Pocket Wizard AC5 - Yes it works

It finally stopped raining so I had a chance to test the AC5 sock.

On my block Vancouver standard width lots are 33'. I guaged the distances as I paced from house to house.

Well now my 580EXII's with AC5 socks the flashes fire consistantly with no misfires aprox 231feet. Consdering I'll NEVER need such ranges I'm extremely happy with the results.

My 430EXII with no sock consistantly 165feet.

Just documenting my useable ranges. Anyone skeptical about the "sock" should be confident that they truly work.

Yesterday I tested my 580exII with AC5 sock and got about 150 feet with good firing. I can't imagine needing more distance than that, but I ran out of room. With the sock lowered I can get maybe 20 feet or so. Yep, it definitely works. I also used that filter flash shoe thingy that came with it.

AlanU wrote in post #9611372
It finally stopped raining so I had a chance to test the AC5 sock.

On my block Vancouver standard width lots are 33'. I guaged the distances as I paced from house to house.

Well now my 580EXII's with AC5 socks the flashes fire consistantly with no misfires aprox 231feet. Consdering I'll NEVER need such ranges I'm extremely happy with the results.

My 430EXII with no sock consistantly 165feet.

Just documenting my useable ranges. Anyone skeptical about the "sock" should be confident that they truly work.

Don't be quite so sure. With the sock I get about 20 feet.

MDteX wrote in post #9612560
Don't be quite so sure. With the sock I get about 20 feet.

If I were you I'd try a different flash with your units. Your flash may be incredibly noisy especially as it recycles.

I am using a flex TT5 on camera and 2 x flexTT5's remotely.

It tested my 580EXII x2 with NO sock and I was getting inconsistant results as I was testing thoroughly. I thought I was getting a decent 66 feet but it became more like 30feet consistancy.

I notice one of my 580exII's had less range with no sock. I'm assuming that flash has more noise.

Last night putting the sock on I was getting rock solid triggering in the range I mentioned above. In real life application 50+ feet is excellent.

When I tested indoors the flex units fired perfectly from one end of the house to another. (aprox 50feet consistantly).

The youtube PW demo of extended range in NYC (with AC5) is without a doubt capable of doing such ranges.

I do like the fact that my 430EXII will work perfectly for me without a sock.

MDteX wrote in post #9612560
Don't be quite so sure. With the sock I get about 20 feet.

Even with no sock and the antenna down, I can get 35ft with my 580EX II.

You need to take yours back and get a replacement, because I concur with the OP on the distances.

I find that trigger range depends on the venue (580EX-II). I shot a reception @ the Albany Club in Toronto (main hall). I got consistent triggering > 100 feet WITHOUT the AC5s!

However, in other situations (especially in urban street settings), I do need the sock. Odd. Anyways, for those interested, here's how it looks:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/sabesh/43031786​29/

Is your 580exii one of the first production models. I've heard the earlier batch of 580EXII's emmited less RF noise compared to the ones sold today.

sabesh wrote in post #9613301
I find that trigger range depends on the venue (580EX-II). I shot a reception @ the Albany Club in Toronto (main hall). I got consistent triggering > 100 feet WITHOUT the AC5s!

However, in other situations (especially in urban street settings), I do need the sock. Odd. Anyways, for those interested, here's how it looks:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/sabesh/43031786​29/

Make sure you put up your Antenna!!

sabesh wrote in post #9613301
I find that trigger range depends on the venue (580EX-II). I shot a reception @ the Albany Club in Toronto (main hall). I got consistent triggering > 100 feet WITHOUT the AC5s!

However, in other situations (especially in urban street settings), I do need the sock. Odd. Anyways, for those interested, here's how it looks:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/sabesh/43031786​29/

williejr..............​your funny!!

AlanU wrote in post #9613440
Is your 580exii one of the first production models. I've heard the earlier batch of 580EXII's emmited less RF noise compared to the ones sold today.

Interesting. How can I check this?

williejr wrote in post #9613527
Make sure you put up your Antenna!!

I rarely do It works just fine with the antenna down in most cases.

Last Saturday afternoon after I received my new MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 (with AC5 included), I went outside (residential suburban neighborhood) and was able to get it to fire from approximately 175 yards (525 ft) away (based on google earth satellite maps).

sabesh wrote in post #9617537
Interesting. How can I check this?


I rarely do It works just fine with the antenna down in most cases.

I honestly cannot confirm this. This was an observation a rep mentioned.

Sometimes I forgot to put the antenna up but no problem with range with the AC5:

I just got my socks today and finally the PWs are working as it should be. I've tested mine about 150' with walls in between and fired everytime. I didn't even have the antennas up.

Hi together,

I can confirm the range of abt 210ft.
After installation of the AC-5 shoe, the range improved from 20ft to 210ft.
The street makes a turn, so I had to quit the test.

The shoes were provided by LPD on first step by paying the delivery, which was abt 25USD to Germany.
Later on I received another 5pcs for free from the German dealer

Despite from the funny shoe and my expection of a 200EUR equipment to work,
it is nice to have ETTL and the manual mode and the ratio on manual mode for all slaves.

bye from here
Frank