If you own or use the Innovatronix Explorer 1200 XT please chime in

[TMR Design]

I know what threads like this can turn into very quickly so I'd like to start off by saying that if you use a Vagabond II or are going to chime in to recommend one, please don't.

I specifically want to hear from users of the Tronix Explorer XT. I've already owned a Vagabond II and done huge amounts of research. The Tronix offers more power, longer battery life and faster recycle times.

Having said that, I'm interested in hearing from people that own or use a Tronix. I'm going to be powering 1 or perhaps 2 Visatec Solo 1600B. They're analog controlled strobes made by Bron. Quality is outstanding, build is exceptional, 600ws. I did tons of research and concluded that for location shooting I didn't need or care about digital controls and wanted reasonable amounts of power to work in many different lighting scenarios.

Anyway, if you have experience with the Tronix please give me some feedback and let me know which strobe or strobes you're using.

[Rudi]

Robert,

Do you really want to lock yourself into another mount system? Broncolor at that? You know that those accessories won't be cheap! Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy two or more Tronix packs, and use them with your BX strobes (or buy some RX600 strobes)? I hope you don't mind me saying so, but it just doesn't make sense to me to buy into a whole new system (whatever it is) just to use on location, especially since an extra Tronix pack will only cost you about the same as one Elinchrom Rotalux softbox...

Looking at the Visatec Solo 1600B specs, they are only about as versatile as the old Elinchrom 500 strobes! Only a three-stop power range. If you really want to go analogue, why not just buy some EL500's ??

[TMR Design]

Robert,

Do you really want to lock yourself into another mount system? Broncolor at that? You know that those accessories won't be cheap! Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy two or more Tronix packs, and use them with your BX strobes (or buy some RX600 strobes)? I hope you don't mind me saying so, but it just doesn't make sense to me to buy into a whole new system (whatever it is) just to use on location, especially since an extra Tronix pack will only cost you about the same as one Elinchrom Rotalux softbox...

Looking at the Visatec Solo 1600B specs, they are only about as versatile as the old Elinchrom 500 strobes! Only a three-stop power range. If you really want to go analogue, why not just buy some EL500's ??

Hi Rudi,

Thanks for the input. I didn't get into specifics in my original post because I was just interested in experiences with the Tronix but part of what was making me look at the Visatac was the fact that I have a good friend that has this strobe in mint condition with the standard reflector, umbrella reflector and a speedring and the price was ridiculously good. The fact that it is an analog strobe was also appealing.
The one thing I'm not sure of that got me thinking twice was the 3 stop range. I know I could make it work but without first hand experience with a 600ws strobe and a 3 stop range I can't be sure.

Having said that, I do agree with some of your points and I've had doubts as to whether this is right choice. Surprisingly, almost all of the accessories available for Visatec are less expensive than for Elinchrom with lots of good third party options as well. These strobes are available in the used market and if I were to want a second strobe I would probably get one of the lower powered Solo strobes.

The 400BX (and some other multi-voltage strobes) are not listed as compatible with the Tronix and as of right now we've only speculated about whether or not they will work. From the tests I've done with the Vagabond I found that 1 400ws Elinchrom would work to a point but as soon as the second one is plugged in you're doomed.

I didn't mind the idea of having 2 systems honestly and I like the idea of not having to break down or set up my home studio, removing strobes or components to take on location and I love the idea of leaving the home studio intact and having a separate kit that's good to go any time I need it.

Cost is a factor though, so for me it's not as simple as just buying an RX or two. Those monolights are very expensive and the cost of an RX and a Tronix is FAR greater than what I would pay for the Vistatec with those accessories I mentioned.

I'm not sure what I'll ultimately end up doing but I don't want to invest $2000-$3000 in a location kit. It might be cool but it's not necessary for me to do the work I want to do and I'm not into having gear for the prestige of it or spending more than I need to for the intended purpose.

[eduardofrances]

Robert,

Do you really want to lock yourself into another mount system? Broncolor at that? You know that those accessories won't be cheap! Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy two or more Tronix packs, and use them with your BX strobes (or buy some RX600 strobes)? I hope you don't mind me saying so, but it just doesn't make sense to me to buy into a whole new system (whatever it is) just to use on location, especially since an extra Tronix pack will only cost you about the same as one Elinchrom Rotalux softbox...

Looking at the Visatec Solo 1600B specs, they are only about as versatile as the old Elinchrom 500 strobes! Only a three-stop power range. If you really want to go analogue, why not just buy some EL500's ??
The Explorer XT isn't compatible with the BX or BXri units, although it is compatible with the 600 RX :D.

[Rudi]

I'm not into having gear for the prestige of it or spending more than I need to for the intended purpose.
That was why I asked the question in the first place, Rob. :) If having two system does not matter to you, then your idea makes sense. I would still be wary of a 600Ws strobe with only a three stop power range, though.

The Explorer XT isn't compatible with the BX or BXri units, although it is compatible with the 600 RX :D.
Not sure about the BXRi, but plenty of people using the BX400 with the Tronix (or Vagabond II) without any issues. As long as you only power one strobe off each pack, it works. Since Robert already has the BX400 strobes, that is why I wondered whether buying an extra Tronix pack might not be a better idea that a whole separate line of modifiers...

[TMR Design]

That was why I asked the question in the first place, Rob. :) If having two system does not matter to you, then your idea makes sense. I would still be wary of a 600Ws strobe with only a three stop power range, though.


Not sure about the BXRi, but plenty of people using the BX400 with the Tronix (or Vagabond II) without any issues. As long as you only power one strobe off each pack, it works. Since Robert already has the BX400 strobes, that is why I wondered whether buying an extra Tronix pack might not be a better idea that a whole separate line of modifiers...

Hi Rudi,

After doing a great deal more research and speaking with other owners of Elinchrom's I'm now looking at EL500's but can't seem to find many around. I'm not sure what they should cost but I do see the benefits of sticking with Elinchrom. I wasn't aware that the EL500 was something to consider or that there were Elinchrom analog strobes available but my understanding is that they are exceptional with fast recycle times and very fast durations. I'm not concerned with a 3 stop range. That's not a problem at all.

Now the question becomes where to find them... Hmmm

[Rudi]

Now the question becomes where to find them... Hmmm

Of course, when you weren't looking, there was a ton of them on eBay. Murphy's Law... :)

[TMR Design]

Of course, when you weren't looking, there was a ton of them on eBay. Murphy's Law... :)

That's always how it is Rudi.. lololol :D

I know someone that has offered me good pricing and shipping from the UK on the Euro (230V) versions but I don't think that would be of any use to me.

I saw one on ebay for $450 including an umbrella reflector. I'm not sure if that's a good price but the auction is going to end in about 9 hours and I won't have funds available for a few days. :::sigh::::

[Rudi]

I saw one on ebay for $450 including an umbrella reflector. I'm not sure if that's a good price but the auction is going to end in about 9 hours and I won't have funds available for a few days. :::sigh::::

AFAIK (I could be wrong), the going price these days is around $300 for an EL500 in good condition, so that price looks to be about $100 too high.