CordlessRing Light

In-Lab testing showed this ring light generates up to 300 lux at two feet from the light source, and we found the quality of light particularly flattering when comparing photos taken with the different ring lights. The color temperature range left something to be desired, only ranging from 3,200 Kelvin to 5,500 Kelvin. The difference between the three temperature settings on this model weren't as noticeable as some of the other models we tried, but given the price and other tools this light comes with, we can't complain.

On the other end of the spectrum from massive lighting apparatuses, Rotolight's Ultimate Vlogging Kit condenses the most necessary aspects of a ring light kit into a design that's under one-foot in size all together. The ring light comes with a kit that includes a mini tripod for mounting a phone, camera or microphone at the same time as the ring light, and the tripod is compact enough to fit into your hand for on-the-go video creation and vlogging.

If you plan on making any content where you'll need to film yourself, EMART's ring light has everything you need to make the process seamless. The light comes with a tripod that expands to 55" tall and features a pivoting head so you can easily light a wide variety of content. Additionally, it comes with a phone holder, remote Bluetooth shutter for iPhone and Android devices, and Bluetooth remote for changing the light settings for a totally hands-free experience. The switch on the light operates simply yet effectively, allowing you to cycle through three color temperatures and 10 brightness levels with the click of a few buttons.

1- Don't pay to have someone print a manual for you unless you've got some kind of special in. The cost per page is just too high to make it worth it, especially on modules that will be updated in the future.

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Now I know what you're thinking - the manuals get updated pretty frequently, there are youtube videos, Chucks Guides. that are all much better for learning, etc. I know - I know, I actually don't use the manuals for "learning" either.

Though we didn't test this model, we loved how much control and accuracy this light delivers. This ring light is capable of producing light with a color rendering index (CRI, a measure of the proximity of appearance of artificial light to natural sunlight) of up to 97, meaning it'll illuminate anything you're filming in a natural, flattering way. We were also impressed with the dial control of both brightness and temperature, letting you very granularly choose the exact amount and color of light for your shot. While this ring light is pricier compared to some of our other picks, its pro-level control and purportedly powerful illumination make it a worthwhile splurge for those looking to take their video content to the next level.

Although technically not a "ring," the Litra Glow packs everything you'd want in a ring light into a compact frame: a bright, diffuse light with five temperature settings spanning 3,800 Kelvin, easy-to-use temperature and dimming controls (accessed on the back of the light) and the ability to mount to a laptop via the computer mount (included) or tripod (not included). The included laptop mount features a head that can be angled and pivoted so you get light exactly where you need as you stream or partake in video conference calls.

Filming overhead shots as you're crafting, cooking or doing anything else on a tabletop can be tougher than it looks. Getting a direct light source right above your work area and keeping your filming device steadily above is deceptively tricky, which is why we love the design of this ring light from Pozliv. It comes with a tripod that clips onto the desk and additional mounting equipment for attaching your smartphone or camera. The phone/camera mount features a ball-and-socket joint and the kit comes with the addition of a gooseneck mount for the ring light, making lighting and filming even the most intricate tabletop activities a breeze.

For the beginner just getting into video content, the QIAYA Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand and Phone Holder offers the most bang for your buck. This ring light comes with an attachable tripod and phone holder to get you started on your video and photo projects right out of the box. We also love the inclusion of a Bluetooth remote that can be connected to iPhone and Android devices to remotely operate your phone's shutter for hands-free shooting.

While we loved the mounting options as well for this ring light, being able to screw onto a tripod and attach a phone mount, we noted that the separate sale of these accessories may not make it fit for novices in the video lighting sphere.

For the bindings of the manuals I got a Rayson binding machine. This was a lot more expensive than I was expecting, but the result was much much better than a regular 3 hole punch. The ability to fold the book in half was great and the pages have much less of a chance of ripping out. Combined with a laminated cover and a leather back, it really turned a stack of a few hundred 8.5" x 11" pieces of printer paper into an actual book.

✔ Temperature range: Temperature range matters for more precise filming and is useful if you're a filmmaker or do creative shots. It's a measure of the warmth or coolness of light's tone, and it's reported in Kelvin (this comes from the correlation of the color of emitted light by a black-body radiator at a given temperature in Kelvin). If you only plan on using your ring lights for TikToks and video conferencing you likely won't need a large color range, but if you plan to get creative it might be useful to to have a large range so you can simulate different lighting conditions

Ring Lightwith Phone Holder

We loved the sheer brightness of this model, not only being quantitatively brighter than the others we tested, but qualitatively being noticeably brighter than these models as well. We found the quality of light flattering and liked the USB power supply which allows you to skip out on extra cables and adapters.

Lume Cube's massive 18-inch ring light is a favorite among professional videographers for its brightness, size, and perhaps most importantly, portability. It comes with a carrying case that can fit the 6.5-foot tripod stand and mounting equipment, and the ring light is cordless and powered by two included rechargeable lithium ion batteries, obliterating the limit of needing to film near a power source.

So began my quest to find a way to materialize the manuals as cost efficiently as possible. It was clear pretty quickly that any pay-for-print place was just not going to cut it. The cost was never going to down to the "meh nice to have" price point.

That ended up being 7 different manuals coming out on 15 different booklets, which is ~3,500 pages! Way more than I could possibly read, but it really helped fill out my bookcase ;)

Now when it comes to DCS I can't google search or watch a youtube video on a topic that I don't eve know exists yet, and the manuals are structured in such a way to give you an excellent way of opening up to a random page to prompt a question like "What the heck is the LABS system in the F-86? - it's the only part of the panel left that i don't recognize". The book is going to give me some context on how to answer that question but 9/10 times I'm still going to just watch a youtube video on it.

So that's what I'm planning on using the manuals for - but my problem has always been that the cost to get them printed was just too high to justify the "nice to have" nature of them. Especially given the frequent nature of updates. At printing places like Kinkos, mimeo, etc. the A-10C II manual with a spiral binding was being quoted between $400-$800! That's insane!

3 - If you only want 1-2 manuals printed - you're still SOL. The method I jumped into is just too expensive to be worth it - at least to me.

I started to look at the cost of different types of printers - thinking that a color laser could handle the volume / color requirements of the manuals with a lower cost per page offsetting the additional capital expense of the machine. I then came across the HP SmartInk line of printers which optimizes for color cost per page, while still being relatively inexpensive like other inkjet printers. While this machine printed a lot slower and needed to have its paper try refilled mid-way through a print, it ended up being a perfect lower-entry cost, low cost per page mix. I need to print things on paper maybe 3 times a year in my personal life, so I really couldn't care less about the extra benefits of other machines.

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The metal bindings did have a couple downsides though - it limited the maximum bindable length to ~250 pages, which forced some of the manuals (like the monster 800 page A-10C II one) into multiple booklets. This wasn't too huge of a deal - I just split the book at a major section and include the table of contents in each booklet. The binding machine I got can also only punch 12 sheets at a time, which meant there was a few hours of manual effort to work my way through the books.

✔ Size: The size of your ring light will be dictated by the kind of content you'd like to film. If you plan on using it to illuminate video conferences and selfie videos, a compact (less than six inches in diameter) clip-on device might be the most convenient and logical, though you won't get as bright results as a larger model. For filming full-body content or lighting a larger scene, you'll likely want to size up to a larger model (nine- to 14-inches or larger) since these will not only likely have a stronger light output but will disperse that light more widely.

With printing services out, I was going to need to get the equipment to do it myself. I've never done anything printing related before, so it was a learning experience for me.

✔ Color Rendering Index (CRI): CRI is a metric that relates an artificial light's appearance to natural light. The index is a 100-point scale with 100 being 100% accurate to natural light, and 0% being a very poor rendering of natural light. Try to find a light with a high CRI (95 or above) for the most natural looking shots. Many manufacturers do not report CRI so this metric can be tough to use while shopping.

Besto ring light

Ring lights illuminate photo and video content in a flattering way that reduces shadows on the face and blurs the appearance of blemishes. This is possible thanks to their unique shape, which allows for filming without the camera casting a shadow, as well as their construction, being an assemblage of many small LED lights. The configuration of these LEDs is what makes the light appear diffuse and flattering compared to overhead lighting or spotlights which can cast harsh shadows or exacerbate skin's texture in collected footage.

2 - If you fly a lot of modules and want to have a lot of manuals (like 5+ at least), newer low per/page cost inkjet printers make it possible to get good quality prints in quantity if you put in a few hours of your own time. Very high initial expense, but can be worth it in the end if you value them enough.

Ring lights are the secret to perfect lighting in your favorite viral TikToks, YouTube videos, Twitch streams and even Zoom conference calls. These (often) circular lighting apparatuses are composed of many LEDs arranged to disperse light in a way that reduces shadows on the subject that other directional lights might produce. The ring construction is one of the ways these devices reduce shadows, allowing the photographer or videographer to place their recording device in or behind the ring such that it doesn't cast a shadow on the subject.

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The project ended up costing me wayyyyy more than I was expecting initially. At >$500 the upfront expenses of this make it a really steep investment to get started.

The first thing we look at (unsurprisingly) while testing ring lights is the light's functionality. We take note of the controls and note the differences between different light color modes and brightnesses. We evaluate brightness with the use of a luxmeter, which reports the lux (how much light is passing through a specific surface area) in our darkroom so we can quantitatively compare the maximum brightness across different ring lights. We find lux more utile than lumens (the total brightness of light emitted by the source) because when we use a ring light our goal is to illuminate some other object, so total light is far less useful of a metric than useful light. We measure lux at 2 feet from the light source, with our luxmeter facing the center of the ring light. We take lots of selfies and videos to evaluate the qualitative characteristics of light, and appraise their use on laptop and phone cameras.

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This ring light from JOBY is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. Of the five ring lights we tested, this model had the brightest light output, measuring 590 lux at two feet away from the light source. It also has three different temperature settings, ranging from 3,000 to 5,600 Kelvin, which can be accessed via the switch.

To choose the best ring lights, we combined both hands-on testing with our expertise and research to find the best ones available on the market.

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Finally, we take a look at manufacturer-reported stats like color temperature range, color rendering index and luminosity to help understand the differences in performance and recommend the best ones.

While we didn't get the opportunity to test this model in the Lab, we were appreciative of the robust mounting options in this ring light kit, and its design particularly for overhead shooting. We also loved that the tripod head is compatible with lots of different filming equipment thanks to its 1/4 threading. Those hoping to mount a more weighty camera may want to look elsewhere though — the tripod's maximum bearing weight is three pounds. If you're only in it for the ring light though and don't mind the use of a second tripod for your camera, or if you're using a lightweight camera or phone, this kit is perfect.

✔ Brightness: Naturally, you'll want a ring light that's as bright as possible, but also has some dimming options so that you can use the appropriate amount of light for different scenarios. Brightness can be reported in lux, but it can be difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison between manufacturers. In general, larger lights tend to (but not always) be brighter since a ring light is really a composition of lots of small LEDs in a ring formation, so more surface area for the ring equals more light.

In testing this model performed impressively, delivering 530 lux at two feet from the light source. Additionally, we were impressed with how lightweight this light is, clocking in at just 0.45 pounds (not including the tripod and phone holder), making it a great pick for the creator on the go. During testing we noticed a somewhat grating hum from the light while in use, but considering the value with respect to performance, the noise isn't a huge concern.

Welcome to /r/hoggit, a noob-friendly community for fans of high-fidelity combat flight simulation. Discussion primarily focuses on DCS: World and BMS. This is not a full on reprimand-you-for-having-your-navigation-lights-on-when-you-shouldn't-have type outfit here. You'll find we foster a laid back atmosphere to learn how to work the various modules available in DCS.

To make picks for this article, Nikolas Greenwald spent over 10 hours researching, examining and testing ring lights. Combining his knack for quantitative analysis and his right-brain aptitude for aesthetics, he evaluated ring lights for not only their brightness and performance, but also the quality of footage created with them.

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I went a little overboard this Christmas break to solve a problem I've had since I started with DCS - how the heck do I get my hands on a printed version of the manuals!

TLDR: I went on a quest to find a way to get printed DCS manuals for as low of a cost as possible - $700 later I ended up with a setup that costs ~$15 per manual which is pretty good in my book. Link to everything used here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13IanBCSlaYeE-9b7D2m9kdPZmgLNgoEdgCyr4YzKJSI/edit?usp=sharing

Here's my argument for why they're useful: In my professional life I'm a software engineer - and as such I'll have to learn new technologies pretty frequently. When I start to learn something like a new programming language I'll always buy a book - not because I'm going to sit down and read it cover to cover to learn that language, there are better ways to learn and I can probably transfer the majority of my knowledge from areas I already have expertise in, making the majority of the book pretty useless. But the reason I do it is so that the book is there to tell me what I DON'T know.

24 inchRing Light

Though not the brightest light we tested, we were wowed by the ratio of brightness to size, improving the lighting of Zoom calls and photo booth pictures substantially considering its meager 3.25-inch length and width chassis. Specifically, we liked how the design of this light eliminated the tell-tale reflection of the ring light that shows up in people's pupils when they use one. The light itself only weighs 0.2 pounds and with the mount it clocks in at 0.35 pounds, making it perfect for traveling. We also loved that the laptop mount is easy to attach and remove, and feels stable when latched onto the screen.

In all - I'm glad I went down this road and I would do it again. I learned about so many things that I didn't know exist just by putting the manuals together. I imagine this will be interesting to all of about 10 people who google "DCS manual printed" in the future, as I did to start this. If you have any questions let me know - or if you have a way lower cost solution of your own (that isn't an iPad) - please keep that to yourself so I can stay in bliss...

You can see a breakdown of everything that I bought (with amazon links if you wanted to pick it up yourself) here on this Google Sheet.

As a data engineer in the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.

Initially I had only planned to print out the F-16C manual as that has been what I have been trying to learn recently after flying the F/A-18C for a while, but the process was so easy that I ended up going all in and printing all the modules that I regularly fly.

For more on how we test and evaluate ring lights, as well as a guide of the top things to look for when shopping for ring lights, keep scrolling after our picks.

Beyond the actual lighting components, we examine the kit that the ring light comes with, noting the ease of assembly and setup, the sturdiness of equipment, the utility of the accompanying accessories, and any unique or standout features.

Many ring lights come equipped with phone mounts for easy DIY video creation, or are clip-on so that you can mount them to a laptop for easy use in video conferencing. Some even allow for express control over the brightness and light warmth and color to achieve different effects. When shopping for a ring light it's important to consider the application, ambient filming lighting conditions (e.g. if you film in a bright room you may need a brighter ring light to counteract the lighting) and power supply.

We weren't able to test this model in the Lab, but couldn't help but be impressed with the design. Unlike other portable ring lights that clip directly onto your phone, this design allows you to keep full use over your phone's screen while filming, helpful for adjusting focus and lighting on the fly or interacting with TikTok filters. Due to its compact nature, it's unsurprising that reviewers have pointed out that this light isn't as bright as other models, but gets the job done for impromptu creation. We also wish color temperature could be controlled via a button as opposed to having to attach filters, but for filming on the go, we can appreciate the sheer simplicity of this device.

But once you get past that initial expense, the cost for each manual on just the consumables was extremely affordable. With just my initial purchase, the only thing that I actually need to restock on are the Ink and Paper. The bindings, covers, etc. will last me for far more manuals than I could ever want to print. So when the next major F-15E update comes out and it needs to be re-printed, I'm only looking at ~$15 of actual cost. That is absolutely the kind of cost efficiency that makes it worth it to me!