pros & cons of symmetrical vs asymmetrical Elinchrom power pack?

what are the pros & cons of symmetrical vs asymmetrical power distribution Elinchrom power packs?

Why would one use asymmetrical power pack?

I hope this discussion help you:
Asymmetrical question

alessandro2009 wrote in post #12456346
I hope this discussion help you:
Asymmetrical question

thank you for the link.

Boy that Flickr link was obtuse! Let me explain it in simple terms...

Symmetrical = power adjust to one channel affects ALL channels similarly

Asymmetrical = ability to adjust power to one channel without affecting the other

Example of the benefit of asymmetrical:
You have two flash heads plugged into the same power pack. You want output ratio to be 2:1 (more light from Main head than from Fill head), rather than 1:1 (equal power from both heads). Asymmetrical permits you to easily adjust the Channel B head without impacting the amount of power from the Channel A head...I could put Channel B on half power while leaving Channel A on full power, to achieve 2:1 output from the heads.

Wilt wrote in post #12458147
Boy that Flickr link was obtuse! Let me explain it in simple terms...

Symmetrical = power adjust to one channel affects ALL channels similarly

Asymmetrical = ability to adjust power to one channel without affecting the other

Example of the benefit of asymmetrical:
You have two flash heads plugged into the same power pack. You want output ratio to be 2:1 (more light from Main head than from Fill head), rather than 1:1 (equal power from both heads). Asymmetrical permits you to easily adjust the Channel B head without impacting the amount of power from the Channel A head...I could put Channel B on half power while leaving Channel A on full power, to achieve 2:1 output from the heads.

ah ok. Would asymmetrical power pack cost more money?

picard wrote in post #12458654
ah ok. Would asymmetrical power pack cost more money?

I don't know of a manufacturer (no personal familarity) who makes both asymmetrical packs and also symmetrical packs of same total power, to compare one vs. the other in pricing!

Pros of Ranger RX AS pack: 8.5 stops of power.
From incredibly low (using B channel) to incredibly high (using A channel).

picard wrote in post #12458654
Would asymmetrical power pack cost more money?

Since they require a more sophisticated power management ...
However you can opt for more cheap alternative as the vagabond mini, one for each light.
Sure the autonomy is smaller (however you can buy more battery for each single light - for increase the autonomy - and the cost remain a lot lower), and you loss even other benefits (the recycle time is more slow, etc) but you can't have everything.

Wilt wrote in post #12458147
Boy that Flickr link was obtuse! Let me explain it in simple terms...

Symmetrical = power adjust to one channel affects ALL channels similarly

Asymmetrical = ability to adjust power to one channel without affecting the other

Example of the benefit of asymmetrical:
You have two flash heads plugged into the same power pack. You want output ratio to be 2:1 (more light from Main head than from Fill head), rather than 1:1 (equal power from both heads). Asymmetrical permits you to easily adjust the Channel B head without impacting the amount of power from the Channel A head...I could put Channel B on half power while leaving Channel A on full power, to achieve 2:1 output from the heads.

That's not quite right. Asymmetrical (AS) packs won't necessarily let you control power independently.
While some packs may feature independent power control for various ports on the pack, AS means that the power distribution is asymmetrical, 2:1 A:B in most cases. Some packs also give you the option to switch between symmetrical and asymmetrical ports, such as the Profoto Pro-B3. You still only have one power setting for the whole pack.

picard wrote in post #12458654
ah ok. Would asymmetrical power pack cost more money?

Wilt wrote in post #12460338
I don't know of a manufacturer (no personal familarity) who makes both asymmetrical packs and also symmetrical packs of same total power, to compare one vs. the other in pricing!

The Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed is available in both AS and symmetrical versions. Price is the same.

windpig wrote in post #12460428
Pros of Ranger RX AS pack: 8.5 stops of power.
From incredibly low (using B channel) to incredibly high (using A channel).

+1,000

This is why I own them.

Lichtwerk wrote in post #12461644
That's not quite right. Asymmetrical (AS) packs won't necessarily let you control power independently.
While some packs may feature independent power control for various ports on the pack, AS means that the power distribution is asymmetrical, 2:1 A:B in most cases. Some packs also give you the option to switch between symmetrical and asymmetrical ports, such as the Profoto Pro-B3. You still only have one power setting for the whole pack.

Yes, my definition of 'control power independently' was not precisely right. But on the other hand, 'power distribution is asymmetrical, 2:1 A:B in most cases' may not be precisely accurate either (it fails to describe packs like Dynalite, which can do 1:1 even in asymmetric distribution).

One might best consider the definition that 'Channel A power is not always the same as Channel B power' is the right definition of 'asymmetric'. So that covers asymmetric packs that permit independent control of A and B levels, as well as covering asymmetric packs that do not have independent contol of levels yet which have A:B channels at some fixed ratio (e.g. 2:1). Dynalite packs fit the first description, while Speedotron 1604 fits the second description, and both are legitimately 'asymmetrical' power distribution (as well as 'symmetrical')

Agreed

when does one use the channel A head for the flash ? When should you use channel B ?

If you want the highest power, use A. If lowest power, use B.

windpig wrote in post #12464100
If you want the highest power, use A. If lowest power, use B.

exactly, or use B port when fast flash duration is important