Help with strobes

[kemo3ce]

so I basically have a dilema I'm into buying a novatron setup, 3 heads, 2100, 2110, 2120 and a power pack the power pack has a switch from 400, 800, and 1000 it's a 4 connector and on top it had 1200 on it. How much is it worth? With umbrellas.

[kemo3ce]

http://images.craigslist.org/3ne3kf3obZZZZZZZZZ97o0365a6dfdab2124b.jpg

here is what the box looks like, except the one im buying says 1200

[Jim M]

You've got me confused. The switches on Novatrons are usually half values and the names of the packs reflect the Ws power of the pack. For instance, a 1000 Ws pack would have switches for 1000, 500, and 250. But I'm not that familiar with the 1200 packs, so you could be absolutely right. The old 880 plus packs weren't 880 Ws, so maybe 1200 aren't 1200 Ws either.

If you have a pack with the blue five-pin connectors like the one in your link, it is an older model and you will need adapters to plug newer six-pin heads into it. Most 2100 series heads are six pin. However, if they have metal connectors rather than plastic, then they are probably five pin heads. If whoever was using it was getting it all to work, then you are golden. Just remember when buying new heads for an old blue-connector pack that the heads need to match or you will need an adapter. If the insulation on the pack is black, then it is the later style and both old and new heads will plug in.

What's it worth? These sorts of things come up on eBay all the time and the prices are all over the place. I bought most of my stuff bit-by-bit and the original investment was long enough ago that I simply can't remember what I paid. So a wild guess might be anywhere from $400 to $600 for all of it. You might get it for less. There is a buy it now price on eBay for an old 880 Plus (960 Ws) with 4 heads and an umbrella, but no stands, for $599.99. I'd be surprised if it goes for that much.

[kemo3ce]

Thanks for the reply, that is the switch numbers that it has and I honestly don't remember if the connectors were blue or black, I tried them out and they all pop and when I move the switch it does shoot alot more power and yeah the heads two of them switch down, one to minus 1 and the other too minus 2 and the other doesn't have a switch. The person that's sellin them to me wants 300 with the hard case two white umbrellas and one silver. She's a real close friend of ours she showed me the tag on he case that she paid 650 in 02. So I am gonna check out what u told me about the connectors, one more question, I know that mono lights have the pack and everything bulit in but what is better or is it the same or does it depend on the setting?

[Jim M]

I'd pick them up for $300, regardless of the 5 pin or 6 pin issue. I can see a certain convenience with monolights vs. pack-and-head lights, but you can learn to use whatever you have. The convenience of most monolights is in being able to infinitely vary the power from each individual head. I'm not sure it is something you absolutely have to have. One advantage of Novatron pack-and-head units is the heads are very light and won't tax a light stand very much. They also tend to last and last. Used replacements or additions are relatively cheap if you keep an eye out for bargains. I don't know if the recent acquisition of Novatron by a larger company will change things, but I thought they had good customer service the one time I needed it. I think in the price for performance category, used Novatrons are hard to beat.