qFlash Trio Power source

From what I've read, the new qFlash Trio from Quantum needs to use the Turbo SC battery pack, but does the head itself require AA batteries...I'm thinking not but can't find any info on their site to confirm this.

I know (based on reviews read) this battery can be used to power the 580exII with a special $45 cord, but in this case AA batteries are still needed in the flash unit.

Does anyone know for sure if the qFlash needs AAs along with the SC battery.

The qFlash does not have a compartment for batteries. All power is derived from an external Turbo series battery pack.

Thanks!...that's the one thing that is swaying me away from the 580...it eats AAs so fast during a wedding/reception..eve​n with high grade NiMh...just sick of slow recycling and missed shots. I know it's alot less $$ to just buy the Turbo SC and cord...but, I'm on the fence ready to jump + the reviews on B&H are for the most part positive, especially from the Pros.

Anyone else that uses this want to chime with their experience?

DD974 wrote in post #11066254
Thanks!...that's the one thing that is swaying me away from the 580...it eats AAs so fast during a wedding/reception..eve​n with high grade NiMh...just sick of slow recycling and missed shots. I know it's alot less $$ to just buy the Turbo SC and cord...but, I'm on the fence ready to jump + the reviews on B&H are for the most part positive, especially from the Pros.

Anyone else that uses this want to chime with their experience?

I suppose you're after the E-TTL capability of the TRIO? Because if you're not, you can have a more powerful system with the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit for just a little more than the cost of the qFlash Trio kit.

Yeah, I am...I already own the Ranger Quadra/400w head/39" deep octa setup but I need more reliable firing, particularly at wedding receptions, which I primarily use my 580 on a bracket. The Canon 8-AA pack just doesn't cut it any more.

I have a T5DR and it works great. However I have the regular Turbo battery. Im letting you know that it can take ALOT of photos, over 400 and I use about 1/2 power. Use 1/2 power because I like to use ISO 100. My 5d Mark II battery will begin to run down. You can attach a 5DR to a bracket. I got rid of my 580 and dont ever regret it. That Quantum is 100 times better then that 580.

its classic wedding setup - "hammer" and battery, i thought
plenty of power for long run

roman_t wrote in post #11070007
its classic wedding setup - "hammer" and battery, i thought
plenty of power for long run

I don't get this comment...??

jay25 wrote in post #11067756
I have a T5DR and it works great. However I have the regular Turbo battery. Im letting you know that it can take ALOT of photos, over 400 and I use about 1/2 power. Use 1/2 power because I like to use ISO 100. My 5d Mark II battery will begin to run down. You can attach a 5DR to a bracket. I got rid of my 580 and dont ever regret it. That Quantum is 100 times better then that 580.

What would you do?....would you bother to get the 3-Year SAGEMAX Protection Plan for the Trio...it's a crap shoot I guess.

jay25 wrote in post #11067756
You can attach a 5DR to a bracket.

What bracket do you use?

Recycle time is an issue for you if I interpreted the post correctly.
The Turbo or Turbo SC give better recycle for the 580EX than just the internal AAs. However, the recycle with an external pack is the same with Turbo and the AA packs from Canon and various off brand options.

I shot all my flash bounced and have no trouble getting trough a wedding with one pack for my 580EXIIs on TTL.

ISO 100 with a 5DMKII is a waste of battery power. Images are just fine, if properly exposed, at ISO 1600 or even 6400.

I had two Quantum T5DRs and sold one, other is also for sale, The 580EXs are so much easier to use and much less costly to acquire and support. And then there is TTL with PW ControlTL system.

Ok...well I bought the Turbo SC battery and chord that connects it to the 580exII...used it in a wedding yesterday. Didn't use for ceremony but intended to use for for reception...but....(I swear if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any!)...when I plugged it in to the port (with little force)on the 580 head, which can only go one way, I heard a snap. End up finding out that the plastic housing around the three prongs inside the head became dislodged and I could actually push further inside the 580's housing...in short the chord won't connect to the head anymore!

Aside from the 580exII damage, it still fired, but I still have so many mis-fires, even with fresh PowerEx 2700 ma NiMh...why, why?? Do these Speedlites eat batteries this fast? I tried both of my 430's and they did the same thing!...I rarely had back to back shots during the reception where the flash fired...and I wasn't in rapid fire mode either. Is it possible there's problems with all three, I've have all three for a few years with alot of shots on each.

I'm not sure it's worth even paying to fix the 580, except for maybe for a backup to the Quantum Trio I'm thinking of picking up this week.

Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?