Long-term reviews of budget photo & video gear.

KIT PLAN RECOMMENDATION:
Meike MK-Y600BR
This image is 100% REAL, and no A.I. (or Photoshop compositing) were used to make it, and I know because I took it myself.
Quality?
LIGHT USE OK
YES
MEDIUM USE OK
YES
HEAVY USE OK
?
Portable?
NO
CAMERA BAG
NO
YES
Affordable?
AVERAGE NEW PRICE
NA
*Indicates SALE price.
NA
**Indicates BUY NOW price.
Common?
ON AMAZON
NO
ON EBAY
NO
Easy To Use?
SKILL LEVEL
INTERMEDIATE
OVERVIEW:
I bought these on Amazon, but I don't think they are available any more. They were my first LED light of this size I purchased, and the price was really good. They are good enough to use as my #2 light (which I call my "T-light") but they are not big enough or powerful enough to act as your MAIN light (that's why I use it as my #2 light). Be aware that these are kind of semi-functional lights, for some of the features. The remote controls sort of work, but they are confusing...and I'm not sure they are labeled correctly, and there are some quirks about both the color "temperature" (which is not at all accurate) and other button functions as well. I did use one of them as my #2 light (during my first year or so of YouTube) and it worked well for that. I do like that they have a power input, but the power cable is not included (and you have to make sure you get the right one...or else the light can get hot...don't ask how I know).
MAIN POINTS:
PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?
PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
Yes, but it is not as small as other lights with the same face size and power output.
PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
Yes, they were super affordable when they were available, but I don't see them on Amazon any more.
PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
No, not any more.
PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
The build quality is good, but in use there are some quirks with both the color temperature settings and certain button functions (and the remote doesn't work too well).
PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
No, not if you try to use the remote. Yes, if you don't try to use the remote.
PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
Yes, it needs a couple of NP-style camcorder batteries (to be portable) or a DC power adapter.
PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?
They used to be available on Amazon, but I don't see them there any more.
CONCLUSION:
I don't recommend them in general, but they are usable as a #2 light (I use it for a T-light) but certainly is not as powerful as a MAIN light would need to be.
These reviews are just my opinion and are focused on my Q.P.A.C.E. packing method, so they're not comprehensive. I wrote these mostly to help me remember what items worked for my KIT PLANS (and which didn't). If I said anything negative I apologize, as these products still may work well for you in your situation, but they were not Q.P.A.C.E (Quality, Portable, Affordable, Common, Easy-to-Use) enough for my budget filmmaking KIT PLANS.