Last Updated 2 weeks ago
Overview
The Litepanels Astra IP Half is a compact, weather-resistant LED panel designed for professional broadcast, documentary, and location-based production. It brings the familiar Astra form factor into an IP-rated housing, allowing the fixture to be used safely in rain, dust, and harsh outdoor environments without additional weather protection.
The Astra IP Half is built for reliability and deployment speed rather than stylistic flexibility. It is intended to function as a dependable white-light source in situations where environmental conditions would normally limit the use of standard LED panels.
Strengths
The fixture offers weather-resistant construction, dependable output, professional color quality, and compatibility with existing Astra accessories. Its compact size and rugged design make it well suited to challenging environments.
Limitations
The Astra IP Half lacks RGB capability and advanced effects. Its output is limited compared to full-size panels, and its feature set is intentionally restrained in favor of durability and reliability.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Light Fixture | |
| Item Type | 1× LED Light Panel |
| Included Filters | Diffusion |
| Included Storage Case | No |
| Beam Angle | 30° |
| Built-In Flash | No |
| Umbrella Mount | No |
| Front Accessory Mount | Proprietary |
| Expected Lamp Life | 50,000 hours |
| Preprogrammed Effects | Yes |
| Photometrics (Unmodified) | |
| 3200K (1 m / 3.3 ft) | 1170 fc / 12,600 lux |
| 3200K (3 m / 9.8 ft) | 130 fc / 1,400 lux |
| 3200K (5 m / 16.4 ft) | 46 fc / 504 lux |
| 5600K (1 m / 3.3 ft) | 1254 fc / 13,500 lux |
| 5600K (3 m / 9.8 ft) | 139 fc / 1,500 lux |
| 5600K (5 m / 16.4 ft) | 50 fc / 540 lux |
| Color & Control | |
| Color Temperature Range | 2700–6500K |
| Color Modes | Daylight, Tungsten |
| CRI | 95 |
| Dimming | App-controlled / Built-in, 0–100% |
| Connectivity | |
| Wireless Control | Bluetooth |
| Mobile App Compatibility | Yes (Android & iOS) |
| Wireless Channels | No |
| Wireless Groups | No |
| Power & I/O | |
| Power Source | AC Power (cable included), Battery (not included) |
| Power Consumption | 63 W |
| AC Input | 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| DC Input | 12–30 VDC |
| Battery Type | 1× D-Tap Rechargeable, 12–30 VDC (not included) |
| Power Input | 1× powerCON TRUE1 AC |
| Battery Input | 1× XLR 3-Pin |
| Power Pass-Thru | No |
| Included Cable | USA Type-A/B to powerCON TRUE1 |
| Mounting | |
| Yoke Type | Manually-operated |
| Fixture Mount | 1× 5/8″ Receiver (via yoke mount) |
| General | |
| Display | LCD |
| Environmental Resistance | Dust/Water-resistant (IP65) |
| Operating Temperature | −4 to 113°F / −20 to 45°C |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Fixture (without yoke) | 14.8 × 7.4 × 4.2 in / 37.6 × 18.8 × 10.7 cm |
| Fixture (with yoke) | 17 × 12.1 × 4.2 in / 43.2 × 30.7 × 10.7 cm |
| Weight | 6.8 lb / 3.1 kg |
| Packaging | |
| Package Weight | 12.53 lb |
| Box Dimensions | 20.7 × 15.3 × 6.8 in |
Position in the Astra Lineup
Within the Astra family, the IP Half occupies a specialized role. It is smaller and lower-output than the full-size Astra IP but offers the same environmental protection and core performance characteristics in a more compact form factor.
The IP Half is designed to complement standard Astra fixtures rather than replace them, filling the gap for exterior, wet-location, and ruggedized applications where traditional Astra models are unsuitable.
Output and Performance
The Astra IP Half delivers solid output for its size, suitable for use as a key light in close-range setups or as fill, edge, or background illumination in larger scenes. Its panel-based design produces a naturally wide beam with smooth distribution, making it effective for broad coverage and quick setups.
While it does not compete with larger panels or hard sources in terms of raw punch, its performance is consistent and predictable across operating conditions.
Color Quality and Modes
The fixture is designed as a white-light panel, offering daylight and tungsten operation depending on configuration. Color reproduction meets professional broadcast standards, with stable output and minimal shift during dimming.
The Astra IP Half is not intended for RGB or effects-based lighting. Its focus is clean, accurate illumination that integrates easily into mixed lighting environments.
Environmental Protection
A defining feature of the Astra IP Half is its IP-rated construction. The sealed housing protects internal components from rain, dust, and moisture, allowing the fixture to remain operational in adverse weather conditions where non-rated panels would require rain covers or be removed entirely.
This makes it particularly valuable for exterior interviews, live events, ENG work, and documentary production in uncontrolled environments.
Power and Control
The Astra IP Half supports professional AC and DC power options, making it suitable for both fixed installations and mobile production. Dimming is smooth and flicker-free, supporting broadcast and high-frame-rate applications.
Control is intentionally straightforward, emphasizing physical reliability over complex menu systems. Optional wireless control and DMX integration are available depending on configuration and accessories.
Mounting and Modifiers
The fixture uses standard yoke-based mounting and integrates easily with conventional grip hardware. Its compact size allows it to be rigged on stands, booms, and exterior mounting points where larger panels would be impractical.
The Astra IP Half is compatible with a range of Litepanels accessories, including diffusion and light control options designed for the Astra platform, while maintaining its weather-resistant integrity when properly configured.
Typical Use Cases
The Astra IP Half is commonly used for exterior interviews, documentary work, news gathering, live events, and location shoots where weather exposure is a concern. It is also useful in industrial, marine, and architectural environments where dust or moisture would compromise standard fixtures.
Its strength lies in reliability and speed rather than creative lighting effects.
Rental and Owner-Operator Relevance
The Astra IP Half is a strong rental-house fixture for productions that frequently work outdoors or under unpredictable conditions. Its durability reduces downtime and minimizes the need for improvised weather protection.
For owner-operators, it is a practical specialty tool rather than a general-purpose panel. It is most valuable for crews who regularly shoot on location and cannot afford weather-related delays.
Market Position
The Astra IP Half occupies a niche segment of the LED panel market focused on weather resistance and professional reliability. It does not compete directly with RGB panels or studio-focused fixtures, instead prioritizing environmental durability and broadcast-grade performance.
Its value is defined by where it can be used, not by how many features it offers.
Summary
The Litepanels Astra IP Half is a purpose-built LED panel designed for real-world production conditions where weather and environment cannot be controlled. It delivers clean, professional white light in a ruggedized package that crews can trust outdoors.