Today we are looking at a very compact yet powerful battery-powered RGB COB light – the Ulanzi VL-120C.
Concept
The VL-120C v-mount battery-powered bi-color/RGB LED is a small but relatively powerful light. A miniature form factor, built-in bracket, and v-mount option are important features for a portable key light, but with a smaller design comes the possibility for a few compromises, like heat or fan noise.
In the Box
The bracket folds around the light snugly in storage mode, so it’s easy to pack in luggage or an average-sized backpack. There’s a cover to protect the LED that snaps into the standard Bowens mount. The VL-120c can be ordered with or without the AC power plug, which is interesting. Our version came without one, so we only used it with V-mount batteries.
Build and Design
The stand attachment barely adds to the overall size of the light, but the sacrifice of this compact design is that once a v-mount battery is attached it blocks the unit from pointing straight up. Fortunately, this will probably only impact a tiny number of cases, as it’s rare to use such steep angles.
Without a battery, the measurements are 121mm/4.75in wide, 121mm/4.75in height, and 156mm/6.15in length, and it weighs 1150g/2.53lbs. Some of the exterior is hard plastic, but the front and back are probably aluminum as that’s where heat tends to build up the most, and there are brushed metal cooling vents on the bottom, top, and rear.
In case this travel-friendly light needs to double as a studio light, be sure to add the AC power cable with a five-pin connector when purchasing on the Ulanzi website. The option to save a few dollars by not having a power cord is not as helpful at this price point as simply including a user-replaceable power cord.
The VL-120C with a V-mount battery on the back – compact setup
Controls
There’s a simple on/off power button and an “adjustment knob” or control wheel with a center button that toggles between adjustments.
The three basic lighting modes of bi-color, RGB, and special effects are shown on a simple LCD display along with a battery level and “DIM” for intensity. A menu button switches the light between the main functions of bi-color, rgb, and special effects. Color temp is adjustable in bi-color mode, and hue and saturation can be changed when in RGB mode.
Although the adjustment of the special effects is limited to changing the intensity, most of them are well programmed with Flash (Lightning), TV Screen, Candle, Flame 1 and 2, Police, Ambulance, Firetruck, Strobe 1, 2 and 3, Chase Slow, Mid, and Fast, Firework 1, 2 and 3, Club 1 and 2, and Romantic. My favorite is the flames, which come in yellow or red. The strobe comes in three speeds, which are probably enough options for most people. The less than convincing effects are the TV screen and Candle, which are obvious, simple, repeating patterns.
Ulanzi has the Connect app, which pairs with the light quickly and has a simple, responsive interface. It’s similar to what the other companies provide.
At 100% power the fan noise is reasonable, but it is not adjustable, and it actually never shuts off. Even at 1% there should be very little, if any fan noise at all, but it is still audible.
Simple interface and control
Test Results
As always, we ran the light through our normal set of tests using the Sekoni C800 spectrometer at 1m, and you can see the full results below:
Results for the VL-120C BI-RGB Video Light at 5600K @1m 100% (no reflector):
- Color temperature: 5559K.
- Output: 4460 Lux.
- CRI: 95 (R9 – 82; R12 – 83).
- TLCI: 99.
- TM-30 RF: 94; TM-30 Rg – 102.
- SSI: 74.
Results for the VL-120C BI-RGB Video Light at 3200K @1m 100% (no reflector):
- Color temperature: 3196K.
- Output: 3196 Lux.
- CRI: 94 (R9 – 86; R12 – 83).
- TLCI: 98.
- TM-30 RF: 94; TM-30 Rg – 103.
- SSI: 82.
- Results for the VL-120C BI-RGB Video Light at 5600K @1m 100% (reflector):
- Color temperature: 5075K.
- Output: 15600 Lux.
- CRI: 95 (R9 – 82; R12 – 84).
- TLCI: 99.
- TM-30 RF: 94; TM-30 Rg – 102.
- SSI: 74.
Results for the VL-120C BI-RGB Video Light at 3200K @1m 100% (reflector):
- Color temperature: 2940K.
- Output: 16400 Lux.
- CRI: 95 (R9 – 93; R12 – 85).
- TLCI: 98.
- TM-30 RF: 94; TM-30 Rg – 102.
- SSI: 85.
RGB results:
- Blue – 319 Lux
- Green – 1560 Lux
- Red – 684 Lux
Conclusion
While this light can serve as a main key light in a small studio, it’s easy to see for whom this light is really designed. You can pack it in a regular bookbag with a camera and then carry a light stand and modifier in a separate large bag and you’ve got a lighting kit on the go. While not having enough wattage to overpower the sun, the VL-120C is ideal for spontaneous interior interviews and some outside scenarios too.
With a softbox on the front
Pricing
The pricing of the VL-120C is currently only $120 on Amazon.
You can check out more LensVid exclusive articles and reviews on the following link.
You can support LensVid by shopping with our affiliate partners
Affiliates: Amazon, B&H, Adorama and E-bay.
Why should you trust us?