Cowboystudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger & Receiver Set

Hi guys!

I just found out that there is an alternative to expensive Canon remote flash triggers.

http://www.cowboystudi​o.com/product/c14/p140​704-04.php

This is the link to this alternative.

It's called: Cowboystudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger & Receiver set

Does anyone have experience with it?

I'm asking because I gonna get one if they are any good.

Thanks for answers

The short answer is that they work and they are cheap. As long as you have backups and are just looking for a cheap way into off camera flash, they are a great answer.

I would recommend you go with one of the more popular options like the YN RF602's (amazon or ebay) or the cactus V4's (www.gadgetinfinity.com). Both are dependable, and if you ever need additional units you are more likely to find them new or used than the cowboy triggers.

Gonzo has a good point. Its all in how much you want to spend I guess. You can find a transmitter and 4 receivers for about 35 bucks on ebay.

I have that set you linked to and they work very well! Not exactly built like tanks, but so long as you're not rough with your equipment, they'll be fine. The receiver is pretty sturdy and holds my 430EX II very well.

And gonzogolf, if anything these are easier to acquire than the Cactuses...they're all over Amazon and eBay and very readily available.

Unless you're looking for a pro solution with tons of features, I don't see any need to get anything more expensive than these.

KaBlookie wrote in post #12341004
And gonzogolf, if anything these are easier to acquire than the Cactuses...they're all over Amazon and eBay and very readily available.

This is a good point. I am going without flash triggers right now because I'm moving in three weeks and I have no clue if the Cactus V5s I want would ship in time.

Although, if that IS a concern, the RF-602s are a slightly better option than the Cowboy triggers and can be purchased on Amazon. Although the reviews of the Cowboy triggers are pretty good and the price is a lot cheaper. I may just pick some up for the interim until I can get my hands on the V5s.

I have a friend who has had the Cowboy Studio triggers for over a year now and they're still fine. He shoots in his studio room so I can't speak on working distance and such but for the price, they look like a good bargain.

Yeah...I don't have any personal experience with the Yongnuos, but they are a bit more expensive. On Amazon, one trigger/receiver is ~$39 and additional receivers are ~$30. On the other side, the CowBoyStudios are ~$27 for one trigger/receiver and ~$16 for each additional receiver.

I would guess that the Yongnuos may be of higher build quality, but whether they're worth the additional bit of money is up to the buyer!

gonzogolf wrote in post #12340482
I would recommend you go with one of the more popular options like the YN RF602's (amazon or ebay) or the cactus V4's (www.gadgetinfinity.com). Both are dependable, and if you ever need additional units you are more likely to find them new or used than the cowboy triggers.

this, the RF602's are really nice with a decent range, I use em all the time, though check out the RF603's i think they just came out with?

I have heard some not so great stuff bout cowboy studios

paradiddleluke wrote in post #12341272
this, the RF602's are really nice with a decent range, I use em all the time, though check out the RF603's i think they just came out with?

I have heard some not so great stuff bout cowboy studios

Care to share details about any of these stories and/or where you got them? I'm more curious than anything else, really...I just like to hear as many stories/experiences as I can about this kind of stuff!

This is a great guide for choosing the wireless trigger that is right for you and your needs: http://www.flickr.com …/59315881@N08/5​590340051/

As you can see, the Cowboy receivers aren't on there. When asked why the creator of this guide pointed out that the Cowboy Studios triggers were more in line with the V2s, not the newer and more improved flash triggers like the Cactus V4 and V5s and the RF-602 and 603s.

I think the biggest difference is the range. Cowboy studios range is 30m. The RF-602s range is 100m. That's more than 3x the range. If you plan to only shoot in a small studio with nothing blocking your way, the Cowboy Studio Triggers seems like they'll do the job just fine. But if you ever want to move outdoors, you'll need a little something more.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12342406
This is a great guide for choosing the wireless trigger that is right for you and your needs: http://www.flickr.com …/59315881@N08/5​590340051/

... why would the creator of this guide consider "OK" a good value to use for "Battery Life", instead of, say, flashes or hours?

Some of the review comments seem a bit.. arbitrary to me, and inconsistent model to model. The discussion page is probably more useful than the photo.

I only commented on the Cowboy Studios because that's what the op asked about, but having 602s, I would recommend them to anyone looking for inexpensive, reliable triggers. Mine work at very long distances (many on POTN have also tried there's out for distance just for the heck of it too).

I just got the CowboyStudio set, and they work fine. I don't remember the details, but one factor is that the transmitter battery in the CS is a lot cheaper than the one in the YN-602. I believe the receiver batteries are AAA's for both. Then in the Cactus V5 and YN-603, it's all AAA's.

KaBlookie wrote in post #12341004
I have that set you linked to and they work very well! Not exactly built like tanks, but so long as you're not rough with your equipment, they'll be fine. The receiver is pretty sturdy and holds my 430EX II very well.

And gonzogolf, if anything these are easier to acquire than the Cactuses...they're all over Amazon and eBay and very readily available.

Unless you're looking for a pro solution with tons of features, I don't see any need to get anything more expensive than these.

Well said. The only thing I want to use the trigger for is to get the flash off the camera to shot portraits.

Before I came across the cowboy triggers, I was thinking of getting a cable. But than I saw that this trigger is actually cheaper than most of the cables with usable length (more than 1 meter).

Now that I know that this things are well worth their money I'm definitely getting them.

Thanks to everyone for helping me out