Customer Reviews

PocketWizard PWP-TR 801-125 PLUS II Transceiver - Black

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The Pocketwizard is probably overpriced, since it has been the only game in town, but it works as it should. That may change with the new Radio Poppers coming out. Anyway, I own 3 Pocketwizards. I love them & use them all the time.

My opinion of Adorama is less positive. They sent me an opened, obviously used PW, sold as new. I notified Adorama about it, and they offered to send a replacement. I wanted them to pay the return shipping on the used one. They never responded to that request. Very disappointed in Adorama. I go to B&H for my photo gear now.

I bought four of these units, after struggling with the calumet radio triggers (I need the additional range provide by the PWs). I would have given PW a five star rating except for the fact of the built quality. The hot shoe mount is very poorly design and the quality and feel of the material is like what another reviewer mentioned (like a cheap 10 dollar toy). I wish the thumbscrew wheel had a larger diameter and I struggle to really get a "secure mount to the camera hot shoe without breaking the unit. I have a buddy who is also a professional photographer and he has already broken the flimsy mount on one of his PW. I wish they would address this problem because there is no doubt they are making a killing, charging 200 bucks for a radio, when you can go out and buy a Sony AM/FM radio for 15 bucks. In their defense, never had problem firing the trigger. I am an architectural photographer and I typically fire the units 900 -1000 times a week.

In this day and age of Frivalous Law suits, you can not afford to have cords laying all over your studio. It goes without saying that it looks completely and utterly amateurish at that. This unit is great in and out of the studio. I especially enjoy it on location where I can set my lights near the subject and get some spectacular shots from afar. Coupled with the LC-5 wireless remote on my Canon EOS 1DS Mark III makes it exceptionally useful when shooting in the studio.

I only have one negative and that is you better make sure you have the right adapter cable for your strobes since it doesn't come with one.

Just as advertised the PocketWizard is easy to use and reliable. Just take note if you are trying to trigger a camera you will need an extra cable (not included) which can add to the cost. Also if you are triggering studio flash with a mini to mini audio cable make sure the cable is mono not stereo.

These triggers are extremely expensive but they are in industry standard. If you talk to any professional photographer they use Pocketwizards. If you want to be taken seriously then you must own at least a few. Amazingly enough even on Ebay used Pocketwizards go for abou 90% of the retail price. To me its just better to pay full retail and get the 3 year warranty. An ideal setup is pocketwizards and then use a Sekonic Light Meter with built in Pocketwizard transmitter. It allows you to fire the strobes up to 100feet from the meter. This keeps you from tripping on codes and most sync cables are 10ft. Pocketwizards are made in the USA which is great in these difficult economic times.

I was torn on giving this rating because so far these do work and work well. However, for this price they could easily have a more durable metal housing and hotshoe foot instead of cheap plastic. They're very reliable in functionality, just hope they stay that way over time before breaking. 5 stars for performance, 1 star for build = 3 stars overall.

I bought four of these after many failed shots with the Nikon SU800, which is part of the CLS (Cantankerous Lighting System). The Pocket Wizards do what they are supposed to do every time, and they should for what they cost.

You can feel good about buying this product. It is one of the few photographic products made in the USA.