Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Bloom
(Post 833035)
Dan
If it were built the same as the litepanel bretheren it wouldn't be $300.00
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That's why I said I would gladly pay 25% more for a professional level product. Considering that a LitePanels DV system retails for around $650.00, I bet a smaller version with the same level build quality could be manufactured for around $400.00-$450.00, which I would gladly pay.
Purchasing a plastic unit with a flimsy filter holder, flimsy battery compartment and flimsy battery door is a waste of money IMHO. I would rather spend a little more and get something to better suit the needs of pros.
It's the same as all of the other gear that we buy and use. Sometimes marketing convinces engineering to hit a price point and this is what has happened with the LitePanels Micro. They hit a great price point. But if the thing is a flimsy light that will break and give users frustration like Adriano, for instance, then the manufacturer shoots themselves in the foot, tarnishing their reputation.
Sure, at $400.00, they wouldn't sell as many but the people that would buy them would be happier with the product, hence the company keeps it's reputation, sales increase from it's reputation. OR, they keep the price point the same, but increase build and manufacturing quality and make less profit per unit. Same end result. LitePanels already alienated a lot of people when they marketed their 1x1 as "having no discernable color shift when dimmed" when anyone who has used one can tell you that the units only flaw is that the color temp changes significantly when it is dimmed.
They hit a home run with their regular LitePanel kits, it's a great product and a good price with a good reputation. I understand that they are trying to hit the wedding videographer/event video market with the Micro but in my opinion, after examining the product in person, they need to go back to the drawing board. If there are many more Adrianos on the boards, their reputation and sales will suffer. Go on all of the other web boards and see how many dissatisfied users there are. Read the magazine reviews of the unit, the same comments keep cropping up, "flimsy filter holder, battery compartment issues, boy, this thing is delicate, etc." Then go look at the QuickTime on the VIDLed site of the VIDLed being thrown 30 feet in the air and landing on concrete and still working perfectly. Try that with a Micro and see what you get. I guess I am just tired of buying products that are flimsy and break. Some great engineering going on in our market but some poor manufacturing, tooling and choice of materials.
Just my .02. No offense intended, like I said, I am sure you are enjoying the end product, the light that the Micro produces, I would be too, if they built it better.
Dan
