CyberSync vs. Pocket Wizard

I know that Pocket Wizards are the industry standard for off-camera transmitting. At the time that I needed a solution, I could not afford them, so I picked up a set of CyberSync's. They seem to work well enough.

I'm wondering if anyone has used both, and could convince me as to why I should spring for the Pocket Wizards, as they are almost 4x more expensive.

One thing I don't love with the CyberSync's is that you have to shoot in manual mode on the flash. However, I am considering getting an AlienBee light rig - would the CyberSync's work more intelligently with those (compared to Speedlites)?

Thanks!

You can remotely control the Alien Bees via the Cyber Commander and the "plus" receivers such as the CSR+ or CSRB+. Works quite well.

I dont see myself going to PWs anytime soon - I am completely happy with my Cactus V5. Seeing the leaps and bounds they have improved, from V4 to V5, I cannot wait to see what they come out with for the next generation. Unless PWs do something dramatically better, I think they are going to have a hard time selling their equipment to new users.

It would help if you clarify which PW product you are talking about. The cybersync's compare well with the pocket wizard II's, both are manual triggers with the only real advantage to the PWII's is range. The cybersync's have great range (400ft+) and the PWII's have even more. If you are comparing them to the controlTL system thats not a fair comparison. The ControlTL system is designed to allow you to use ETTL with speedlites so its a totally different product.

I would assume the OP is talking about the TTL products since part of his complaint was the fact the the CyberSyncs can only be used with the speedlight in Manual mode.

alienbee units are manual only, no ETTL

nicksan wrote in post #13436931
I would assume the OP is talking about the TTL products since part of his complaint was the fact the the CyberSyncs can only be used with the speedlight in Manual mode.

I had that feeling too, but I wonder if he might be reading some things that confuse the issue.

Shadow on the Door wrote in post #13436938
alienbee units are manual only, no ETTL

Right, no ETTL. These are strobes. But as I mentioned before, you can remotely control them, including making power adjustments via the Cyber Commander and appropriate "plus" CyberSync receiver. I use this exact setup at wedding receptions and it works well.

Yes, I was answering his question from before, either way he's shooting manual.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13436941
I had that feeling too, but I wonder if he might be reading some things that confuse the issue.

He mentioned that it costs 4x more...so I would assume the TTL ones?

Shadow on the Door wrote in post #13436955
Yes, I was answering his question from before, either way he's shooting manual.

Right. The wording is a bit vague. "Intelligently control"...You are right. There's really nothing intelligent about the Cyber Commander. You still have to make decisions and "manually" adjust the power, even if you can do that remotely. Compared the using the CyberSyncs with Speedlights, it's definitely a step up though.

The only reason I'm not using a cyber commander is because of the battery life listed on their site..2-3 hours? I can't afford to be replacing AAA's every 2-3 hours on long shoots.

Shadow on the Door wrote in post #13437005
The only reason I'm not using a cyber commander is because of the battery life listed on their site..2-3 hours? I can't afford to be replacing AAA's every 2-3 hours on long shoots.

Afford from a cost perspective or the time it takes to swap a set of batteries? I dont love the CC, but that doesnt seem to be that big a deal to me.

Shadow on the Door wrote in post #13437005
The only reason I'm not using a cyber commander is because of the battery life listed on their site..2-3 hours? I can't afford to be replacing AAA's every 2-3 hours on long shoots.

I only use the CC to control my lights. I don't trigger the lights with it. I use the CST instead. So 2-3 hours isn't a big deal for me.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13437017
Afford from a cost perspective or the time it takes to swap a set of batteries? I dont love the CC, but that doesnt seem to be that big a deal to me.

Time is money, can't be wasting people's time swapping batteries on location in a shoot. I'm sure they'll improve it eventually, 5+ hours would be enough for me to buy.