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Light & Motion SOLA light roundup and adjustable red power levels

The new Sola Photo 600 has 3 different power levels of red light
The new Sola Photo 600 has 3 different power levels of red light

Light & Motion’s release of its acclaimed Sola 600 dive / focus light was only its first step. Since Alex Mustard’s glowing review at the end of August, Light & Motion has expanded the suite of compact Sola lights to include dive lights, photo lights, and video lights. Each product line is subtly different, aimed for specific use cases (although any light can be used for any purpose).

The lights are all called “Sola” and feature varying combinations of spot/flood beam patterns, built-in red beam, and adjustable power levels. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the Sola space.

The Sola Dive line features 3 different lights: Sola Dive 500, 600, and 1200. The 600 and 1200 feature both spot and flood beams (toggle). The 500 only features spot. All models feature 3 power levels. Sola Dive lights feature a blue bezel.

   
Stella5
Stella6
Stella12
MODELS   SOLA 500D SOLA 600D SOLA 1200D
MSRP   $379 $579 $679

Output Lum:

  500 Spot 670 Flood
500 Spot
1200 Flood
500 Spot
Run Time: Min   High- 70
Med- 140
Low- 280
High-80
Med- 160
Low- 320
High- 70
Med- 140
Low- 280
System Weight   287 gr 287 gr 287 gr
Battery   2 Cell Li-Ion 2 Cell Li-ion 2 Cell Li-ion
Charger   1.5 Amp 1.5 Amp 1.5 Amp
Dimensions   57mm x 101mm 57mm x 101mm 57mm x 101mm

The Sola Photo line features the Sola Photo 500 and 600. The 500 produces a 500-lumen flood, while the 600 produces a 670-lumen flood and and 500-lumen red. Both lights feature 3 power levels for white light. The new Sola Photo 600 features 3 different power levels for red, addressing one of the early criticisms made about the old Sola 600, which only has one. (UPDATE: The lumen measurements for red light power levels are 225, 110 and 55 on high, medium and low, respectively). Light & Motion has not yet decided whether or not it will update older lights with adjustable red. The feature is so new it hasn’t even made it onto their website yet. Sola Photo lights feature a red bezel.

   
Stella5
 
Stella6
 
MODELS   SOLA 500P   SOLA 600P  
MSRP   $379   $579  

Output Lum:

  500 Flood  

670 Flood
500 Red

 
Run Time: Min   High- 80
Med- 160
Low- 320
 

High- 80
Med- 160
Low- 320
Red- 320

 
System Weight   283 gr   283 gr  
Battery   2 Cell Li-ion   2 Cell Li-ion  
Charger   1.5 Amp   1.5 Amp  
Dimensions   57mm x 101mm   57mm x 101mm  

The Sola Video line features the Sola Video 4000 and 1200. The Sola 1200 features both spot and flood beams with 3 power levels of each. Not much is known about the Sola 4000, which only currently exists in prototype form. The Sola 4000 will ship in April 2011 and should feature 7 power levels, be neutrally buoyant, and support clip-on filters and diffusers. Sola Video lights feature a silver bezel.

   
MODELS   SOLA 1200V SOLA 4000V
MSRP   $679 $1,599

Output Lum:

 

1200 Flood
500 Spot

4000: 7 levels

Run Time: Min  

High- 70
Med- 140
Low- 280

High- 60
Med- 120
Low- 240

System Weight   265 gr 750 gr
Battery   2 Cell Li-Ion 6 Cell Li-ion
Charger   1.5 Amp 5.0 Amp
Dimensions   57mm x 101mm 85mm x 143mm

There you go – a full roundup of the Sola lineup.

Light & Motion lent Wetpixel 4 lights to take on our Ambon Night Safari and Raja Ampat expedition last month. We’ll be posting video and photos of the lights in action, soon. Stay tuned!