Some of the most useful additions to a camera kit solve a very practical problem. For me, the ChillBeam Glowmad Vision lights have been about carrying less bulk and getting a light into position quickly.
I bought three of the bi-colour Glowmad Vision lights and have been using them recently, including on a filming trip to Madrid. They were particularly useful abroad, where the size of everything going into the kit matters. Compact transport and quick setup are the two things that have stood out most.
I have used them for pieces to camera, interviews, vox pops and on-location filming where we are moving around a lot. They have worked well in several roles: as a key light for an interview, a fill light, a backlight and a rim light. That versatility is a big part of why they have earned their place in my kit.
Disclosure: I purchased the three Glowmad Vision lights covered here. This article is not a paid collaboration. It reflects my experience so far; manufacturer specifications are identified separately from my own observations.
Why I bought the Glowmad Vision lights
For mobile filming, I wanted a compact lighting option that would be straightforward to take along and quick to use. A light can be excellent on paper, but it still has to fit the way you work.
Camera bodies, lenses, audio and support equipment all compete for space. Lighting brings its own packing decisions, particularly when flying. Having three useful lights that pack down small gives me more flexibility over what goes into the travelling kit.
I bought the Glowmads with run-and-gun work in mind, and they have also proved useful for interviews. My larger Aputure setup still has a place, but having a compact light that can take on different jobs gives me more choice on location.
Compact transport is the biggest benefit
The inflatable format is the feature that makes the Glowmad Vision interesting. It changes the relationship between the size of the light when it is in use and the space it occupies in a bag.
On my recent filming trip to Madrid, that practicality was valuable. I was travelling with a working camera package, so lighting had to earn its space alongside everything else. These lights were a useful addition without bringing the bulk I would normally associate with carrying several lighting fixtures.
For me, this is the strongest reason to consider them. The advantage begins before the shoot, when you are deciding what you can realistically take with you. Then it carries through to moving between locations and packing at the end of the day.
Quick setup suits mobile filming
The other standout has been speed. The Glowmad Vision is quick to get ready, and that suits the role I bought it for.
On mobile shoots, you still need to think carefully about where the light goes. Its height, angle and distance from the subject all affect the result. An uncomplicated setup gives you more room to concentrate on those decisions.
That is particularly useful when we are moving around a lot. For pieces to camera and vox pops, I want to get the lighting in place without turning every change of position into a lengthy setup. The Glowmads have been great for that kind of work.
From interview key light to backlight and fill
I have used the Glowmad Vision as a key light for an interview, providing the main light on the subject, and as a fill light when I want to lift the shadows. I have also used it as a backlight and rim light to help separate someone from the background.
Those are different jobs, and being able to use the same compact fixtures across them is a real strength. I have three in my kit now, so I can choose how to use them around the scene rather than carry a separate type of light for every role.
For interviews, pieces to camera and vox pops, that makes them a very useful part of my location kit. They give me options while keeping the setup manageable when we need to move.
Why I like the bi-colour adjustment
The fact that they are bi-colour is another thing I really like. Being able to adjust the light warmer or cooler is useful on location, where the ambient lighting can change from one space to the next.
It also gives me flexibility in how I use each fixture. Whether it is the key, fill or backlight, I can adjust the colour temperature to suit the look I am working towards. I still judge the result on camera, but having that control in such a compact light is a welcome feature.
Practical mounting: C-stands, arms and floor stands
One small detail I particularly like is the strap on the back. I use it to attach the light to a C-stand, which I have found very useful when using it as a backlight.
I have also added accessories to the kit, including the little magnetic clamps that let me mount the lights on Noga arms and floor stands. That gives me several ways to position them depending on the space and the job the light needs to do.
These are the practical details that make a difference during a shoot. A compact light becomes much more useful when it works with the grip equipment you already carry. Between the rear strap and the mounting accessories, the Glowmads fit well into my existing setup.
The features that matter
The following are ChillBeam’s published specifications for the original bi-colour Vision, rather than measurements from my own tests.
| Feature | Manufacturer specification |
|---|---|
| Colour temperature | 2700K–6500K, bi-colour |
| Output | 20W; up to 2,000 lumens |
| Colour rendering | CRI 95+ |
| Weight | 323g per light |
| Mounting | Built-in magnets, hanging loops and a detachable magnetic ¼-inch screw mount |
| Power | Rechargeable via USB-C |
| Claimed runtime | Approximately 110 minutes at full brightness; around six hours at 30%; up to 24 hours at 1% |
A lumen rating is not a direct measure of how much light reaches a subject at a particular distance. I have not independently measured output, colour accuracy or battery runtime; my assessment here is based on using the lights on shoots.
Where they fit in a professional lighting kit
I see the Glowmad Vision as a particularly appealing option when travelling light and working quickly are priorities. That was my reason for buying them, and it remains the clearest benefit of using them.
For anyone considering a similar setup, think about the scenes you need to light. A nearby subject in a controlled interior asks something different of a light from a wide shot in bright ambient conditions. Working distance, the existing light and the amount of shaping you need should guide the choice.
I have been happy using a Glowmad as an interview key light, while my larger Aputure setup remains available for jobs that call for it. The choice comes down to the scene and the look I need. Having both options helps me build the lighting around the job.
There is also a difference between having several lights and needing to use them all. With three units available, I can plan around the scene rather than treat a three-light arrangement as a requirement. The picture should decide how much lighting is needed.
My verdict so far
The ChillBeam Glowmad Vision lights have been a very useful, versatile addition to my kit, and I would recommend them. They pack down small, are quick to set up and have worked well for pieces to camera, interviews, vox pops and filming on the move.
Having used them as a key, fill, backlight and rim light, I appreciate how many roles they can cover. The bi-colour adjustment, rear strap and magnetic mounting accessories all add to that flexibility.
I now carry three, along with the accessories that help me position them where I need them. For the kind of location work where we are moving around a lot, they have earned their space in my kit.
About James
I am a freelance Director and Director of Photography working across the UK and internationally. My kit notes explore the equipment and practical decisions behind my work on location. Explore my DOP services or get in touch.
