I currently run 580exII's on a radio popper jrx system. In theory, it is great. I like shooting the ocf on manual and having an on camera flash do fill. and I can adjust the ocf from the camera.
but in reality, it does not always work and has its issues. the on camera flash has to be in manual, not ettl to even get consistent trigger timing. which I live with. I don't mind being all manual if it worked all the time, but it still doesn't. I get too many shots where the ocf's don't fire, or one fires and not the other, or something fires at full power despite the settings, etc..
I run cp-e4s on my ocf's, and I really shoot them at a lower power indoors anyway. high iso's and fast glass. and I'm not asking them to recycle too fast or anything.
I have to have the transmitter velcroed on to the side of my flash and fire it with a pc cord. which is often a sh*tty connection, there's not great way to Velcro the transmitter on so it stays, so I also rubber band it and then I have this fricken cord in my way half the time. which I've dealt with for a couple years now, but is still annoying.
I've had to repeatedly send in transmitters or recievers for repairs because something fails. either from falling off the side of my flash and crashing on the floor, or from the moon not being in the right alignment or something. it's getting old. and I'm ready for consistent reliability. some ettl ability might not be bad for some things too.
so my first thought was i'm just going to get pocketwizards and everything is going to work great, consistently. everyone that I know that uses them loves them, and they just work.
but my next thought was, if i'm going to make a fairly big investment in upgrading my ocf system, should I just get the 600ex-rt's with the radio control just built into 'em!? one less connection, one less piece of equipment in the system, one less battery per flash to worry about, etc. etc.
pricewise, it's not really a concern, both options are going to cost me some decent money, but are worth it to me if they work.
so, with all that said, will I compromise too much ability by going to the 600ex-rt's in lieu of the pocketwizards? does any body here use a 600ex-rt only setup at weddings and have any experience with it? is it consistent enough for you? what are some other drawbacks?