Speedotron users, untie!

I use Speedotron and Elinchrom (Quadras). The two do not mix very well. If you use third party modifiers like Profoto softboxes, then it's easy. Just get a new speedring. If you want to put the Maxilite on a speedo VF202 head, well...good luck. If you want to go with Speedotron for the durability, reliability and power, then you want their Blackline pack and heads.

I use the VF heads because the modifier can be focused. Most heads and packs are interchangeable but there are a couple heads that will only work on the 4800ws pack. I have three packs; a 4803, a 2403cx, and a 1205cx. I like the 1205 cx for almost everything. It has very fast recycle...as in, I can shoot 8fps at 300ws continuous. It's comparatively light weight and it is looking to be indestructible.

I've purchased everything used and never had a problem with any of it. Some of the gear looks like it was used hard for a long time but it just keeps going. You will not get any of the bells and whistles of the Elinchrom stuff. No built in wireless triggering and adjustment, no built in optical slave, no 1/10 stop adjustment but, when you handle the Speedotron kit, you will know the difference! The word "tank" comes to mind.

Bob

Just to add, fwiw...I recently brought one of my packs in for a repair. Seems that a rectifier had gone bad. I asked my guy (who's been repairing these for me forever) the same question I asked when I was first trying to decide which brand to buy- 'what's the best studio strobe?' and he answered as he always does -"they all break".

He went on to tell me that some of the European brands had tighter tolerances in the components but that basically once the capacitors were fully charged, those tighter tolerances made very little difference. He also told me that while far from sophisticated, the speedos were built like a brick and easy to repair compared to some other brands.

PacAce wrote in post #16373973
If you don't want anything brighter than 2000Ws, then why does it have to be a Speedotron? I thought you were going for the Speedos for the higher Ws ratings.

How fast is "quick recharge time" to you? One second at full power? 3.5 seconds at full power?

I would like that but dont want to go 240v or break the bank.
1 - 1.5 Second recharge at full power

pyrojim wrote in post #16373995
This thread should be retiled to the Foodguy and Pyrojim thread.

Foodguy wrote in post #16374088
Just to add, fwiw...I recently brought one of my packs in for a repair. Seems that a rectifier had gone bad. I asked my guy (who's been repairing these for me forever) the same question I asked when I was first trying to decide which brand to buy- 'what's the best studio strobe?' and he answered as he always does -"they all break".

He went on to tell me that some of the European brands had tighter tolerances in the components but that basically once the capacitors were fully charged, those tighter tolerances made very little difference. He also told me that while far from sophisticated, the speedos were built like a brick and easy to repair compared to some other brands.

Yeah I wish I could afford Broncolor and hang out with Leo

I thought speedos dont break! well hopefully they last longer than my other stuff hehe

sigma pi wrote in post #16375607
I thought speedos dont break! hehe

This particular pack is at least 20 years old...probably much older, and it's the first time it's been in the shop. Repair tech assumed that there was most likely a voltage spike at the wall outlet causing the rectifier to fry. He replaced the part after a through diagnosis and a fully bench test after the fact. Total cost was $95.00 I'll bet this pack has fired 10's of thousands of times and my expectations are that it'll go another 20 years!

BTW, the speedos are 120V, not 240, and second hand black line units are dirt cheap these days.
I'll just drop this in again so illustrate how much of a fan I am.

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …1626_zpsc0b0158​d.jpg.html

Hot Bob wrote in post #16374018
I use Speedotron and Elinchrom (Quadras). The two do not mix very well.

Damn it

Damn it

OK I will look into that line

8 fps is sexy. Thanks for the doing the "coming from eli thing," I am. I hear the tank thing and was going to look for used as well. I do not need wireless built in trigger or remote power settings. I do like the digital display on the eli A LOT, and I like optical slave as an emergency back up. 1/10th is not really needed I could do 1/4 stop and be just as happy.

Hmmm seems its the CX line that is 220v

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ies/ci/11257/N/​4232862222

and this head

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …33_103_cc_Light​_Unit.html

This is where I started looking at them. I should have just came here.

how many can I plug into a pack? are they symmetrical or asymmetrical

OK...not sure what the measurement of 220V is ? But every pack that I've owned or used is always 120 at the wall. This could be a measurement of voltage at the head (but not at the pack), as a means of differentiating different model heads.

Asymmetrical power distribution through 3 channels with 2 outlets per channel =6 total heads per pack. Some packs offer a 3 stop global dial.

My 2400 packs channels are 400/1200/800 channels with 2 outlets per channel. These channels can either be combined or separated.

Black line is the way to go.
http://www.speedotron.​com/

Not sure if you can see the layout from these...

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …T/media/2V3B283​9.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …T/media/2V3B283​7.jpg.html

Foodguy wrote in post #16375758
Not sure if you can see the layout from these...

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …T/media/2V3B283​9.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …T/media/2V3B283​7.jpg.html

The toggle switches on the top nearest the front edge are used to separate or combine channels which are on the front vertical face with 2 outlets per.

You keep posting up the same 4 pictures.

New pics or ban.

Ha!
Rarely do I take pictures of my equipment...

Foodguy wrote in post #16378315
Ha!
Rarely do I take pictures of my equipment...

Ha. It doesn't have to be of your equipment you know. This IS the speedotron users thread (aka food guy and pyrojim's thread).

Foodguy wrote in post #16375758
Not sure if you can see the layout from these...

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …T/media/2V3B283​9.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s17.photobucket​.com …T/media/2V3B283​7.jpg.html

The toggle switches on the top nearest the front edge are used to separate or combine channels which are on the front vertical face with 2 outlets per.

I can see, thanks!!

I see one knob, is that to adjust each channel or is it the whole box, like can you adjust ratio? How much are the extension chords?

THe dial in the middle (missing the plastic knob on the 4800 pack) is a universal 3 stop adjustment in third stops iirc. So it's applied to whatever rations you've set via the channels.

iow, on a 2400 pack, if you have one head in each channel and they are isolated, you'll get 1200ws from the center, 800 ws from the left and 400 ws from the right. If you 'dial down' one stop, you'll get 600 ws/400ws/200ws, etc. etc. If you have 2 heads in each channel that amount of power is further divided in half.

THe chords are part of the 102 heads that I use. Rated to 3200 ws, built in fan, on-off modeling light switch (150 watt ESS bulb), 20' cable.

There are user manuals for all packs and heads on the Speedotron website.

Bob