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PocketWizard PlusX transceiver for wireless flash and camera triggering

Mar 1, 2013 at 15:00:00 GMT

ACCESSORY NEWS POCKETWIZARD TRANSCEIVER

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PocketWizard has added a budget model to its camera/flash radio trigger line: the PlusX 'auto-sensing' transceiver, that automatically switches between transmit and receive as needed. The PlusX offers the ability to trigger cameras and flashes over 10 radio channels. It features a side-profile design, backlit display, an internal antenna, and a dual-function LED indicating connection status plus battery life. PocketWizard PlusX will be available towards the end of March at a suggested retail price of $99. There is currently no information about the European price and availability.

Press Release:

PocketWizard Announces Easy-to-Use PlusX Transceiver for Wireless Flash and Camera Triggering

So. Burlington, VT – March 1, 2013 – LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, the world leader in wireless control of cameras, flash lighting and light meters, today announces the immediate availability of its new PlusX Auto-Sensing Transceiver

The high-quality PocketWizard PlusX is the perfect entry into the PocketWizard Wireless System with the same range and reliability of its renowned Plus line of radios. Whether new to off-camera flash or remote camera triggering, or a seasoned professional looking to expand their PocketWizard wireless triggering system, the PlusX is the perfect choice. And as the user’s technical needs grow, the versatile PlusX will continue to work with any other PocketWizard radios that a photographer adds to their gear box.

The 10 Channel PlusX uses PocketWizard’s patented "Auto-Sensing Transceiver Technology" which means it will automatically switch between transmit and receive as needed. Users just turn it on, connect it to the flash or camera and set the channel using its simple, rotary-dial. The PlusX automatically figures out what it needs to do to trigger remote flashes or cameras. Using the same side-profile design of the PocketWizard Plus III radio, the PlusX has an internal antenna to minimize obstruction and increase durability.

"The new PlusX transceiver adds to the legendary Plus reliability that so many photographers have come to trust on all their photographic assignments,” said Dave Schmidt, Vice President of Marketing at LPA Design, the company that manufacturers PocketWizard Photo Products. “Working on a budget should not mean sacrificing performance or reliability."

The PlusX is compatible with all PocketWizard transmitters and receivers including PocketWizard-enabled photo gear from Profoto, Dynalite, Norman, Photogenic and Sekonic light meters. The PocketWizard Wireless System allows for total flexibility with whatever lights or cameras a photographer may be working with.

PlusX Features include:

10 Channels
With the PlusX’s 10 digitally coded Standard Channels, users can claim their own channel for exclusive triggering when working with other photographers at crowded events. Photographers can use different channels for different setups and select them simply and intuitively with the turn of a dial. And these 10 channels are compatible with every PocketWizard ever made1 set to Standard Channels 1 – 10. (1radios of the same frequency; in the United States, the PocketWizard PlusX operates on an FCC-approved frequency of 344MHz. In other markets it operates on a CE-approved frequency of 433MHz)

Backlit Channel Dial
Setting channels is as easy as turning a dial. The backlit channel dial clearly displays the channel and because the backlight consumes so little power it stays on all the time for convenience.

Internal Antenna
The PlusX features a durable, side profile design with an unobtrusive, internal antenna minimizing visual obstruction between the photographer and their subject. By utilizing an internal antenna, there’s no chance to kink or break it when on location. The total height of the transceiver and antenna is 4.2 inches, and it weighs less than 4 ounces, including batteries.

Easily Connected / Cable Port
On the user’s camera, the PlusX slides into the hot shoe with no cables required. For remotes, it features one do-it-all miniphone (3.5mm or 1/8”) sync port. The miniphone connector is much more reliable than a PC connection and every PlusX comes complete with a miniphone-to-miniphone cable, a miniphone-to-phono (1/4" or 6.3mm) adapter for triggering the majority of modern flashes, and a miniphone to locking PC cable for triggering some remote speedlights or for using a PlusX on-camera when the user can’t put it in a hot shoe. Other miniphone connector cables are available for major brands of lighting equipment in a variety of lengths. Dedicated remote camera triggering cables are also available for popular camera systems.

Auto-Sensing Transceiver
With PocketWizard’s patented Auto-Sensing Transceiver technology, the PlusX Transceiver will instantly and intelligently switch between transmitter and receiver modes keeping setup as simple as possible. The PlusX may be set to transmit (Tx) only, when desired.

Auto-Relay Mode
PocketWizard’s Auto-Sensing Transceiver technology lets users trigger a remote camera in sync with remote flashes using only three PocketWizard radios: the one in their hands, a PlusX cabled to a remote camera, and the one connected to a remote flash. The PlusX cabled to a remote camera will receive a radio signal and trigger the camera’s motor drive, then switch to transmit mode and trigger PocketWizard-connected remote flashes, all automatically. The sequence can be started by simply pressing the TEST button of any PocketWizard Transmitter. Remote cameras require remote shutter release cables.

Status Indicator/Battery Life Indicator
The PlusX features a tri-color LED status indicator that serves two functions. When the PlusX sends or receives a triggering signal, the LED will glow red. During normal operation, the indicator will blink a single green blink meaning it is operating normally and the battery life is above 50%. It will blink a double amber blink when the battery is below 50% but above 25% and it will blink three red blinks when the battery life is below 25% and it’s crucial to replace the batteries.

Transmit Only Mode
There are times when a photographer only wants their radio to transmit, usually when two or more photographers are sharing a set of lights. By enabling transmit only mode, users can disable the receive mode and auto relay functions to make sure their radio is just transmitting.

Range and Reliability
PocketWizard Plus radios are known for their range and reliability. Although the PlusX costs less than other PocketWizard radios, users will still get the range and reliability they expect from a PocketWizard product.

Sync Speed
Ultra-fast microprocessors allow for reliable sync speeds of 1/250 seond for focal plane shutters and 1/500 second for leaf shutters.

For more information visit: http://www.pocketwizard.com

Comments

Total comments: 27

My reason for interest in the new PW units is simple: reliability. Scroll through the other radio trigger unit reviews at the major camera store websites, and you will find al kinds of complaints about poor reliability. All brands, even PW, have some complaints, but the PW brand has far, far fewer than most, even some of the expensive European systems.

I also like the combined transmitter and receiver functionality-three units provides Tx, Rx, and a backup, as opposed to buying two transmitters and two receivers. This is simpler and saves money.

0 upvotes

And Phottix has been sued by PW for patent infringement. Another Chinese company stealing intellectual property.

See: http://www.dpreview.com/news/2011/01/12/lpadesignpatent

Please don't support thieves.

Comment edited 10 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Unfortunately for PW, they are very late to this party. Initially I was invested in the PT-04 type of devices and now the Phottix Strato II Multi devices.

So while it would be great to go this route, I'm already using a competitors (much less expensive) product and happy with the results.

0 upvotes

God forbid any other brand gets a mention here when they release a new trigger. With more features and lower cost, no less...

0 upvotes

Two Cactus V5 units for US$59.95

2 upvotes

Completely uninteresting device that seeks to do one thing only: use the Pocket Wizard brand name.

The device offers no functionality that cant be purchsed at 1/5 the cost.

Having established their name brand Pocket Wizard is trying to do what Apple is trying with their Ipad Mini, use the brand to bring in sales from a sector of the market that wont or cannot pay the luxury tax of their core devices.

Alas, as with Apple's Ipad Mini, the competitors provide regular cost solutions at a much better and affordable rate. And for the most part, only those wanting to touch the brand name spring for these lower tier, overpriced and under-functioning items.
#fail

1 upvote

You had me until you went into the Apple rant. Seriously, I've started to think that Apple haters are even more rabid than Apple fanboys when it comes to interjecting "Apple" into every conversation, regardless of whether it has anything to do with the topic. :7p

1 upvote

Should they still have 'Pocket' in the title when they are that big? You'll need very large pockets. ;-) lol

0 upvotes

Very unattractive. Function is one thing but good looks certainly don't hurt.

0 upvotes

i have no problems with the size per se.
my YN 622C use AA batteries so it has to be a bit bigger too.

but the design of these PW suck.

with a different design they could have a hot-shoe on the trigger so you can use on camera flash together with the triger. like the YN 622C.

overall this trigger offers nothing... only the name POCKET WIZARD.
and their brand name is a falling star too. because other companys make invention these days.

Comment edited 25 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

My $30 YN 603's are perfect for non-TTL and I can mount them onto my flash hotshoe. This design is worthless to those of us who use tons of speedlights on-location.

1 upvote

Henry Hertz. Really? You have the same name as the famous physicist, who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves, in other words, radio waves. So famous, that the scientific measurement for frequency is called the Hertz?

Please disregard EVERYTHING he says-I suspect he works for the competition. The brand he pushes-Yonguno-is currently being sued for patent infringement-i.e. intellectual property theft-by Pocket Wizard.

I smell a really big rat.

0 upvotes

Why does it have to be so big and ugly?

0 upvotes

Easy to find AA batteries. Plus, antennas have to be a certain size to work properly-you just cannot say make it 1 inch long and expect good performance-it has to be calculated. If the size is off by as little as 5%, the range will be cut in half, or worse.

0 upvotes

so no TTL for $99?

0 upvotes

Given that their TTL capable radios sell for $200-$300, that shouldn't be all that surprising.

0 upvotes

Different countries have different licensing rules for radio frequencies that are good for these devices but camera makers want to sell models that are legal to use world-wide.

In the United States, 344-354 MHz frequency is used for PocketWizard systems. In Europe, regulations require them to use 433-434 MHz.

Pocket wizard has different models for different countries.

0 upvotes

and?

canon is selling them now (radio flashes i mean)... i see no reason why they could not have gone straight to radio.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

However the regs are a bit irrelevant. There is no prohibition on, say, a US photographer travelling to shoot in Europe with his US PW units.
I have 4 US ones I use in NZ all the time - despite them being technically 'not allowed'. No one has yet cared.

1 upvote

TTL?
Manual control?
High speed sync?
hot shoe for on camera flash?

i get all that for 50 euro .. it called YN 622C triggers.

pocket wizard has lost it.....

6 upvotes

They are in the same position as Apple. Their time has passed and they are getting desperate. They can no longer find enough people with 600-1000 dollars to spend on flash triggers so they are trying to steal some of the budget market and they believe we will pay for to have their name sitting atop our cameras.

0 upvotes

Can someone explain why when first party camera makers started making wireless flashes years ago they didn't just go straight to radio controlled? Was there some tech barrier?

0 upvotes

I think probably legislation on using radio signals in certain parts of the world.

0 upvotes

doesn´t prevent them from making them now... does it?
so it´s no argument.

except there was a big change in laws.. what i doubt and can deny for my country.

Comment edited 52 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Picking a radio frequency band for universal use around the world is a pretty complicated issue. Most countries of the world regulate the use of radio spectrum, and there are many conflicts. For example, I believe the spectrum used by the Plus X in its US version is used for aeronautical radio navigation beacons in the UK.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

RF spectrum is tightly controlled by the ITU, the worlds oldest international organization, and for good reasons. Radio spectrum is very limited, and everyone wants certain frequencies, because they are easy to deal with, have long range, reasonable antenna size, etc. Spectrum for new services (flash triggers) has to be applied for, justified, and allocated, and the organization only meets once every four years. In addition, making any radio requires independent testing to show no interference with other devices. Company I work for built an entire building-all wood-just for testing. The tests cost around $50,000. By comparison, an optical trigger is a simple device, with minimal testing required.

0 upvotes

Not TTL I guess?

1 upvote

Total comments: 27


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