Yet Another Cactus V2 Thread... different receivers and strobist antenna mod

[ghostman]

Hi,

I've been on the fence about the Cactus V2s, due to complaints about their general reliability. But while browsing the Gadget Infinity website, I noticed they had two different V2 receivers:

4-Channel Wireless Flash Receiver V2 (for V2 Trigger) (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16741&cat=274&page=1)

4-Channel Wireless Flash Receiver V2s for Vivitar 285HV (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16767&cat=274&page=1)

I don't understand the difference, even with their description. The first (cheaper) one mentions compatibility with 580EX and 430EX. The second one lists 580EX and 430EX as compatible within the page, along with compatibility with a bunch of other flashes and a warning of 12V flashes. Will the first one not work with Sunpak 383 and Vivitar 285HVs? Which one are people getting?

And, on a side note about the Cactus V2s... has anyone tried the strobist mod? The receiver battery mod seems like it would solve my gripe with the expensive batteries (assuming I can use NiMHs) and the transmitter mod seems to increase range and reliability. Just like to see someone else also give this a shot.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/10/detailed-cactus-v2s-mod-page.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157602622255547/

[Lotto]

Some users reported problems of the first trigger with the 285HV because of the Vivitar's lower trigger voltage, so they came out with the version 2 of the V2. Both should work with the Sunpak 383.

I use the 16 chanel version because I don't trust my flash on the Catus tilting bracket, and the fact its receiver uses AAA battery.

I've done my shares of the attena mods with mix results:lol: this is the my latest.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/1815978898_cbbddf225f.jpg

[rhys]

Hi,

I've been on the fence about the Cactus V2s, due to complaints about their general reliability. But while browsing the Gadget Infinity website, I noticed they had two different V2 receivers:

4-Channel Wireless Flash Receiver V2 (for V2 Trigger) (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16741&cat=274&page=1)

4-Channel Wireless Flash Receiver V2s for Vivitar 285HV (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16767&cat=274&page=1)

I don't understand the difference, even with their description. The first (cheaper) one mentions compatibility with 580EX and 430EX. The second one lists 580EX and 430EX as compatible within the page, along with compatibility with a bunch of other flashes and a warning of 12V flashes. Will the first one not work with Sunpak 383 and Vivitar 285HVs? Which one are people getting?

And, on a side note about the Cactus V2s... has anyone tried the strobist mod? The receiver battery mod seems like it would solve my gripe with the expensive batteries (assuming I can use NiMHs) and the transmitter mod seems to increase range and reliability. Just like to see someone else also give this a shot.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/10/detailed-cactus-v2s-mod-page.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157602622255547/

My experience of the cheap ebay triggers is bad. Don't waste your money on them. Save the little you'd spend on things that won't work and put it towards something that will work instead.

[ghostman]

Some users reported problems of the first trigger with the 285HV because of the Vivitar's lower trigger voltage, so they came out with the version 2 of the V2. Both should work with the Sunpak 383.

I use the 16 chanel version because I don't trust my flash on the Catus tilting bracket, and the fact its receiver uses AAA battery.

I've done my shares of the attena mods with mix results:lol: this is the my latest.



Does the 16-channel 1/4" phone plug version work with Canon 430EX and 580EX? I'm guessing they work just fine with the Sunpak 383 and Vivitar 285HVs.

EDIT: Scratch that question... I notice those were what you tested with in your review:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=273624

Hmm... mixed results on the mods.

[Lotto]

The mix results I got were the length of the attena made a big difference. Without the attena, I got about 40 ft range. With a 3 inch antena, got about 50-60 ft. With a 8.5 inch antena, got over 100 ft. Now with the antena between 3.5 and 8 inches, it wouldn't fire :(

[tnicol]

Does anyone mess with the receiver antenna too or just the transmitter?