Over the past year, the transition from traditional, powerful HMIs to high-output LEDs has reached a significant milestone: there are now fixtures capable of competing with a 6K HMI while requiring only a fraction of the power. No tow plant, no heavy trunk line weaving through set. All you need is a Honda 7000is that could fit in the back of a pickup truck.
Two of the most prominent options currently available in the Los Angeles market are the Nanlux Evoke 5000B and the Aputure STORM XT52. Both fixtures represent substantial engineering achievements that all boil down to two key improvements over their HMI ancestors: control and ease-of-use.
The Nanlux Evoke 5000B
The Nanlux Evoke 5000B is a natural evolution of the 1200B and 2400B product lines. It’s bigger, it’s bolder, and it’s still bi-color, with a color temperature range from 2700K to 6500K. With a CRI (that’s “Color Rendering Index”) of 97 the light quality is exceptionally clean, and the inclusion of now-standard green/magenta adjustment is a critical feature for matching existing location sources. Perhaps the biggest choice outside the chipset for this light is its engineering: the ballast and head are integrated into a single head unit. That means this beast is heavy. This is definitely a two-person (or liftgate) lift, whether you’re trying to mount it on a crank stand or condor. The good news is that the build is also extremely rugged, with an outstanding IP 66 rating. There’s a suite of attachments available for the 5000b, from your standard set of three cone reflectors, to a parallel beam reflector and motorized fresnel. All-in-all, this fits nicely within the overall Nanlux ecosystem.
The Aputure STORM XT52
The Aputure XT52 goes in a different direction with full color rendition using their proprietary BLAIR chipset (that’s blue, lime, amber, indigo, and red). By moving beyond traditional bi-color diodes, it achieves a wider CCT range of 2500K to 10,000K. This provides additional flexibility when matching extreme ambient conditions, such as very cool daylight or warm candlelight. Unlike the 5000b, this unit has a ballast separate from the head, making its general design more in line with HMIs. This also means the head is noticeably lighter, though when lifting above head height you probably still need a second pair of hands. You have an ecosystem that echoes the Nanlux line (Aputure and Nanlux are direct competitors, so their lighting products oftentimes seem to mirror one another): fresnels, parallel beam reflectors, lanterns, and domes. Again, a nice addition to your other Aputures, or simply a very reliable “big gun” to keep by your side.
At-A-Glance Comparison
Here’s a quick and easy breakdown of the two units side-by-side:
| Feature | Nanlux Evoke 5000B | Aputure Electro Storm XT52 |
| Power Draw | 5000W | 5200W |
| CCT Range | 2700K – 6500K | 2500K – 10,000K |
| Color Engine | Bi-Color (with G/M adjustment) | BLAIR Chipset |
| IP Rating | IP66 (Powerful Water Jets) | IP65 (Standard Water Jets) |
| Cooling | Active Air Cooling | Liquid + Air Cooling |
| Accessory Mount | NL Mount | Aputure Mount (Electronic) |
| Weight (Head) | Approx. 90 lbs | Approx. 61 lbs |
Practical Considerations
Choosing between these two fixtures often depends on the nature of your production. The Nanlux 5000B is a robust choice for crews already utilizing Nanlux gear. Its weight requires careful rigging considerations, but the IP66 rating makes it a primary candidate for harsh exterior environments.
The XT52 is significantly lighter at the lamp head, which can be an advantage when rigging on long arms or booms. The BLAIR chipset is designed for high color fidelity, and the Sidus Link integration provides a polished wireless control interface. Both fixtures allow for dimming a 5K-equivalent source to 1% without color shifts or the need for physical scrims.
If you are in the neighborhood and want to see these units side by side, feel free to stop by Geronimo Creek. We always have the coffee on and love talking shop. We have both units available in our rental inventory if you want to take one out on your next project and see how it performs in the field.
