Lupo Dayled 1000 Review – Redesigned Model With New Chip, Improved Features

by Scott LeslieJune 15^th, 2021

Lupo has recently launched new, revised versions of its popular Dayled line of Fresnel LED fixtures. The new models feature a revised and thus improved barn door design and now use a COB design instead of the old SMB design. Lupo has several other improvements in store for these lights, so read on for a review of the new Lupo Dayled 1000 bi-color LED light!

Lupo has made a major update to their line of Dayled Fresnel lights, which includes a 650, 1K and 2K models. They sent me the redesigned Dayled 1000 dual color and I compared it side-by-side with the old model. Long story short… the new redesign is significantly better, with a higher build quality, half a stop more output and greatly improved color rendering.

If you want to know more about Lupo’s LED lights, such as the so-called Kickasspanel, you can read more here.

Lupo Dayled 1000 – the chip

Lupo has also made several other improvements in the design and functionality of their Dayled line, which takes these lights to the professional level while retaining the same affordable prices as the old models.

Lupo has ditched their old SMB LED chip and is now using a COB (Chip on Board) chip. COB chips pack 8.5 times more LEDs on its surface area than an SMB chip, which makes COB chips more energy efficient and brighter. Later in the review I will go over the luminance and color rendering differences in detail.

Build quality

While the previous model of the Dayled’s were made with a generic plastic shell, the new models are now made from the same super strong techno-polymer plastic that Lupo’s Superpanels are made with. This is a very durable material that should hold up to years of abuse.

The yoke is also beefier and the tilt tightening nob is much bigger with a redesigned bushing that securely locks the light in place. Once tightened down, the light isn’t moving.

Lupo has also redesigned the power cable. The old model’s power cable was permanently attached to the fixture. The new model’s power cable is detachable with a twist lock powerCON connector. This makes the light much more suited for packing in and out of cases and reduces the wear on the cable.

Better barn doors with quick release

One of my pet peeves about the old model of Lupo’s Dayled’s was the way the barn doors locked in. They actually had a screw that you had to completely take out and replace every time you removed or put on the barn doors. This was a pain and I’ve lost a couple of screws on my lights.

The new model of Dayled’s now have a quick release for the barn doors. You simply pull it up and turn it to the side and the barn doors slide right out. This is a much better solution, similar to what you’ll find on ARRI Fresnel lights.

The new barn doors are also higher quality with thicker aluminum and individual tightening screws for each flap.

By the numbers

I was really excited to put these to the test to see the difference in light output and color rendering between the old and new model of the Dayled 1000 dual color lights. I used my Sekonic C-800 meter to measure both lights at full flood and at full spot at 5600K and 3200K.

Below are the readings from the new model at full flood. The color temperature is basically right on the target when set to 5600K. At 3200K it is a little bit warm reading around 2874K. At one meter the lux ranged from 4,530 to 3,450 respectively. This is typical with all lights I’ve tested – they will always be a bit brighter at the higher Kelvin temperatures. In both 5600K and 3200K the color correction does shift ever so slightly green with the CC# being 0.5G. Looking at the color rendering, the CRI and TLCI numbers are really good, ranging from 96.5 to 95.1 CRI and a consistent 98 TLCI.

Here are the readings from the new Dayled 1000 dual color at full spot. At full spot, the lux and foot candles are, of course, much higher. The lux at one meter ranges from 27,800 to 22,400 respectively. The color temperature and color rendering are similar to what we saw when at full flood. The color correction is a little greener at 5600K with a 0.7G reading.

When comparing the old model of the Dayled 1000 dual color with the new model, the significant changes were in light output and color rendering. Looking at the lux and foot candles, the new model comes in at just over a half stop brighter than the old model. The bigger news is that there is a huge improvement in color rendering. The old models CRI is around 92, while the new model is around 96 CRI. The old models TLCI is around 90, while the new model is a consistent 98 TLCI. So, the new model is brighter and has much better color rendering.

Effects

The new models of Lupo’s Dayled’s now come with a few effects. First there is a strobe light effect where the frequency of strobe flashes can be adjusted. It also has a lightning effect, where both the light strike intervals and the color temperature of the strikes can be adjusted. Finally, there is a paparazzi effect, where the flash intervals as well as the number of bulbs going off at one time can be adjusted.

I’ve used both lightning effects and paparazzi effects, with other lights, during a few of my film shoots, so they are definitely nice to have.

The new models of Dayled’s also come with a USB port, which can be used for any future updates from Lupo.

Both the old and new models have a 5 pin DMX in and out.

Lastly, the fan on the new model is much bigger than the fan on the old model. I believe this is because the new COB chip needs more cooling than the old chip. Unfortunately, this does make the fan is slightly louder, but as long as the light is at least six feet away from your subject, you won’t hear it.

Conclusion

Lupo has really upped their game with their Dayled line with an improved build quality, higher output and better color rendering. They have also added functional features like the barn door quick release, removable power cable and lighting effects.

Recently, I used the new Dayled 1000 dual color light on a shoe commercial that I directed. It performed well and my seasoned gaffer, who works daily with different gear, was genuinely impressed by it… which says a lot!
With all of Lupo’s new updates, the pricing for the Dayled’s surprisingly have stayed the same. The Dayled 1000 dual color I tested will set you back $1,599 USD, which is quite a bit less than comparable LED Fresnel fixtures.
If you’re looking to add a LED Fresnel to your kit, you should give Lupo’s Dayled line a look.

Link: Lupo Website

What do you think? Are you using one of these Lupo Dayled lights already? Share your experiences in the comments below!