Cactus V5 Shipping Time

For those of you who ordered, how long did it take to get your Cactus V5s from Gadget Infinity? I thought they were shipped from China and would have to slowly make their way through customs which could take weeks, but someone on another message board commented on how they ordered theirs on Wednesday of last week and it's already arrived.

Depends on which shipping option you choose. The FedEx options get here much quicker. I believe it took 4 days from order to door for me with the FedEx economy options, which they actually quote as a five day delivery time. FedEx international priority is 2-3 days I think. The regular slow boat method can take a while...

There is a US website that also sells Cactus V5

^ and that is?

Why did you pick this brand over the PHOTTIX STRATO 2.4 GHZ WIRE/WIRELESS 4 IN 1 TRIGGER SET? Phottix works with TTL whereas Cactus V5 doesn't have on-camera TTL.

I have been comparing both brands and can't decide which one to go with. My photo stores don't have demos of either product for me to try 'em. Thus, my question here.

Does anyone know?

I had expedited and received them (6 to be exact) in two days. Love them BTW. Coming from Cybercyncs.

Ordered on a Friday, received the V5's the following Thursday.

I am also interested who the US dealer is. Because I've looked and haven't found anyone!

hmgrau wrote in post #12428145
Why did you pick this brand over the PHOTTIX STRATO 2.4 GHZ WIRE/WIRELESS 4 IN 1 TRIGGER SET? Phottix works with TTL whereas Cactus V5 doesn't have on-camera TTL.

I have been comparing both brands and can't decide which one to go with. My photo stores don't have demos of either product for me to try 'em. Thus, my question here.

Does anyone know?

Don't need ETTL. I'm using these with YN-560s which are manual only.

Mine took 2 weeks, I've had them for less than a week.

I was a little irritated to find out they won't wake my flashes up. I had to disable sleep on all of them. Being version #5 you'd think they'd accommodate that by now. And of course somehow in all my research I didn't see that mentioned until they were on their way.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12427197
For those of you who ordered, how long did it take to get your Cactus V5s from Gadget Infinity? I thought they were shipped from China and would have to slowly make their way through customs which could take weeks, but someone on another message board commented on how they ordered theirs on Wednesday of last week and it's already arrived.

Mine was shipped fron Hong Kong on April 29 and got here on May 3rd
it was sent by International economy
As soon as I have a time I will be posting a review with my test.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12428604
I am also interested who the US dealer is. Because I've looked and haven't found anyone!


Don't need ETTL. I'm using these with YN-560s which are manual only.

BTW PeaceFire I read some weeks ago you were trying to set a low budget studio... I took note of the gear you were trying to get .... and made some research and got mine they work perfect
-2XCactus V5 duo( yours were RF603 but its the same use)
-2xYN 460ii flash
-I added 468( sometimes I need TTL to backup my 580exii)
-Wescott 43inch kit
-another umbrela kit(33inch)
-and softbox from Cowboystudio 24inch
All was aroud $$500
So far It works for me in small test I made( still need to learn a lot about using manual flash)

ernestoqr wrote in post #12428830
BTW PeaceFire I read some weeks ago you were trying to set a low budget studio... I took note of the gear you were trying to get .... and made some research and got mine they work perfect
-2XCactus V5 duo( yours were RF603 but its the same use)
-2xYN 460ii flash
-I added 468( sometimes I need TTL to backup my 580exii)
-Wescott 43inch kit
-another umbrela kit(33inch)
-and softbox from Cowboystudio 24inch
All was aroud $$500
So far It works for me in small test I made( still need to learn a lot about using manual flash)

That is very similar to what I got! I was holding off on the triggers because I'm moving from Phoenix to the Sacramento area this Sunday and I didn't want to risk anything getting lost in the transition. And while I was waiting a did a little more research and ultimately picked the Cactus V5s only because I realized I tilts my umbrella swivels A LOT and I was worried about the lack of a locking foot on the RF-603s.

But yeah, in the end that's roughly what I got minus the softbox and YN-560s instead of the YN-460IIs. I am thinking about selling my Canon 430EX II and getting a YN-468 instead so I'd love to know how that's working out of you! Also, since you're also using a softbox in addition to umbrellas can I ask how your experience with that is going? I decided against getting a softbox for cost purposes and would love to buy one when I have the funds.

Manual flash is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. I love how I can easily control the mood of my pictures by just pressing a few buttons on the back of the flash. I've been playing around with adding shadows and other effects this week and manual definitely makes that easier!

n0w0rries wrote in post #12428612
I was a little irritated to find out they won't wake my flashes up. I had to disable sleep on all of them. Being version #5 you'd think they'd accommodate that by now. And of course somehow in all my research I didn't see that mentioned until they were on their way.

This was the reason I was initially going to buy the RF-603s instead of the Cactus V5s. But the locking foot changed my mind in the end. But it is a little ridiculous that there is no wake-up feature yet. And no locking foot on the RF-603s! I think it's a conspiracy.

U.S. Dealer for Cactus

Here's the link to Midwest Photo Exchange. They cater a fair amount to the Strobist market and they carry the Cactus V5's! http://www.mpex.com/br​owse.cfm/4,17373.html

Just got my set from them today. Ordered last Thursday I believe. I think you might pay a little more than buying direct but I liked the peace of mind of getting from this side of the pond.

Wow, you guys had great luck. Mine took a month to get with just standard shipping. I would opt for the Midwest Photo Exchange now, I've had good experience with them.