Cactus Triggers vs. Alien Bees

[Photogo]

So what would you recommend, Cactus Triggers or Alien Bees? I haven't heard a concise opinion on Cactus, and I would like to get them, but are Alien Bees that much better?

[prime80]

The cactus triggers work, but they're unreliable. If reliability isn't important to you (ie. you're just doing it for fun, or you'll have plenty of time for "do-overs"), then you can't beat the price of the ebay triggers. If reliability IS important, then spend the extra on the Cybersyncs, or Skyports, or PWs. For as little as I use them, the Cactus triggers are fine for me. However, if/when I get to using them more often, I'll definitely be upgrading to better triggers.

[AxxisPhoto]

Are you using AB lights? If so, then I would spend the $$ on the Cybersyncs.

[chris jones]

My Cactus triggers have proven to be very unreliable.

[Photogo]

Thanks for the input, I think I'll skip the ebay triggers.

[AB8ND]

The Cactus Triggers I received where junk from the start, the enclosure for the receiver wouldn't even close properly with a battery installed, I need to wrap a gum band around it to hold things together. They worked for about 3 months then stopped working at all, even after replacing the batteries.
If you can't afford PW's get the Cybersyncs.

Jack

[GenuineRolla]

I hate hate hate my cactus triggers. They misfire more than do what they need to do half the time.

Cybersyncs allow you to get all the shots 100% of the time. So glad mine are coming in this week. Reliability is key.

[mattograph]

I have skyports, and they work for me with no problem. Only complaint is that there is no LED on the trigger, which can get frustrating when trying to determine whether a misfire started with the trigger, or is a problem elsewhere.

[jbergdoll]

PocketWizards... need I say more?

[tmalone893]

I have the Cybersyncs and they are great. No problems with misfire to report of at this time.

[ngray77]

I wasted 40 learning that wireless rocks, but not with cactus.

[DDCSD]

I have Cybersyncs. Five receivers and 3 transmitters. They work great, not a simgle issue so far.

[SnlpeR]

i have cactus triggers
6 receivers
3 transmitters

one broken transmitter, one main, and one backup (learned i needed a backup after the first one died)

i did the antenna mod and its working very well for me

[scorpio_e]

My Cactus triggers were JUNK!!!
Cybersynchs rock:)

[kickmaster]

I own both Pocket Wizards and Cybersyncs. Both work great, although PW's cost a lot more.

[khanhfat]

regardless to say , you get what you paid for. After i did a mod for my trigger antenna on the cactus it fires 80 -90% of the time triggered with 2 flash. When 3rd of 4th flash added sometime i have misfires and its kinda annoying.

So.. if you just want to experience with off camera flash , go for the cactus if u're on the budget. Otherwise the alien bees stuff is one of the best trigger for the money right now compared to skyports and PW. Cybersyncs fires 100% of the time and range is good as well.

I just order a set of alienbees for mine and get ready for 4 flash set up pretty soon :D.

[phsv]

I was told from some local camera reps to be careful about using the alienbees triggers when NOT using alien bee lights. Something about having glitches.

Can anybody confirm this?

I am considering either the skyports or the cybersyncs for triggers (already have the cactus) but interested in your experience.

[mattograph]

I was told from some local camera reps to be careful about using the alienbees triggers when NOT using alien bee lights. Something about having glitches.

Can anybody confirm this?

I am considering either the skyports or the cybersyncs for triggers (already have the cactus) but interested in your experience.

I haven't heard of any problems.

[DDCSD]

I was told from some local camera reps to be careful about using the alienbees triggers when NOT using alien bee lights. Something about having glitches.

Can anybody confirm this?

I am considering either the skyports or the cybersyncs for triggers (already have the cactus) but interested in your experience.

They probably say that because they can't sell you anything if they tell you the Cybersyncs are great triggers. ;)

Either that or they were talking about the old Alien Bees trigger (which I know nothing about).

[tmonatr]

I had some Cactus units, and now I have some Cyber Sync's. The only thing better about them is the CS's fire every time you want them to, and never when you don't...and they are built better....and use easy to find batteries....and don't need any mods to bring them to 70% reliability instead of 50%....and they don't make you look stupid in front of paying clients....and my 20D and 30D sync at 1/320 with them vs 1/200 with the cactus'. But other than that they are not any better.:D

[ngray77]

I was told from some local camera reps to be careful about using the alienbees triggers when NOT using alien bee lights. Something about having glitches.

Can anybody confirm this?

I am considering either the skyports or the cybersyncs for triggers (already have the cactus) but interested in your experience.

AB/Paul C Buff sells direct, around them. Prepare for FUD tactics (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt)

I would be surprised to hear of an in instance where if it didn't work with somebody's other strobes, AlienBee's support wouldn't help you out.

[dynastysmartparts]

i have taken about 1000 + pictures now with my syncs ...not one misfire yet...still havent changed the batterys...my cactus triggers i had before that ran through batterys amazingly fast and are such high maintainence POS

[phsv]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I figured they were saying that to sell another brand. Now, does anybody have any experience with the new Cybersyncs + ?

[metrocardscheme]

can i use a viv 283 on alein bees

[fatalimage]

my cactus units have been great to me. i modified the transmitter for further distance. no problems in this corner.

[midnight_rider]

I bought a set of the cactus triggers and I really wish I would not have. The ground termination depends on contact between the small plate that holds down the flash and if you ever loose that connection it can cost you a flash.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=632803

[BCRose]

i have taken about 1000 + pictures now with my syncs

I shoot school portraits with the Cybersyncs...over 1000 flashs a day! And I have never had a misfire, ever.

[stince]

I have cactus's
Very annoying.

Moding the antenna until i get money for cybersyncs!

[GenuineRolla]

Cybersyncs are well worth the money. I have said it once before, I will say it again.

It's nice to have gear that works, 100% of the time. In photography, there's times when you don't want to miss an expression or a motion..and with the cybersyncs, you'll get the shots when you NEED to.

[phsv]

Yes, when I bought a pair of the Cactus Triggers, one of them was never making enough contact with the flash terminal, so I had to bend the hinges a bit and that seems to be working for now. Waiting for tax refund to invest on the AB's

[Titus213]

I was told from some local camera reps to be careful about using the alienbees triggers when NOT using alien bee lights. Something about having glitches.

Can anybody confirm this?

I am considering either the skyports or the cybersyncs for triggers (already have the cactus) but interested in your experience.

The 'glitch' is in your local camera rep. I use my Cybersyncs with AB lights, EX lights, Sunpaks, and Vivitars. No problems at all.

[mattograph]

Hang on for about a month.... You will see a rash of PW IIs, Skyports, and others on the market as folks migrate to the new pocket wizards with TTL.

Anyone want to buy an ST-E2? :)

[jxg]

funny, i was wondering if the prices of ST-E2 are suddenly going to plummet (probably, since i just bought one).