Customer Reviews

SUNPAK RL-20 Readylite 15 Watt Super Compact Video Light

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased two of this video light. Each would light up for 10 to 11-minutes on a full charge. I have tested each light for four times and the results were fairly consistent. In the tests, the lights were switched on immediately after five hours of charging and switched off when they became dim.

This light seems brighter than the built-in camcorder light. It enhances the video quality when filming indoors or under low light conditions. However, it also appears to have added a slight orange tint to the picture. The light can be mounted onto the hot/cold shoe of a camcorder or a tripod. It is not so small compared to the size of a palm-held camcorder and its glass lens is about 34mm in diameter. The 15-Watt halogen bulb is replaceable, so is the rechargeable Ni-Cd battery (the replacement bulb is $18 and the battery is $20 directly from ToCAD America, Inc., the Sunpak distributor).

The drawback is the battery's short illumination time per full charge. Five hours of charging would yield only 10 to 11-minutes of constant use. The Ni-Cd battery could suffer the voltage depression (memory effect) and further reduce the usage time. The DC port (opposite the red on/off switch) is for charging the battery only. It cannot be used to power the light by a DC adapter.

At the $30 price tag, it is a decent and useful video light, despite the short usage time per charge. I would suggest keeping at least two of this light in the camera bag, instead of just buying the spare batteries.

Note: 55RL is the "Cat no." for this Sunpak ReadyLite 20.

This light is great, but make sure you get at least two, three would be better. On the plus side: the battery is an amazing 15 watts -- that's 5x more light than the average consumer video light. The drawback: the light lasts about 15 minutes on a full charge; it takes 5 hours to fully charge though. Would have given it 5 stars, were it not for the short lifespan. Lamp life is 50 hours. Worth the investment!

It's small and convenient. It fits well on my Olympus Digital camera and Hitachi DVD camcoder. However, 5 hrs avg. charging time will last for only 15-20 or less minutes usage. I had Phillip 30W, cost $80, lighting last for ~ 20 minutes per 3 hrs charing. I am not complaining too much as it fits my needs well.

The Sunpak Videolite RL-20 gives great lite for cost, only draw back is the battery last only 12-15 min. This lite is a good value and sturdy for videotaping family and occasions where the built in light in camcorders has little or no effect. Consider extra batteries, charging time per batteries (5hrs) each.

Great light for the money; this little light will do wonders if you need a little fill light for videos. If you need a lot of fill light look elsewhere, and be prepared to shell out some serious cash.

Recently I purchased a Sima 30 LED light for the same price that lasts 1 hour on a charge. I no longer carry this with me unless the Sima isn't charged. This light gives a nicer color but if you want something that lasts all day at a wedding chose the Sima light.

Great little light for short uses.10-15 minutes. color temp is good. Nice even light I"m a photographer and use for specialiy shots, The extra battery is a good idea. A great easy to carry item for times i don't want to bring my Lowel I D light. To me a very good value to cost ratio even with the purchase of another battery.

The main issue I have with this light is the battery life. The lighting is adequate to good while it's working, but it seems like a tease to have light for only 10 or so minutes. Sure you can buy backups, but I would rather buy a light with a longer battery life, even if the light is not quite as bright. I recently bought the Sima LED video light model SL-20LXi and it lasted the 30 minutes I needed it. It still had charge remaining, so I'm not sure how long it will last, but I felt much more comfortable not wondering when I will have to stop and exchange the light.

i purchased this unit because of good reviews. The bad reviews given on the basis of the long charge time and short illumination time, which is for me is not an issue as i use it for still photography and it sufficient time for my needs, and 5 hours charge is not that long, just plug it a forget it, it will be charged.
The unit is solid 4 or 5 star unless the one factor that wasn't mentioned by reviewers that i wish it would be mentioned.
The real problem that the unit doesn't gives an even illumination. Instead of an even spotlight it gives ring shape of light where light fades in the center and brighter at the ages. This one factor ruined the tool, and its good only as a household flashlight.

I normally don't use consumer equipment, but I needed a camera light ASAP, so I ran out to purchase this product quickly at my local Fry's Electronics. I saw the reviews on Amazon beforehand and was prepared for the short illumination time (around 10-15 minutes). This one lasted only 6 minutes (after a 5 hour charge). I was using it to shoot a quick video blog at a convention. I was very disappointed. Your mileage may vary with this one. I'd pass on it and purchase something that you can actually use more practically. Always account for more time than you need!