Are These Budget Friendly Uplights Worth It? 🤔
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- čas přidán 28. 09. 2022
- Let's talk lighting. In today's video, I'm trying out the BO-RF4 uplights from bothlighting.com. If you're at the beginning stages of your DJ career and searching for uplights that will fit your budget, these lights were made for you.
However, I want to put the BO-RF4 uplights to the ultimate test. What are the pros and cons of buying these uplights? Can the BO-RF4 uplights compete with the Ape Labs Maxi uplights? Watch to find out!
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Great video thanks for the info might have to check these out
Thanks again. Great information. Always looking for an easier way to set the party atmosphere in a room.
Hi Joe,Greetings from Australia. always enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing this one as I have ordered this set and excited to have these in my setup.
Hope you enjoy it!
Saw these on the Both lighting website and wanted to learn more about these!! Thanks for making this!!
Decent little light
Loved the Video as always!!
You do keep it interesting.
I try.
I ordered the same configuration a few days ago! 🙂
Thanks for the great review!
Hope you enjoy it!
You are such a great source of information and example for everyone that is trying to be professional and get the right state of mind for Providing services for very important events in peoples lives. Thank you sir
I appreciate that.
Thanks for taking the hit these ones Joe. I was looking at these a month or two ago but ultimately went with a wedge style. Only three lights but gets the job done really well and I can verify that they're charging unlike my old ones.
These are good for the money.
Thanks for the real treatment and straight to the point info 👊🏽👊🏽
always
Love it! Love your stuff Joe :)
Thank you!
Just bought 8 of these from DJ Rick Weber! Great video - love the content! 🔥🙌
Killing as usual Joe.
Light murdering.
Thanks for the video. I’m looking to purchase 8 of them.
I got the Rockville version I’m using them at a wedding next weekend
Great video, I really appreciate all help with new DJs. I’m just getting started and don’t have the $ for all the top of the line gear.
Happy to help my man!
This is a good entry point.
Hey - found the owners manual for the Rockville RF-1 - same as the Both RF-1 and RF-4. It shows 10 DMX channels. I set up on my ADJ Airstream DMX with Donner transmitter on channel 1 - everything works nicely. Very useful when programming jumps, fades and strobe functions with my other uplights. Just had to move my moving head from channel 1 and reprogram it to a higher channel. Highly recommend.
Can you activate sound mode via DMX?
@@Realdjheisenberg Yes - DMX channel 9, Value 201-255
Thanks for reviewing knockoffs and telling us the name of the original. I was thinking of getting a Rockville up light but they only have one light.
Joe I love it I love your stuff
Thank you!
Got some of these last week. I actually discovered that they are compatible with the Donner wireless DMX transmitters and the Rockville Rockwedges. Guess that protocol is standardized.
Yep, they work with the Donner for sure, but gotta mess around with them.
Hi Joe, Thanks for this and all your videos. Is there any danger to having them charged in that closed box? Also, do you have any videos on setting up DMX lighting correctly?
yes, the box would get too hot. Leave it open. I don't know DMX well. I send folks to soundswitchcoach.com and he does.
You had me at battery operated! Love portable power!! Hate plugs!!
For sure
I have been looking to reduce kit size for my DJ and these would fit that requirement. However, the lack of individual DMX addressability is a deal breaker for me. These would work fine for mood lighting and some general sound active functions, but I prefer each fixture to be controllable. This really seems like it would be fairly easy to implement. Some changes to the firmware, then use the remote to set the address when in DMX mode.
Totally agree
Just been in contact this week with Both lighting about these Joe. I’m in the UK and price is / was good before the £ went to shit 😂
I use 12 APE labs coins 6 cans and tubes but wanted an affordable “room” uplight that if any went missing I wouldn’t be quite as bummed. As i found with one of my APE cans. Was waiting for a review. Thanks 🤟
They're good for the price. They aren't even close to Apes.
I didn't see the link to contact Both Lighting. Also do Vault members get any discounts?
Joe Bunn for the effing win again! I really wanted these in a bad way. But I like my chases and walking the room with lights. Losing that capability was a solid no for me. I also thought about using them for static washes. Again, a no because there's no way to program a specific color to match a client's theme. Thank you for the amazing content, as always. Cheers brother!
Always get what you pay for.
Just connect these to a DMX control to get any color you need.
Is there a retailer in the U.S. that carries the BO-RF4 lights, or do you order direct from Both Lighting in China?
Thank you Joe! Were you not allowed to mention the cost?
I love it
Hey Joe great lights and yes only one dmx channel. You can purchase a Rockville Wireless DMX controller and run these lights with the DMX controller.... it works they talk to each other and with the controller you can adjust the color of the lights add more or less yellow as you mentioned in your review. I hope that helps. It works for me and it works for DJ 2 legit. He has a youtube channel for whom I have to give credit to for this great hack. You can simply us the wireless DMX dongles they sell from China and attach the transmitter to a DMX controller and it will work as well....... give it a shot. Cheers!
Nice tips!
No pricing info?? I haven't bought the Ape Labs lights because they are SO expensive, even compared to ADJ & Chauvet fixtures. I'm guessing these are a lot less, but I am curious.
Hey Joe, Great video! I've been contemplating purchasing a set of these for rentals. I'm not a huge fan of the top design either ... How'd the wrap come out on it? I'd love to have the top wrapped as well!
Not so great. Peeled off as soon as they slid into case.
@@DJJoeBunn Got you ... thank you for the response!
Nice case mod! I'd be worried about charging them with the lid closed, though. Having the lid open would allow a little ventilation to release the heat from charging.
I said numerous times not to close it charging.
@@DJJoeBunn Ah, I missed it, sorry!
The trick I use for getting my battery power uplights is to adjust the intensity in soundswitch when they are in static looks to about 50-75% instead of blasting them at 100% the whole time. That’s the best part about DMXing any light show, even the wash fx lights or movers, full powered brightness can be toned down to not over power the rooms you work in.
Great tip.
That is how I gain more longevity in my lights to. I use a different brand that has a menu . So if I'm using several colors, I lower the percentage to not drain the battery as quickly.
Example: my lights use a number system 0-255 . So if I want a lavender.
I might set blue at 180 and red at 85
I get more time than just maxing out the colors.
I have been using Ape Maxis in the past but just purchased 4 cases of these. I have learned that you can turn on a light at a time or a group of lights and set a color, then turn them off and do another light or group a different color and turn on the first ones and get a two or three etc. color setup. I did this with them all in remote mode. I suggested to Both that they create a box like the W-App so they could group them and have the ability to really control the color. You might mention this to them as well considering they are more likely to listen to you.
Hey man, how much were they?
@@mikev2464 Something like $700 a case. Not sure what they are now.
@@brentwatts4080 Thanks! And I totally get prices can change depending on quantity and other factors, just wanted a round about cost. I really appreciate it!!👊
They don't listen to me. I'm not as influential as you think lol
@@DJJoeBunn It would be nice though.
Hello sir I just want to ask one question. I am the point of my setup of where I'm trying to figure out which is more important to invest in 1st up lighting around the room or Totem with spotlight on the dance floor I have wash lights already.
Easy one. Uplighting. You will make your money back so fast.
You mentioned that the indicator was turning red at the end of your event. How long were they turned on before the battery indicator turned red?
Maybe 6-8 hours for me?
Can you do a video on how to set these up to sound switch?
They're already gone lol
@@DJJoeBunn oh no you got rid of the lights already. What are you using now?
@@JoeNardi Both Lighting, s6
I primarily use the S6 right now, and then when dancing starts switch over to Sound-mode and go between the various sound modes and effects. How do these function in sound mode? Is it just 1 sound mode setting?
Just one. It's ok. Again, they are not Apes. Never will be.
There are a couple different sound modes if you use DMX and not just the remote
Thanks for the review! Can you tell us the total weight (case & lights)?
I didn't actually weight them, sorry.
@@DJJoeBunn Thank you Joe. Keep that good work !
Hello. Question,... I watched this video and you said that these do not work with SoundSwitch too well. When you say that, you mean, that you can only do simple things when connected to SoundSwitch? Would you recommend any other low budget lights that work with SoundSwitch better?
They updated them and they work amazing. Called Both Lighting IR4. Make sure to use my link: bothlightingusa.com/joebunn
The elephant never leaves the room we just ignore it
are they DMXable- easily? you mentioned that you had to finagle them to work with soundswitch- i love ape labs...but the main reason I don't do them is because they don't natively support DMX....is that kind of the story with these?
Yes but it's only 1 channel.
Hey Joe, thanks for putting them through their paces, have 16 coming next week. Could you link Brian Smith's contact, hoping to get them going with Soundswitch!
His contact information has been added to the description above! 👍
soundswitchcoach.com
I usually love your videos, but I have to say this one is mislabeled. You talk about budget, but never mention the price of anything. I click the link and no price either, I have to send an inquiry to a salesperson. This should be labeled as a product review, because it's an excellent product review. However, done label it budget related, when a dollar budget is never spoken of...
@@DJRickWeb Thanks!! Definitely fits my budget, that's an awesome price considering the prices of Chauvet, Ape Maxis, etc. Awesome!!!👍
Just received one case and I use the donner dongle and sound switch on my prime go and prime 4, and they are great so far.
Good to hear!
Are these DMX addressable? Look promising.
They are not addressable. They will only work on DMX 001. As well as only one wireless channel option.
1 channel. No menu.
How was range on them? Didn't see anything to mention that.
At 1/2 or less of the price of other models this could be a great option for budget guys.
Battery life? I didn't do a proper test sadly. Ask Rick Web, he seems to be the expert these days.
@@DJJoeBunn Nah, remote range. For guys who don't have a lot of cash they could be good options, as most don't do more than one channel anyway.
They should, but don't.
Would you be willing to share the link to your sticker company? Would like to look into the branding option.
I think those are stickermule.com?
@@DJJoeBunn did you send stickermule the dims for the light cutouts or did you have a local to you sticker shop make the stickers for the top of the lights?
@@djjeremyb I think I just said send me a waterproof like 1.5" x 1.5" sticker
@@DJJoeBunn Ah, it looked like it was a sticker that covered the whole top. That’s sir!
Can you provide a rough cost for two cases?
I saw someone post them a couple days ago 600 hundred dollars.
how would you go about having multiple lights on separate dmx channels?
you wouldn't. These aren't it.
Unless you guys aren't cool with each other anymore (which is fine if not) I'm surprised you also didn't mention that Dj Rick Web also sold these here in the US.
Hmmmm I believe Rick Webb said the battery on these were just as good as the battery on the S4, but you say the battery is not good. I'm confused now and I just ordered some based off of Rick's review.
I didn't really do an in-studio test. Just at a gig.
@@DJJoeBunn It's cool. Rick says his testing got 9-11 hours of battery life out of them. If that's the case, then I'll be good! 😁
There’s no way you’re gonna throw away 63 white wireless DMX BOTH lights that you already have and.. well. You might.
You don't know me that well then lol.
He will sell them….
What are the led tubes shown at the reception?
Astera AX1
Do the Ape Labs lights work with SoundSwitch?
I think they do if you have the WAPP
How would you dmx them with soundswitch?
Out of my skillset. www.soundswitchcoach.com
Hey Joe
How many hours you got on the light
@@DJRickWeb thanks, for replying beeing following Joe and your videos.
Am actually in Trinidad in the Caribbean.
6-8 hours
We are no to far, I’m in Puerto Rico. Caribbean too.
If it's not DMX, how do you connect to SS?
It is DMX on the cyan channel but it’s always on the red channel and always on channel 001. No custom channels
I said this in the video. 1 channel DMX. Cyan.
Unless I missed it, you didn’t mention how many hours you actually got out of them. You just said that near the end of the event the red lights were coming on. 4 hours? 5 hours? Thanks for the video! May consider them. But yeah they need to work on their branding and model names. Both lighting is a horrible name. Both what? 🤷🏻♂️
I didn't really do a proper test. Ask Rick Web.
Link to Brian Smith?
Brian Smith's contact information has been attached in the description above!
soundswitchcoach.com
It feeling like you didn't want to do this video 😂😂😂😂
COST ??????? You say budget? but no price.
Ape Labs are simple too much…I can’t get brides to commit to uplighting so if I do add uplights to my lighting arsenal…it will be in one of my packages….
Ape are pricey for sure.
Mayve don't show them how simple it is to use?