How tough is the NEXA-MAG?
At CINELUX, we don’t just design for performance — we design for survival. Ok that sounds rather dramatic. But recently, we put that claim to the ultimate test. We crushed the NEXA-MAG.
Using a 10-tonne hydraulic press, we set out to compare the durability of our NEXA-MAG against the industry-standard RED Mini-Mag. What followed was an experiment that revealed just how far we’ve come in building better, stronger camera media.
The Test
The setup was simple. Two drives. One press. And a whole lot of force.
- Test 1: RED Mini-Mag
- Test 2: NEXA-MAG
Each mag was placed in the same position under the hydraulic press. We slowly applied pressure and recorded the point at which each drive structurally failed.
Mini-Mag Results
The RED Mini-Mag didn’t stand a chance. It crumpled under 216 kilograms of force— a considerable force, but something we felt we could improve on.
The aluminum body folded quickly, offering minimal structural resistance and little protection to the internal media.
NEXA-MAG Results
Then came the NEXA-MAG. The press pushed harder. And harder. And harder. The NEXA-MAG held up to a staggering 1750 kilograms of force before it showed signs of deformation — that’s over 8 times the force it took to crush the Mini-Mag.
Why Is the NEXA-MAG So Much Stronger?
There are a few reasons the NEXA-MAG crushed this test (pun intended):
- Thicker Enclosure Walls: Unlike the Mini-Mag, the NEXA-MAG uses up more of the internal volume for protection. With less empty space around the internal components, we were able to make the enclosure walls significantly thicker — dramatically increasing structural strength without changing the material itself.
- Structural Cooling Fins: The signature cooling fins on the NEXA-MAG aren’t just for thermal performance — they also add rigidity and distribute impact force across the enclosure.
- Engineering Focused on Real-World Use: We know that on-set conditions can be unpredictable. Camera gear gets dropped, crushed, and mishandled. So we built the NEXA-MAG to handle it all.
Designed for Creators Who Can’t Afford to Lose a Shot
In high-pressure environments where media failure isn’t an option, durability matters. Whether you’re on set, or on the move, the NEXA-MAG has you covered.
Of course, no one’s out there intentionally crushing their Mini-Mags under industrial presses. We get it — this isn’t exactly a real-world use case (unless your camera rig has a run-in with a forklift). But it does show how fragile the original design is when pushed even slightly beyond normal conditions — and how much stronger the NEXA-MAG is built for peace of mind.
It’s not just a better mag. It’s a tougher one.
