Four years ago, I review the first revision of Relio and now it’s the turn of second generation. I’m so excited to start with it, because it’s difficult to think how to improve the first revision of Relio. And the answer is easy, offer more functionality keeping the best of original Relio. Continue reading the review if you want to know all of new features of this small led light.
Package and his content
The package is almost similar to first version, keep the black box made by carton. In this case adds a cartoon cylinder for the long vertical support. In the back part of the box is located all the information of Relio2. It’s not a technical information, it’s focuses in the different configurations and the App.
In Relio2 the content is one of the biggest changes, because this new version incorporates a lot of gadgets and pieces for the different configurations. The unit will be reviewed in the next chapter, lets focus in the “extras”. Once we open the box, we find a letter from Marco, the Relio founder, what describes the love and enthusiasm in creating Relio2. We found inside: Three difference lens made of plastic, 2 Allen wrench, rubber joints, a pack of washer, metal extension bar, USB cable for power the device, small cards with a link to watch all manuals/documentation. USB cable has one of biggest changes; the connection end is magnetic, similar to Magsafe connection used in older MacBook Pro. It’s a really good improvement and it will avoid a dangerous drop.
The low lamp is already mounted inside of the house and It includes the base, vertical bar and of course all screws and rubber bands. The base has three possible positions for vertical bar, it incorporates a series of weights in the corners, a hole to pass the USB Cable and even a system to hang the base. It is truly very versatile, and this is repeated in each of the pieces of Relio2. We can view the same detail for example in the screws, with a beautiful metallic cube to turn it.
To end this chapter, we are going to review the pieces that make up the lamp. It is composed of a long bar, screws and rubber joints. It also comes with a lens for the Relio2
Relio also has send to us 2 pieces created with a 3D printer and it’s available other drawing of pieces to build in your own 3D printer.
3.- Relio2
Relio2 is very similar in size and design. In fact, it’s almost equal with the unique different of USB connection. As we commented in the previous chapter, USB is now magnet and it will help a possible hang. This second gen also incorporates the standard tripod connector. Although externally it is the same, internally the equipment incorporates a BT connection for manage from a Mobile App.
4.- Desk Lamp
Relio2 add more extras like «Desk Kit». You can create a Desk Lamp thanks to the modularity, and it’s really easy to convert the initial «lamp» to a «high lamp». You can construct your own Desk with an incredible Italian Design. The USB cable is enough long to mount this Desk Lamp and the base is exactly the same as default one. The Desk Lamp is so adjustable and looks incredible over any Desk, offering a second use to Relio2.
5.- Use and Features
Like original Relio, we have a device with a professional Led; Designed for professionals and enthusiasts. Relio2 offers an impressive 98% native TLCI and more than 40.000 lux at 25cm. We can adjust the light with 4 lenses: 10º, 25º, 60º and 10×70º. For change lenses we just need remove 4 screws.
Apart of lenses, we can add more filters created with ad 3D printer, this is one of the aspects that has surprised me the most. Below you have 2 different images taken with appliques created with a 3D printer and how the photo changes. First photo has taken with a Light Polarizer and second one with Bull’s Eye Beam Shaper. There are a lot of Accessories for Relio2 and you can request from this URL: https://www.relio.it/accessories . Or even we can submit our own accessories created for Relio2.
Let’s got now to remote management, one of the important features not available in the first release. Thanks to BT connectivity, it’s possible to manage several lights remotely and adjust the intensity of light. The synchronization process is really easy and quick and the from the app we can also fix the brightness level and put the light in strobe mode. This feature is really cool and funny, and we can adjust the speed of strobe effect. I just have one unit, but it will be great if the brightness and strobe effect could be management as a group.
6.- Conclusion
Relio2 is a good advance from the first release, adds to a fantastic/professional led the modularity and improve the flexibility. Relio has added a standard support with a great design and also an option for a Desk. Thanks to this support is easy to focus the device in the right direction and position.
Relio2 takes the benefit of technologies like 3D printers, increasingly more accessible and cheaper. You can create your own accessories like: Bull’s eye, Diffuser, Ligth Polarizer… The other great improvement is the inclusion of a BT and thanks of a Mobile App (iOS and Android) is possible the management of brightness and strobe mode. As two possible areas of improvement: add the management of several devices from the App and add a Battery option for Relio2 Relio2 has a price of 159 Euros just for the lamp, 179 Euros with Base Kit and 199 with Desk Kit. These two last options actually have a 10% discount. Changes of color or temperature do not suppose any change in the price. It’s not a cheap led compare with Chinese cheap solutions but if you are looking for a professional solution, this price is not exaggerated. As conclusion, a fantastic advanced in an innovative product since 2014. User can give more functionality and create new features thanks 3D printers and Mobile App. You have obtained the highest rating and the recommended product brand. Thanks to Relio for the facilities to make the review.