Astera Tube Rental Cost: Titan & Helios Pricing Guide

By David Wells, President, Moving Picture Rental — Updated March 2026

How Much Does It Cost to Rent Astera Tubes?

Astera tube rental pricing depends on which model you need (Titan or Helios), how many tubes, and the length of your rental. At Moving Picture Rental, kit rentals start at $100/day. Here is how our rental packages break down:

Multi-day and weekly rates are available. If you are bundling Astera tubes with a larger camera, grip & lighting, or crew package, ask about package pricing when you call. Savings can reach about 20 to 30% off, or more.

Rent Locally vs. Ship from Out of State: The Real Cost Comparison

Producers visiting Florida from LA or New York often default to shipping their own Astera tubes. Here is what that actually costs compared to renting locally from Moving Picture Rental:

These hidden costs are why most experienced line producers rent Astera tubes locally when shooting in Florida. The math gets even worse if you need to ship back damaged equipment or file an insurance claim mid-production.

Astera Titan vs. Helios: Which Tube Do You Need?

Astera makes two primary tube models: the Titan (full-size, 3.4 feet) and the Helios (compact, 1.8 feet). Both share the same RGBMA LED engine, color science, and wireless control system. The difference comes down to size, output, and where you need to put them.

The short version: If you have the space, the Titan gives you double the output and double the pixel count. If you need to hide tubes inside a set piece, tuck them into a car interior, or mount them where a 3-foot tube simply will not fit, the Helios is your tube. Colors and brightness are perfectly matched between the two models, so you can mix Titans and Helios tubes in the same scene with no visible difference in color quality.

How to Control Astera Tubes on Set

One of the biggest advantages of Astera tubes over competing LED tubes is the range of control options. You are not locked into a single workflow.

AsteraApp (Bluetooth/IR): The free AsteraApp for iOS and Android lets you control individual tubes or groups from your phone or tablet. You can set color temperature, dial in specific RGB values, create pixel effects, and build multi-tube programs. This is the fastest way to get started on smaller setups. Requires the optional ART7 CRMX transmitter for full wireless range.

Wireless DMX (CRMX / W-DMX): The built-in LumenRadio CRMX receiver gives you professional wireless DMX control at distances up to 300 meters (330 yards). This is the standard approach for larger sets where a gaffer or lighting board operator needs full console control without running cables.

Wired DMX via PowerBox: The Astera PowerBox connects up to 10 Titan or Helios tubes and provides simultaneous charging, power, and wired DMX/Art-Net/sACN data through a single combination cable per tube. This is the preferred setup for long shoot days where you need continuous power and reliable data.

Onboard Display: Every tube has a backside display with direct access to color, hue, saturation, and intensity controls, plus DMX addressing. Useful for quick adjustments when you do not want to pull out your phone or console.

Mounting and Rigging Astera Tubes

Astera designed their tubes to be mounted almost anywhere. Every kit from Moving Picture Rental includes the standard mounting accessories, and we carry additional rigging options for specialized setups.

Floor Stands: Each tube ships with a foldable M5-thread tripod stand for vertical placement close to the floor. Good for low-angle accent lighting, background color washes, and practical lighting behind furniture.

Holders with Cotter Pins: The metal holders grip the tube body and include a cotter pin for secure truss mounting. This is the standard approach for overhead grid work, truss systems, and any rigging where the tube needs to hang or mount horizontally.

Eyebolts (M5): Screw into either end of the tube for suspension with safety cables. Use these when you need to hang tubes vertically from a grid or rig them at angles that holders cannot accommodate.

Spigots (Double-Ended): Allow you to join tubes end-to-end for longer continuous light lines, or serve as mounting studs to connect tubes to grip heads, super clamps, and gobo arms.

Baby Pin Adapters: Astera’s BabyPin accessory screws into the 1/4″-20 thread on the back of the holder, letting you insert the tube into any standard super clamp, gobo head, or C-stand grip head. This is the most versatile mounting option for traditional grip work.

DoP Choice SnapBag and SnapGrid: Third-party soft boxes and grids designed specifically for Astera tubes. The SnapBag wraps around 1 or 3 tubes for diffused, directional output. The SnapGrid provides 40-degree beam control. These are essential for controlling spill when using tubes as key or fill light rather than practicals.

Production Use Cases: When to Rent Astera Tubes

Astera tubes are not just “pretty background lights.” Here are the production scenarios where they deliver the most value:

Practical Lighting in Frame: This is the number one use case. Astera tubes are designed to look good on camera. The 96 CRI/TLCI means the color you see with your eye is the color the camera captures. Mount them inside bookshelves, behind set walls, along corridors, or anywhere you want a visible light source that does not need to be color corrected in post.

Car Interiors: The Helios tube (1.8 feet) fits inside most vehicle cabins. Mount two Helios tubes on the dashboard or headliner for a soft, even wash on talent during driving scenes. Battery power means no cables running through the vehicle.

Background Color Washes: Line up 4 or 8 Titan tubes along a wall or cyclorama for instant, fully adjustable background color. The 16 individual pixels per Titan tube allow gradient effects across the length of each tube.

Event and Stage Lighting: Astera tubes are IP65 rated (dust and water resistant), making them safe for outdoor events. The 20-hour battery life at reduced output means you can deploy them for an entire event day without recharging. The AsteraApp makes it easy to program color changes and effects without a lighting console.

Interview and Talking Head Setups: A pair of Titan tubes behind the subject at a 45-degree angle creates an instant edge/rim light with adjustable color temperature. Match to your key light or dial in a subtle color separation. The wireless control means your gaffer can adjust from across the room without touching the fixture.

Florida Exteriors and Humid Conditions: The IP65 rating matters in Florida. Salt air, humidity, and sudden rain are constant threats to lighting equipment on outdoor shoots from Miami Beach to the Everglades. Astera tubes can handle exposure that would damage conventional LED panels. Your equipment spend with a local vendor like Moving Picture Rental also counts toward county film incentive local vendor thresholds. We covered Florida-specific gear protection in our Florida Film Location Checklist.

Battery Life: What to Actually Expect on Set

Astera’s spec sheet says “up to 20 hours” of battery life. That number is accurate but requires context. Here is what you will actually see on a production day:

Astera’s “Seamless Runtime” feature lets you set a target duration (e.g., “this shoot is 6 hours”) and the tube automatically limits its maximum output to guarantee it lasts the full duration. This is extremely useful for event work where you cannot recharge mid-show.

Astera Tubes vs. Other LED Tubes: Why They Win on Set

There are other LED tube options on the market (Quasar Science, Nanlite PavoTube, Godox TL Series). Here is why Astera tubes continue to be the first choice for professional film and commercial production:

Color accuracy: 96 CRI and 96 TLCI across the full color temperature range. Most competing tubes drop below 90 CRI at extreme color temperatures or in saturated color modes.

RGBMA vs. RGB: Astera uses a five-color LED engine (Red, Green, Blue, Mint, Amber). The additional Mint and Amber emitters fill in the gaps in the visible spectrum that three-color RGB engines miss, resulting in more accurate skin tones and smoother color gradients.

Battery system: The LG Chem lithium-ion battery lasts up to 20 hours and charges in 3 hours. Many competing tubes use smaller batteries with shorter runtimes and longer charge times.

IP65 rating: Dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction. Most competing tubes are IP20 or IP40 at best, meaning they cannot be used in outdoor or humid conditions without risk.

Wireless ecosystem: Built-in CRMX, W-DMX, Bluetooth, and IR control, plus the AsteraApp and wired DMX/Art-Net/sACN via PowerBox. No other tube on the market offers this range of control options in a single fixture.

View Our Full Astera Inventory

Moving Picture Rental carries Astera Titan tubes, Helios tubes, and all associated accessories including PowerBoxes, CRMX transmitters, charging cases, stands, holders, and mounting hardware. Browse the full lineup here: movingpicture.com/astera

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting Astera Tubes

Q: How much does it cost to rent Astera tubes?
A: Kit rentals at Moving Picture Rental start at $100/day. Pricing varies by kit size (individual, 2-tube, 4-tube, or 8-tube kits) and rental duration. Multi-day and weekly rates are available. Call (305) 522-1361 or request quote.

Q: What is the difference between the Astera Titan and Helios?
A: The Titan is 3.4 feet long with 72W output and 16 pixels. The Helios is 1.8 feet long with 36W output and 8 pixels. Both share the same LED engine, color science (96 CRI/TLCI), and wireless control system. The Helios fits in tighter spaces; the Titan delivers double the output.

Q: How long do Astera tube batteries last?
A: Up to 20 hours at low brightness, approximately 8 to 10 hours at 50% brightness, and 1 hour 45 minutes at full white output. The Seamless Runtime feature lets you set a target duration and the tube automatically manages output to guarantee it lasts.

Q: Can Astera tubes be used outdoors?
A: Yes. Both the Titan and Helios are IP65 rated, meaning they are dust-tight and protected against water jets. This makes them suitable for outdoor shoots, including Florida’s humid and rain-prone conditions.

Q: Do I need the PowerBox?
A: For shoots under 4 hours at moderate brightness, battery power is sufficient. For longer shoot days or full-brightness applications, the PowerBox provides continuous AC power and charges all tubes simultaneously. It also enables wired DMX, Art-Net, and sACN control.

Q: Can I control Astera tubes from my phone?
A: Yes. The free AsteraApp (iOS and Android) provides full control over color, intensity, effects, and pixel programming via Bluetooth. For extended wireless range (up to 330 yards), add the ART7 CRMX transmitter to your rental.

Q: Can I mix Titan and Helios tubes in the same scene?
A: Yes. Colors and brightness are perfectly matched between the two models. You can use Titans for primary lighting positions and Helios tubes in tighter spaces with no visible difference in color quality.

Q: Does Moving Picture Rental deliver Astera tubes?
A: Yes. We offer 24/7 delivery across South Florida and ship to all of our service areas: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Tampa. We also offer same-day replacements if a tube goes down during your shoot.

Rental pricing referenced in this post reflects rates available at the time of publication and may vary based on kit configuration, rental duration, availability, and seasonal demand. Contact Moving Picture Rental directly for current pricing.

About The Author

David Wells - Moving Picture President

David Wells is the President of Moving Picture Rental, where he has the privilege of wearing many hats -- Producer, Director, Cameraman, and Technologist. An entrepreneur at heart, Wells injects creativity and innovation into every role and helps guide producers and filmmakers with their projects. Call David Wells and his team, and they’ll show you how to make your production an outstanding one.