Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi Released – Powerful Bi-Color COB LED Light

Lighting News

by Francesco AndreolaDecember 28^th, 2022

The company’s most powerful COB LED bi-color fixture, the Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi, is now available to pre-order. The light offers a 2,800-6,500K CCT range, 0.1% dimming increments, 78,800 lux at 3 meters, a mount system with electronic pins to recognize accessories, IP54 rating, and professional connectivity.

While the company’s KNOWLED lineup already includes two bright models, the M600D and M600Bi, the advent of a more powerful 1200W bi-color variant was first teased at IBC 2022 back in September. During the show, another high-output bi-color COB LED spotlight, the NANLUX Evoke 1200B, was launched.

The two fixtures have very similar specs, but the Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi, which is clearly here to engage in a head-to-head challenge, is slightly more affordable. So let’s take a look at what is has to offer!

Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi: features

The Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi is a bright COB LED fixture that promises to offer a stable 1200W output across its whole CCT spectrum, which ranges from 2,800 up to 6,500K. The light source can be dimmed from 0.1 up to 100% in precise 0.1% steps, using 4 different dimming curves (Linear, S-curve, Exponential, Logarithmic).

According to the manufacturer, the light (set at 5,600K) can output a maximum of 78,800 lux at a distance of 3 meters using the optional Fresnel lens. For reference, the NANLUX Evoke 1200B is claimed to reach a maximum brightness of 61,030 lux at the same distance when paired with the 26° reflector.

Moreover, the light output should be pretty color accurate, as Godox claims CRI 96+, TLCI 96+, R15 92+, and TM-20 RF 92+ ratings. The fixture packs 11 built-in lighting effects and is kept cool by a heat dissipation system that integrates four different fan modes. A film light has to be quiet, so let’s hope it’s always quiet enough for shooting with sound when the fan kicks in.

The light body features a proprietary G mount system that is capable of recognizing the type of light modifier in use. This feature is clearly inspired by ARRI’s Orbiter, but now comes at a fraction of the cost. The company already offers a series of accessories for the KNOWLED MG1200Bi, including a 14” Fresnel lens, four reflectors (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°), a projection attachment, as well as softboxes in all sorts of shapes (lantern, strip, square, octa) and sizes.

Design, power and control

Both the light body and the control box of the KNOWLED MG1200Bi are IP54 rated, meaning that the fixture is not afraid of inclement weather. The lamp head measures 378x579x354mm/14.8×22.8×13.9” in size for a total weight of 16kg/35lbs.

The KNOWLED MG1200Bi requires a separate ballast to be fired up. This control box comes with a dedicated clamp to easily attach it to C-stands, and the cables that connect it to the light body and wall power are both 7.9m/26ft long.

When it comes to adjusting settings, you are spoiled with choice. Indeed, along with offering onboard controls, the light supports DMX512/RDM, LumenRadio CRMX, Ethernet (sACS and ArtNet), and Luminair control. Moreover, the fixture is controllable using the Godox Light App (iOS /Android) as well as the optional RC-11 panel and RC-A6II/RC-R9II remote controllers.

Price and availability

The Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi is now available to pre-order from B&H and is expected to hit the shelves towards the end of February 2023. Its official retail price is set at $3,490, which makes it a little more accessible than the NANLUX Evoke 1200B (currently $3,895).

Pricing for the dedicated accessories is as follows:

• 35” Lantern Softbox – $249
• 47” Lantern Softbox – $299
• 35” Parabolic Softbox – $249
• 47” Parabolic Softbox – $299
• 59” Parabolic Softbox – $349 
• Square Softbox (35.4 x 35.4”) – $239
• Rectangular Softbox (35.4 x 47.2”) – $249
• Square Softbox (47.2 x 47.2”) – $299
• 47” Octa Softbox – $299
• 59” Octa Softbox – $349
• 30° Reflector – $149
• 45° Reflector – $125
• 60° Reflector – $119
• 15° Reflector – $259

For more information, please visit Godox’s website here.

What do you think of the Godox KNOWLED MG1200Bi? Would you pick up this or the NANLUX Evoke 1200B? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!