Rovelight 600B RR-RL600V2 FAILURE

I've owned the RL600B for just a little over a year, so it's not in warranty, which I think would include the cheapo Remote RR-RL600V2. I've only used it 3 times. Well the other day, Christmas Eve while setting up to do some portrait, photo-booth type shooting the remote decided to go on vacation. I couldn't get it to work. Fresh battery in it. I tried using the reset button, and removing and replacing the battery. Then the red light on the front, between the dipswitches & Power/Flash-Test button, comes on, stays on flickering rapidly. Still it would not communicate with the monolight. Both the monolight and remote were set to the same channel (dipswitch on remote and RL screen matching). Finally just pulled the battery out of the remote. I've played with it since then and still nothing. So I'm thinking this cheap remote is done. I looked on Adorama's site and seen it costs $14 for a new one. Do I really want to go there?

Ok with that said, I have the one RL 660B, which I use with my 43" EZ Pro Softbox. I've been putting one of my YN 600c transceivers on it, plugged into the sync port. That way I can trigger it with my YN 600-TX on my camera. I also have 3 YN-685c Flashes, that of course have the built in receivers. So my only use for the cheap RL Remote is changing the settings on the RL. The other day I had to drop the RL down, or drag a chair over to it to stand on to change settings. Thankfully this was for family, and not a real working gig.

Now, comes my question(s);
I noticed Adorama has a couple of different receivers and transmitters listed.
1. Flashpoint R1 HSS Remote Transceiver for Canon (CELLS IIC). I'm not sure if this would allow changing the settings on the Rovelight through the camera's menu, or what. I don't see any way on the unit to do that.
2. Flashpoint R2 E-TTL Transmitter for Canon Cameras (X1T-C). This unit does have a LCD menu on it.

I know they're not going to talk to my YN685 flashes, but like I said, I can handle that with my -TX unit. It looks like I'd be able to somehow attach the -TX on one of the above. With the TX unit I don't use my camera's menu, so I'm worried about that for the flashes. I need some way to control the Rovelight when I use it with my flashes.

Which would be recommended, #1, #2, or just by the cheap replacement that will more than likely fail soon after ?

AFAIK the only way to retain remote power instruction sending, even if you trigger with something else, would be to re-buy Adorama's Version 2 cheapo trigger specific to the Rovelight 600B.

(In the rest of the world, the commonest version of this light was Jinbei's HD600v (very similar, but the triggers were not inter-operable) - there is now a completely updated trigger for this called the TR-A6 but AFAIK this is specific to the HD600v only - though it might be worth asking Helen Ostler that that is precisely correct - because it is a very much better trigger.)

Yes the Flashpoint V2 transmitter is the only one (apart from the older V1 / Jinbei TRS) which can provide remote power control with the RoveLights.

I think many people got into the habit of using a different set of triggers (often like the YN-622) to fire the RoveLights, and only use the Jinbei/Flashpoint transmitter for remote power control. This was due to the need for the HSS signal as much as the original transmitter being unreliable.

If you ask the Flashpoint guys (brands@adorama.com) they may replace the transmitter for you anyway.

Jinbei have moved on to the HD-610 flashes now, and as much as we all tried it appears Jinbei unfortunately have no interest in updating the original HD-600II / Rovelight transmitter, or bridging them with the new lights in any way which would see both providing remote power control together.

I paid $70, if I remember correctly, for a backup v1 RL600 transmitter. Like I said then, they are a $2.75 item at best so if they are priced at $14 now, at least that is more in line in what they're worth. I never had any issues with my v1's, luck of the draw. If you plan to keep the RL600B and the transmitters are only $14, then I would buy 2 just in case another one failed.

Kind of to elaborate on what has been said. Unfortunately Adorama has tried to Group all their flash products under a single name, "Flashpoint" which tends to create a lot of confusion. Adorama rebrands third party flash products that do not always work together. The two transmitters you mentioned are Godox products that Adorama has rebranded with their own confusing model names which tends to deepen the confusion.

The two Godox triggers will not work directly with your RL600B strobe without using a compatible Godox receiver. Even then you will only have triggering with no flash power control. So it would be no different than what you are already doing with your radio triggers now.

Ok thanks, it clears it up. For a while I'm not in any financial shape to change my system, so I'll have to stick with it for a while. I'll order a couple of the remotes.

frozenframe wrote in post #18223775
I've owned the RL600B for just a little over a year, so it's not in warranty, which I think would include the cheapo Remote RR-RL600V2. I've only used it 3 times. Well the other day, Christmas Eve while setting up to do some portrait, photo-booth type shooting the remote decided to go on vacation. I couldn't get it to work. Fresh battery in it. I tried using the reset button, and removing and replacing the battery. Then the red light on the front, between the dipswitches & Power/Flash-Test button, comes on, stays on flickering rapidly. Still it would not communicate with the monolight. Both the monolight and remote were set to the same channel (dipswitch on remote and RL screen matching). Finally just pulled the battery out of the remote. I've played with it since then and still nothing. So I'm thinking this cheap remote is done. I looked on Adorama's site and seen it costs $14 for a new one. Do I really want to go there?

Ok with that said, I have the one RL 660B, which I use with my 43" EZ Pro Softbox. I've been putting one of my YN 600c transceivers on it, plugged into the sync port. That way I can trigger it with my YN 600-TX on my camera. I also have 3 YN-685c Flashes, that of course have the built in receivers. So my only use for the cheap RL Remote is changing the settings on the RL. The other day I had to drop the RL down, or drag a chair over to it to stand on to change settings. Thankfully this was for family, and not a real working gig.

Now, comes my question(s);
I noticed Adorama has a couple of different receivers and transmitters listed.
1. Flashpoint R1 HSS Remote Transceiver for Canon (CELLS IIC). I'm not sure if this would allow changing the settings on the Rovelight through the camera's menu, or what. I don't see any way on the unit to do that.
2. Flashpoint R2 E-TTL Transmitter for Canon Cameras (X1T-C). This unit does have a LCD menu on it.

I know they're not going to talk to my YN685 flashes, but like I said, I can handle that with my -TX unit. It looks like I'd be able to somehow attach the -TX on one of the above. With the TX unit I don't use my camera's menu, so I'm worried about that for the flashes. I need some way to control the Rovelight when I use it with my flashes.

Which would be recommended, #1, #2, or just by the cheap replacement that will more than likely fail soon after ?

I'm going to copy your post and send to the Flashpoint tech team for advice; can I get your email, 'though, so I can put them in touch with you directly? Helen@adorama.com

Sure Helen.. Just sent an email to you, referencing this thread. Thank you very much Helen.