Any experience with Quantum Instruments TurboZ battery pack?

[MediaMagic]

The specs on this look very good. Anyone have actual experience with the unit for powering a 550ex?

Also, as an aside, concerning the rechargeable AA batteries. I've noticed that standard AA's are 1.5v, but all rechargeable AA's I've seen have been 1.2v. Anyone know the reason for the voltage difference between the standard single use AA and the rechargeable?

Thanks

[scottbergerphoto]

I use two Turbo Z's. I have connecting cables for my Nikon, Canon(550EX) and Quantum flashes. They are constructed well and have very fast recycle times. The company is reportedly very responsive to customer concerns.
I recently started using a portable portrait set-up with a Q Flash T2D(or Canon 550EX) on light stand (Manual Mode),pointing into an umbrella powered by a turbo Z and fired by a Pocket Wizard Plus, and a Photoflex Disc Reflector on the other side for fill. This works out very nicely with my 10D. I use a Sekonic L358 to meter wirelessly with the internal PW module ($25). In order to use the 550EX this way, I had to get a cable from www.paramountcords.com that has a hot shoe for the 550EX on one end and a miniplug for the PW on the other end.
Regards,
Scott

[MediaMagic]

I use two Turbo Z's. I have connecting cables for my Nikon, Canon(550EX) and Quantum flashes. They are constructed well and have very fast recycle times. The company is reportedly very responsive to customer concerns.
I recently started using a portable portrait set-up with a Q Flash T2D(or Canon 550EX) on light stand (Manual Mode),pointing into an umbrella powered by a turbo Z and fired by a Pocket Wizard Plus, and a Photoflex Disc Reflector on the other side for fill. This works out very nicely with my 10D. I use a Sekonic L358 to meter wirelessly with the internal PW module ($25). In order to use the 550EX this way, I had to get a cable from www.paramountcords.com that has a hot shoe for the 550EX on one end and a miniplug for the PW on the other end.
Regards,
Scott

Thanks Scott. What is your opinion of the QFlash? I like the bare bulb possibility as well as the larger diameter reflector/duffusion possibility. Power output looks good too. I've been shopping around for a nice powerful flash to use in place of the 550ex when I'm using a single flash.

I'd rather shoot ratio with the ex's and find something else for a single. To be honest, I've just never quite been satisfied with the 550ex as a single bracket or shoe flash.

[DaveG]

The specs on this look very good. Anyone have actual experience with the unit for powering a 550ex?

Also, as an aside, concerning the rechargeable AA batteries. I've noticed that standard AA's are 1.5v, but all rechargeable AA's I've seen have been 1.2v. Anyone know the reason for the voltage difference between the standard single use AA and the rechargeable?

Thanks

I've own the Quantum 1 and Quantum 2 batteries, but not any Turbo's. My understanding is that the Turbos plug into the AC outlet that a flash might have and that's what gives the fast recycle times. The downside is that you still have to have regular batteries inside the flash, to power up the flash's electronics so you maintain automatic modes.

This second set of batteries didn't appeal to me, even a little, since it just could be one more thing that could fail at a critical time. I got the Quantum's so that I could shoot all day, and the interior batteries just put me back where I started. Perhaps this isn't the case for the 550EX but I'd look into it.

I should say that I was more than happy with recycle time of the 1 and 2, and wouldn't be slightly interested in the Turbo.

[scottbergerphoto]

DaveG,
The batteries in the flash are only used to keep the electronics going of the flash, not for any flash output when you use the Quantum at the high voltage port. You can put a pair of alkalines in there and not worry about them for a few months. To be safe just keep a four pack of Duracells in you bag.

David,
The Q Flash T2D is a great flash. It is very versatile. You can use it in full dedicated ETTL with an ETTL cord, Auto, Manual, and Stroboscopic. The parabolic reflector gives a nice spread of light. The only disavantages are price and size.
Regards,
Scott

[DaveG]

DaveG,
The batteries in the flash are only used to keep the electronics going of the flash, not for any flash output when you use the Quantum at the high voltage port. You can put a pair of alkalines in there and not worry about them for a few months. To be safe just keep a four pack of Duracells in you bag.

Scott
Yeah but my point is that you may well forget about those batteries until they fail, and then you have to figure out why the whole thing doesn't work! The Quantum non-Turbos recycle fast enough for me and makes the inside-the-flash-batteries moot.

[scottbergerphoto]

DaveG,
The batteries in the flash are only used to keep the electronics going of the flash, not for any flash output when you use the Quantum at the high voltage port. You can put a pair of alkalines in there and not worry about them for a few months. To be safe just keep a four pack of Duracells in you bag.

Scott
Yeah but my point is that you may well forget about those batteries until they fail, and then you have to figure out why the whole thing doesn't work! The Quantum non-Turbos recycle fast enough for me and makes the inside-the-flash-batteries moot.
Chaque a son gout, as the French might say!