Elinchrom Lighting.

True, I think Quadra by the build quality would be equal to a D lite. So a 2x D lite + inverter would be the same as Quadra, but just not as compact. In the end it will do the same thing.

Quadra is expensive tool, but it was worth the money for me. I can take it with me just about anywhere without a problem.

Just to clear something up (i'm very new to all this and have never used a powerpack or know much about them at all) If I go with that they have batteries? or Do they still need to be plugged into an inverter?

Jessicalee11 wrote in post #12251188
Just to clear something up (i'm very new to all this and have never used a powerpack or know much about them at all) If I go with that they have batteries? or Do they still need to be plugged into an inverter?

If you have alot of money get the Quadra, more elegant package; if not get the DLite-VML

If you don't have any studio strobes yet consider the BXRi 500, more features and worth the extra $160 IMO. However, BXRi weighs 4.5 lbs vs. DLite 4 weighs only 2.8 lbs...considerations for location work.

Jessicalee11 wrote in post #12251188
Just to clear something up (i'm very new to all this and have never used a powerpack or know much about them at all) If I go with that they have batteries? or Do they still need to be plugged into an inverter?

Packs like Ranger and Quadra have their own dedicated SLA (other brands also use Lithium batteries) battery which can be swapped once they are dry. No need for an inverter the heads plug directly into the pack which has all the controls.

Power packs like Vagabond or Innovatronix have a SLA battery and pure sine wave inverter to output AC for the monolights.

[QUOTE=pnmd;12251672]I​f you have alot of money get the Quadra, more elegant package; if not get the DLite-VML

If you don't have any studio strobes yet consider the BXRi 500, more features and worth the extra $160 IMO. However, BXRi weighs 4.5 lbs vs. DLite 4 weighs only 2.8 lbs...considerations for location work.

Jessicalee11 wrote in post #12258227
Sorry, so are you saying that I should yet the Quadra aswell as either the D-lite or BX-Ri 500 or just one of them?

Get one of them and see how you like using a strobe outdoors. Then add more if you like it.

I think its just another option for you

I think the dlites combo is a great solution for price vs. $$$$. The Dlites can take modifiers without buying additional suppports like the quadra requires. Dlites would be more bulky but weight wise I dont think theres much of a difference.

Even an paul c buff Einstien with Vagabond mini lithium is 1 lbs lighter than a quadra but it packs 640Ws and a low 2.5Ws low setting. I can put 2 Einsteins in a flipside 300 backpack with room to spare for portability. With a flipside 400 I can put 2 vagabond mini packs in one bag with 2 strobes, cords, cybercommander, lightmeter.

Since I was not heaviliy invested in Elinchrom light modifiers I went Einstein route. My 300Rx feels left out now with 4 Einsteins pushing it aside.

pnmd wrote in post #12258287
Get one of them and see how you like using a strobe outdoors. Then add more if you like it.

hot photo there Peter!!!! great location work!!

pnmd wrote in post #12251672
If you have alot of money get the Quadra, more elegant package; if not get the DLite-VML

If you don't have any studio strobes yet consider the BXRi 500, more features and worth the extra $160 IMO. However, BXRi weighs 4.5 lbs vs. DLite 4 weighs only 2.8 lbs...considerations for location work.

on location: both work fine, both 400 w/s

LOVE that post! Well stated! I picture truly is worth 1000 words!

AlanU wrote in post #12259806
hot photo there Peter!!!! great location work!!

thx Alan, and I agree the VML allows for awesome cost effective options whether it's with Einstein, Dlite etc

ben_r_ wrote in post #12259931
LOVE that post! Well stated! I picture truly is worth 1000 words!

thx Ben!

btw don't want people to think I don't like the Quadra. It's a great setup with more features than the DLite4. I just don't like the price of the Quadra

Whats with these rumors of not being able to use d-lite's with the VB mini!?

SK6 wrote in post #12335468
Whats with these rumors of not being able to use d-lite's with the VB mini!?

I'm not exactly sure what you've read or what you're referring to but the problem comes in to play when using multiple bi-voltage strobes with portable batteries. In some cases they just don't play well together. In all cases, these batteries seem to handle one bi-voltage strobe just fine.

The Elinchrom bi-voltage strobes are the D-Lite's, D-Lite IT's, BX's, and BXRI's.

The RX series monolights and packs are not bi-voltage and do not have this problem.

I have the d-lite 4 and thought this was the other way around..at least with anything above bx's. I saw d-lite's would be fine with the ranger xt but all others would need a XT SE

Damn... I was planning on getting a mini for my two mono's. Back to the drawing board

SK6 wrote in post #12335713
I have the d-lite 4 and thought this was the other way around..at least with anything above bx's. I saw d-lite's would be fine with the ranger xt but all others would need a XT SE

Damn... I was planning on getting a mini for my two mono's. Back to the drawing board

Nope. It's problematic across all bi-voltage strobes. This goes for Profoto, Hensel and some others.

I think you mean Explorer and not Ranger. The Explorer XT was the second incarnation of the Explorer. The XT SE, which is third generation was designed to handle bi-voltage strobes properly but still only works with one strobe consistently unless the strobes are 200 Watt seconds each, or less.

The newer Explorer Mini and XT3 have been redesigned for compatibility with multiple bi-voltage and have been tested at full power.