Should I remove the bulb when transporting Godox / Flashpoint Explor 600?

[helloandyhihi]

Hi, I'm new to off-camera flash. I picked up the Flashpoint XPLOR 600 HSS TTL and its user manual is notoriously sparse. But it does refer to the cap that goes on the reflector as the "transport cap."

Together the reflector and transport cap look like a sturdy way to store and transport the light without removing the flashtube.

The other option would be to remove the flashtube and put it in the foam-lined cardboard box it came in. There appears to be a slot in the bag the monolight came with designed for the cardboard box.

I'm not sure which would be best if the bag suffered a knock or drop. I'll mostly be putting the flash in the trunk of a car, maybe even in a bicycle pannier. I'm also curious if either method is safe for air travel.

Thoughts?

 

[Ellis Vener]

Hi, I'm new to off-camera flash. I picked up the Flashpoint XPLOR 600 HSS TTL and its user manual is notoriously sparse. But it does refer to the cap that goes on the reflector as the "transport cap."

Together the reflector and transport cap look like a sturdy way to store and transport the light without removing the flashtube.

The other option would be to remove the flashtube and put it in the foam-lined cardboard box it came in. There appears to be a slot in the bag the monolight came with designed for the cardboard box.

I'm not sure which would be best if the bag suffered a knock or drop. I'll mostly be putting the flash in the trunk of a car, maybe even in a bicycle pannier. I'm also curious if either method is safe for air travel.

Thoughts?

I travel with mine in a Thinktank Photo Rolling Case. I just use the transport cap. I haven't had a problem.

 

[RDKirk]

Hi, I'm new to off-camera flash. I picked up the Flashpoint XPLOR 600 HSS TTL and its user manual is notoriously sparse. But it does refer to the cap that goes on the reflector as the "transport cap."

Together the reflector and transport cap look like a sturdy way to store and transport the light without removing the flashtube.

The other option would be to remove the flashtube and put it in the foam-lined cardboard box it came in. There appears to be a slot in the bag the monolight came with designed for the cardboard box.

I'm not sure which would be best if the bag suffered a knock or drop. I'll mostly be putting the flash in the trunk of a car, maybe even in a bicycle pannier. I'm also curious if either method is safe for air travel.

Thoughts?

I avoid removing the tube as much as possible. I have bought the nifty, slim AD600Pro reflector/covers for my XPLOR 600 units and keep those on when transporting.

And those are better reflectors, as well.

 

[tugwilson]

I think that, on balance, the repeated plugging/unplugging of the bulb is more likely to cause damage than leaving it in the light with the reflector an cap on. If you are very worried about damage you could always put bubble wrap in the reflector before putting the cap on.

 

[Michael Fryd]

It's a bad idea to touch the flashtube with your bare fingers. The natural oils from your skin can reduce the life of the flashtube.

I would suggest that you not remove the flashtube, until such time as it burns out. At that point you remove and replace it. I would suggest holding the replacement tube with a clean cotton cloth to keep your finger oils off of it.

 

[tugwilson]

It's a bad idea to touch the flashtube with your bare fingers. The natural oils from your skin can reduce the life of the flashtube.

This strobe has the tube encoded on a glass envelope to form a bulb. It's designed to be removable (so you can fit the extension head).

 

[RDKirk]

It's a bad idea to touch the flashtube with your bare fingers. The natural oils from your skin can reduce the life of the flashtube.

This strobe has the tube encoded on a glass envelope to form a bulb. It's designed to be removable (so you can fit the extension head).

It's true that the tube has a glass envelope that can be handled without gloves. However, I use extension heads on all mine and have never had a need to remove them. I always prefer to use the extension head.

 

[tirediron]

I never remove a flash tube from any light unless I absolutely have to. Definitely not for transport.

 

[Michael Fryd]

It's a bad idea to touch the flashtube with your bare fingers. The natural oils from your skin can reduce the life of the flashtube.

This strobe has the tube encoded on a glass envelope to form a bulb. It's designed to be removable (so you can fit the extension head).

Thanks for the correction.