eBay vs. eBay.... and the winner is...

[int2str]

...cheapskates like me!

Below is my review of the Cactus V2s and the Yongnuo RF-602 wireless flash triggers. Hopefully this will answer the question if you can be a cheapskate and still have reliable wireless flash triggers.

The contenders

The Cactus V2s are cheap eBay wireless triggers that use 433 Mhz radio technology to trigger flashes remotely. The feature a hot-shoe friendly design with PC jacks on the receivers in addition to the hotshoe itself. The base package with one receiver is about $30 and additional receivers run about $25. The Cactus V2s by default use CR2 batteries.

In contrast, the Yongnuo RF-602 can be used to trigger off camera flashes remotely OR trigger the camera remotely (remote shutter release). The receivers also feature a hot-shoe mountable design but don't provide a PC sync port to trigger non-hot-shoe strobes or lights. The RF-602 operates at 2.4 GHz and also employs two-way communication which gives feedback whether a receiver is in range. The receivers use AAA batteries by default.

Build

The Cactus build quality leaves much to be desired. While the transmitter is very compact (more so than the PW's or CyberSyncs), the receivers are somewhat clunky. Also, their one sided hot-shot mount bracket has been known to bend/break and the PC Sync plug can break if the plug is twisted too much when pluging-in or removing the sync cord. Also, once the battery is mounted in the receivers, the battery door may have a slight gap. Finally, the on-off switch is somewhat small and may be hard to actuate.

The RF-602's feel a bit "light" in hand, but the receivers seem more solid and hold a flash well and secure. The on/off switch is large and easy to activate. A blinking LED gives feedback that the receiver is on and ready. The transmitter is not as sleek looking at the Cactus V2s, but it is also more compact than a PW or CyberSync transmitter.

Performance

On my 7D, the Cactus V2s would only sync to about 1/200th shutter speed. 1/250th or faster would produce a black bar at the bottom of the frame.

Using the RF-602's and my 7D, I managed to sync to 1/250th reliably without a visible bar. 1/320th did produce a small bar at the bottom.

Reliability

The Cactus V2s have known reliability issues. For the price, this used to be somewhat expected and acceptable, but now there may be a better alternative...

My Cactus transmitter has been modified with an additional coiled antenna and my receivers have also been heavily modified to take AAA batteries as can be seen in this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=678096

With the modifications, range has improved a lot from the stock Cactus V2s, but the reliability is still somewhat sketchy. Out of 20 shots or so I may miss 1 or 2. This does not sound like much - and for a hobbyist it certainly is ok - but it can get annoying when it happens right when you thought you had the shot. Using two receivers it can also be annoying when your main light worked, but your rim light didn't and on the next shot it's the other way around.

Then came the RF-602. Just like my 2.4 GHz shutter release has proven over and over again, 2.4 GHz just simply works. In all my test shots with 3 different receivers I have yet to miss one single flash. The RF-602 has so far been 100% reliable.

Conclusion

AAA battery convenience, compact easy storage and handling as well as bullet proof reliability just mean one thing:
Yes, you can have cheap AND reliable wireless flash triggers!

The RF-602 transmitter + 3 receiver package on eBay can be had for $78 currently. That is less than the price of a single CyberSync receiver and just slightly more of a single RadioPopper JR receiver. I won't even compare it to the PW pricing...

Your mileage may vary, but I have certainly found the perfect flash trigger for me.

Yongnuo RF-602, highly recommended!


Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Yongnuo nor any eBay seller or other retailer. This post expresses my personal opinion and experience. Your mileage may vary.

[int2str]

Two more observations on the RF-602's:

- With my Canon Speedlites mounted to the 602's, half-pressing the shutter will wake the flash from sleep! So I don't have to change the custom functions anymore to keep the flash awake off camera! Very nice!

- Small negative: When the flash is mounted on the receiver, you can't reach the receivers on/off button easily anymore.

[tangokat]

thanks for the write up!
I'm looking for a cheap alternative to my st-e2 in sunny conditions.

[woos]

This is nice to read...I just ordered that yongnuo trigger lol. I wasn't sure which one to get but I crossed my fingers and grabbed it (from deal extreme not ebay though).

Woot. Lol. Can't wait for it to arrive.

[HSK]

I have the yongnuo (1 reciever/transmitter pack) on order.

since then, I have acquired another flash - I have a question if someone could answer it...would i be able to buy another set (to essentially get hold of another receiver) and use it with set i've already ordered. ie, will they link to different sets, or the receivers/transmitter linked only to the pack you get.

orrr

could i use the receiver on my 580EXII, set it as a master, have my 430EX II set up as a slave, and fire too? (without having a yongnuo receiver on it).

[charlieharper]

Originally Posted by int2str

...cheapskates like me!
:
:
The receivers also feature a hot-shoe mountable design but don't provide a PC sync port to trigger non-hot-shoe strobes or lights.....

I'm really happy with my CTR-301P's and based on my experience would recommend the RF-602's.

You say that the RF-602 receivers do not have a PC Sync port, and so cannot trigger any non-hot-shoe strobes, but in their advertisement they say that this can be done via a supplied lead.

Is it correct to say that they CAN trigger external flashes using a supplied lead, but they do NOT actually have a specific PC Sync plug ?

Your words tend to imply that if you're not using a flash with a hot-show, you're out of luck totally ......

Image ripped from their eBay shop......

Austen.

[int2str]

Originally Posted by charlieharper

You say that the RF-602 receivers do not have a PC Sync port, and so cannot trigger any non-hot-shoe strobes, but in their advertisement they say that this can be done via a supplied lead.

Is it correct to say that they CAN trigger external flashes using a supplied lead, but they do NOT actually have a specific PC Sync plug ?

Your words tend to imply that if you're not using a flash with a hot-show, you're out of luck totally ......

Yes, to clarify:

The RF-602 receivers DO have *A* port that allows for triggering external flashes and studio strobes. The receiver comes with a cable that has a 1/4 mono plug at the end.

My point was that it is not a standard PC sync port. It's a different 3-wire screw type connector that I've frankly never seen before. I was merely comparing it to the Cactus receivers which have a standard PC sync connector.

[mufutau55]

You can just buy another Receiver (only) for the new flash, it will operate with the Transmitter you already have. Look at their ebay site carefully, you can get just the Receiver alone.

Mufutau

Originally Posted by HSK

I have the yongnuo (1 reciever/transmitter pack) on order.

since then, I have acquired another flash - I have a question if someone could answer it...would i be able to buy another set (to essentially get hold of another receiver) and use it with set i've already ordered. ie, will they link to different sets, or the receivers/transmitter linked only to the pack you get.

orrr

could i use the receiver on my 580EXII, set it as a master, have my 430EX II set up as a slave, and fire too? (without having a yongnuo receiver on it).

[jbimages]

My transmitters came with a 3 pin to PC sync lead. I use one to trigger a transmitter from my Sekonic flash meter. That lead should work with the receiver.

[c2thew]

if the trigger starts to mis-fire, CHECK THE BATTERIES FIRST! they are usually the culprit.

these are great triggers, the only reason why you would go with anything other than these is when you want to adjust the flash output in which ONLY the jrradiopoppers currently do.

these are fun and reliable

[Todd Lambert]

I have to agree with everything here. I've only had these for a month or so, but they've been rock solid for me and I don't have any plans on moving to RPs or PWs any time soon because of them. I was going to, but since I've got these, I think I'll just stick put until PWs work out there issues with 580s.

Totally recommend these with no hesitations - you can get them even cheaper on the deal extreme site too...

[HSK]

Originally Posted by mufutau55

You can just buy another Receiver (only) for the new flash, it will operate with the Transmitter you already have. Look at their ebay site carefully, you can get just the Receiver alone.

Mufutau

Thanks for your reply.

I've tried looking for just the receiver, but I can't find it for some reason, you wouldn't happen to have a link?

[charlieharper]

At the manufacturers eBay store......

http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/hkyongnuophotoequipment

They currently have both available ................

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CTR-301P-CTR-...4.c0.m14.l1262

And ....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RF-602-RF602-...4.c0.m14.l1262


Hope this helps,

Austen.

[bizzum]

Originally Posted by Todd Lambert

- you can get them even cheaper on the deal extreme site too...

Just a word of caution ordering these from Deal Extreme...I ordered from DX a few weeks ago. The status sat at "Waiting for Supplier" for 2 weeks. I guess they are having a hard time getting them from the manufacturer.

I ended up canceling and ordering from ebay, and they shipped the next day. If you are extremely patient, the DX site is a better deal, as you can get 2 full sets (Rx and Tx) for $59.98. The ebay sellers sell 1 Tx and 2 Rx for $58.99, and they ship way WAY faster.

[ScarySquirrel]

I recently got my RF-602 trigger/receiver, having used some Cactus V2s' for the past 9 months. I really really like the RF-602. My only gripe is the position of the on/off button on the receivers, I have to use a coin to reach it when mounted to my flash unit.