Pocket Wizards, Cybersync's, or Skyports...Help me pick!

Alright, I've finally decided on a lighting setup. I'm getting the Elinchrom D-Lite kit that comes with 2 400 w/s lights, stands, and softboxes.

Getting to the point. I'm wanting to be able to wirelessly trigger these strobes and my 580EX II. I'm willing to spend up the money of Pocket Wizards if they're really that much better, will hold up longer, and will work more consistently than the other two.

Here's what I'm thinking for one trans and receiver...

Cybersync's ($130ish):
-Great value, but shorter range
-Good customer service, but no local stores or support
-The CSRB's (receivers) use AA's, which is a plus, but the trans uses funky coin batter, but not that big of a deal

Skyports ($200ish):
-A little more expensive
-Trans uses coin battery and receiver uses a rechargeable lithium battery, which I don't like
-I'm not sure if any of the special functions work since my D-Lites aren't RX's

http://www.robertsimag​ing.com …%20Set%20(EL%20​19360).jsp

Pocket Wizards ($340ish):
-Use AA's
-Long range
-Can act as receiver or transmitter
-From what I've heard, more reliable and durable.

http://www.robertsimag​ing.com …ranceiver%20(80​1-125).jsp

Can I get any of these cheaper anywhere else? Roberts is just my local store that I like getting my stuff through.

Will any of these not work with a 580EX II? Like I said, I don't mind spending the extra on PW's if they're that much better in the long run...it's just that I could get 1 trans + 2 receivers for just under $200 by going with Cybersync's...

Please give me any and all advice. I'm having trouble deciding

I love my cybersyncs. I wouldnt worry about the battery issue because the transmitter batteries last a long long time, so one spare on hand and you are golden. There are only two reasons i have read where people consider the PW's over the cybersync, ultra long range, and the ability to be triggered by a sekonic light meter. Neither of those are a problem for me as the cybersyncs have enough range (400ft) that I'll never go beyond that and I can trigger the lights when metering with my cybesync trigger. Honestly I think the cybersyncs are the best cross of value and performance.

The PlusII version of Pocket Wizards are excellent and professional quality, if you need to work outdoors and in inclement weather, then these are worth the money, they are beautifully crafted, extremely reliable and can take advantage of some compatibilities in some professional flash equipment and flash meters and can trigger remote cameras too.

Perhaps a little on the pricey side for all that, especially as you're planning a small studio, something cheaper will arguably not be at a disadvantage.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8834116
I love my cybersyncs. I wouldnt worry about the battery issue because the transmitter batteries last a long long time, so one spare on hand and you are golden. There are only two reasons i have read where people consider the PW's over the cybersync, ultra long range, and the ability to be triggered by a sekonic light meter. Neither of those are a problem for me as the cybersyncs have enough range (400ft) that I'll never go beyond that and I can trigger the lights when metering with my cybesync trigger. Honestly I think the cybersyncs are the best cross of value and performance.

GerBee wrote in post #8834214
The PlusII version of Pocket Wizards are excellent and professional quality, if you need to work outdoors and in inclement weather, then these are worth the money, they are beautifully crafted, extremely reliable and can take advantage of some compatibilities in some professional flash equipment and flash meters and can trigger remote cameras too.

Perhaps a little on the pricey side for all that, especially as you're planning a small studio, something cheaper will arguably not be at a disadvantage.

Thanks for the advice gonzogolf and GerBee. A big question I have is, will the Cybersync's work with my 580EX II?

exodus.. i find your eval of the cybersyncs to be off.. I have never had a problem with the range of them... EVER.. I have been told that I was in a totally different part of the school and my lights were going off...So I dont think youll have a problem at all..

Cybersyncs work well with the 580exII. The receiver comes with 3 cords, one with a miniplug for the bees, one with a pc end, and one with a larger plug used on older studio lights. Of course it will not allow the use of ettl on the the 580exII, manual only. To get ettl you have to use radio poppers or the new PW flex system.

canonnoob wrote in post #8834321
exodus.. i find your eval of the cybersyncs to be off.. I have never had a problem with the range of them... EVER.. I have been told that I was in a totally different part of the school and my lights were going off...So I dont think youll have a problem at all..

Sorry, I should have clarified. I meant their range is shorter range compared to the PW's. Cybersync's = 400ft and PW's = 1600ft

I'm not saying that I'd be using anywhere near 1600ft right now. I'm just trying to think of the long run. But with that said, I know the Cybersync receivers have a "repeater mode" that can extend that range. I didn't mean to offend.

exodusfman800 wrote in post #8834623
Sorry, I should have clarified. I meant their range is shorter range compared to the PW's. Cybersync's = 400ft and PW's = 1600ft

I'm not saying that I'd be using anywhere near 1600ft right now. I'm just trying to think of the long run. But with that said, I know the Cybersync receivers have a "repeater mode" that can extend that range. I didn't mean to offend.

you didnt offend no worries I was just letting you know about the actual range of the cybersyncs..

Is this far enough for you? I fired a test shot from one end of the basketball court to see if the flashes would fire at the other end up on the balcony.

These were Skyports about 2 years ago. They still work fine. Is it too much trouble to plug in the chargers overnight to make sure the receivers are working OK? I don't find that problematic and the charges are small and light, as are the receivers and transmitters.

I think if you want absolute fool proof setup, the Pocket Wizards are the way to go. I chose Skyports and have been happy with them. 900 pops in the gym last weekend with no misfires.

Universal Skyports set (1 transmitter and one receiver plus some cables and charger) $176 at B&H Photo. I just bought a second set.
Hope this helps.
Mike

Test fire of 2 540EZ's triggered by Skyports

I love my Cybersync triggers. Do you plan to shoot over 400 feet? If so you can always have multiple receivers and put one on repeater mode.

The farthest I've shot with my triggers was probably around 35m (~100 feet?) and had no problem at all.

I don't think you can go wrong with CyberSyncs. They're very reliable and the price is good.

cybersyncs all the way. I love mine.

I sold my Skyports and went with Cybersyncs. The lower price for almost the same product is what swayed me. I have 3 transmitters and 5 receivers, so that meant a fairly significant savings. I also like that I can use them for setting off my camera (with a Flash Zebra pre-trigger cable) if I need to. The Skyports don't work this way with some cameras.

The battery issue was part of the decision as well. I sometimes shoot basketball tourneys and I don't want to need to climb up the (folded) bleachers to get my receivers at 10pm and have to remember to plug them in when I get home at midnight and then grab them when I head out the door at 5-6am just to be sure that I will have receivers that works all day long. With the Cybersyncs, I just need to be sure that I have a pack of AA's in my case.

The Skyports are great, but the Cybersyncs fit my needs better.

i am basically looking at the same options...what i'd like to do is have my 430exII on camera with transmitter and two other flashes with receivers...can any of these (or cactus v4's) work with a speedlite on camera?

you cant do that.. you have to have the transmitter on camera for all of these... well kind of,... you would have to manually press the button to trigger the rest of the lights..