Lume Cube released the updated RGB Panel Pro 2.0. About the size of a smartphone, it produces high-quality RGB and white light.
Note: Lume Cube sent us the RGB Panel Pro 2.0 to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this product are our own.
Pros
- Small yet bright, whether using CCT or RGB
- With a CRI of 96+, the light holds detail
- Simple to use, particularly through the Lume Control app
- Classy, durable build and design
- Charges via USB and includes a high-quality braided charging cable instead of a cheap cable
- Offers a meaningful estimate of the remaining power based on the current setting rather than a tiny segmented bar.
Cons
- The panel’s LCD’s blue lettering is difficult to see in bright sunlight (this would be good reason to use the Lume Control app instead)
- It lacks magnetic attraction
- It’s expensive
Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0 — Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications for the Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0 are from the official Lume Cube website.
- Panel Pro 2.0 vs. Original Panel Pro — 11% brighter bi-color | 400% brighter RGB | 10% more Lumens | 96+ CRI vs. 90+ CRI | 20% longer battery life | wider temperature range 2700K — 7500K vs. 3200 — 5600K | new green/magenta tint control | more durable design | built-in power bank | brand new app
- Dimensions — 6? (width) x 3.14? (height) x .43? (depth)
- Full Spectrum RGB Colors — Over 16 million color options, allowing you to transform any photo or video shoot effortlessly
- 204 LEDs — Powerful high-quality LED lights
- 2700K — 7500K Color Temperature — Set the mood or maintain true-to-life skin tones in any environment
- 835 lux at .5 meters — Ensures well-lit, detailed shots with enhanced clarity and definition
- 595 Lumens — Provides the optimal level of brightness to illuminate you or your subject in unpredictable lighting conditions
- 96+ CRI Rating — Impeccable color accuracy ensures that you or your subject appear natural and vibrant
- Lume Control App — Bluetooth control of your Panel Pro 2.0, including a Photo Eyedropper to match your light to any color with one touch.
- Pre-Programmed Special Effects — Seven pre-programmed special effects, with 10 stepless speed settings for each
- Rechargeable Lithium Battery — Up to 4 hours at 50% power and 2 hours at 100% power
- Dynamic Run Time Updates — Battery run time will automatically update as you change settings
- Camera Mount — Compatible with Nikon / Sony / Canon / Fuji / Panasonic DSLR cameras. (author: yes, it fits Pentax cameras too!)
- Diffusion Lens (Included) — To soften your light and add dimension
- Power Bank Functionality — 16.72 Wh Battery Capacity with a 12.54 Wh Output can charge an iPhone Pro Max ~ 0.8 times (up to about 80%) or a regular iPhone ~1 full charge
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Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0 — Ergonomics and build quality
Ergonomics
The light is easy to hold or mount. There are two threaded 1/4?-20 holes so you may screw this on to a tripod or other stand. You may also attach this to a camera via the included cold shoe mount. All switches are easy to use, even with large hands.
Build quality
The light has a classy build and finish to it, partially due to its one-piece aluminum housing. The buttons and switch feel solid and do not wiggle. The light panel is the approximate size and weight of a smartphone. At 6? x 3.14? x 0.43?, it is almost the same size as an iPhone 14 Pro in a case.
This small light delivers a 595 Lumen output and 96+ CRI for excellent color accuracy. The 204 LEDs packed into this light are rather bright, especially in RGB mode.
Instead of the cheapest possible charging cable, Lume Cube sent a quality braided cable with rubber shielding to reduce the area where the cable meets the connector from being bent and broken.
RGB Panel Pro 2.0 vs. the previous model
The RGB Panel Pro 2.0 is 11% brighter in CCT ((Correlated Color Temperature) mode and 400% brighter in the RGB function. Its battery life is 20% longer. The CCT mode is wider now, ranging from 2700K — 7500 Kelvin vs. 3200 — 5600 Kelvin. It also has tint control and a more durable design.
Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0 — In the field
Mounting options
Because it is the size of a smartphone, I found that I was also able to mount it on a selfie stick or tripod with a smartphone mount. Of course, you can use it with a stand, tripod, or hot shoe mount as well. Because of this flexibility in mounting it, the RGB Panel Pro 2.0 is very easy to use for a variety of situations, including product photography.
Diffuser
I’ve used some light panels where the diffuser was difficult to remove. This is particularly aggravating when you’re photographing at night.
Not so with this one. The snap-on diffuser is very easy to remove, and even easier to put on. The diffuser works well like any frosted white plastic you may have used before.
Battery life
The light features a rechargeable lithium battery. Lume Cube states that the battery lasts for 2 hours at maximum (100%) power, and about 4 hours at 50% power. The battery life indicator is also accurate down to the minute, so you can estimate how long you can go at a given setting. This is a fantastic feature, far more useful than battery indicators that only have four or five-segmented indicators.
The unit can also function as a power bank, charging a cellphone. This is a feature I ordinarily wouldn’t use, but if faced with a compelling reason to do so, it’s nice to know that it can do this.
Video and podcasting
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“,”link_href”:null,”link_target”:”_self”,”link_rel”:null,”attributes”:{“data-mgl-id”:”188390″,”data-mgl-width”:”1600″,”data-mgl-height”:”2133″},”orientation”:”i”}]” data-atts=”{“ids”:”188395,188390″}”>The light can be used for creating videos or video podcasting. With its pleasing white light and diffuser, you could certainly use it to illuminate yourself by mounting it to the camera or on a tripod or stand nearby.
You could also use it to create interesting color effects (presumably in back of you, but hey, if you want this flashing in your face, you do you!). This includes the various effects it has, including Lightning, Fire, Candle, Siren, and TV. Set this up in the background to add interest to your video podcasts or creative Zoom meetings.
Furthermore, you may use the light while powering it via USB-C.
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