Big strobes on a vagabond mini?

Who has used a big strobe on a vagabond mini. If I get one it will be used with a 1000ws mono block. Has anyone used this big of head on one? Im sure recycle times will not be the snappiest and that is fine with me. but Id like to hear how it worked if some one has tried it.

Yes. 1000 w/s Profoto D1. Works fine.

I don't have anything that big, but I can tell you that I have the Elinchrom BXRi 500 kit and when I plug both strobes into the mini it has a hard time with them at their lowest settings. I saw some successful tests on Youtube and bit the bullet after reading about the new innovatronix XT3 coming out this month and how it was better than the mini for handling my strobes, but I decided not to wait. I tried using them at Christmas with both strobes on the mini at 3/4 power and one of the strobes went out and I could not get it working again that day. I did not have time to work on it, and so a few days later I tested both strobes on the mini at low power and the modeling lamps on both would dim several times before each strobe was ready. I did have several successful tests in a row, but I would wait a few seconds between each test fire of the strobes. The green lights on the mini indicated that the battery was fully charged.

zerovision wrote in post #13646473
I don't have anything that big, but I can tell you that I have the Elinchrom BXRi 500 kit and when I plug both strobes into the mini it has a hard time with them at their lowest settings. I saw some successful tests on Youtube and bit the bullet after reading about the new innovatronix XT3 coming out this month and how it was better than the mini for handling my strobes, but I decided not to wait. I tried using them at Christmas with both strobes on the mini at 3/4 power and one of the strobes went out and I could not get it working again that day. I did not have time to work on it, and so a few days later I tested both strobes on the mini at low power and the modeling lamps on both would dim several times before each strobe was ready. I did have several successful tests in a row, but I would wait a few seconds between each test fire of the strobes. The green lights on the mini indicated that the battery was fully charged.

They really arent meant to be used with the modeling lights on.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13646479
They really arent meant to be used with the modeling lights on.

Would I get much better results with the modeling lamps off? I will have to give that a try.

zerovision wrote in post #13646484
Would I get much better results with the modeling lamps off? I will have to give that a try.

The modeling lamps are a constant draw, so that on top of the pulse might make a big difference. Leaving them off will certainly improve the number of shots you get out of a battery.

Before I sold it, I used my X3200 (1320ws) on the VML.. Took about 10-12 seconds to recycle on full power.

Definitely do not use modeling lights.. it says so right in VML manual.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13646524
The modeling lamps are a constant draw, so that on top of the pulse might make a big difference. Leaving them off will certainly improve the number of shots you get out of a battery.

Indeed!

@zerovision:If I recall it correctly Rob (TMR) posted a nice data chart on the Tronix Mini review about power consumption and pops u get on the "most used/common" flashes
there's also the power consumption with modelling lamps on if i'm not mistaken

that's not the Vagabond but it's just to give an idea

I use a WL x3200 (1330ws). Works just fine. Recycle can be slow at full power. I'd advise you to not use the modeling light. It's fine at low power, but it's too easy to forget and raise the power. At full power you can damage the Vagabond or VML.

zerovision wrote in post #13646473
I don't have anything that big, but I can tell you that I have the Elinchrom BXRi 500 kit and when I plug both strobes into the mini it has a hard time with them at their lowest settings. I saw some successful tests on Youtube and bit the bullet after reading about the new innovatronix XT3 coming out this month and how it was better than the mini for handling my strobes, but I decided not to wait. I tried using them at Christmas with both strobes on the mini at 3/4 power and one of the strobes went out and I could not get it working again that day. I did not have time to work on it, and so a few days later I tested both strobes on the mini at low power and the modeling lamps on both would dim several times before each strobe was ready. I did have several successful tests in a row, but I would wait a few seconds between each test fire of the strobes. The green lights on the mini indicated that the battery was fully charged.

I don't want to change the subject of the original post, but I would avoid using two BXRi 500 studio lights on the Vagabond mini. Like you have experienced at low power it may work. With both strobes at full power something is going to get damaged...The lights or the Vagabond Mini...

Trying to save you some grief...

110yd

BrandonSi wrote in post #13646536
Before I sold it, I used my X3200 (1320ws) on the VML.. Took about 10-12 seconds to recycle on full power.

Definitely do not use modeling lights.. it says so right in VML manual.

bdillon wrote in post #13646664
I use a WL x3200 (1330ws). Works just fine. Recycle can be slow at full power. I'd advise you to not use the modeling light. It's fine at low power, but it's too easy to forget and raise the power. At full power you can damage the Vagabond or VML.

Fine for you but not for me 10-12 seconds is just nuts.

sigma pi wrote in post #13646962
Fine for you but not for me 10-12 seconds is just nuts.

It's more like 7 to 8, closer to 7 once it's fired a few shots off.
While it's nuts, it's better than no pops at all.

bdillon wrote in post #13647084
It's more like 7 to 8, closer to 7 once it's fired a few shots off.
While it's nuts, it's better than no pops at all.

At that point I wouldnt bother with a battery and would just get a generator. I agree some pops are better than none.

sigma pi wrote in post #13647201
At that point I wouldnt bother with a battery and would just get a generator. I agree some pops are better than none.

Doesn't make sense for me. I'd need 4000 - 5000 watts of power that I don't have a vehicle to transport. Recycle time on a WL x3200 is 4 seconds, I don't mind waiting the extra 3.

Reality is, I never fire at full power. My solution to my lighting needs is not to increase the amount of power I use, but to use modifiers that increase the efficiency of my strobe......like the PLM. With my WL x3200, I typically see recycle times from 3 to 5 second when working in full, mid-day sun.

bdillon wrote in post #13647350
Doesn't make sense for me. I'd need 4000 - 5000 watts of power that I don't have a vehicle to transport. Recycle time on a WL x3200 is 4 seconds, I don't mind waiting the extra 3.

Reality is, I never fire at full power. My solution to my lighting needs is not to increase the amount of power I use, but to use modifiers that increase the efficiency of my strobe......like the PLM. With my WL x3200, I typically see recycle times from 3 to 5 second when working in full, mid-day sun.

Thats fine for you, but I dont like my equipment dictating what kind of shot I can or can not do.

7-10 second pauses in shooting are just not for me.