Nanlite PavoTube II X light
Image courtesy: Nanlite

It’s been three years since Nanlite launched its popular Nanlite PavoTube lights. The company has now released the next generation of these fixtures, the Nanlite PavoTube II X LED

Three sizes

The Nanlite PavoTube II X is available in three lengths. The 15X model is 2 feet long, while the 30X is 4 feet and the 60X is 8 feet. The tubes obtain maximum output when you set them to 6500K. At this setting, the 15X will give 386 lux at 1 meter. The 30X will give 770 lux and the 60X will give 1024 lux.

CCT range

The new tubes use RGBWW color mixing technology. This means there are both warm and cool white LEDs as well as red, green, and blue LEDs. As a result, the Nanlite PavoTube II X offers an expanded CCT range of 2700K to 12,000K. Color rendition is very good, with an average CRI of 97 and TLCI of 98. The new tubes also have a control to adjust the color by adding green or magenta. This allows you to fine-tune the output of the PavoTube II X to match the lights you already have.

HSI mode

In addition to CCT, the Nanlite PavoTube II X has three other lighting modes: HSI, Effects and Pixel Effects. In HSI mode, you can choose your desired color hue from the 360-degree color wheel then adjust the saturation and intensity accordingly. The light is also dimmable from 0-100 percent for further control of the output.

Effects

With the Nanlite PavoTube II X’s Effects mode, you can choose between the fifteen different built-in color effects. These include storm, police car, TV, paparazzi, candle or fire, disco, bad bulb, firework, explosion and welding.

Pixel effects

Nanlite PavoTube II X
Image courtesy: Nanlite

Pixel Effects mode takes this even further by using pixel mapping to create color effects. This means you can change the color of different parts of the light — not just the whole tube at once. The ten built-in effects include multi-color, gradient, scrolling, rainbow and driving. In driving mode, for example, a bright section of light scrolls along the length of the tube. This is ideal for simulating the effect of someone being in a car and illuminated by the streetlights they are driving past.

Built-in battery

The Nanlite PavoTube II X has a built-in battery that gives you around two hours of use at full power. The tubes also support AC power, meaning you can run the lights on mains power.

Its build quality is high as the new lights have a metal housing compared to the plastic body of the previous generation PavoTubes. The tubes have a ¼” -20 mounting point on one end and two on the back. In addition, the lights come with a mounting bracket.

The Nanlite PavoTube II X has onboard controls and a display screen to show your settings. You can also control the lights via DMX or the Nanlink App. Currently, the app is only available for iOS devices, but an Android version should be out before the end of the year.

Pricing and availability

The Nanlite PavoTube II 15X retails at $379 and the 30X at $579. Both are available to buy now. The lights are also available in two light and four-light kits. Nanlite has not yet confirmed the pricing and availability of the Nanlite PavoTube II 60X.

Pete Tomkies is a freelance cinematographer and camera operator from Manchester, UK. He also produces and directs short films as Duck66 Films. Pete's latest short Once Bitten... won 15 awards and was selected for 105 film festivals around the world.