Possible problem with Elinchrom Skyport transmitter - need feedback

On Friday, I received a partial shipment of my Skyport setup - two transmitters and six receivers. Three of the receivers will arrive Monday.

The possible problem I have discovered with one of the two transmitters is this: If I move the mode switch on the transmitter from "off" to "grp" and then try to trigger a receiver set to the same group number as the transmitter, nothing happens. However, if I first move the mode switch from "off" to "all", then to "grp", the group triggering works fine.

I have three receivers so far, and was able to trigger each - one at a time - by changing the group setting on the transmitter and then using the test button to trigger the one that I had the transmitter selector set for.

My other transmitter works in group mode after I merely move the mode switch from "off" to "grp" without first moving it to "all".

Again, both transmitters work just fine in the group mode, but one requires me to move the mode switch to the "all" position first, then to the "grp" position or it will not work in the group mode.

Could you folks who have the Elinchrom EL-Skyport transmitter please test yours and see if anybody has the same "problem"? I don't know if I want to go through the hassle of getting the transmitter replaced if a lot of others work the same way. If mine is, in fact, defective I definitely want to replace it.

By the way - I was flabbergasted at how small the EL-Skyport components are. The photos all make them see larger than they are in real life. This is a fantastic system at half the price of PocketWizards, and the transmitter is almost a non-issue on the camera. There's almost no weight added to the camera and definitely nothing in the way of handling the camera.

I tested the range of the transmitter-receiver in a non-scientific way and got to at least 100 yards away before I started having missed triggering. That was with the receiver basically in sight but hidden by a couple of wet evergreen trees at the longest distance (I could see the flash through the trees). I am sure these things will do the job for me very reliably.

I'm using Velcro to mount the receivers to my AlienBees lights, and that allows me to get the antenna above the flash rig when needed. By keeping the receivers mounted to the flash rigs, I also absolutely prevent anything from pressing the on/off button while the rigs are in my storage/travel case (a hard case similar to a Pelican case).

I would also be interested to know it any other Skyport owners have the same problems.

I walked into the local photo store all set to purchase a pair of Skyports TX/RX but when we hooked it up to test it, it failed to work. We checked all the combinations - setting the 580EX II to Manual no Master, changing flashes, changing the sync cords etc. Then after playing around with it for a while. I think the store guy moved the TX through all possible setting and finally got it to work. After that it worked flawlessly when we switched through the groups.

Needless to say I was rather surprised at this. Since it was the last set available, I decided to delay my purchase till a new shipment arrived.

Sydney2K wrote in post #4337809
I would also be interested to know it any other Skyport owners have the same problems.

I walked into the local photo store all set to purchase a pair of Skyports TX/RX but when we hooked it up to test it, it failed to work. We checked all the combinations - setting the 580EX II to Manual no Master, changing flashes, changing the sync cords etc. Then after playing around with it for a while. I think the store guy moved the TX through all possible setting and finally got it to work. After that it worked flawlessly when we switched through the groups.

Needless to say I was rather surprised at this. Since it was the last set available, I decided to delay my purchase till a new shipment arrived.

It wouldn't surprise me if the store clerk put the battery in upside-down. That, of course, would make the transmitter no better than a pet rock.

You have to read the manual to know which side of the battery should be up in the tray. It's the negative (-) side, by the way.

In addition, a new receiver must have its battery charged or have the charger plugged in. Then, you have to press the on/off button once to activate the receiver. With the charger plugged in - and charging - there's no difference in the LED indication when the receiver is switched on or off. With the battery fully charged - or with the charger removed - the LED blinks when the receiver is switched on.

SkipD wrote in post #4338045
It wouldn't surprise me if the store clerk put the battery in upside-down. That, of course, would make the transmitter no better than a pet rock.

You have to read the manual to know which side of the battery should be up in the tray. It's the negative (-) side, by the way.

In addition, a new receiver must have its battery charged or have the charger plugged in. Then, you have to press the on/off button once to activate the receiver. With the charger plugged in - and charging - there's no difference in the LED indication when the receiver is switched on or off. With the battery fully charged - or with the charger removed - the LED blinks when the receiver is switched on.

Wasn't the battery, the store clerk got the battery the correct. The skyports have been flying of the shelves at this store so the store clerks are pretty knowledgeable on these things. The day I walked in, two sets were sold that morning leaving the last set which I checked and found faulty.

Stumped the store clerks with the problem as they had not seen it before.

I just tested my Skyports. The fire without a problem going straight from Off to Group. It sounds like the switch on the unit maybe faulty.

As a side note, I must say that I love the Skyports. Like you, I don't need to use mine at distances greater than 100 yards, but I need them to fire every time (I actually haven't tested the range, but I haven't had problems either). The size is great and the transmitter is practically not there.