just different (older) model or it's broken.

[@Kaotix_music]

yes, this is true. Bi color lights will not have the same lux values as a daylight light. Thats not to say stop buying bi-color lights because youre not getting enough output, they will still get really bright because bi-color lights I have really come in handy but its something to keep in mind. If you want a DUMB bright light? Don't get it in a bi-color offering. Get it in daylight and buy some gels

[@Honestandbrokecameraguy]

The thing is 600X is 1200W power draw because 600W for each group of emitters. 650B is only 650W power draw. Either way I agree GVM shady​@@JoATTech

[@JoATTech]

@@Honestandbrokecameraguy Aputure claims max power draw for 600x is 720W. And Andrew never got more thant 669W kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2mlZHSZj9ypbsk And Nanlite Forza 720B max power draw is 800W, while outputing 24770 lx at 1m at 5600K So 650B 21600lx is kinda suspicious although someone got that reading in YT review.

[@marinrealestatephotography]

Thanks for the review. The prices look good but seems too risky.

[@JoATTech]

I kinda doubt this light can output 21600 lux. Because 600W bi color lights usually output 15k lux (like Aputure 600X) and Nanlite Forza 720B real output is 21000 lux. So if you think 14000 lux is enough for you (as measured with 650B Pro) then it is actually 2,5 times cheaper then competition bi-color lights. Seems like good deal. I checked the quality of this light in my newest video :D

[@videopromike]

Perhaps they have given you a 400d or similar and put it in the wrong housing. They need to fix this for you, without a doubt.

[@JoATTech]

Yeah, I thought the same, cause this light performance is like 400B Pro, not 650B Pro. Their customer support is not very helpful unfortunately.

[@NickDelDuca]

Hmm interesting. I just got a GVM 650B used from B&H for $600, It did indeed come with the lens yours is missing. It seems super bright to me but I don't have a light meter and nothing to compare it to. I am able to expose a shot with a window in the background using a large softbox however the modifier has to be pretty close to the subject, basically as close as it can get without being in the frame.

[@JoATTech]

Do you have any curtains in the window or it's just fully transparent glass? I tried to do it with my GVM 650B and it's not possible. Tried today with Aputure 600D, and as you describe, softbox as close as possible but just out of the frame and it works like a charm even without any curtains in the window. (I had to use 5-6 stops of ND to have the window exposed correctly). So looks like your unit might generate full output (if you do not have any curtains). So for 600$ is a fantastic deal :D

[@NickDelDuca]

@@JoATTech No curtains just a bare window during the day. The window does not have direct sunlight. I will have to try it again with a larger window and see how well it does. Maybe I can make a video. I honestly haven't used the light much. I've only set it up twice. I tested it in my office the first day I got it against the window and I used it once for a photoshoot at a studio. At the studio I only had to use it at like 15% output though so that wasn't really a good test of it's capabilities. I just bought it because the price was so good and I figured I would eventually need it for something.

[@JoATTech]

@@NickDelDuca Make a video, I want to see it :D I've tested GVM650B vs the window and Aputure 600D too. But the tests were during different time so it's hard to compare them. I would try to compare them both at the same times of the day. Once when I got direct sunlight in the window (but not Sun itself) and then later when the sun is only reflected from the sky and clouds. But based on what I've seen so far Aputure seems like ~1 stop brighter.

[@brettalexander.studio]

You should probably compare the 600x with the 650bpro. Bi color vs daylight fixture dont make much sense?

[@JoATTech]

But they specifically make the marketing case, their bi-color is as strong as competition daylight. There are plenty of reviews, which say that phrase. And their specs say that 650B is as powerful as 600D so only reasonable decisions is to buy 650B instead of competition 600W light :D. It's even a bit cheaper than Aputure 600D. I actually made my purchase based on this claim. BTW, 600x is less powerful on paper, but would be a bit more powerful than my 650B unit :D.

[@Kaotix_music]

@@JoATTech yes that doesnt take away that absolute false marketing of the product. Bi-color lights DO have less output...but don't straight up lie to the customer

[@JoATTech]

@@Kaotix_music I'm not sure it's the case, since some reviewers of this unit measured 21600lux (or so). I think my unit is just broken or some kind of the older model which has lower output. Or they got few demo units with high output and the rest is trash like mine :D. Still waiting for any reasonable answer from GVM support.

[@brettalexander.studio]

@@Kaotix_music even top name brands have bad batches happen man. It doesn't mean they are blatantly lying 🤥.

[@brettalexander.studio]

@@JoATTech I always buy their products thru Amazon because their CS isn't very prompt or helpful in my experience unfortunately. I still like their products tho and think they can't be beat in terms of value for output.