Official Explorer XT/SE & Vagabond II Compatibility Thread

Since we see a new thread asking about strobes and their compatibility with either the Innovatronix Explorer XT/SE or PCB Vagabond II on almost a daily basis, I think an official compatibility chart of some kind is in order.

For that reason I've elected myself to officiate and compile the data. Rather than going back through all the old threads this is what I'd like to see.

I realize that there is a compatibility chart on the Innovatronix web site but the problem is that they only test with one strobe and many people shoot or want to shoot with 2 or more strobes. The purpose of this thread and the chart is to show compatibility with 2 or more lights. Generally speaking, the issues and incompatibilities are going to show up with bi-voltage strobes but in the event that someone discovers a problem with other lights we'd surely like to know.

If you have the Innovatronix Explorer XT, XT SE or the PCB Vagabond II and you're using 2 or more non-PCB strobes successfully with no problems or glitching of any kind then please post to this thread.

It's very important that you specify:

1. Portable battery
2. Number of strobes
3. Brand and model of the strobes
4. Is the strobe bi-voltage or not?

Please do not guess or post "it should work". Post only if you have experience or have found information in another thread where someone posted from experience.

Posting indicates there is compatibility. I don't feel the need to post incompatibilities. It's easy enough to figure out that if a strobe isn't listed then it either hasn't been tested or it's incompatible.

There are tons of threads discussing batteries and all facets of using them on location so I would like to try and keep this from being a Tronix vs. Vagabond debate.

As I see the posts and information posted I'll copy and compile it into this first thread so it's all presented on one place.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPATIBILITY CHART

I'll get the ball rolling....

Vagabond II
2 Elinchrom D-Lite 2
Bi-Voltage

Explorer XT SE
2 Elinchrom 400BX
Bi-Voltage

Explorer XT and XT SE
4 Elinchrom 600RX

Explorer XT White
2 Elinchrom d-lite 4 it
Bi-Voltage

Great idea btw.

Cheers, Z.

zwicko wrote in post #10849919
Explorer XT White
2 Elinchrom d-lite 4 it
Bi-Voltage

Great idea btw.

Cheers, Z.

What does Explorer XT White mean?

Great idea Rob! I am pondering whether I should invest in an XT SE. But before, I really need to know that it will power two or more BX-Ri 500 without issues for it to be worth the pain. I am waiting for someone with that combination to chip in

fredrikarnell wrote in post #10850215
Great idea Rob! I am pondering whether I should invest in an XT SE. But before, I really need to know that it will power two or more BX-Ri 500 without issues for it to be worth the pain. I am waiting for someone with that combination to chip in

Hi Fredrik,

Fortunately, I can answer your question. Unfortunately, the Explorer XT SE will not properly handle the bi-voltage power supplies of two BXRi500's. I've tested this myself and can confirm the lack of compatibility.

Success doing the following tests:

Samlex 600w/21ah battery
1 Elinchrom BXRi 500
Bi-voltage

AIMS 600w/21ah battery
2 Elinchrom BXRi 500
Bi-voltage

Vagabond II
3 Elinchrom BXRi 500
Bi-voltage

Vagabond II
2 Elinchrom D-lite 4 it
Bi-voltage

Vagabond II
2 Alienbees B800

...and the tests we did at your studio with Tronix/BXRi. Should I post that?

I got a few PM's so I'll respond here.

The reason why I specified non-PCB strobes is simple and has nothing to do with my opinion of PCB or his products.

Since PCB produces the Vagabond II and it was designed to work with and be fully compatible with PCB monolights and Zeus pack and head system there is no need to list those items. Alien Bees strobes are analog and not bi-voltage and have demonstrated that they are fully compatible with the Innovatronix batteries as well.

Regarding incompatibilities ....

I was asked to also list known incompatibilities and I think that's a reasonable request.

So, in addition to posting known compatibility please also post incompatibilities.

For the purpose of this compatibility chart, an incompatibility is anything other than normal operation. Long recycle times don't count unless the extra time is due to the power relay flipping, causing the unit to momentarily power down and back up.

TMR Design wrote in post #10849923
What does Explorer XT White mean?

http://www.innovatroni​x.de …xt-de-weiß-+-tasche.html

Sorry, description is only avaliable in German but check the pic to see the differences (especially sockets).

Ah, ok, I see.

I knew that the receptacles were different on the European version but I've never seen the white case. That's not something that Innovatronix produces and sells to the consumer so it must be that distributor that is getting them in white.

Nice idea...might also want to reference Innovatronix's compatibility chart (I thought I found one a while back).
What I've tested w/ VB2 (won't list the AB stuff because PCB tested their gear with it):
- Speedotron 805 pack w/ 102 head at full power

Someone on MM also tested it w/ a Speedotron 2403 pack at full power, but it was a bit slow

kenyee wrote in post #10853136
Nice idea...might also want to reference Innovatronix's compatibility chart (I thought I found one a while back).
What I've tested w/ VB2 (won't list the AB stuff because PCB tested their gear with it):
- Speedotron 805 pack w/ 102 head at full power

Someone on MM also tested it w/ a Speedotron 2403 pack at full power, but it was a bit slow

There is a compatibility chart on the Innovatronix web site and it's all good. The reason for this thread is because I'm stipulating 2 or more strobes whereas the Innovatronix site and their testing only details compatibility with a single strobe. There are many instances where people want to use 2 strobes or 2 bi-voltage strobes and Innovatronix can't provide that information. Every day of the week people are asking about using 2 strobes with a battery and the info just isn't out there or isn't compiled to one source of reference.

I also only want personal experience or a reliable source. I don't want to publish random reports or "I think it works" and the like.

I just wanted to bump this thread since I keep seeing more people asking about compatibility.

It would be great if more people would chime in with their personal experiences so we could have a good reference for this information.

The chart on the Innovatronix web site clearly states that testing is done with ONE strobe and most people that ask about compatibility are interested in powering 2 or more strobes.

If anyone has experience or first hand information about using strobes (especially bi-voltage) with either the Innovatronix Explorer XT, XT SE or the PCB Vagabond 2 please post the info and I'll add it to the chart.

Um, well I have only done a few test shots with my two 600RX lights and my Vagabond II and didnt have any issues. But I have yet to do any extended usage with the dual light combo.

ben_r_ wrote in post #10915697
Um, well I have only done a few test shots with my two 600RX lights and my Vagabond II and didnt have any issues. But I have yet to do any extended usage with the dual light combo.

That's ok Ben. We've already confirmed that you can power 4 600RX's without any problems with either the Vagabond 2 or the XT/XTXE.