EQUIPMENT REVIEW: Innovatronix Explorer Mini : Part 1 - Initial Thoughts

SK6 wrote in post #12611608
Recycles times aren't too important to me, number of shots I can get out of the system is.

There is nothing innovative about the explorer mini. An sla battery is an sla battery, so all you have to do is look at the capacity (amp hours) of the battery.

btw, the vagabond ii is still being sold.

es1 wrote in post #12609307
PCB Europe has 60 days money back guarantee, don't know if USA store has same thing. Buy the Vagabond Mini and test it out with your lights. If it doesn't work send it back.
edit, here:

I decided against the Vagabond mini because of this statement on their website:

Innovatronix, on the other hand, publishes an extensive list of strobes that their units are compatible with. They have promised me they will stand behind their product and so far they have been very responsive. I have no doubt they will do everything they can to resolve the issue I've experienced.

I've had great dealings with PCB, too, when they shipped me the wrong PLM. They corrected the problem without delay. However, they state up front they won't deal with any issues with the Vagabond Mini powering other brands of strobes.

Regards,
Jim

sigma pi wrote in post #12612144
Little Genny, http://www.filmtools.c​om …le-genny-charger-kit.html
I think not at $3,300

dynalite is $1500

Vagabond II is discontinued.

profoto batpack i can not find.

I managed to get my Dynyalite for $600 on ebay.. works like a charm despite being used.. don't mind saving $900.

Out of all the batteries I looked it it really was worth it

Zerimar wrote in post #12613210
I managed to get my Dynyalite for $600 on ebay.. works like a charm despite being used.. don't mind saving $900.

Out of all the batteries I looked it it really was worth it

want to sell it to me for that much

TMR Design wrote in post #12612158
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ortable_Power_S​ource.html

Ahhhh OK thanks Rob


Little Genny, http://www.filmtools.c​om …le-genny-charger-kit.html
I think not at $3,300

leadpower 750 $850 Shipped to the US

dynalite is $1500

Vagabond II is discontinued.

profoto batpack 1700

So this leaves vagabond mini and innvotronix for us mortals with a limited budget.

sigma pi wrote in post #12613693
want to sell it to me for that much

There might be on on ebay right now if you try looking for it (won't post it here so people ruin it for you)

^ thanks!! ** edit I did not see any

Going Baroque wrote in post #12612167
There is nothing innovative about the explorer mini. An sla battery is an sla battery, so all you have to do is look at the capacity (amp hours) of the battery.

btw, the vagabond ii is still being sold.

SLA batteries are cheaper to replace. That is the one upside to them.

The Vagabond™ II
Portable Power System
Being Discontinued! Order while supplies last!

http://www.alienbees.c​om/battery.html

"Buy our older, more expensive, heavier, bigger, going to be discontinued model, that does not get more pops per charge than our new one"

Let me know if I missed something.

sigma pi wrote in post #12613755
^ thanks!! ** edit I did not see any

I just looked, the auction ended without reserve being met earlier today.

possibly contact the seller? I'll send you a pm with the link.

Zerimar wrote in post #12613792
I just looked, the auction ended without reserve being met earlier today.

possibly contact the seller? I'll send you a pm with the link.

Thanks

so wait...the VBII is finally in stock!?!?!?

SK6 wrote in post #12615761
so wait...the VBII is finally in stock!?!?!?

Vagabond II – Being Discontinued! Order while supplies last!
Please contact us Toll Free at 1-800-443-5542 to order.

Going Baroque Tom said they are, so I will throw him under the bus

what to do, what to do...my d-lite's need to be mobile soon!

SK6 wrote in post #12616176
what to do, what to do...my d-lite's need to be mobile soon!

Explorer mini or Vagabond Mini 230V version are the safe bets. Explorer faster recycling, Vagabond gives more pops, is smaller and lighter. Explorer XT SE might work too (fastest, largerst and heaviest of the three with good batter life).

Just be aware that Innovatronix makes no claim that the XT SE will work with multiple bi-voltage strobes. There have been instances where two D-Lite 4's were still glitching and flipping the power relays.

Additionally, the XT SE will not support multiple BXRi's so if you think you're ever going to upgrade or work with others that have BXRi's or different bi-voltage strobes, don't plan on using more than one per battery.

The Explorer Mini and unreleased XT3 are designed to safely and correctly power multiple bi-voltage strobes and while some strobes are giving an extra beep or two while voltage stabilizes, that should not be confused with the power relays resetting. When the power relays reset the unit literally powers off and then back on and that's potentially harmful to the strobes.

The XT SE eliminated that problem with a single bi-voltage strobe and the Mini and XT3 took it a step further and have eliminated the power relay glitching with multiple bi-voltage strobes.

Yes I wouldn't buy the XT SE if there were no option to test it out beforehand.