rudiphoto
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off
|
I already have and use Elinchrom RX and D-Lite monoblocs in the studio, but lately have need for more power outdoors (than my speedlites). One of my options (and the cheaper one at that  ) is to just buy a Tronix Explorer XT power pack and use that when mains power is not available. Not as elegant as the purpose-built Ranger, but this solution would have some advantages:
1) Cheaper than a Ranger kit;
2) Backup strobes already available (have four monoblocs right now);
3) Tronix battery pack can be used with other things, such as laptop, etc.
4) Could buy FOUR Tronix battery packs to power each of my lights separately, and still not spend as much money as I would on the Ranger kit. (But I wouldn't want to carry them all! )
But... the more elegant solution would be the Ranger AS Speed kit!  Asymmetric power, up to 1100Ws of power (I was thinking of getting an RX1200 monobloc, the Ranger would negate that need), more rugged and weatherproof than lugging the RX strobes around with a battery pack, etc. The disadvantages of the Ranger solution are that it is more expensive, and that I would have to get a second flash head (for backup if nothing else), making it even more expensive! But... that could be postponed for a while, and if the unthinkable happened and I needed backup, I could always go back to my speedlites in a pinch (and work around the power issues). The advantages of the Ranger kit are as follows:
1) Tough and weatherproof;
2) Accepts all my Elinchrom accessories;
3) Versatile: 5.7Ws to 1100Ws of power;
4) One Ranger pack will power two heads reliably (not always the case with the Tronix);
5) I wouldn't need to buy a separate RX1200 head (an RX1200 plus one Tronix pack are still cheaper than the Ranger kit, but not by much!)
Your thoughts? 
|
Personally the only place I would use a monolight that large, as good as it is, would be in a static install like an arena or at a sporting event. 
