Hobolite Avant MAX: 80W Bi-Colour Continuous LED Lighting Kit
A little while ago I did a review and some posts on the Hobolite Avant. I’m a big fan of pretty much anything Hobolite produces these days, and this 100W Bi-Color Continous LED Light by Hobolite was fantastic for product shoots and portraits. Now they have brought out the Avant Max. Like all Hobolite products, it offers ease of use and convenience for so many different genres in and out of the studio. The major benefit of the Avant Max is that it’s still pretty small, and runs on power or batteries. Hobolite products, work straight out of the box, and are brilliant. I recently got to check out the Hobolite Avant Max 100W Bi-Colour continuous LED.
User-friendly design simplifies setup with an intuitive menu and quick start buttons. The integrated V-Mount allows for quick setup, to be up in running in no time allowing you to dive right into your work whenever inspiration strikes. The Avant Max is lightweight at 2.02lbs, and delivers a dazzling 80W output across the entire color spectrum. This ensures the perfect complement to the light of your story. Let’s have a closer look!
Note: Blonde Robot (Australian Hobolite Distributor) sent the Hobolite Avant Max Creator kit to review and return. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this light are my own.
Pros
Runs on batteries (max 50 mins on full power) or Power
Very cool and funky, has great retro design, is quite small and compact and minimalist design
Variable controls for power and color temp (2700K — 6500K)
Small and lightweight
Intelligent cooling with heat sink and fan
The fan is whisper quiet, great for video
Easy to turn dials for power and temperature, and simple on/off switch
All accessories, the diffuser, the grid, gels and barn doors are all magnetic.
Access via App on Bluetooth and NFC – easy to connect
It is a detachable lens, which has a focus function to boost brightness up to 3.5 times from 80w – 280w.
99w battery which is pretty large, it has a clear OLED display and a light so you can see what you’re doing in the dark
dual port AC Adaptor enables power sourcing from either a USB-C Power Source or a 100W PD
Cool special FX built-in, lighting, strobes, flashing lights, TVs, candlelight and more.
The Max Handle features a Quick Release V-Mount Adapter for effortless attachment to lighting stands etc. Its ergonomic design offers a comfortable grip, making it ideal for videography and prolonged handheld use. The locking system is great and easy to use with markings of lock, unlock etc and a smooth ratchet system.
Cons
Battery (on full power) only lasts ~120 mins (on full power), which can be a pain on a day trip without access to power, but you can get additional batteries
The 99w battery takes several hours to fully charge via USB C
Hobolite Avant Max— Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications are from their website/marketing material.
Output Power (Max): 80W
Color Temperature Range: 2700K~6500K
CRI: > 96 / TLCI: > 96
Luminous Flux: 7000lm (@6500K) / 5700lm (@2700K)
Max Illuminance: 9005 LUX (@1m, 6500K) (with lens), 2568 LUX (@1m, 6500K) (without lens)
Beam Angle: 450 @5% cd
Magnetic Property: Yes
Cooling Method: built-in Fan
Max Illuminance: 32706 LUX (@0.5m, 6500tK)
Input AC – 100-240V, 50~60HZ / DC input power 12-24VV
Battery: 14.4V 6900mAh, 99.36Wh
Battery run time: 1 hour 18 mins on full power, 5 hours on 25% power
Dimming: 0-100%
Operating Temperature: 14 to 104°F / -10 to 40°C
Control MethodsOnboard or App
App Control: Yes (Bluetooth 65.6 feet)
Screen: LCD Full Color
Dimensions: 4.84″x 3.69″x 3.90 (without accessories)
Net Weight: 2.02 lbs (without accessories) Creator Kit Packaging weight 10.36 lbs
Operating temperature: 14-104F
Screen: LCD Full Color
Cooling Method: Built-in fan
Expected Lamp Life: 30000 Hours
Materials: Aircraft-grade aluminum
Hobolite Avant Max— Versatility
You can adjust the light intensity and the color. It’s quick to set up and use. The 99w battery takes several hours to fully charge via USB C. Ergonomics are great. It does have a fan, which is very quiet. The diffuser and grid work quite well to soften and direct the light. The Creator Kit comes with a fantastic hangle I did receive the Lantern which fits the Avant for review, but it is an optional addition. I did use it and it gives beautiful soft illumination. There is a handy (optional) adaptor to use Bowen mount light modifiers too, which would have been super handy as I have loads of those.
Fantastic in and out of the studio, the Max handle makes it easy to handhold the light or attach to a light stand. The battery pack is fantastic for location shoots.
Build quality
Small and sturdy, dials are firm and stable but easily turned. The accessories are all magnetic, making it a breeze to add and remove. It feels very sturdy and compact. Made of aircraft-grade aluminium. Funky retro look, a bit like an old-school film camera. Non-slip surface on the sides and it’s weather resistant. The dials and additional lighting make it easy to see how to flick, switch, turn and adjust any part of the Max. And I can easily turn the max handle dials with my bad hands.
Out of the box
The Avant Max Creator Kit combines the Avant Max standard kit with a set of barn doors with colored filters, a Max Battery 99Wh, AC Dual Port Adapter, Avant Max Lens, a Max handle, a V-Mount Clamp, a 100W power supply, a D-Tap cable and AC Cord 3m. Please note that the standard kit does not have a Light stand or Lantern, nor does it have the gels, bar doors, or V-clamp.
Multi-function 99w V-mount Battery
The Hobolite detachable 99Wh V-Mount Battery is a brilliant power solution for photographers. With 99Wh/6900mAh of lithium-ion energy, it’s perfect for Hobolite lights and compatible devices. Featuring a 65W USB-C PD port for fast charging, multiple outputs (D-Tap, dual USB-C IN/OUT, 12V out), and seamless integration with Mini Max and Avant Max series, it offers versatility. A clear OLED display monitors battery life and charging status, and a built-in LED light provides extra illumination. The IP65 rating ensures protection against dust and low-pressure water jets. Also available as an accessory.
Hobolite Avant Max— Portable with classic looks
Thanks to some innovative technology this light I was able to create some truly fabulous creative portraits, as well as some terrific product shots. Still quite small and compact but powerful enough for the studio, a fill light for video and for so many other uses – like still life, product photography or even out of the studio. Versatile and adaptable to whatever you want to use it for. The best part, it’s simple to use.
V-mount locking and mounting system
Mounting
I mounted mine on a light stand. The Hobolite light stand is also excellent (but optional extra) Let me just say I adore this light stand, sturdy but lightweight. My other studio light stands are quite heavy, but this is brilliant. So easy to set up and manoeuvre around the studio.
Simple to use dial and menu system
Setup
It’s so simple to use. However, to turn it on you press the power button. Adjust the dials for power and color temp. Add the barn doors, diffuser, grid or gels or lantern softbox and you’re ready to shoot. It’s that simple.
Gels and diffuser
The Hobolite Avant Max comes with a grid, frosted dome diffuser and six gels: red, yellow, pink, purple, blue and green, all magnetic.
Hobolite Avant Max— A terrific lighting addition to your kit
I have been using this light in the studio for a variety of shoots from portraits to product photography. It’s a terrific light and very handy. The fact that it is so small, lightweight and easy to use is a big plus for me. Sample images below on Sony A7R V at 5600K. I used it for some creative portraits, especially as a main light. It gave beautiful soft and natural-looking light. Especially when using the diffuser. I also used it as a side light on some creative portraits in the studio with gels and a smoke machine.
Sample images
The Max is brilliant on locations for that mix of natural and artificial light at twilight too.
Our verdict
Hobolite Avant Max 80W Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit
★★★★★5/5
If you enjoyed the Avant LED Light like I do, you’re going to love the Avant Max. Such a brilliant addition to your kit for photographers and videographers, in and out of the studio. The battery pack and Dual AC options are versatile and fantastic. The quality of light is exceptional and it is extremely well-made, durable and just plain cool!
