Sunpack flash: Should it rattle?

[olivehead]

i just received a sunpack pz42x that i ordered online, and i noticed when i took it out of the box that there was a rattle coming from it if you turned it, shook it, etc. this is my first external flash so i'm wondering if this is normal, i.e., there's some part of the mechanism that makes that rattle and is supposed to, or if somethings broken inside. i put batteries in it and test fired it, but that's it. there was no damage to the box and no sign of damage to the outside of the flash. thanks for any info.

[kid_kulaki]

i just received a sunpack pz42x that i ordered online, and i noticed when i took it out of the box that there was a rattle coming from it if you turned it, shook it, etc. this is my first external flash so i'm wondering if this is normal, i.e., there's some part of the mechanism that makes that rattle and is supposed to, or if somethings broken inside. i put batteries in it and test fired it, but that's it. there was no damage to the box and no sign of damage to the outside of the flash. thanks for any info.
i have the same flash, yup when you turn it on it has a rattlingsounds, i guess it's the digital focus initializing.. but no problems, it works fine compare to my canon 420EX.. my problem is the recycling time.. pretty slow...

[olivehead]

thanks for the reply. actually, it's not when i turn it on, but just when its in your hand, on or off, with or w/o batteries. and i think i figured it out. the rattle is coming from the 2 buttons on the back of the flash, SEL and whatever the other one is (don't have it in front of me right now). they are kind of a hard plastic and fit in through the 2 holes on the back of the panel under the display, but have enough play in them to make the rattle. if i hold the flash in one hand with my thumb over those two buttons and shake or flip-flop the flash, no rattle. mystery solved. maybe those buttons could be made of a little bit better (i.e., softer) material, but for 1/2 price of the 430ex ii, i guess i can't complain.

[tkbslc]

Batteries make a BIG difference for recycle time. I would suggest a set of high mAh NIMH batteries (like 2500+) for fast recycle

[olivehead]

speaking of which, i was surprised at the recycle time on my copy. i had several rounds of multiple/continuous shots where it flashed bang-bang-bang with no delay or "busy" signal. and that was with some alkaline batteries i just pulled out of a drawer to test the thing.