We're a pretty big fan of the Hive Wasp line. Why?

They are single-source, punch, "omni-color" (RGB diodes plus more!) line of LED lights, available in 50, 100, and 200 "strengths." In fact, if you've read a camera review here on NFS over the last few years and maybe saw photos with crazy backlight colors... odds are it was coming from a Hive, powered by the shot app. 

When they added Lumenradio Wireless DMX to their lights back in January, we thought they had really perfected the unit.  However, there is one thing we hadn't thought about... and that was how they could make it even better.

1k6a4288_1

Hive took a step forward by taking a few things out of the new CX lines of lights in order to offer a more affordable option. 

These new units are basically the same unit as the 100 and 200-C, but without on-unit lighting control or Wireless DMX. 

By removing these two items, they are able to offer the CX lights for around $500 less than the C series lights. So you still get Bluetooth App control and wired DMX control, you just don't get on unit control or wireless DMX.

Honestly... it feels like the right choice for a lot of users. Wireless DMX is amazing, but still requires a price base station to control it (it doesn't work with WiFi). Plus Bluetooth is very useful for local control. It's how we have exclusively been using our 100-C for several years.

While local control is nice as a backup, if you are permanently rigging the units, building them into a grid or assembling them into a rig, you will basically never use the knobs on the back. Dropping them, if it lets users save money, seems great. Those knobs are still there on the normal 100-C if you want, but now you can buy the units with them. For people considering large purchases, building kits, or rebuilding a studio, the price difference here can really add up.

 

1k6a4332

Hive is launching these lights in time for Black Friday and of course thus come with a Black Friday deal that runs all the way to January 3, with the Wasp 100-CX starting at just $799, and Hornet 200-CX starting at just $1299.

Description and Specs:

Both units are completely controllable with the SHOT App:
 
WASP 100-CX™ Features:
  • Omni-Color LED
  • 75W draw
  • 400-750W Incandescent Equivalent
  • Up to 98 CRI / 97 TLCI
  • 360° Hue Control
  • 0 – 100% Dimming Control
  • 0 – 100% Saturation Control
  • 1,650K – 8,000K Color Temperature
  • Wired DMX, and Smartphone control
  • 100 – 240 V AC input via Universal Wall/Battery
  • Profoto Modifier Compatible
  • Compatible with ALL Hive C-Series Modifiers 
  • 6.5” / 165 mm Length
  • 4” / 100mm Diameter
  • 2lbs. / 0.9 kg. Weight
HORNET 200-C™ Features:
  • Omni-Color LED
  • 150W draw
  • 700-1000W incandescent equivalent
  • Up to 98 CRI / 97 TLCI
  • 360° Hue Control
  • 0 – 100% Dimming Control
  • 0 – 100% Saturation Control
  • 1,650K – 8,000K Color Temperature
  • Wired DMX and Smartphone control
  • 100 – 240V AC input via Universal Wall/Battery
  • Profoto Modifier Compatible
  • Compatible with ALL Hive C-Series Modifiers 
  • 8” / 200 mm Length
  • 4” / 100mm Diameter
  • 2.2lbs. / 1kg. Weight
hivelightingcinematographer
Cinematography & Cameras