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Westcott Flex light GROUP BUY

Curt Pair

Curt Pair

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Hey folks,

A while back I asked how many would be interested in participating in a group buy for the Westcott Flex light. The response was overwhelming! They were pleased with the interest and are ready to move forward with our group buy!

If you're looking for info on the Flex: http://www.fjwestcott.com/led-lighting/flex

I've been using these since right after IBC and love them. Quick feature points: Flex (-able; obviously! Roll them up, fold them over, mold them to things!), Water resistent (We've put ours in fish tanks, pools, & showers, as long as the 'connector' for the dimmer is taped up and cared for, it works great!), durable (We drove over one with a forklift... just cuz... and it didn't even turn off!), easily mountable (use gaff/paper tape, Pony/A clamps, the included "chip clip", or get creative!), runs off AC and DC (I made my own DC cables! OR... you can buy a "Lectrosonics 210D receiver to D-tap" cable from Trew Audio for $65! The parts to MAKE the cable cost me $22. I made 9! It's a simple 2 wire solder! I'm using some 190 w/h batteries... we had a Flex running for over 4 hours and it only took the battery to half its cycle! I have no idea how long it will actually run, I do want to test that!), Expandable (put several together for a nice wall of light!), light weight, easy to travel ( I have all 8 of mine in a single Pelican 1550 case! I think I could actually fit 2 more in there too!)

OK... here's the deal... Westcott is willing to give us a 43% discount on the Flex Kit! (This includes the LED pad, the power supply, the dimmer, the X frame to attach it to things, the dimmer extension (15') cable, and the diffusion panel. http://www.fjwestcott.com/flex-1-panel-daylight-kit

The NORMAL price for the "Kit" is $699. Our price is $399! No minimum order, no maximum quantities. Stock is "limited," so it's first come, first served. (Rest assured that "limited" is a considerable number... we're not talking 10-50... They've got plenty, but at these prices, they won't last long!)

This group buy is officially up and running! No waiting 4, 6, 8, 10 months or more! No sir! Their warehouse is stocked and ready to go! (which is one of the reasons it's taken a while to get off the ground!) Orders will be processed within 24 hours! The Flex will be shipped to your doorstep (flat rate shipping), via UPS, anywhere in the Continental US in 5-7 days. (Some places faster, some will require the full 7 days depending on your location and distance from Ohio). International orders ARE WELCOME! However, it may take longer to ship to you... again depending on location. Shipping will cost more than the US as well.

You pay Westcott directly, on a dedicated website. To get the URL, simply send me a PM or an email, and I can share it with you.

The President of Westcott told me: "We've never done any kind of deal of this magnitude. However, the Red Users seem very enthusiastic about our Flex Light product. We're doing this to promote the brand, further awareness and to promote interest. We're hoping that Red Users will share Behind The Scenes (BTS) photos and/or videos of our products in action/in the field, with us, in exchange for this pricing schedule! We're excited to work with the cinematic community and hope all involved will enjoy using their FJ Westcott product. We feel it's a good deal for all involved."

These lights are NOT "seconds", blems, or anything like that! Full original, OEM, original packaging, straight from the manufacturer with full warranty. I've used Westcott products for nearly 20 years, and they are AWESOME to work with!

Happy illuminating!
 
Interested
 
Good job on this Group Buy Curt. Decent discount, simple ordering process, products ready to ship. Ordered a few.
 
Phil Holland said:
Good job on this Group Buy Curt. Decent discount, simple ordering process, products ready to ship. Ordered a few.
Click to expand...
Thanks Phil! That means a lot!

I did the 'feeler' to see how many were interested... while I was working on this in the background... I think many of us have been a part of GBs that take longer than we thought... so instead of moving forward when they weren't ready... I waited until they were ready to go until we took this hot! No delays now! It's fast! I think it will make people happy, the process, the product, the whole 9! Enjoy!
 
Does this GB include bicolor?
 
Paul Hazlett said:
Does this GB include bicolor?
Click to expand...

Those won't be released until the Fall! Neither will the 1x3, 2x2, etc. I'm working on a GB for those too... but the discounts won't be anywhere close to this level! (Also trying to hook up the new Scrim Jim kits too!)

This product isn't being discontinued... they are just going to offer a "basic" line (this) and a "premium" line (the new stuff)... They are contemplating the end of the tungsten single color though... Daylight is outselling the tungsten by crazy margins!
 
Thanks Curt. The pricing is super, ordered a few too.
 
Nice, definitely interested in the scrim jim group buy! Still on the fence about this one as I have a bunch of lights sitting as it is. ;(

Thanks for putting this together!
Curt Pair said:
Those won't be released until the Fall! Neither will the 1x3, 2x2, etc. I'm working on a GB for those too... but the discounts won't be anywhere close to this level! (Also trying to hook up the new Scrim Jim kits too!)

This product isn't being discontinued... they are just going to offer a "basic" line (this) and a "premium" line (the new stuff)... They are contemplating the end of the tungsten single color though... Daylight is outselling the tungsten by crazy margins!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Curt, ordered two as well.
Aloha
A
 
UPS sent a note last night saying the shipment will be here tomorrow. That's pretty fast turnaround.
 
Webster Miller said:
Simple group buy. Order new with product ready to ship. Thank you for putting this together.

I ordered 2.
Click to expand...

Thanks Webster! This was my goal! I've been a part of several group buys that take some time. I understand that too! Especially when you're involved in a BRAND NEW product... but for anything I'm running, I decided that I wouldn't start the GB until the manufacturer was ready to ship. I like the concept of "Order, pay, ship, deliver, and use!" I'm glad the process was simple for you (and the others!).

Mark Phelan said:
UPS sent a note last night saying the shipment will be here tomorrow. That's pretty fast turnaround.
Click to expand...
Both Westcott and I decided to 'announce' the 5-7 day turn around with the full intention and hope that it would be faster... She's a smart cookie! She'd rather under promise and over deliver! ;) That makes everybody happy, right? I'd love to see what you think when you get them!
 
Just got mine. I called them up and expedited shipping because I have a shoot tomorrow where I think these would be useful. Testing them now.

Quick one light on Mr. Bones, no diffusion at exactly 5 feet:
https://instagram.com/p/4pDzxuk0ZJ/

First impressions:
- Very well packed in a nice compact box.
- The foam in the case could be reused in a rental kit for sure.
- Super simple kit.
- Cables are generously long.
- Brighter than expected for a 55 watt draw.
- Everything appears to be water resistant. Cables screw together and seal nicely.


Quick exposure test w/ meter and Dragon at 24fps, 180 degree shutter, ISO 800, at 5 feet:
- with diffusion panel = f/5
- without diffusion panel = f/6.3


There is a new Flex D-Tap Cable:
- http://www.fjwestcott.com/flex-d-tap-cable
* Personally I would include that with the kit, but I'll purchase them shortly. Tomorrow I have power on location. But this is going to be very useful for car and location rigging when space and power aren't easy to get to.


Mounting, Building, Rigging Thoughts:
The Flex X-Mount Bracket, ball head, and clamp are "okay". They favored saving some weight versus extreme durability. It's flexible though and since those don't weigh much.
If you need more stability you can use the same wingnut and attach it to a standard spigot and use it in a more robust mounting bracket.

It's two thin metal poles to build the frame, extend the tips and you can slip on the softbox. They went compact there as well to keep things around the same size, though they could have made a slightly different wing design and a larger softbox, but that's not exactly what this kit is all about.

The light is flexible and you can a lot to it. I would make sure to stow this flat when done working, just to be on the safe side.

For my kit I'll likely slug some industrial strength velcro on them (for mounting and rolling into a cylinder), rigging the cables up with velcro ties to stay tidy, and likely stash a handful of clamps in the kit I'm putting together. Also will cut up some gels to fit on these. I use mostly daylight lights and gel for correction for tungsten and creative weirdness.


Miscellaneous Thoughts:

So far impressed by the light quality, but I'll be testing that out further like right this second. I'd certainly be interested in 3X larger panels for sure. Looks like there's a 2x2 foot version on the horizon, though it requires a ballast to maintain it's flicker-free operation. That will be the one I'm after and it's about a 200 watt draw there. There's also a 150 watt rectangular one. Both of those velcro onto a mounting frame. Hopefully before those are released there will be a centrally mounted point on the back of the frame. I think the frame is collapsible as well, which is nice. So perhaps just making a H bar that connects in the middle is the solution there.

Nice addition to my rapidly growing lighting toolbox and something I know I'll use on location a heck of a lot. Thumbs up to Curt and Westcott for making this a super, super simple group buy as well.
 
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Are you guys being taxed on your orders? I live N.Y., Westcott charging tax. What about other states?
 
Phil Holland said:
Just got mine. I called them up and expedited shipping because I have a shoot tomorrow where I think these would be useful. Testing them now.


First impressions:
- Everything appears to be water resistant. Cables screw together and seal nicely.
Click to expand...

This is why they work so well when they get "wet." Apply some electrical tape around that connection point? Totally submerge that sucker! It works!


Phil Holland said:
Quick exposure test w/ meter and Dragon at 24fps, 180 degree shutter, ISO 800, at 5 feet:
- with diffusion panel = f/5
- without diffusion panel = f/6.3
Click to expand...

This is very similar to what I got... I have about 1/4 stop difference from you!


Phil Holland said:
There is a new Flex D-Tap Cable:
- http://www.fjwestcott.com/flex-d-tap-cable
* Personally I would include that with the kit, but I'll purchase them shortly. Tomorrow I have power on location. But this is going to be very useful for car and location rigging when space and power aren't easy to get to.
Click to expand...

Is this shipping? I wasn't aware it was "ready to go" just yet! They're easy enough to make though! If you buy the "parts" from Trew Audio (and I'm sure other sources like PacRad or something), the 'light" end comes pre fused/built... all you have to do is solder on the AB tap! Pretty easy. Even I could figure that out!


Phil Holland said:
Mounting, Building, Rigging Thoughts:
The Flex X-Mount Bracket, ball head, and clamp are "okay". They favored saving some weight versus extreme durability. It's flexible though and since those don't weigh much.
If you need more stability you can use the same wingnut and attach it to a standard spigot and use it in a more robust mounting bracket.
Click to expand...

These are nearly my first impressions too! I did replace the "chip clip" with spigots on a few too... but I will tell you.... give it some time, try out the Chip Clip... I actually grew to LIKE it! I am shocked by that, but it's true! It's quite useful, if you give it a chance! Try it out, I mean REALLY try it, and you might change your mind! Again, it's nice to have the spigot too...


Phil Holland said:
I would make sure to stow this flat when done working, just to be on the safe side.
Click to expand...
That's exactly how I store mine... I stack them on top of one another, flat in a Pelican 1550... I put LED sides facing each other, I also "turn" each light 1/4 turn so the connector goes a different "direction" in the case for each one... they lay flatter that way when all 8 of mine are in the case! I then place all the electronics, cables around the pads in an "L" in the case! Works KILLER! I stack the X frames on top...

Phil Holland said:
For my kit I'll likely slug some industrial strength velcro on them (for mounting and rolling into a cylinder), rigging the cables up with velcro ties to stay tidy, and likely stash a handful of clamps in the kit I'm putting together. Also will cut up some gels to fit on these. I use mostly daylight lights and gel for correction for tungsten and creative weirdness.
Click to expand...

This is a GREAT idea, and I do this too! I also added some velcro to the BACK of my pads too... then I took some Duvateen and put the opposite velcro on that (had it sewn on)... THis way, I made a "pocket" under the X frame! When I need it too... it holds the dimmer and power supply with the light itself! I've suggested this idea to Westcott too! I'm also configuring my own way to use the CURRENT Scrim Jim Frames to make my own multiple holders. So far, so good, it's working great!

I too spent an afternoon cutting gel! I cut several 14x11" pieces in full CTO, Half CTO, 1/4. & 1/8. (Did the same for green too!) I also have 3 different densities of diffusion. I store all those in the "lid" of my case behind the foam! Works great! I can quickly change my color temp to 4800, 4400, 3800 and 3200! I have green for florescents and Green screen work! I use "Mini Pony" (a-clamp) clips I got at home depot. You could use C47s too!

Like I said... they're not perfect! But they will be! This is a HECK of a first effort! They'll only get better! I purchased 8, so what does that tell you! I like 'em!
 
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