Aputure announced a few months ago that they are going to expand the budget-friendly amaran light fixture line-up. Aputure has been focusing on their current lighting products to be robust with better build quality and higher outputs, such as the NOVA P600c and Light Storm 1200d Pro.
The amaran line is designed for entry-level productions or someone who wants to own gear at a more affordable price. The build quality will be less robust than that of the Aputure Light Storm series, but the new COB 60d and 60x is very compact, which looks like a good option for travel.
Both fixtures have 65 watts of output from a COB (Chip On Board) LED cluster. The fixture itself, without reflector or mount, only weighs 675g / 1.49lbs. With the power supply, mounting pin added, it comes in at 2.060kg / 4.54lbs. The fixture doesn’t have a yoke. Instead, it uses a 1⁄4-20in Mounting Pin with Stand Adapter.
What’s Included In Each Kit
| ITEM | QUANTITY |
| amaran COB 60d or 60x | 1 |
| Bowens Mount Hyper Reflector (Mini) | 1 |
| Dual NP-F Battery Plate for DC Barrel (5.5mm) | 1 |
| Bowens Mount Protection Cover | 1 |
| 1⁄4-20″ Mounting Pin with Stand Adapter | 1 |
| AC Power Supply | 1 |
| IEC C13 AC Power Cable (4m) | 1 |
| Carrying Case | 1 |
What feels like a first the amaran 60d/60x lights don’t include a remote; however, the lights are fully compatible with Sidus Link.
To keep the fixture cool, a fan is on the back of the light.
Powering Options
V-Lock Mount 
NP-F Battery PLate 
AC Power Brick 
AC Barrel Connector 
Optional D-Tap Cable Not Included
In addition to the included AC Power supply, The fixtures can be powered using the included Dual Sony NP-F Battery Plate, or a D-Tap Battery (cable sold separately), which attaches to the V-Mount plate located on the side of the light. No Gold Mount option is avavaible.
Both fixtures have a maximum power consumption of 76W. For D-Tap, it requires 12-16.8 volts. When using NP-F batteries, 12-16.8v is also needed. The NP-F battery plate is included and has a fixed cable on the base with a barrel connector on the other end that goes into the light.
AMARAN COB 60d Key features
- 65W Output Daylight Bowens Mount Point-Source LED
- 45,100lux @ 1 meter
- Full-Size Bowens Mount, the most universal accessory mount in a compact design
- Bowens Mount Hyper Reflector (Mini): Specially Designed with a 15° Beam Angle
- 5600K Daylight CCT
- Super Accurate Color Rendition, CRI: ≥96, TLCI: ≥96, SSI (D56): 72
- Compact & Lightweight: Just Over 11x11x11cm and 675g
- Stepless Dimming from 0 to 100%
- Sidus Link App Compatible
- Included Dual Sony NP-F Battery Plate
- D-Tap Battery Compatible [D-Tap Power Cable (DC 5.5mm) Sold Separately*]
- Locking 19V DC 5.5mm Input
- 8 Lighting FX: Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulse, Strobe, Explosion
- Ultra-quiet Active Cooling System
- Click Control Knob to Toggle Through Intensity Presets
- LCD display
- 1/4-20” Mounting Point
- Tilting Stand Mount with Umbrella Holder
- Operating Temperature Range: -10°C~40°C
amaran COB 60d Photometrics
| CCT | SOURCE | .5M | 1M | 3M | 5M |
| 5600K | No Reflector | 13,360lux / 1,241fc | 3,310lux / 307fc | 379lux / 35fc | 145lux / 13fc |
| Hyper Reflector (Mini) | 149,200lux / 13,860fc | 45,100lux / 4,190fc | 4,720lux / 438fc | 1,664lux / 155fc |
Compatable Modifiers
The amaran 60d/60x comes with a Hyper Reflector (Mini) that Aputure states are specially designed with a 15° Beam Angle. This is a pretty tight degree however the light is very compact, and the reflector is much smaller than the more common you see on the Light Storm 120 through 600 series.
The new mini reflector being much smaller has a new design with three extended arms to attach to the Bownes Mount. Hopefully, other versions with a wider spread will be available. The bare bulb without the reflector has a 120° beam angle.
Since the amaran 60x/60d both have a full-size Bowens Mount, the fixtures are compatible with a large selection of modifiers on the market, including the Aputure Light Dome SE, Light Dome Mini II, and Aputure Lantern, making it versatile.
amaran COB 60x
The amaran COB 60x has a color range of 2700k – 6500k to choose from for those that like flexibility.
amaran COB 60x Key features
- 65W Bi-Color Bowens Mount Point-Source LED
- 37,775 lux @ 1 meter (standard cover – 6500K)
- Full-Size Bowens Mount, the most universal accessory mount in a compact design
- Bowens Mount Hyper Reflector (Mini): Specially Designed with a 15° Beam Angle
- 2700K – 6500K CCT
- Super Accurate Color Rendition, CRI: ≥96, TLCI: ≥96, SS (Tungsten): 85, SSI (D56): 74
- Stepless Dimming from 0 to 100%
- Sidus Link App Compatible
- Included Dual Sony NP-F Battery Plate
- D-Tap Battery Compatible [D-Tap Power Cable (DC 5.5mm) Sold Separately*]
- Locking 19V DC 5.5mm Input
- 9 Lighting FX: Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulse, Strobe, Explosion, & Fire
- Ultra-quiet Active Cooling System
- Click Control Knob to Toggle Through Intensity Presets
- LCD display
- 1/4-20″ Mounting Point
- Tilting Stand Mount with Umbrella Holder
- Operating Temperature Range: -10°C~40°C
amaran COB 60x Photometrics
As with most bi-color lights, output decreases for the flexibility of having the 2700K to 6500k option. Below are the stated output readings provided by Aputure.
The amaran 60x and 60d lights fit the bill for a compact fixture. As long as the spread is decent and won’t make a hot spot in the center, I can see these being used with softboxes.
Pricing and Shipping
The COB 60d retails for $169, COB 60x $199. Shipping has not been set at this time.
