vivitar 285HV power settings

I've got a question, when shooting the vivitar 285HVs in manual mode i've currently got the mode selector dial set to "M" (thats the dial on teh front of the flash unit) and then I adjust power with the vari-power dial from 1/16-1/1Full w/ the dial found on the side of the flash.

Does it make a difference how I adjust power output?

Should I be setting the side dial(vari-power) to 1/1 Full and using the front mode selector dial to change from 1/2, 1/4, 1/16th?

or should I see the mode selector dial (front dial) to "M" and adjust power through the vari-power dial(side) for 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16?

which way results in proper power adjustment? can I assume that I can set the ratios the same way as long as all the vivitar flashes are being dialed in in the same manner?

The dial on the front is the only control. There are the color indicated auto modes, and the various power level setting.

The dial on the side of the flash only gives you information on how the flash will behave if set in a particular manner, it does not affect the flash in any way.

Enjoy! Lon

so when setting the front dial to "M" and the side dial to 1/1Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16th those settings aren't making any difference?

I've read the manual forward and back about a dozen times just now and the direct manual control section is confusing to say the least lol...

so teh side dial is just for guideline use...and i should set the power via the front dial...
how do I produce full power? by setting the flash to "M"?

M on the front dial is full power.

Enjoy! Lon

Ahhh okay...
I just reread the manual and after reading your post, the front dial makes sense now!

Thanks FlashZebra!