PocketWizard PlusX Wireless Radio Flash Remote Trigger

I was absolutely thrilled and ecstatic to see that the new unit works with my older system (the same model, bought about 5-6 years ago)!!!!! Needed to add 1 more to be able to shoot on location, where other photographers may be using flash, to avoid triggering the lights!!!! arrived much faster than expected!I know that since I got these triggers there are newer and more complex ones but simplicity sometimes is the key. hate to be frazzled about switching between modes when all attention must be on the shoot!!!

After struggling with lower cost solutions from Calumet, Cowboy Studio and others, I started looking a PocketWizard PlusX after reading a review in PDN. After testing a pair for a few weeks, I ordered a third unit. The PlusX has a solid feel, is easy to use, has a good range. Here are a few notes...I have old (mid-1980s) Broncolor studio strobes that are still going strong, use a Nikon 800 and primarily shoot fashion and beauty. My studio is in a building with five other photographers in fairly close proximity, most of whom use PocketWizard gear.ChannelsI've not encountered any phantom triggers on channel one or had to resort to transmit only mode.Range and ReliabilityWhile I have not come close to pushing the limits on PlusX range, it continues to work well if light stands and tables are between units. After about 10,000 shots, I've not experienced a trigger failure.Physical Connection and OrientationThe included cables and adapters are fairly high quality. The PlusX instructions recommend keeping the unit antennas parallel, but that isn't practical for me because I'm constantly switching camera orientation with the PlusX transmitter in the DSLR hot shoe. I have the receiver PlusX clamped in vertical orientation to the Broncolor strobe handle, so the antenna stands a couple inches above the power pack. I haven't had any issues shooting with the antennas are 90 degrees to each other.Battery LifeOthers have dinged the battery life. An average studio day for me is 9 hours and about 2,500 shots. So far I have 8 shooting days with the original batteries. The units have an off-switch and I turn them off when not in use.Sync SpeedWith the Nikon D800, I found I can reliably shoot at 1/250s. The lower cost units start triggering late around 1/100s.

I've used the Cactus V5 triggers for awhile and they are very good and reliable but there were too many problems with mounting, the battery door and especially the channel selection. First the mounting wheel was very stiff and I had to work it back and forth many tines to loosen it up, the PocketWizard mounts easily and solidly. The battery door on the Cactus is easy to remove and load but it doesn't take much to pop it open. Several times I went a bit crazy wondering why it wouldn't trip the flash only to find out the battery door had popped open while adjusting the flash, finally I had to tape it closed to prevent this problem, The PocketWizard has a very solid latch to prevent an accidental opening. The channel selection wheel is very hard for me to read, I would have to put on my reading glasses to see it, however they are very strong and trying to navigate with them on can be very hazardous, the PocketWizard has a very nice back lit channel selector, obviously a big plus for me. Also a channel can also be deselected to easily when making adjustments. The one advantage Cactus has over the PocketWizard is the ability to set the flashes on channels 2-5, test them with an an additional V5 on each channel, then after ratios are set they can all be tripped via channel 1, unfortunately the PocketWizard is missing this function but not a deal breaker for me. Overall I prefer the PocketWizards for the many reasons I have mentioned but I don't regret buying the V5's. I wanted to get into the strobist stuff as cheaply as possible and they are a very good alternative if you can live with the inherent problems although they are minor problems. I've found them to be very reliable.

The units are light in weight and and can be positioned where I need them making my glass photography much easier.

Tripped all my Canon flashes right out of the box! Totally compatible with old and new receivers!