Updated Vagabond Mini Lithium Images

KurtGoss wrote in post #11442026
They look nice and small... but you probably need ONE PER STROBE to get good recycle times. They should be $139.. not $239.

If you can make one and sell for < $150 there will be line of folks here on POTN. The DIY solutions cost more than that if I am not mistaken. What is Quantum Turbo roughly? How much is a canon external power pack?

The spec says AB1600 or Einstein at 3.5 seconds or so. I bet at lower power it will be faster. If you need faster recycle, you stick with bigger vagabond II. For lot of folks lik us 3.5 seconds at full power is plently.

isoMorphic wrote in post #11442730
I once worked in a warehouse operated by a HUGE company called Recoton. They used to package and distribute thousands of electronics accessories under various brands for big box stores like Walmart. Just about every product was stamped with Made in the USA. But aside from a small assortment of products it only meant packaged on US soil and nothing more. It's really no different then GM and Ford ordering parts from China and assembling them in the US which has become the norm.

They assemble them in mexico. Also the transit vans come assembled. They just put different doors and interiors in them and call it made in the USA.

Anyone have a pool going as to how many versions there will be a la the PLM/Einstein? If so, put me down for 3.5.

Conner999 wrote in post #11444540
Anyone have a pool going as to how many versions there will be a la the PLM/Einstein? If so, put me down for 3.5.

Well, I was told some time ago that a few of the early sample VML inverters had failed in testing. An omen?

Dave F.

Lets just say, I wouldn't want to be an early adopter. Actually make that a mid-term adopter as well. Actually, screw it, just put me down for a BatPac LiFo (give it a year);>

Conner999 wrote in post #11444945
Lets just say, I wouldn't want to be an early adopter. Actually make that a mid-term adopter as well. Actually, screw it, just put me down for a BatPac LiFo (give it a year);>

Where's your spirit of adventure, Rob? Being the slow learner that I am, I will be a VML early adopter. I already have my neatly pressed asbestos long johns hanging in the closet.

Dave F.

I've emailed the Bees to see if it is compatible with my Elinchrom BXRi 500s. We'll see what they say.

mfoto.ca wrote in post #11445661
I've emailed the Bees to see if it is compatible with my Elinchrom BXRi 500s. We'll see what they say.

I would assume you will get something back like this...

"Buy an Einstein or other PCB product to ensure maximum compatibility because we are the best".
:p

tetrode wrote in post #11445026
Where's your spirit of adventure, Rob? Being the slow learner that I am, I will be a VML early adopter. I already have my neatly pressed asbestos long johns hanging in the closet.

Dave F.

Hell, I like a good bonfire as much as the next guy, but it's also a matter of as far as PCB goes, it's one of the VERY rare occasions where my wallet is welded-shut -- I don't want to encourage him

Just make sure you have a front pouch (kangaroo-style) in that high-temp fashion statement for Wilbur... ;>

Aw heck....it's fun doing beta testing ! WTF....we've done it for years for Bill on windows machines. Now I'm doing it for the fine folks at apple with the iPad.
What ? ....you got something against FIRE ? ( somebody send him a beavis and butthead video, quick...)

bobbyz wrote in post #11443611
If you can make one and sell for < $150 there will be line of folks here on POTN. The DIY solutions cost more than that if I am not mistaken.

Yep. Looked at that a while back when trying to build my pelican case vagabond...the NIMH version ran roughly $200...the Lithium version would have run a little over $300 and I didn't think the Lithium batteries would survive the peak power draw before the safety circuits cut in.

That said, I don't need it until the spring, so hopefully the early adopters will find all the quirks by then...and I don't buy a car in the first year either

At least the good thing with PCB products, is that the company stands behind their customers and will update/replace the equipment for free. I have no problem going through the small issues of PCB products as long as I know that I won't loose in the long run.
I prefer to have a product that's doing 90% of what I need now and 100% in six months, than wait six months to have this 100%.
Also with the open channel with PCB and their customers, I can provide feedback that have better chance to be heard than with any other company.

Conner999 wrote in post #11446324
...Just make sure you have a front pouch (kangaroo-style) in that high-temp fashion statement for Wilbur... ;>

You mean I never sent you a photo of Wilbur in his little Nomex body suit?

Dave F.

DIY with new generation Lithium Batteries?

Ok, there are many new high-powered Lithium battery sources. They use them for mopeds, golf carts, and for racing. I checked the specs of the Alien Bees, they are posted below:

===============

Vagabond II = 12v 20AH --- 13.25 pounds (heavy) --- 6.5" x 7" x 3" $300

Vagabond Mini = 14.8V 8.8AH --- 3.5 pounds --- 2.75” x 4.3” x 7.5” $240

===============

Now here is info for a Lithium battery that has the same specs as the Vagabond II, but is HALF the weight, but almost the exact same dimensions. And the Vagabond II is rated for 500 cycles... the Impact battery for 3000 cycles (that is the amount of times you can recharge it)

(1) - Impact Battery = $268

Voltage 10V - 17V
20 Hour Rate 20Ah
Dimensions 7.0 x 2.9 x 6.6
Terminal 8mm x 1.25
Weight 7.25 lb
*up to 3,000 cycles

http://www.impactbatte​ry.com …thium-racing-battery.html

They also make a 40Ah battery for $458

===============

So $268 for the battery, plus $40 for the charger... comes to $308, and you still need to buy:

(1) - 300-500 watt Pure Sine Wave inverter = $ ?
(1) - GFCI plug between the batteries and my strobes =$ ?

So, $350+ and you could build a Vagabond II... but with half the weight.

Not sure how reliable it would be, but then again I am guessing that it won't catch on fire

TMR Design wrote in post #11442000
Made=Assembled.

In an alternate universe it migh.. oh yeah, good point.

AlanU wrote in post #11442041
Dave the sticker is made in USA silly...............

FTW!

babymilo wrote in post #11442424
I'm sorry for being negative but the two power outlets look like sad faces that know they're going to explode...

Truth in advertising! It's to make up for the "effective Ws" lies.

Conner999 wrote in post #11444540
Anyone have a pool going as to how many versions there will be a la the PLM/Einstein? If so, put me down for 3.5.

In what time period? You need a time period.

Conner999 wrote in post #11444945
Lets just say, I wouldn't want to be an early adopter. Actually make that a mid-term adopter as well. Actually, screw it, just put me down for a BatPac LiFo (give it a year);>

Well, the ABMax/Einstein thing has proved without a doubt that the foamers are more than happy to pay to alpha/beta test.