Great review on the VAGABOND MINI LITHIUM

http://vimeo.com/19073​905

Not badly priced i am kind of mad i got this heavier earlier version

Man, I like this close to 700 pops at full power from AB800 with 40W modelling lamp running the whole time. Mine should be here next week. Maybe time to sell vagabond II and pick another mini.

"The Vagabond II is better because it's orange!"

That was pretty good.

Not sure I agree with the "Strobist is dead" statement.. Plenty of shoots I'd prefer to do with just speedlites and a brolly box / umbrella, but it certainly is an amazing device.

Time to develop and after market clamp to use with the mini to sell to everyone here

Actually, I am not that motivated. I'll just share a DIY if I find one once I get it.

Roroco wrote in post #11981987
Time to develop and after market clamp to use with the mini to sell to everyone here

Actually, I am not that motivated. I'll just share a DIY if I find one once I get it.

Patiently waiting....

Cool, I'll go buy one--oh wait...

Well i just got 4 boxes in from alien bee with a bonus PLM yeaaaaaaa
Wish that mini unit was not on backorder i just spent 160 on all the gear plus bag to make a vagII essentially
Charging battery for my DIY vagII unit now and i think as great the 580EXII is its going to not get much use at all... I would make it a habit to use 2 of these minis and bring the ringflash with grid everywhere i go...
Thus yes i think my 580EXii is up for sale--- maybe... A beauty dish or plm attached to alien bee 1600 - or my alien bees first ringflash (ab800) with grid attached to this thing omg are you serious a basic flash on camera is gone in my eyes...

I was asking today about the lith mini set up for DIY'ers it will cost you large in the batteries ..
These batteries are also very unstable in the remote control car helicopter market..
If they drop sometimes they do burn up....
During charge they sometimes do funky things just search up the type of battery it is and see for yourself...
If not in use for a long period they should be put away at 40% charge as well so they maintain. If not they will deplete and will not take a proper charge but these batteries are the new future.


I would rather buy and have the warranty with it if it did go crazy then its warrantied IMO

BrandonSi wrote in post #11981971
Not sure I agree with the "Strobist is dead" statement.. Plenty of shoots I'd prefer to do with just speedlites and a brolly box / umbrella, but it certainly is an amazing device.

I actually agree with the Strobist is dead statement for the most part. If I am bringing a speedlight I am doing it because it is light and I can clamp it anywhere. If I am bringing something along put up a box and a stand then why not use the VML and Einstein and have all the power I need since the weight is in the box and the stand not the Lights.

Although I must Admit my TT1/TT5 makes my speedlite that much nicer to use as OFC.

Omg this plm is huge

I love alien bee charging my battery now and to the streets...

Its a toss up for me i want to sell the 580exII cause its of no use to me but its is at the same time...
If this was my fulltime job yes its worth it to keep in my bag but for the type of shooting i am going to be doing now i dunno man.....

jaycky wrote in post #11990057
A beauty dish or plm attached to alien bee 1600 ...[with a VML for portability]

Yes, I am getting the same ideas. When on location, I still have a huge pelican case of DSLRs and lenses... so what is one more pelican case with some Alien Bees. As long as it is quick to setup and breakdown, then I will take the increase in power with an AB over a Speedlight every time.

It comes down to price for me i would need a few 580EXII's to do what one 1600 can do

Good review I guess. Still waiting for mine to ship! I ordered middle of Jan.

Just picked this up last night for 225...thought about the Mini, but what the heck, this was readily available to purchase...

Ha! Shortly after posting that I placed my order in mid Jan, I got a shipping confirmation email with UPS tracking number for my Mini. Awesome! Now it looks like its time to sell the VB II!

Does anyone have a suggestion for a case that will work for a mini, one of two lights and some misc. gear? Looking to stay compact (i.e., probably not a giant Pelican).