Speculation: New Eli. Ranger

With the interest and popularity of the Quadra, hands up who thinks than a new Ranger is likely? I'll go out on a branch and say with certainty that they will release one mainly to take advantage of some of the Quadra features such as the LED modeling light and also the in-built Skyport Receiver. Maybe even make them them a bit lighter.

Rangers are pretty much rock solid bits o' kit but it'll be fascinating to see Elinchrom to update the Rangers as it's one of the few bits of their lights that's not really been updated yet.

While I'll never be a wait-for-the-newest-toy kinda guy, I must admit...an update to the ranger could be great. Given the advancements in battery technology over the past few years, one would think they could make it lighter, more powerful, and with a higher capacity (think of the difference between the 1d2n battery and the 1d3 battery!)

That said, given "these economic times," I'm not sure a lot of companies are going to be putting alot into R&D and new products right now. Elinchrom already supposedly planned on rolling out grids for most of their softboxes, and then scaled that back a bit.

Also, while I'd love a newer/lighter/better updated ranger, lets' not forget that the current one just rocks.

I dont know how soon elinchrom will introduce the new ranger, but yeah its likely they will introduce LED and built in Skyport in the new Rangers. Im wondering if they will introduce more powerfull packs; 2400Watts and faster packs like the Profoto 8.
I would like to see a Elinchrom version of the Hensel porty's those things are powerfull and lightweight. Elinchrom should make a quadra 1000 watts or something to compete.

When was the original Rangers introduced to the market anyways? And what did they replace? Would be interesting to know.............

There are brewing rumors that Profoto is integrating Air on all their products - would be interesting to see how they upgrade the Acute 600b..

I think the original rangers were brought out in like 1996 or something, so its def time for an update

ID like to see more companies using lithium technology like the new Hensel Porty Lithiums - they can pack 1200ws into 6kg! and they recharge super fast.

+ Add a decent handle, built-in RX transmitter and more user friendly modelling light and Im there!

jdear wrote in post #8342935
I think the original rangers were brought out in like 1996 or something, so its def time for an update

ID like to see more companies using lithium technology like the new Hensel Porty Lithiums - they can pack 1200ws into 6kg! and they recharge super fast.

+ Add a decent handle, built-in RX transmitter and more user friendly modelling light and Im there!

The Porty Lithium with kit with one head runs almost $4000 and replacement batteries are over $500. Lithium is an expensive battery technology. Also, transport of lithium batteries by air is restricted. The Porty might not be allowed on board depending upon the mood and competence of the baggage screener.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #8343067
The Porty Lithium with kit with one head runs almost $4000 and replacement batteries are over $500. Lithium is an expensive battery technology. Also, transport of lithium batteries by air is restricted. The Porty might not be allowed on board depending upon the mood and competence of the baggage screener.

Dave F.

these are some pretty valid concerns with Lithium. I'd like a lighter Ranger....but not if it costs me twice as much. Also, being able to fly with the pack is pretty important. Unless they can get the air transportation piece figured out, I'd be slow to buy something that could prove to be so difficult in transportation.

Pardon my ignorance, but why are Lithium not allowed in the air? ARe they liquid and flammable?

roanjohn wrote in post #8345924
Pardon my ignorance, but why are Lithium not allowed in the air? ARe they liquid and flammable?

They're less stable and potentially explosive. Although high quality li-ion batteries have failsafes and safety measures in place, in theory, a short or rupture can be enough to make the battery explode.

Lithium batteries in laptops can exceed 1,000c with fires. Just look up laptop batteries going up in flames, they follow similar principles. There's a few videos on YouTube showing this.

This is why the airlines are cagey...