PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5. Are they worth the money?

I've just got to the end of my straw with cheap wireless triggers, my £25 only work when they want to (or even on their own sometimes)
Bought some low end ones for a total of £100, brackets fell off (not with the flash on, while in my bag). This was by interfit. Got a replacement for the pair of receivers and the same thing happened. I dismantled one and the screws are extremely short, just enough to get a grip in the plate however not enough to actually hold.

The above have huge problems if there's something in the way or if I want to bounce off the ceiling but there's lets say a small divide between it and my camera.

Now my question is thus, do you think the PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 are really worth the £500

I'd be buying a set of them, I have two 580EX II's and regularly using them at that. The metering sounds. The features sound extremely useful. I'm just loathed to spend £500 on something that's just going to be average.

Anyone have any experience with them, anything a little quirky about them, how's the build quality?

More Info:
http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …r_receiver/mini​tt1-canon/
http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …r_receiver/flex​tt5-canon/

The big thing about the new PW TTs is that they do E-TTL (and some other cool things too). But it has to be said that they have been far from problem free since launch. Having said that, most people seem to be pretty happy with them now and the main issue, the RF interference thing, affects the US versions more than the Euro spec models.

However, before you splash out on those, if you do not need E-TTL, get a Yongnuo RF-602 set for thirty quid off Amazon and give them a go. They are not the same as other cheap triggers and that's what most folks are using these days. I have five sets - and sold my PW Pluses after getting them.

I just bought the TT1/TT5 combo. With one TT1 and two TT5's. I have just barely gotten them out of the box, so no real test yet other than a quick test fire. But I will have a test fairly soon. I jumped in with both feet, I looked at all the videos, read the reviews, and even called pocketwizard to check on their vaunted customer service. Now all that being said, the PW company has a top notch rep with PJ's and sportsshooters the world over. There are constant updates to the radios, there is a great company that backs up the product.

I love the tt1 and tt5 combo. I don't use extended range for my portrait work, but so far they have performed great. I measured about 80+ feet range (no socks) which sure beats the Canon optical system.

love mine
not only to I they're worth it, I'm about to order another one and another flash

For the money, why not just buy a Canon transmitter? I just bought a second flash today and I'm trying to decide on a transmitter. It seems to me that going with Canon will keep things simple.

i love my Flex/Mini combo. I got two Flex and one mini. they work great. Dont remember ever having misfire problems. the range works fine with all the distance I have been using.... just started using the AC3. I havent really did much test to it yet... so cant say too much, but i will say it does work.

TGrundvig wrote in post #11170674
For the money, why not just buy a Canon transmitter? I just bought a second flash today and I'm trying to decide on a transmitter. It seems to me that going with Canon will keep things simple.

I love mine as well. Great control.
As to your question. The ST-E2 works on line of sight. Pocketwizard works on Radio Frequency... Further distance... Works in bright sunlight.. Don't have to see one another..

wdwpsu wrote in post #11170770
I love mine as well. Great control.
As to your question. The ST-E2 works on line of sight. Pocketwizard works on Radio Frequency... Further distance... Works in bright sunlight.. Don't have to see one another..

Really? I thought the different channels were for radio signal. Everything I have read says that the Canon set up doesn't need line of sight as long as you don't get too far apart, I think it was like 35 to 40 feet for indoors.

I'm glad you said something because I almost pulled the trigger on the ST-E2. I guess I need to do more research. Thanks!

TGrundvig wrote in post #11170821
Really? I thought the different channels were for radio signal. Everything I have read says that the Canon set up doesn't need line of sight as long as you don't get too far apart, I think it was like 35 to 40 feet for indoors.

I'm glad you said something because I almost pulled the trigger on the ST-E2. I guess I need to do more research. Thanks!

the ST-E2 has it's limitations, but works better than I thought it would.

TGrundvig wrote in post #11170674
For the money, why not just buy a Canon transmitter? I just bought a second flash today and I'm trying to decide on a transmitter. It seems to me that going with Canon will keep things simple.

I have the ST-E2 as well - simplest to use, but many well-documented limitations when compared to the newer PW triggers

TGrundvig wrote in post #11170821
Really? I thought the different channels were for radio signal. Everything I have read says that the Canon set up doesn't need line of sight as long as you don't get too far apart, I think it was like 35 to 40 feet for indoors.

the ST-E2 (and all Canon flashes) are infrared - line of sight is highly recommended. In an indoor situation, the signal will bounce some, so as long as the flash isn't totally hidden, it can be made to work. If you're using some type of modifier, like a softbox, that covers the flash, you may have issues.
Outdoors is a different issue... You don't get to bounce the signal, and in fact, the signal will be harder for the flash to pickup in bright conditions. You really need line of sight and be close for the ST-E2 to work on a bright sunny day.

the ST-E2 is a great unit, and if you know about the limitations, you can make it work

The reason I choose not to use the IR feature from Canon is that often times I am shooting in areas where IR is forbidden or there are other IR sources closeby. Not to mention the known issues with the range. Pocketwizard is a very proactive company, that basicically invented this area of photography. The ability to fire the camera remotely, to use strobes with a great range, and to do so in nearly all weather (with exceptions). I have a very good friend that routinely uses PW's at ranges greater than 1000ft. As often as he has done this, he is amazed at what PW's can do. He just did shoot with the camera remotely fired attached to a surfboard at nearly 1500 ft away, it worked. Try that with any other systems..

Here are my issues/comments:

1. Plastic foot, haven't broken them yet but they look flimsy and will break soon. If I use the 1/4" threaded mount then flash is not centered for my softbox. For umbrella that is OK but for SOFTBOX no as flash head sticks past the speed ring.

2. If you need to use the sock and foot thing for your 580exII then this will put the flash too high where it will be unusable with softbox like cheetah QBox or eBay ones and I assume also when using lasolite ezybox. If you use std. umbrella adapter, flash is sitting higher.

3. AC7 shield, why the heck PW didn't check that you can't connect cp-e4 to the flash with the shield mounted? No news as to when they will fix the problem. I am hearing solution involves a custom cable from PW.

4. Now I did have some triggering issues at close range but this was outside and using 580-exII and not using the sock/foot on the flash.

5. Configs - I wish there was 4 way switch to allow 4 configs. Right now only two configs. So if you use different cameras at the same time and then mix of hot shoe flash and strobes, not enough combinations to make all work when you doing custom HyperSync offsets for each camera/strobe etc. Not an issue for most folks but for some like me who got PW Plus IIs and mini/Flex.

Right now flex can only receive either on control channel or std. channel. So if I need to make flex receive from my PW, I use up one config. I need this for example to trigger Flex from my L358. Not a big deal as most folks using things in eTTL mode.

6. I like new AC-3, more than the radio popper Jrx, atleast from the looks as mine is still on its way from B&H.

7. Mini is nice but I hate that battery. I forgot to turn it off last weekend shoot and now it is dead again. I may sell mini and buy another flex. I do like size of the mini though.

Personally I will say if you going to use them for OCF thing, get 550ex and you will be happier.

I love mine, they have been well worth the money for what i use them for (CE/Euro version)

i have 2x TT5 and a TT1

I am saving for a Zonecontroller, and am using the STe2 to control ratios between group A and B

I have broken the foot on the TT1 its pretty easy to replace, takes maybe 10 mins, and cost 35 AUD for a new foot.