PocketWizard PlusX Wireless Radio Flash Remote Trigger

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.

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 shoot with a Canon 7d and a 5dmkIII. My strobes are from Photoflex and Elinchrom, some of the strobes have the mini plug and some the larger 1/4 inch plug for trigger interface. I bought this Pocketwizard PlusX to go with the Pocketwizard Flex and Mini I already own. I just needed a trigger not the high speed sync so I figured the Pocketwizard PlusX would fit the bill nicely and I was right. I have not had one misfire or non trigger from this unit, it has worked flawlessly just like all the other PW products. Don't waste your money on the lower cost solutions, like I did, just like buying good quality lenses, buy good triggers and your shooting day will be sooo much smoother. I liked that the package came with the cables and the lanyard I was out of the box and shooting in a couple of minutes with this unit. Sync speed on the Canon cameras worked fine to 1/250th. For the price and flawless functionality I can't find any other trigger I would trust over this one. There is nothing more aggravating than trying to get that shot and your flash not firing due to a cheap trigger. If you don't need the high speed sunc or the larger number of channels the bigger units offer then this is your choice.

I use a TT1 on my D300S hot shoe and an SB-910 on top of that. The PlusX units trigger another SB-910 and an SB-900. This setup has worked flawlessly to date. You have to manually adjust your remote flashes, since this is purely a trigger. If you want to control your flashes through the master flash on your camera (or if you want to utilize TTL in the remote flashes), you will need to pair a TT5 on the remote flash with the TT1 on the camera's hot shoe. TTL is "through the lens" light metering. Using the PlusX, your remote flashes have no idea what your camera is metering, so it is truly a manual flash mode for your remote flashes. If you are okay with that, the PlusX is a great way to go. Its build is good, its compact, and it is reliable. Otherwise, look at the TT5 if you don't want to go 100% manual with your remote flashes. The PlusX comes with the cable needed to hook up with the SB-900 and 910 flashes. It also comes with a standard audio cable for other flashes that take that.

After trying "MANY" less expensive remotes, this one worked immediately out of the box. I use Canon R6 Mark II as my main cam, and when I take a photo with it, it triggered my other R6 Mark II immediately. It also worked with my Canon R6 and Canon T3i. By plugging the appropriate cords in, it triggered my Canon Flash, my Godex Flashes and even my 40 year old Sunpak 522.