Hive Lighting?

[Matthew J]

Hey guys, has anyone heard of pricing on the Hive Lights? (hivelighting.com) I am looking at prices for both the new units and the retrofitting.

 

[Doug Beatty]

Call them up: 310.773.4362

I've never heard of plasma lights, but would be interested to hear pricing and kits myself.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

You have to find one of their videos. I think they were in the $5K range. There are a few others who sell plasma lights such as Photon Beard. All are several thousand for the cheapest unit. It will be a few years before the prices drop to reasonable levels. The guy from Hive stated that they need to recoup their R&D costs. From a consumer standpoint, plasma lights are cool, but are definitely in the early adopter phase.

 

[Matthew J]

You have to find one of their videos. I think they were in the $5K range. There are a few others who sell plasma lights such as Photon Beard. All are several thousand for the cheapest unit. It will be a few years before the prices drop to reasonable levels. The guy from Hive stated that they need to recoup their R&D costs. From a consumer standpoint, plasma lights are cool, but are definitely in the early adopter phase.

Have you looked at the prices for new HMI's lately? While $5k ain't cheap a 400 watt jokerbug is still $4700. I think the way to go is the retrofit at $3200. The other thing to consider is price of replacement lamps as they are blasted pricey. The only downsides I see to these lights are the 2 minute restike. Everything else is on par with HMI's or much better.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Still in the prototype phase, but coming soon. As noted, pricing is similar to HMI but twice the lumen per watt with Hive plasma. We're working with Hive to bring these units to market.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

Have you looked at the prices for new HMI's lately? While $5k ain't cheap a 400 watt jokerbug is still $4700. I think the way to go is the retrofit at $3200. The other thing to consider is price of replacement lamps as they are blasted pricey. The only downsides I see to these lights are the 2 minute restike. Everything else is on par with HMI's or much better.

Correct, HMI is not cheap (new at least - plenty cheap for used HMIs though). However, the plasma "pod" itself sells for well under $1,000. I am sorry but wrapping some sheet metal and adding a 7" lens does not warrant a 500%+ increase. Yes, I know I am simplifying - there are RF shielding issues etc...But that is all R&D, actual material costs are minimal. The owner of Hive himself said that his prices are set to allow himn to recover his R&D. Hence my comment that this is in the early adopter phase, prices will drop significantly in a year or two as more vendors come to market. Besides Hive and Photon Beard, there are at least 2 others that I know of.

The short arc on plasma may be its most attractive feature. If they can make the "pods" in larger wattages, they may bring back the gorgeous light that came out of carbon arc fixtures, but in daylight temps.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

In addition to Hive....

Photon Beard
Helio
(some company out of Baltimore that was at NAB)

Here is a good discussion on plasma lighting: http://reduser.net/forum/showthread...surrounding-Light-Emitting-Plasma-(LEP)-lamps

 

[Larry Kelly]

I have been trying to research LEP for our local film coop but Hive seems to have gone dark. I haven't seen any activity on their twitter posts, or Facebook page since Sept 19. When I go to hivelighting.com it is a dead end except that when you click on it it sends you to their email account. I sent a request for information and got nothing. Anyone Know what's up with these guys? It seems strange to just drop off the planet like that.

Larry

 

[Mitch Gross]

Relax. It is just two guys running the company, and one is travelling with family for the Jewish holidays. They are real and will be back around.

 

[jamesbridges]

I've seen a CineGear video, they will cost under $6K. Not bad for not having to buy a bulb for several thousand hours.
Mitch, will Abel be the dealer fore these?