Buying Alien Bees, what wattage should I opt for?

The industry standard thing cuts two ways.
All, well at least most, of the problems they have been having with the Canon Flashes and RF noise is because LPA choose to use a specific frequency that is unique for the US and another for the rest of the world. They selected one that is so close to the RF noise freq that interference occurs. Most radio trigger manufacturers, including PCB choose, much later, to use the 2.5 GHz "public" frequency. The benefit is that it is free from interference with flash units.

I've used them all, PW IIs, ControlTL, YN RF-602, Cyber Sync. Actually I own all of them but the PWIIs. Those are much too old a technology and were prone to problem when I used them. Most notably slow radio link required using at least a 1/3 stop below Sync speed.

The YNs are good, reliable, entry level units. The trigger is a bit loose on the camera without a lock.
Cyber Syncs are versatile, reliable and when used with Buff lights and Cyber Commander, without peer for functionality.

I'm going to resurrect this thread instead of starting another.

I've been tossing the options around for a couple weeks now and can't seem to land on a solid decision. For now, I will only be buying one light. I've read some posts and threads on here stating that the B1600 isn't versatile enough for indoors AND outdoor work. Can anyone elaborate on that? I'm not convinced yet, just wondering why I've seen so many posts about it. (Something about using it at 1/4 power or less indoors makes it difficult to work with?)

So far, I'm looking at the B1600, X1600 and the Einstein. I'm pretty set on using PocketWizards with my studio strobes, and the Einstein offers a PW module, the others I'd only need a sync cable. My main concern is the versatility of using the strobe indoors and outdoors getting good results. I will be using a softbox and possibly an octabox, too.

I'm really at a loss here as to what to get.

StayLucky wrote in post #12414660
I've read some posts and threads on here stating that the B1600 isn't versatile enough for indoors AND outdoor work. Can anyone elaborate on that? I'm not convinced yet, just wondering why I've seen so many posts about it. (Something about using it at 1/4 power or less indoors makes it difficult to work with?)

Bees are knows to have pop to pop power consistency and color issues. This only happens at very low power settings. Problem with AB1600 when used indoors is that it is too much power so when one uses less than 1/4 power settings they run into these power & color issues. Now if shooting outdoors you most probably need the power that AB1600 provides so that is why lot of folks use them.

bobbyz wrote in post #12414779
Bees are knows to have pop to pop power consistency and color issues. This only happens at very low power settings. Problem with AB1600 when used indoors is that it is too much power so when one uses less than 1/4 power settings they run into these power & color issues. Now if shooting outdoors you most probably need the power that AB1600 provides so that is why lot of folks use them.

So, should I consider an Einstein for it's 1/4 power settings? I think that's what makes it act as a B1600 and a B400, no? I have A LOT to learn about lighting, so if my terminology is off I'm sorry. I've heard the White Lightning X1600 has the same capability as the Einstein to function at lower power settings better than the B1600?

StayLucky wrote in post #12414794
So, should I consider an Einstein for it's 1/4 power settings? I think that's what makes it act as a B1600 and a B400, no? I have A LOT to learn about lighting, so if my terminology is off I'm sorry. I've heard the White Lightning X1600 has the same capability as the Einstein to function at lower power settings better than the B1600?

Einstein have no issues even when used at lowest power settings. X1600 is not like Einstein. It is more like AB1600 and AB400 in one light as it has a switch to go to 1/4 power. If money was less of a concern I would go Einstein over X1600.

bobbyz wrote in post #12414850
Einstein have no issues even when used at lowest power settings. X1600 is not like Einstein. It is more like AB1600 and AB400 in one light as it has a switch to go to 1/4 power. If money was less of a concern I would go Einstein over X1600.

With my student discount, an Einstein will be about $450. That's about $130 more than an AB1600 with said discount. I'm leaning that way just wanna make sure I can get quality shots (color, consistency, etc) at low and high power levels with whatever light I get.

I am fortunate to have both the Elin 400 d lite kit and 2 of the WL X1600 and the battery pack for the Paul buff. The vagabond mini. I think for the price you cannot go wrong with Paul buff stuff. The accessories (softboxes,reflectors, battery systems are WAY cheaper than elinchrom. Good quality. Elinchrom d lite kit softboxes are kind of flimsy. Also gridspots fit the reflectors. with the PB, you have to buy reflectors and grid spot kit about 100. The battery system for elinchrom cannot use the regular elinchrom lights. The lights are different and really expensive. Elinchrom is awesome stuff, no doubt, top notch but you could get a lot more with the PB stuff. There are kits on the website also. I have not used the portable battery yet.

The elinchrom ranger are the portable lights from elinchrom, sorry! They start at around 1400 while the PB Vagabond mini is 320 ish with 2 batteries! And u can use ur regular lights plug in a computer, phone etc... it uses regular power outlets on the battery pack. Says gets ab.out 450 shots with each charge! Says u can't use elinchrom lights with PB Battery pack .
just my 2 cents! Students discount rocks

StayLucky wrote in post #12414892
With my student discount, an Einstein will be about $450. That's about $130 more than an AB1600 with said discount. I'm leaning that way just wanna make sure I can get quality shots (color, consistency, etc) at low and high power levels with whatever light I get.

That extra $130 is well worth it. I just sold my b1600's and bought einsteins, for the exact reason you stated: the power range of the 1600 was not large enough for indoor/outdoor shooting. The top end was great, but the bottom end was sometimes just too much. I'm looking forward to being able to move my lights in waaay closer to my subjects.

You will find the Einsteins are versatile and easy to use. You are buy at the beginning of a technology life cycle rather than at the end.

2.5Ws to 640Ws is a very useful range.

Sigh.. You guys are no help. Just put in my order for my first Einstein. AB800s are going on the block as soon as it arrives.

My advice would be to get an Einstein. I have two AB800s and have learned that sometimes they are not powerful enough outside and sometimes, because of the inconsistency at lower power levels the way I like to shoot close to wide open, they are too powerful for me to use inside. Because of this, I just ordered an Einstein. It should give me an accurate lower power setting for using it inside with wide apertures as well as more power for outside.

great info here! I was also looking at the Einsteins, since we used them at a group shot recently, but I think I'll rather go with one Einstein and use my flashes (for now) for background/hair light if needed. There's no way I can justify the more expensive lights for what is basically an already quite expensive hobby