Flash frustration - trigger systems

Well I had two catastrophic failures yesterday. First, on my canon Ettl cord, the flash hotshoe came loose causing the rear contacts to miss, firing the flash at full output (something I can fix?). So I went to my pixel kings, which also failed to fire in Ettl mode. So I went to flash on camera and finished off my day.

I prefer to shoot a flash bracket, if for nothing else, a handle. I will likely purchase a new flash zebra Ettl cord, as paying the high price for the canon certainly didn't pay off. I've used the cord for a total of 4 all day events and it failed.

I'm also looking to upgrade my triggers to something more robust and reliable. I have two 430 EXII flashes currently, and shoot a canon 6D. I cannot get my pixel kings to function properly with my 6D (upgraded to v1030, new batteries), and the build quality is really below standard. If they were more reliable I would keep them.

I'm not really interested in a throw away system like the YN ETTL's - seems like re-buying what I already have.

It seems like pocket wizards are the most versatile system enabling a mix of strobes and flashes and remote power control of all of them - albeit extremely expensive. The phottix Odin seems like a good system - is it independent of the camera for the most part? I like that you can purchase "dumb" receivers for studio strobes to save a little cash, at the expense of remote power control.

The new canon radio system seems ok, but I'm now purchasing 2 new flashes at $500/pop plus the radio.

I would like full Ettl control including ratios and HSS, as well as manual control, and mixed manual ETTL. I shoot portraits and events.

I want a robust, upgradable system that is going to last. What radio system do you use and why. What are its short comings and what do you wish you'd done differently? For those that have the AC3 zone controller, how is it? Is it as fast and easy as their videos indicate?

I'm not sure if I have spoken to you already somewhere (as this story sound a little familiar), but I have put a review of the Odins up here if that may help -

http://flashhavoc.com …-odin-ttl-trigger-review/

Having 430EX II you have the best chances with the PW's, but having dealt with a lot of people dealing with them over the last number of years, the results have been mixed at best. This way this thread is going is not uncommon - https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1299053

If the limitations of the Odins listed in the review above don't effect you, they are far more simple and very reliable.

Otherwise the Canon system is also a safe bet.

(they YN-622C are considerably more refined than the Kings in terms of the electronic engineering by the way, but still physically built to a price).
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How is the build of the odins? Also what is the cheapest "dumb" trigger that would be used for strobes (or activating a strobe trigger system"?

Well, I was able to fix the ETTL cable. The screws hidden by the small piece of sheet metal on the hot shoe somehow came loose. Seems like hidden screws would use loc-tire but they didn't... They do now!

Buchinger wrote in post #15924786
How is the build of the odins? Also what is the cheapest "dumb" trigger that would be used for strobes (or activating a strobe trigger system"?

The Odins are built pretty solid. They are certainly made better than YongNuo and Pixel etc. When attaching receivers just make sure you use the threaded hole in the base and not the plastic foot. That goes with PW etc though as well.

If you mean dumb triggers compatible with the Odin, that would be the Strato II, possibly the original Strato if you can find those available. The Strato II would be better though as they have groups that correspond with the Odin.

http://flashhavoc.com …strato-ii-trigger-review/

If you just meant stand alone triggers, the Strato II are also my favourite, and probably what you're after anyway if you don't like lighter quality build like the Kings. Otherwise there are certainly good cheaper options now, as listed here -

http://flashhavoc.com/​flash-trigger-guide-manual/
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The Canon ETTL cords seem to be a weak point, I always carry a spare...its saved my bacon more than once. I saw some guy somewhere who was making all kinds of custom cords and he was epoxy encapsulating the ends of the Canon cords to keep them from coming apart. Nice idea but his prices were pretty steep.

As far as triggers go, the pocket wizards have the market because they are reliable.....can't really speak to all the unknown brands

Thanks for the input. I apologize for the confusion. What I meant about the dumb trigger, was something to use with the odins to fire strobes alo g with my Ettl flashes and the Odin system. So I guess the stratos II is the answer to that question. The Odin certainly looks like a nice system.

Does anyone use the Odin receivers in Ettl along with a stratos for strobes? Will the Ettl pre flash cause the stratos to fire the strobe?

Buchinger wrote in post #15925828
Does anyone use the Odin receivers in Ettl along with a stratos for strobes? Will the Ettl pre flash cause the stratos to fire the strobe?

No the pre-flash won't have any effect through the radio triggers. As long as any optic slave on the studio strobes is not functioning once you have the Stratos connected.

So provided there are no optic slaves on, mixing ETTL and manual strobes or speedlites is fine. That can be, Odin, Strato II, or Atlas II receivers for the manual lights.

YN-622's work great.. and are $90 a pair.

Do ETTL, second curtain, HSS, mix mode, will fire strobes as dumb trigger, etc.. great triggers. Big long thread on the forum about them.

Does anyone know the current compatibility of pocket wizard and phottix Odin with the canon 6D?

ksbal wrote in post #15928026
YN-622's work great.. and are $90 a pair.

Do ETTL, second curtain, HSS, mix mode, will fire strobes as dumb trigger, etc.. great triggers. Big long thread on the forum about them.

I agree! I switched from the Phottix Strato II and now I have no more problems.

NYC2BGI wrote in post #15940571
I agree! I switched from the Phottix Strato II and now I have no more problems.

what was your problem with the strato II?