Has anybody used these remotes?

[JohnGalt_ny]

I know they're the cheap end but has anybody used Cactus V2s with a Canon 430EX flash for off camera triggering.

While we're at it, does anybody know anything about Gadget Infinity as a seller. There's nothing on reseller ratings.com.

Thanks.

[Kafn8td]

I received a transmitter and 3 receivers a couple of weeks ago. I have them mounted to a 580EXII and 2 Vivitar 285's. I have about 150 - 200 shots on them so far and the only misfire is when the synch cord came loose on the 580. They do have a synching issue at 1/250 however. Sometimes they will synch at 1/250 other times they won't. Still haven't figured that one out. For $43 shipped, I'm not complaining too much.

I've ordered a few different items from Gadget Infinity and they have always delivered. It does take a while (14 days for the V2s to show up) however. Hope that helps!

[JohnGalt_ny]

Thanks Kaf.

[Shane422]

I've bought two sets of triggers from Gadget Infinity. They both work pretty well. GI is a good vendor.

[tekdiver500ft]

Your synch issue is that you are using too high of a shutter speed. When using flash units other than the dedicated EX series lights, you need to reduce shutter speed at least 1/3 stop, preferably 1/2, especially if you are using some sort of radio trigger. Even the fastest triggers take a measurable amount of time to send the signals, receive them, interpret them, and trigger the flash. Add these delays to the triggering times required by the flash units themselves, and it becomes very obvious why you need to reduce shutter speed. Hope this helps.

[Kafn8td]

I sold a set of Amvona studio lights a few months ago. I triggered them by the "cactus" triggers that they provide in their kits. I could synch with those at 1/250 second and they would synch every time.
I also have not figured out why sometimes they will and sometimes they won't. I believe it truly is because they cost $43 and no other reason. They seem to be more inconsistent when I am firing more than one flash. One of the receivers nails it every time at 1/250 as long as it is the only flash firing, even with the Vivitars.

[bsaber]

I've used Cactus triggers for about 6 months or so and they're not very reliable. At least for me... They tend to misfire all the time and sometimes they won't even fire at all. However, for the price they're good. The problems that I've had weren't show stoppers but definitely annoying. It could be that I got a bad set but from what others have said about them it seems to be "normal" behavior.

Got myself Pocket Wizards about 2 weeks ago and never looked back.

[Kafn8td]

Well I did a little testing..no strike that, playing with my triggers and here is what I found...

I read on a different forum that the batteries shipped with them are for testing purposes only. I shot a series of shots with the batteries that came with them, starting at 1/250 and working my way down. They would not synch at 1/250. I then put new batteries in the transmitter and all receivers and did the test again. This time it work perfectly at 1/250!

I rattled off about 100 shots using my favorite model "Sara Smile" trying to get them to misfire or not synch and they worked every time. She apologizes for the first two, she was having a bad hair day.

[Kafn8td]

...and the testing continues. Today, my 1/250 non synch issue is back. I guess I'll settle for 1/200.

[JohnGalt_ny]

Thanks Kaf and everyone.

Can't really afford PWs so it looks like Cybersync is a good compromise.

[bvaughn4]

I've seen them receive favorable recommendations on Strobist Excellent site for low budget/do it yourself lighting information. Only downside I have heard is the range is limited to around 30ft where the Pocket Wizards are rated at 1600 ft.

[flashlane]

I have a bunch of them and I L-O-V-E them! Someone above mentioned that the batteries that are shipped with them are for testing purpose only, that is true (and in my manual).

They weren't the most reliable in the world, but a small modification REALLY helped that out. I wrote about it here.

As far as the sync issue... after you put fresh batteries in them, and if you are in manual mode (at least with the Nikon speedlights) you should be albe to reach higher speeds. I sync at 1/500th all the time (against the sun).

[lightandimages]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Your synch issue is that you are using too high of a shutter speed. When using flash units other than the dedicated EX series lights, you need to reduce shutter speed at least 1/3 stop, preferably 1/2, especially if you are using some sort of radio trigger. Even the fastest triggers take a measurable amount of time to send the signals, receive them, interpret them, and trigger the flash. Add these delays to the triggering times required by the flash units themselves, and it becomes very obvious why you need to reduce shutter speed. Hope this helps.

This is not entirely accurate. Alot depends on the flash and the camera. Case in point is an image I shot with my D80 at 1/4000 of second using off camera SB800 flash using the Nikon CLS and manual settings.

I use my D70s all the time at 1/1000 shooting with ebay triggers and my SB800s. Definitely not TTL mode with ebay triggers

The D80 with ebay triggers is alot slower, 1/250 to 1/320 depending on how fresh the battery is in the transmitter.

If I use TTL with the D80 and attached flash, I'm locked to 1/200 because of the mechanical shutter, the D70s is something like 1/400 because of it being an electronic shutter.

I can not address the Canon line or any other brand, I only shoot Nikon so that is what I know.

I dont have any other remotes (yet) so I can not address how well other brands might work.

[Worm324]

Thanks for this thread!! I just ordered a set of these as I can't afford the pocket wizards either. I also won't need to be more than 20 feet from the flash in most situations so the range constraints shouldn't be an issue at all. I'll let you know how they work once I get them

If I do need more range I can just Mod them with a better transmitter antenna like I saw on the strobist site!

best,
Jay

[Rodeoshooter]

Tekdiver,

Sorry buddy but I shoot with flash every weekend at rodeos with 1/500ths of a second and I am using PW. Even with my Quantum radio slaves I never had a problem shooting at speeds again faster than 1/250ths.

I agree there is a slight delay but it is not noticeable in my experience. Using high end equipment takes care of the problem.

Sorry but just my experience.

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Your synch issue is that you are using too high of a shutter speed. When using flash units other than the dedicated EX series lights, you need to reduce shutter speed at least 1/3 stop, preferably 1/2, especially if you are using some sort of radio trigger. Even the fastest triggers take a measurable amount of time to send the signals, receive them, interpret them, and trigger the flash. Add these delays to the triggering times required by the flash units themselves, and it becomes very obvious why you need to reduce shutter speed. Hope this helps.

[Worm324]

Well, you always get what you pay for in the end

After I order these a few hours ago I stumbled upon these:

White Lightning: The CyberSync 2.4GHz Radio Remote Control system

There about half the price of PW, but look like quality to me

Best,
Jay

[Danlphot]

In the next couple of months Paul C. Buff will jump light years ahead of the competition:

AlienBees: The CyberSync 2.4GHz Radio Remote Control system