Radio Popper JrX + RPCube vs. PW Plus II

Hey guys,

Just a quick question regarding these products for wireless lighting at wedding receptions. Well, more like the RP since I own and use the PW Plus II already.

Yes, they essentially do the same thing, but of course I am attracted to the ability of being able to change the power from the transmitter with the RP. Just saves me the trouble of having to go to the OCF and adjust, etc.

Sooooo...why bother with the PW Plus II then? Brand? Reputation? Build? Reliability?

Do tell.

I have been a long time supporter of pocketwizards. I used to buy the Plus units at $289 a piece locally before they were transceivers, and they were blue! Back then, there was nothing that could compete. The reliability and range was unbeatable.

But other options are getting better and better. I also use the skyport system and it also works very well, has good range, and is reliable.

Now I have added Radiopopper JrX studio with RP Cubes. I have to say that I really like them. Adjusting power from the camera is really nice. The build is nice, the foot is metal (unlike PW plastic feet of which I broke ANOTHER a couple weeks ago) But they're not perfect either.

The good:
-adjustable power! awesome!
-metal foot
-small form factor transmitter
-three dials that are very easy to use
-analog-ish control of digital flash power (i.e. adjustable in finer increments than 1/3)
-reliable triggering
-have not run into any range problems

The bad:
-no locking mechanism. It has fallen off my hotshoe a couple of times. Not as bad as skyport v1 though.
-though neither PW or RP is claimed to be water resistant, I've used PW in light rain zillions of times with no problems. I'd be very nervous of doing that with the RP JrX due to the top-exposed dip switches
-analog-ish control of digital flash power. Yes, this was also an advantage, but it's difficult to dial in a very specific power level that isn't full power. There are no 1/3, 1/2, or full stop "clicks" on the dials.
-the INTERFACE. Man, it sucks. DIP switches to change settings? To change channels? To change groups? For example, I have no fricken clue what I need to flip in order to change a receiver from group 2 to group 3. And I'm a former computer programmer that truly understands binary! I don't remember which DIP switches change the channel, and which don't. I don't know which switch to flip to disable a group. Basically, if I want to change anything on the RP, I need to look at a reference card (which they include, but seriously, I don't want to carry this card every time I shoot). The power button is also the test button. I would really like them to be separate. There is no labeling or legend whatsoever for the buttons/switches.

But I DO like them. In a situation like a wedding reception where I'm lighting up the ballroom, it is a great tool to be able to adjust power from camera position. It's awesome. But when I'm on a portrait shoot and I know that I need 1/4 power for a particular shot, that doesn't work. It takes more shooting and chimping, which not only wastes time and card space, but also wastes flash battery.

So I'm lukewarm about the RP JrX Studio + RPCube on portrait shoots and outdoor use, but quite stoked about it for indoor event shooting.

Pocketwizard has something similar now too... the AC3 zone controller. I have not used that yet. I'm not too impressed with the TT1/TT5 system.

I got the JxR Kit over a week ago. I like the dial to change the power level on the fly even though RP is not calibrated for any particular brand. I don't mind the DIP switches (even though I had not made any changes to the default settings yet) versus a LCD type interface. It's a personal preference.

I also wished that it had a lock for the hotshoe foot. The RP is a nice alternative to the pricey PW. I'll probably pickup the PX system when I need the ETTL.

Thanks guys. Yeah, I would only use these at wedding receptions, so it looks like it'll be great for that.

picturecrazy wrote in post #12348028
don't know which switch to flip to disable a group

FYI, you can set a dip switch so that you turn the dial all the way down and the group powers off. It's not the default, but that's how I set mine up.
You lose one level of power control but that's an ok tradeoff..

Good comments by Llyod above.

Currently I am using mini/flex with AC3 and even though initially I had problems with my 580exII, since starting using an eTTL cable inbetween flextT5 and my flash, thing is working like a charm. I mainly use with two 550ex but I still use smalle TTL cables as it makes installation easy when using softbox/beauty dish etc.

You can precisely control flash power in 1/3 stops. Only issue right now I can trigger my flexTT5 from my L358 when controlling remote flashes through AC3. I can do that when using flashes in manual mode but then AC3 can't control them.

of course this system is lot more expensive than Jrx+RP cube option.

I'm of mixed opinion regarding my RP studio JrX. It makes it easier to adjust a light up when it's boom mounted.

kenyee wrote in post #12349397
FYI, you can set a dip switch so that you turn the dial all the way down and the group powers off. It's not the default, but that's how I set mine up.
You lose one level of power control but that's an ok tradeoff..

Yes, I know that. I have it enabled. The but point is... if I wanted to change it back, I'd have no fricken clue how it unless I dragged out the reference card. Why could they not include a little sticker that goes on the unit that's a legend for the cryptic dip switch setup?

Or better yet, go the PW and Skyport route and have REAL switches and toggles that are clearly labeled as to their funtion.

I love the wheels on AC3. Much much better than those knobs on the Jrx.

picturecrazy wrote in post #12351635
Yes, I know that. I have it enabled. The but point is... if I wanted to change it back, I'd have no fricken clue how it unless I dragged out the reference card. Why could they not include a little sticker that goes on the unit that's a legend for the cryptic dip switch setup?

Ahh..thought you meant you wanted a switch to disable a group by itself.
I've wanted that as well for the use case of measuring a single light at a time. I've suggested bunch of changes to RP (wheel and digital display) for RP for their next TX. Hope they do better...I'd be willing to pay $100 more for a few extra TX features like controlling more groups and being able to read the actual channel level (0-127)...and be able to program the quench delay they're using on the receivers to do power levels on the flashes...

picturecrazy wrote in post #12351635
Yes, I know that. I have it enabled. The but point is... if I wanted to change it back, I'd have no fricken clue how it unless I dragged out the reference card. Why could they not include a little sticker that goes on the unit that's a legend for the cryptic dip switch setup?

Or better yet, go the PW and Skyport route and have REAL switches and toggles that are clearly labeled as to their funtion.

I so agreed with you Lloyd. I recently switched to RP system.. first few days, I remember what i needed to do. but by the weekend out testing, i totally forgot and had to look it up.. of course reading it took awhile because I had no idea what I was looking at too. hahaha

Flex/Mini were great (used it since when they were out) But now I LOVE the RP PX and JrX system more