Nanlite Forza 720B

Last Updated 5 hours ago

Overview

The 720B is a higher-input tunable-white Bowens source for bounce and diffusion. Its battery and fan-off limits, and a conflict between older Fresnel material and the current FAQ, deserve explicit attention when specifying a package.

Key specifications

Specification	Details
Brand / model	Nanlite Forza 720B
Source / white range	Bi-colour COB; 2,700–6,500K
Rated power	800W
Native / supplied reflector	120° / RF-BM 55° reflector
Head / controller	5.3kg / 4.2kg
Head dimensions	51.8 × 22.8 × 14.2cm
Controller dimensions	15.6 × 14 × 33.2cm
Battery mode reference	Two suitable 26V packs: up to 65% brightness in Nanlite’s technical article
Fan-off reference	Maximum 15% power in the same manufacturer article
Controls	Onboard, Bluetooth NANLINK, 2.4GHz, DMX/RDM; external CRMX receiver
Fresnel guidance	Current Nanlite FAQ does not recommend FL-20G on 720/720B

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• Bi-colour control and multiple Bowens optical options suit larger bounce and diffusion sources.
• A separate control unit keeps the main interface away from the raised head.

Limitations

• No built-in CRMX receiver, and Bluetooth/2.4GHz are different control systems.
• Battery operation has reduced-output limits. This is the original Forza 720B generation.

Practical uses

Use it for large soft keys, bounce or a directional source with a compatible optic. Specify whether the test or setup is bare, reflector-based or Fresnel-based before comparing its output with another lamp.

Setup	How to use this fixture
Large bounce or diffusion	Use the reflector to fill the working surface and meter the final transmitted/bounced light. Plan from 800W input and the actual working coverage.
White-temperature changes	Choose Max Output or Constant Output before programming warm-to-cool cues. Their brightness behaviour differs.
Battery location	Build exposure around the supported reduced-output battery arrangement. Two 26V packs are not a promise of AC-equivalent maximum output.

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Output and colour

At 5,600K and 3m, Nanlite lists 3,116 lux bare and 7,919 lux with the supplied reflector. White light adjusts from 2,700–6,500K. Nanlite’s current FAQ advises against using the FL-20G with this model, despite its appearance in older material.

Sources: Nanlite Forza 720B: nanliteus.com reference.

5,600K configuration	3m
Bare	3,116 lux
Supplied reflector	7,919 lux

Photometric & exposure calculator

Estimate centre-beam illumination and the corresponding camera aperture from this fixture’s published measurements.

Light configuration Light-to-subject distance

mft

ISO Frame rate (fps) Shutter angle (°) Incident-meter referenceDome (C = 340)Flat (C = 250)

Estimated output

Illuminance—lux

Foot-candles—fc

Approximate f-stop—nearest 1/3 stop

Select a configuration to calculate.

Manufacturer readings are for the stated optic, colour setting and full output, measured at the beam centre. Values between measured distances are interpolated. Point-source values outside those distances are approximate inverse-square estimates; large sources cannot be reliably extrapolated and are limited to their measured range. Exposure uses frame rate, shutter angle, ISO and the selected incident-meter calibration. Only the optics and diffusion explicitly listed in the measurement are included; additional modifiers, bounce, beam edges, ambient light, ND filters and camera exposure-index differences are not accounted for. Confirm critical exposures on set with a meter.

Nanlite’s current FAQ does not recommend the FL-20G for Forza 720/720B. It describes that accessory as intended for Bowens fixtures up to the 500W class. Older 720B material includes FL-20G measurements and different compatibility information.

Projector and softbox compatibility is model-specific. Max Output and Constant Output modes also produce different behaviour during white-temperature adjustments.

Tests and reviews

Allard’s Newsshooter review praises output and colour performance while noting higher power consumption than the 600x Pro. Justin Romeyn adds production examples. The older FL-20G tests predate Nanlite’s current advice against that pairing.

Read the measured review and Nanlite’s current Fresnel guidance.

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Power and batteries

Rated power is 800W. AC and V-mount operation are different arrangements. Nanlite’s technical article states up to 65% brightness with two suitable 26V batteries; 14V-class packs are also supported subject to the specified operating limits.

The same article specifies a 15% maximum-power limit with the fans off. Battery and fan-off setups therefore have lower output limits than the full-AC reflector configuration.

Control, cooling and camera operation

Control path	Hardware and operating notes
Local modes	Onboard intensity/CCT, Max Output and Constant Output.
App	Direct Bluetooth NANLINK; separate from wireless DMX.
2.4GHz	WS-RC-C2 remote or WS-TB-1 transmitter arrangement.
Console	DMX/RDM; external CRMX receiver through the wired input. USB-A can power suitable receiver hardware within its specification.

Choose the fan condition before sound and exposure approval. Fan-off can help a close dialogue position, but its 15% maximum-power reference makes it a different lighting setup from full output.

Identify the 720B on the nameplate before applying a console profile or battery limit. The fixed-daylight 720 and later Forza II models have different output and operating specifications.

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Modifiers, rigging and the working package

Compatible accessory profiles · Nanlite FL-20G Bowens Fresnel and Barn Doors · Nanlite PJ-BM Projection Attachment (19° and 36°)

The 5.3kg head and 4.2kg control unit are separate from the reflector, battery pair and case. Native Bowens mounting accepts compatible modifiers; Nanlite’s current FAQ does not recommend FL-20G for this model. Check the long modifier's balance, yoke clearance and controller clamp when the lamp is aimed high or down through a frame.

Item	Package requirement
Head	5.3kg before modifier
Controller	4.2kg before batteries
Head cable	Standard 5m connection
Mount and support	Native Bowens, angled yoke and controller quick-release clamp
Fresnel	Do not specify FL-20G as recommended under the current FAQ

Balance the actual compatible modifier and leave clearance for the controller’s side-mounted batteries. Keep the head cable supported through the required tilt and avoid loading its connector with the controller’s weight.

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Alternatives and related fixtures

Fixture	When to compare it
Nanlite Forza 300B II	Choose the smaller Forza for tighter locations and tint adjustment if its output is sufficient.
Aputure Light Storm LS 600x Pro	Compare the 600x Pro's CRMX and battery options alongside matched-coverage output.
Aputure STORM 1200x	Compare the larger STORM for its wider white range and locking mount, accounting for the higher input and different optics.

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What people are saying

Matthew Allard ACS, Newsshooter

Allard is positive about output, colour quality, construction and the straightforward interface. In his tests it compared favourably with the LS 600x Pro, while also drawing more power. The linked review provides the conditions behind those comparisons. Read article.

Justin Romeyn

Romeyn describes integrating the 720B into real productions and being pleased with its usefulness. It is a production-based reviewer account, alongside the separate measured testing linked above. Watch video.

Videos

CineD uses the Forza 720B on several shoots and tests the projection accessory.

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Rental and used-fixture checks

• Check the battery pair's voltage and sustained discharge against the 720B manual.
• Run the required cooling mode and meter the light after warm-up.
• Fit the reflector/Fresnel, check yoke balance and support the control unit and head cable.

Documentation and specifications

• Nanlite Forza 720B: nanliteus.com reference
• Nanlux Evoke 1200B

Nanlite current FAQ: FL-20G restriction for Forza 720/720B

Nanlite 720/720B technical article: battery and fan-off limits

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