Elinchrom 300RX's & PocketWizards

Question for Elinchrom users:

I need to get some pocket wizards to replace my SkyPorts....the RX Transceiver died with very little use, and I found that with the 580EXII, it was never firing consistently - even 50% might be high. Not reliable enough for me.

I'm doing pet photos at some big chain bookstores and vets...so I need good reliable stuff because this can really be a chance for my labour of love to be profitable!

So...

Are Pocket Wizard II's compatible? Do they come with any cord that I can hook up to one of my 300RX Styles?

Would I need the TT1 and TT5 set to have the best of all worlds?

Skyport SPEED sets are inexpensive, but I'm leery about those.....

Thanks for any input!

For one, it sounds like something was wrong with your Skyports to have that kind of problem. We hear reports of some inconsistencies and finicky behavior but nothing that extreme.

Pocket Wizard Plus II's work great and they're reliable, but having said that, if you dig hard enough you'll find people that hate them and have sold them off, deeming them as incompatible or that they just plain suck.

I use PW Plus II's with my RX strobes and it's flawless. I can't say you'll have the same experience but I have nothing but great experiences with my Plus II's and I would say I have 95% positive things to say about the Skyport system.

My 7 cents worth.

So if I buy a set of two - would they come with the right cables to hook up to a Speedlite 580EX II and the 300RX style??

Or do I need to get those elsewhere?

I actually have both Skyports and PW II's connected to my 600RX strobes. There are times in the studio that I use a laptop running the Elinchrom software (and the USB skyport) to control all the lights from one central place (especially when the backs of the strobes are out of reach), and I use a MiniTT on my camera hotshoe to actually fire the strobes (using the PW II's to fire them).

Thunderbird33 wrote in post #13375790
Question for Elinchrom users:

I need to get some pocket wizards to replace my SkyPorts....the RX Transceiver died with very little use, and I found that with the 580EXII, it was never firing consistently - even 50% might be high. Not reliable enough for me.

I'm doing pet photos at some big chain bookstores and vets...so I need good reliable stuff because this can really be a chance for my labour of love to be profitable!

So...

Are Pocket Wizard II's compatible? Do they come with any cord that I can hook up to one of my 300RX Styles?

Would I need the TT1 and TT5 set to have the best of all worlds?

Skyport SPEED sets are inexpensive, but I'm leery about those.....

Thanks for any input!

The Skyport RX transceivers are RX-only units and cannot be used with any other flash or strobe, yet you say you've used it with the 580EX II. The only Skyport I know of that will work with the 580EX is the Skyport Universal receiver. Is that what you meant to say? If so, then yes, the PW Plus II would be completely compatible. BUt if you really did mean to say the Skyport RX transceiver, then no, it's not 100% compatible. The RX tranceiver allows you to adjust the power level of the RX strobe as well as turn on and off the modelling light. The PW Plus II does not have that capability.

The MiniTT1/FlexTT5 units would not give you any more functionality than the PW Plus II would unless you also get the PowerST-4 which will allow you to adjust the power level of the strobe somewhat like the Skyport RX does (but by a different means).

BTW, the Plus II comes with a sort miniphone-to-PC cable that will allow you to connect the Plus II to the 580EX II but it won't work with the 300RX. For that, you'll need a miniphone-to-miniphone cable.

I'd recommend the cables from Flashzebra.com that have the Elinchrom connector on one end (screws in place on the back of the strobe for a very secure connection).

Thunderbird33 wrote in post #13375912
So if I buy a set of two - would they come with the right cables to hook up to a Speedlite 580EX II and the 300RX style??

Or do I need to get those elsewhere?

If you buy them new you'll get one cable with each unit. The cable they supply is the correct cable for connecting the PW to a 580EXII or any device with a PC sync connector. It's the basic connector and not the Nikon screw lock. When using sync cables, regardless of connector (but with the PC sync in particular) should always have backups. It's like having an extra set of batteries. NEVER leave home without a backup.

You can also replace that cable with the same but with the addition of a Nikon screw lock. This enhanced version of the PC sync protocol locks the connector to the device for a more secure connection. This same connection can be found on your camera's sync connector and on the 580EXII's sync port.

The cable needed for connection to an RX strobe is different. Instead of having a 3.5mm mini phone plug on one end and a PC sync plug on the other, the cable you'll need with have a 3.5mm mini phone plug on each end of the cable.

FlashZebra is a good source for all types of sync cables.

sdipirro wrote in post #13375953
I'd recommend the cables from Flashzebra.com that have the Elinchrom connector on one end (screws in place on the back of the strobe for a very secure connection).

I agree that the Amphenol connector is excellent and very secure. I have many of those cables but really only use them when the light is going up high or out on a boom. That way I don't have to worry about tugging on the cable and pulling the plug out. In normal use, I've never had a problem with or questioned the 3.5mm mini phone plug.

PacAce wrote in post #13375948
The Skyport RX transceivers are RX-only units and cannot be used with any other flash or strobe, yet you say you've used it with the 580EX II. The only Skyport I know of that will work with the 580EX is the Skyport Universal receiver. Is that what you meant to say? If so, then yes, the PW Plus II would be completely compatible. BUt if you really did mean to say the Skyport RX transceiver, then no, it's not 100% compatible. The RX tranceiver allows you to adjust the power level of the RX strobe as well as turn on and off the modelling light. The PW Plus II does not have that capability.

The MiniTT1/FlexTT5 units would not give you any more functionality than the PW Plus II would unless you also get the PowerST-4 which will allow you to adjust the power level of the strobe somewhat like the Skyport RX does (but by a different means).

BTW, the Plus II comes with a sort miniphone-to-PC cable that will allow you to connect the Plus II to the 580EX II but it won't work with the 300RX. For that, you'll need a miniphone-to-miniphone cable.

Yes - my error...it was the universal receiver, where I originally bought the cable from flashzebra to hook up to the 580EXII..

So a set of two PW II's and one of these will be all I need?

http://flashzebra.com/​screwlock_pc_fivemeter​/0042.

TMR Design wrote in post #13376000
I agree that the Amphenol connector is excellent and very secure. I have many of those cables but really only use them when the light is going up high or out on a boom. That way I don't have to worry about tugging on the cable and pulling the plug out. In normal use, I've never had a problem with or questioned the 3.5mm mini phone plug.

Would that be this one?

http://flashzebra.com/​wizardcables/miniwizar​d.shtml

Yes, and I believe Lon carries the same cable with a right angle plug on one end. He did when I last checked.

Why not use a Mini TT1 on the camera and Power ST4 for the light? Gives you tons of options for adjusting light from camera, especially with a AC3 controller.

This is what I use on an everyday basis.

Dave

Muskydave22 wrote in post #13378805
Why not use a Mini TT1 on the camera and Power ST4 for the light? Gives you tons of options for adjusting light from camera, especially with a AC3 controller.

This is what I use on an everyday basis.

Dave

I actually never knew that Power ST4 even existed! I have to look into it ASAP!!

EDIT: Just ordered them

Yep. Frank Doorhof apparently likes them: http://www.frankdoorho​f.com/site/?p=2254