*edit* This used to be a negative comment (for the light), but i tried it on a shoot last week and i loved it. the fact that its all in one, no cables at all, perfect color and enough output (spotted up) to get some sparkle during the day is just super handy, and it reminded me how much i used to love working with this type of light (dedo turbo 7 was my absolute workhorse for a while). the reason i stopped taking small leds on jobs is that i almost exclusively rent my equipment, and a light like this is only a little bit cheaper to rent, than a larger light of the 300w range, so i stopped renting them in favor of bigger lights. i now just straight up bought a nanliite 60c so i will now always have a nice, smal, full color fresnel with me.
I love Astera’s lights and their ecosystem/app. I’m already pretty heavy into Astera with the AX3’s, AX5’s and Titan Tubes, so I jumped when I saw the Pluto’s introduced last year and finally got the two light set earlier this year(everything that shipped last year had already been allocated, so I couldn’t get a set until the 2nd batch hit). They are well designed, with nice features and beautifully built, but every time that I’ve used them, I’ve gotten the battery overheating warning(even when on the power adapter). So far, nothing has happened like the fixtures shutting down or dimming(that I’ve noticed) while being used with the warning active, but it’s kind of disconcerting, as it doesn’t seem like it should be a regular occurrence, especially on a product of this caliber and intended use cases. I do wish they were more powerful, but you can’t have it all and it’s nice to be able to fit two high-quality battery powered fresnels into a single milk crate.
Thank you so much for your kind words about our products! We're thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying them. We’d like to address your concern and provide some reassurance. The message you're seeing isn’t an overheat warning; it's simply a temperature notification. The fixture is completely safe to use. The notification is just letting you know that the fixture is running hot and may reduce output slightly to manage the temperature. To optimize heat management, please check that the fan is set to either Auto or High. Our fans are designed to be very quiet, so they typically won’t be disruptive. But rest assured, even with the heat notification, it’s perfectly safe to continue using the fixture. All of our fixtures are designed to automatically regulate temperature in the same way. We hope this helps put your mind at ease!
I love mine and im not worried about the brightness - the zoom lens is probably better than the one on the camera ! are you going to review the Filex stuff Andrew
Thanks very much for another great review Andrew. If it's not too much trouble, could you please measure the diameter of the mounting point of the projection attachment? I'm very curious if this optic could be mounted to the larger size dedolights or similar units with that traditional 'prong' style fresnel mount.
This might be a viable solution to replacing my x3 Aputure 300d's...the built in CRMX is nice, the price point is really nice considering it comes with a fresnel. My Aputure 300ds just sit on the truck these days. I use my Vortex/Nova600/600c and 1200d almost religiously but my 300ds just sit. If i need a small hair light or kick light or hallway spill I use my Moles or aputure 60x's. This might be a nice solution to replace my 300d's and actually utilize these Pluto's I could effectively replace my 60x and 300d's. The wireless CRMX makes these very hot for myself. I will wait until a revision from Astera happens though because the power supply is ATROCIOUS on these unless I get the run-time extender. Im sure in a year and a half a revised model will release...or my money stays with me ;)
I know these are more dp/photographer owner operator type lights but have you thought about reviewing any of the Hudson spider or hive lighting lights (the latter by the way are still in business but just not doing new development at the moment)?
Andrew, do you think the Leo follows suit? Still too heavy verses where it excels? In this age of Ecoflow style batteries for LEDs, I have found so much time savings throwing up a light on a battery first then coming back with the AC power as soon as possible. I looked at these battery power units as a similar solution, but with the low power of Pluto, I wasn’t sure it would be that useful. Does the Leo have a spotlight coming out as well? Also, do these have similar battery management to the tubes? Can I set it for 5 hours and it knows how to manage its battery automatically? Thanks for sharing all the data!
The Leo Fresnel is amazing, and yes heavy. Was told recently the Spotlight for Leo is coming out soon. Both Leo and Pluto run on the Titan engine, so everything is the same to control as the Astera tubes, just with 1-pixel only.
*edit*
This used to be a negative comment (for the light), but i tried it on a shoot last week and i loved it.
the fact that its all in one, no cables at all, perfect color and enough output (spotted up) to get some sparkle during the day is just super handy, and it reminded me how much i used to love working with this type of light (dedo turbo 7 was my absolute workhorse for a while).
the reason i stopped taking small leds on jobs is that i almost exclusively rent my equipment, and a light like this is only a little bit cheaper to rent, than a larger light of the 300w range, so i stopped renting them in favor of bigger lights.
i now just straight up bought a nanliite 60c so i will now always have a nice, smal, full color fresnel with me.
I love Astera’s lights and their ecosystem/app. I’m already pretty heavy into Astera with the AX3’s, AX5’s and Titan Tubes, so I jumped when I saw the Pluto’s introduced last year and finally got the two light set earlier this year(everything that shipped last year had already been allocated, so I couldn’t get a set until the 2nd batch hit). They are well designed, with nice features and beautifully built, but every time that I’ve used them, I’ve gotten the battery overheating warning(even when on the power adapter). So far, nothing has happened like the fixtures shutting down or dimming(that I’ve noticed) while being used with the warning active, but it’s kind of disconcerting, as it doesn’t seem like it should be a regular occurrence, especially on a product of this caliber and intended use cases.
I do wish they were more powerful, but you can’t have it all and it’s nice to be able to fit two high-quality battery powered fresnels into a single milk crate.
Thank you so much for your kind words about our products! We're thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying them. We’d like to address your concern and provide some reassurance.
The message you're seeing isn’t an overheat warning; it's simply a temperature notification. The fixture is completely safe to use. The notification is just letting you know that the fixture is running hot and may reduce output slightly to manage the temperature.
To optimize heat management, please check that the fan is set to either Auto or High. Our fans are designed to be very quiet, so they typically won’t be disruptive. But rest assured, even with the heat notification, it’s perfectly safe to continue using the fixture. All of our fixtures are designed to automatically regulate temperature in the same way.
We hope this helps put your mind at ease!
@@AsteraOfficial and a reply like this is why I love astera!
@@lorenmiller6953 Much love also from the whole Astera Team!
When the price was revealed, it was much less than I thought it would be.
@@aeonsnarfus Me too, but so many people go on about the price being an issue. Compared to a Fiilex it's value
Thx for the review!
I love mine and im not worried about the brightness - the zoom lens is probably better than the one on the camera !
are you going to review the Filex stuff Andrew
Thank you Robin for the kind words!
Cheap as chips, perfect ellipsoidal. We upgraded to these and haven't looked back.
While an inferior light and no buit in CRMX I still think that the Nan 60C is so worth it comparing price, weight and size
Thanks very much for another great review Andrew. If it's not too much trouble, could you please measure the diameter of the mounting point of the projection attachment? I'm very curious if this optic could be mounted to the larger size dedolights or similar units with that traditional 'prong' style fresnel mount.
@@cagf2013 definitely not, the back section is snooted internally to pricey match the Pluto COB.
This might be a viable solution to replacing my x3 Aputure 300d's...the built in CRMX is nice, the price point is really nice considering it comes with a fresnel. My Aputure 300ds just sit on the truck these days. I use my Vortex/Nova600/600c and 1200d almost religiously but my 300ds just sit. If i need a small hair light or kick light or hallway spill I use my Moles or aputure 60x's. This might be a nice solution to replace my 300d's and actually utilize these Pluto's I could effectively replace my 60x and 300d's. The wireless CRMX makes these very hot for myself. I will wait until a revision from Astera happens though because the power supply is ATROCIOUS on these unless I get the run-time extender. Im sure in a year and a half a revised model will release...or my money stays with me ;)
@@Carboxylated That's interesting, I've got no 300s at all now.
I know these are more dp/photographer owner operator type lights but have you thought about reviewing any of the Hudson spider or hive lighting lights (the latter by the way are still in business but just not doing new development at the moment)?
@@zebius4157 I would love to, hit them up and suggest it
Andrew, do you think the Leo follows suit? Still too heavy verses where it excels? In this age of Ecoflow style batteries for LEDs, I have found so much time savings throwing up a light on a battery first then coming back with the AC power as soon as possible. I looked at these battery power units as a similar solution, but with the low power of Pluto, I wasn’t sure it would be that useful. Does the Leo have a spotlight coming out as well?
Also, do these have similar battery management to the tubes? Can I set it for 5 hours and it knows how to manage its battery automatically?
Thanks for sharing all the data!
The Leo Fresnel is amazing, and yes heavy. Was told recently the Spotlight for Leo is coming out soon. Both Leo and Pluto run on the Titan engine, so everything is the same to control as the Astera tubes, just with 1-pixel only.
@@EffectiveCommunications I haven't seen a Leo, but I'm sure someone will answer you question who knows more than me
While I understand Astera is professional oriented, this is a lot of money for a 80w light. Battery and fresnel included or not.
Worth every cent
@@coreyfield for me this is for rent only, whilst I keep bringing the 600x
Great light, definitely too expensive for the problems it solves.
Way too many negatives for the price you're paying for this fixture. I'd rather just buy an Aputure LS600CII