CyberSync Review..

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Archive 2008 · CyberSync Review..

Dave P
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p.9 #1 · CyberSync Review..

I think I'll be happy with these units too, but that isn't the point. PCB works hard to offer great products at a very competitive price. Then the shipping guy gets lazy and doesn't ensure the same happens on that side. All the good work the engineering and manufacturing guy did to control costs just got submarined by somebody responsible for shipping not taking the same due care.

I added my comments to give PCB some feedback on what they can do better and I hope the right guy somehow gets the message.

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:15 PM

Realmstalker
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p.9 #2 · CyberSync Review..

What part of Canada do you live in? It makes a huge difference from what I've experienced with UPS.

As far as ordering from PCB, I've always gotten my products delivered on time or before expected (due to living a state away)

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:22 PM

Paul Buff
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p.9 #3 · CyberSync Review..

You all want us to be an international, distributed company. We're not. If we were our prices would be 40% higher. We ship 1000 packages a day. If we ship by USPS we have to take the packages to to PO and stand in line and fill out papers for each package. We offer a brokerage-included UPS service - check with customer service please.

Nov 26, 2008 at 08:28 PM

John Power
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p.9 #4 · CyberSync Review..

Hey Paul, I like your ad in Shutterbug. You packed a lot of info on 1 page, that's for sure.

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:07 PM

randyat
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p.9 #5 · CyberSync Review..

OT:

Over the weekend, I had a friend running over to me saying, "Dude, have you heard of AlienBees? I've seen tons of great reviews of 'em online. I want a 'hive' of AB800s - I am getting me 6 lights for Christmas as they are so <expletive> cheap! Yada yada."

I did not even want to know why he wanted 6.

So I asked him how he is getting them. He says, "Online of course. Using my credit card."

I said, "Sorry dude, not unless you have a US issued card and you live in the US or Canada, you will have to wire them to pay for it and they charge you 10% extra for not living in the US or in Canada."

He did not believe me of course, so I showed him the ff pages:
http://www.alienbees.com/nonus.html
http://www.alienbees.com/intsales.html

Man, you could not paint the sorrow on his face. I pitied him - like a kid who right there and then knew that Christmas is never going to be the same.

He then asked me to join him and go buy 3 Visatec Solo 800B monolights in a local store. Pretty much the same path I took a couple of weeks earlier.

Oh well, every bed of roses will surely have a thorn sticking out.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Nov 27, 2008 at 06:53 AM

shoebox9
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p.9 #6 · CyberSync Review..

I don't understand the problem with paying 10% more. The Bees are still as cheap as chips. In Jan (presumably) when the Einsteins come out, I bet he'll be crying again- "Look at the #$%*& stuff I could have had for the same money, and a tiny bit of extra trouble."

Nov 27, 2008 at 10:30 AM

randyat
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p.9 #7 · CyberSync Review..

^ The 10% is not the problem. The problem is the non-security wire provides in cash vs insurance in a credit card that can be converted to be payed in deferred if wanted. Plus convenience.

Nov 28, 2008 at 08:06 AM

bacilonur
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p.9 #8 · CyberSync Review..

randyat wrote:
^ The 10% is not the problem. The problem is the non-security wire provides in cash vs insurance in a credit card that can be converted to be payed in deferred if wanted. Plus convenience.

That's nothing. When I was in South America, I'd have to get someone else to buy whatever I needed, and then pay $200-$400 to FedEx it to me with a value of < $500 declared so I didn't get raped in taxes and brokerage fees. But hey, being able to live on $2k/month in some great countries was worth it to me. Any way you put it, ABs are gonna end up cheaper and longer-lasting than the other Euro brands that may be available in that price range. The Visatec's fine... if you don't mind almost twice the weight and only 1/8 power adjustment.

Nov 28, 2008 at 06:11 PM

Keegan Bursaw
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p.9 #9 · CyberSync Review..

Played with a set of these over the weekend. We were up in a downtown apartment and went out on the street below. We were up 6 floors and even down the street they still fired the flash off from the window.
Great product! I will be ordering a set soon

Dec 13, 2008 at 08:46 AM

thepiecesfit
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p.9 #10 · CyberSync Review..

Sorry if this was asked. But are you guys able to sync at 1/200 on the Canon EOS 5d?

Dec 29, 2008 at 12:40 AM

paldo
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p.9 #11 · CyberSync Review..

My Cybersync works fine with my Norman Power Pack but seems to have problem with those chinese strobe such as Flashpoint from Adorama or Fotodiox sold on Ebay. I wonder would it be possible to send in my strobe so that Paul can take a look at it and maybe find some way to make it work?

Dec 29, 2008 at 04:53 AM

ifxbonz
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p.9 #12 · CyberSync Review..

thepiecesfit wrote:
Sorry if this was asked. But are you guys able to sync at 1/200 on the Canon EOS 5d?

I'm able to sync at 250th on a 1dmk2 and mk3 without loosing any of the frame.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

andy

Dec 31, 2008 at 06:49 PM

miccullen
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p.9 #13 · CyberSync Review..

randyat wrote:
The problem is the non-security wire provides in cash vs insurance in a credit card that can be converted to be payed in deferred if wanted.

What?

Jan 01, 2009 at 02:08 AM

cgardner
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p.9 #14 · CyberSync Review..

miccullen wrote:
randyat wrote:
The problem is the non-security wire provides in cash vs insurance in a credit card that can be converted to be payed in deferred if wanted.
What?

Context:

He is overseas in the Philippines. Buff requires wire transfers for overseas orders, in US Dollars. If he was able to use a credit card he could pay on a deferred basis in his local currency and have the umbrella of protection a credit card transaction provides if there is a problem.

Jan 01, 2009 at 12:55 PM

a2rob
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p.9 #15 · CyberSync Review..

OK, all of these acronyms are confusing to me. I have a AB 800 and AB 400. I was waiting on the RP Jrs. but I need wireless in two weeks. I read in this month's Professional Photographer Mag that the Cyber Commander will allow all adjustments of the lights but is not available yet.
What do I need to purchase now, need the wireless battery versions.

Jan 03, 2009 at 06:45 PM

bacilonur
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p.9 #16 · CyberSync Review..

Get the CST and as many CSRB's or CSRB+'s as you need. If the CC comes out within 60 days, just swap your CST + cash for a CC. The + model will work for power adjustments with the CC.

Jan 03, 2009 at 06:50 PM

a2rob
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p.9 #17 · CyberSync Review..

bacilonur wrote:
Get the CST and as many CSRB's or CSRB+'s as you need. If the CC comes out within 60 days, just swap your CST + cash for a CC. The + model will work for power adjustments with the CC.

So I need two CSRB's and one CST now. Then later trade in the CST for the Cyber Commander.

Thank you for your time and assistance...

Jan 03, 2009 at 06:59 PM

Tangledlines
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p.9 #18 · CyberSync Review..

Ok you guys have sold me on these things........ I was going to buy the elinchroms but now that I see the UPS brokerage included option I'm going to order 2 CSRB's and a CST right away.. I saw someone mention somewhere that you had to order by phone to get this option but the website seems to offer it as well, am I safe just to place the order online. I live in Canada (Calgary).

Jan 03, 2009 at 07:21 PM

Ron Hole
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p.9 #19 · CyberSync Review..

Dave P wrote:
Well Mr Buff, I ordered these units and had them sent to me in Canada. Total cost was about $300 and then UPS hits me with another $50 for "brokerage fees". OUCH

If you want to sell into Canada try another shipper. I checked with B&H and they tell me using US Postal Service will not attract any brokerage fees at all.

You make a great product and your marketing works well but I think you had better spend some time with your shippers so they don't gouge your otherwise happy customers.

In my opinion I would recommend Canadian consumers of this product (or any Paul Buff product) ask for the UPS Worldwide Saver (as I did) which includes brokerage but not GST/PST as opposed to the UPS ground standard, which does not.

Not to get off track of this thread but USPS (United States Postal Service) is handled by Canafa Post in Canada and will certainly have customs fees as well as GST/PST.

And to get back on topic, kudos for a fine affordable product. I use mine with a pair of AB-800's in gyms and arenas for sports shooting and could not be happier with the performance of both.

As I use these mounted on rafters and such in gymnasiums and arenas, as a feature request, I would wish for a remote "wake-up" feature so I do have to haul my lazy butt up a ladder or stairs to activate the receivers each time I need to use them.

Ron

Jan 04, 2009 at 07:34 PM

Tangledlines
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p.9 #20 · CyberSync Review..

ok it's done... I placed my order online a minute ago. Cybersyncs it is

Jan 05, 2009 at 01:30 AM

JLinkowitz
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p.9 #21 · CyberSync Review..

Can the Cybersync CST be connected to a pc port on a 580exII or other hot shoe with the pc port to enable a flash to be used on camera, and trigger an off camera strobe?

Jan 08, 2009 at 06:40 PM

Realmstalker
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p.9 #22 · CyberSync Review..

I tested it out on my SB-800 with a wireless transmitter, they work just like any other strobe. Fires flawlessly.

Jan 08, 2009 at 06:57 PM

Paul Buff
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p.9 #23 · CyberSync Review..

paldo wrote:
My Cybersync works fine with my Norman Power Pack but seems to have problem with those chinese strobe such as Flashpoint from Adorama or Fotodiox sold on Ebay. I wonder would it be possible to send in my strobe so that Paul can take a look at it and maybe find some way to make it work?

Some of these Chinese flashes draw excess sync current and cause problems with the CSR (AC). The battery CSRB, CSRB+ and CSR+ have been OK with these units. They have different sync circuitry.

Jan 09, 2009 at 06:36 AM

turbodude
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p.9 #24 · CyberSync Review..

paul is their a trade up prgram for CSRBs for teh new CSRB+s?

Jan 09, 2009 at 09:06 AM

Paul Buff
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p.9 #25 · CyberSync Review..

turbodude wrote:
paul is their a trade up prgram for CSRBs for teh new CSRB+s?

Yes, check with customer service please.

Jan 09, 2009 at 06:08 PM


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