Pocket Wizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - 2 Pack (Black)

by Pocket Wizard

Product Details

• Item Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004C04G2C
• Item model number: 801-125
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #4 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Lighting > Strobe Lighting > Slaves
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 1, 2010

Product Description

Color: Black Two Pack

The PocketWizard Plus II transceiver is beautiful in its simplicity. The Plus II is an "auto-sensing" transceiver which automatically switches from receive to transmit as needed and reliably triggers lights and/or cameras up to 1600 feet away. Utilizing advanced digital technology, four, 16-bit channels are available for selective firing of lights or remote cameras. Images can be captured at up to 12 frames-per-second, faster then any current DSLR. Ultra-fast microprocessors allow for top sync speeds of 1/250th-second for focal-plane shutters and 1/500th for leaf shutters. The PocketWizard Plus II transceiver offers great flexibility and ease of use for photographers who demand a reliable wireless solution to plug in, turn on and shoot.Range: 500 meters (1600 feet) or more.(Japan model = studio range).Frequency: 433.62 MHz CE model344.04 MHz US/FCC model. 315.50 - 317.00 MHz Japan modelCode: Complex 16-bit digital coding Channels: 4 digitally coded Channels. Compatiblewith the first 4 Channels of the PocketWizard Plus, MultiMAX and other PocketWizard products. Synch Speed: Up to 1/250 (focal plane) Up to 1/500 (leaf shutter)Up to 1/1000 (w/certain digital cameras) Triggering Speed: Up to 12 FPS (Frames Per Second).Trigger Threshold: Less than 0.9 volts. Contact Time 0.08 sec default. Batteries 2AA Alkaline Battery Life 60 hours Housing Custom molded high impact plastic with captive battery door.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 150 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No fail operation each and every time., November 3, 2007

By 

R. Ocampo "Artisan" (North America) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PocketWizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - Black (Electronics)

I have to admit, the Elinchrom EL-Skyport competitor units have more advantageous specifications on paper compared to these PocketWizard Plus II units. There are a few other wireless units out there, but only two of these brands can compete if you want serious no-fail gear. Heres the comparison:

POCKETWIZARD PLUS II

1. 16-bit / 344.04MHz
2. Sync up to 1/500s
3. 4 Channels
4. 1600+ foot range
5. AA battery or AC
6. Transceiver (auto-sensing, no need to purchase different units)
7. Flexible rubber antenna (no swivel)

ELINCHROM EL-SKYPORT

1. 40-bit / 2.4GHz
2. Sync up to 1/1000s
3. 8 Channels
4. 50 meter range indoor / 120 meter range outdoor (394 foot range)
5. CR2430 3.0V battery or AC
6. Receiver or Transmitter models are separate
7. Flexible 360 degree swivel antenna

The PocketWizards are even bulkier than the Skyports which are flat. The antenna of the PocketWizard looks fragile and doesn't hide or swivel down when being kept. In fact the plastic build and feel of the PocketWizard feels like a cheap radio control toy for kids.

And to add more to the above, it's almost twice as expensive than the Skyport.

So why did I still get the PocketWizard unit? The PocketWizard MultiMax transceiver is more versatile and more advanced in features than the above two models which is what I am aiming to grab to control the other PocketWizard units. I'm investing and banking on the fact that PocketWizard will try to strike a deal with other manufacturers for wireless flash trigger.

They started with Mamiya Corporation and equipped their Sekonic's current light meters with the technology including my Sekonic L-758Cine flash meter that I've installed a PocketWizard wireless module.

And unlike the Elinchrom EL-Skyport RX model (which is a custom tailored version that plugs into their own RX lighting setup), The PocketWizard technology exists in various lighting brands including Dyna-Lite, Norman, Profoto and Photogenic.

Nikon did once use PocketWizard in their D1X way back in 2002 until they started their own Creative Lighting System (CLS) which does not simply rely on triggering a flash alone, but measures, meters and communicates the information back to the camera. It would be best to know each capability and limitation especially depending on the scale of your project, intent and creativity.

The PocketWizard has been around for a longer time and they have rock-solid reliability. It sticks out from the camera hot shoe like a sore thumb and for a good reason that enables great communication with other units over a long distance.

Conclusion:

You obviously have to evaluate your needs and how you plan to build your system.

If you are on a budget and would like equal reliability over shorter and more normal triggering distances, I would suggest Elinchrom EL-Skyport. In fact I would suggest investing on RX models and be able to control Elinchrom's own lights via their downloadable EL-Skyport software.

However, if you want to stick with the proven technology and reliability of PocketWizard then building a system around this wireless set up will be an equally good investment down the line especially as they try to expand with other professional brands of photographic devices.

The advantages of Elinchrom shine when you are building a system around their own brand. Outside of this, PocketWizard has been the recognized leader...at least for now.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't live without it, April 7, 2008

By 

Jeffery Suddeth (Wheaton, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PocketWizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - Black (Electronics)

I've worked with a lot of other photographers at weddings or other events and they all used the Pocket Wizard. These things work without failure. The radio signal is more reliable than an optical slave. With a range of like 1600 feet, you are pretty much covered in any situation you would find yourself in as a photographer.

They are essential in my studio work too. I use different combinations of lights, even different brands. Alien Bees, Speedotron, and even a shoe mount light as a hair light. The Pocket Wizard makes them all work together, which gives me a lot more flexibility in terms of what I can do for creative lighting.

You might have to pick up a special adapter for some lights. For instance, I had to pick up a "mini to household" cable to get the pocket wizard to sync with my Speedotron Brown line lights. I also picked up a "Hot shoe to mini" adapter so that I could use it with my SB-800 speedlight mounted on a light stand. But it comes with a mini-to-mini cable that works with Alien Bees, Studio Max, and other popular lights right out of the box.

It would be nice if they were a little cheaper but I can't really complain about the price because they have been so useful to me.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, but pricey!, May 29, 2007

By 

K. Munro (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PocketWizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - Black (Electronics)

There's not much to say about this unit. As a multi-function flash-sync remote & camera trigger remote it just works. Haven't had reason to test it's claimed 1600ft range but I'm sure it does exactly what it says on the tin.

My only slight gripe is with the price. Unless you're fortunate enough to have gear with a compatible receiver built in, you're going to need at least two of these puppies - and at $200 a pop, that starts to get a little pricey for what it is! If you can afford it, however, it does what it does flawlessly.

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