In the ever-expanding world of LED lighting, the Litepanels Gemini 2×1 Soft RGBWW LED Panel stands out as a versatile powerhouse. It’s equally useful at home during video calls as it is on Hollywood’s biggest sets.
Choosing any lighting unit is a delicate balancing act between output, quality, flexibility, size, power draw, and affordability. With the Litepanels Gemini 2×1, that balancing act becomes a casual stroll. This is thanks to its superb output and quality, excellent features, and a convenient all-in-one design — all while only drawing 325 watts or less.
Key Features of the Litepanels Gemini 2×1
- Lux at 10ft/3m is 1079 (Daylight), 906 (Tungsten)
- Color temperature range of 2,700 to 10,000K
- 99 CRI and 99 TLCI
- Full RGBWW color gamut mixing
- Hue, saturation and intensity control
- 0.1 – 100% dimming at any frame rate or shutter angle
- 11 cinematic effects, such as paparazzi, lightning, and fireworks
- Wired or wireless DMX & Bluetooth remote control options
- Optional mobile battery power with 100% intensity output
Output
The Litepanels Gemini 2×1 is bright. At 1079 lux at ten feet, it holds its own against more expensive rivals and easily outperforms its less expensive competitors. In my personal use, I find the Gemini to be a great key light when competing against windows and other bright backgrounds. Even with diffusion, the Gemini has plenty of output to get the job done in challenging environments.
Quality
Output is nothing without quality. The Gemini boasts an impressive 99 CRI (Color Rendering Index) at both 3200K and 5600K white balances. Objects lit with a Gemini will have very accurate color and skin tones will look true to life. I often use my Gemini alongside HMI and Tungsten units for promos and commercials. Having a near-perfect CRI allows me to confidently mix sources without having to worry about difficult corrections in post-production. It also allows me to reduce power draw and heat by using the Gemini in place of larger, hotter lighting units.
Versatility
The Litepanels Gemini 2×1 has an impressive range of dimmable output (from 100% to 0.1%), 16.7 million color options, flicker-free operation, lightweight build, DMX, Wifi, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has the ability to power by on-board batteries. I’ve used my Gemini for every role imaginable. It’s worked as a key light on run-and-gun music videos, a grid-hung color-changing cyclorama light, a fill light for portraits, and a FX light to simulate police cars or paparazzi flashes. I find the Gemini so versatile that I often bring it to my jobs regardless of the lighting order size. I just did a job with a five-ton lighting package and I still brought my Gemini just in case.
The Gemini’s chameleon-like flexibility enables it to meet and exceed the expectations of modern productions. Speed is king and making one’s day on-time is often the determining factor in getting a call-back for the next job. The Gemini is a breeze to set up and adjust. Its all-in-one design means it comes out of its case ready to work without external power supplies, cables, or brackets.
Easy-to-Use Menu
Once powered up, the Litepanels Gemini 2×1 has an intuitive and straightforward menu that makes dialing in settings easy. When working with daylight — as I often do — I always use a 1/4 straw gel in front of the key light to bring some warmth into my subjects skin. The Gemini makes cutting old-fashion gels a thing of the past while saving time, labor, and stands with an incredible list of pre-programmed correction and party gels — including my beloved 1/4 straw. With the Gemini, getting the gel I want is as easy as spinning a dial on the back of the unit or selecting the gel on a tablet or dimmer board.
Being DMX, RJ45, Wifi, and Bluetooth-connected also ensures that the Gemini is compatible with and easily integrated into popular dimming system. This allows for remote dimming, color temperature, and other parameters adjustments even when the light is out of reach. Again, this adds to the efficiency of the unit and saves valuable time on set.
Low Power Draw
The Gemini’s greatest efficiency trick — and possibly its strongest feature — is its low power draw. The Gemini only draws 325 watts at full output. As someone who grew up in a Tungsten world, the Gemini’s output per watt continues to blow my mind. To put 325 watts into perspective, you can run up to five Geminis on a single household 20amp circuit. Again, having that sort of flexibility lends itself to faster, more efficient sets.
To compliment the Gemini’s low power draw, Litepanels offers an optional Gold Mount or V-Lock battery plate that allows one to power the light using a pair of camera batteries. I use Hypercore 150WH Gold Mount batteries with my Litepanels Gemini 2×1. This gives me nearly an hour of run time at full intensity. I love being able to use a full-size panel from anywhere without having to worry about how I am going to power it. The Gemini with a battery plate has become my go-to light for situations where house power is inaccessible or unavailable.
Final Thoughts
The Litepanels Gemini 2×1 is a fantastic value. The Gemini’s closest competition is nearly $1700 more with less features, a lower CRI, and a bulkier, heavier frame. I’ve used my Gemini weekly for well over three years, it continues to serve as my go-to light for nearly every job. Despite its frequent use, it’s been rock-solid reliable and hassle-free. I absolutely love the Litepanels Gemini 2×1 and I’m sure you will too.
