Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

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Archive 2008 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

System6ix
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p.1 #1 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Hello,

I am looking for a little advice. I would like to know if any of you have powered an Acute2R 1200 with any of the below options, or if there is something else you'd recommend instead, or advise I completely avoid. The reason why I am looking to find a solution to make the Acute2R 1200 work is that I've made a rather substantial investment in Profoto modifiers, so I'd like to be able to use those if possible.

So far it seems the options are:
Dynalite XP1100
Hensel Visit MPG 1500
Tronix Explorer XT
Vagabond II

Of course I am aware of the Profoto 7b and Profoto B2 as well, but frankly that's where I draw the line for a hobby since none of my Acute/D4 heads will work on either pack... lol.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Happy Holidays,
S6ix

Dec 13, 2008 at 04:58 PM

alanwarp
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p.1 #2 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

<hijack>
Woot...Buffalo Tom, saw them a number of times back in Providence and few in Philly...sorry don't know the answer

</hijack>

Dec 13, 2008 at 05:51 PM

PeterBerressem
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p.1 #3 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

We powered an Acute 1200 with the Explorer XT. Longer cycling than on AC of course, but it worked.
cheers, Peter

Dec 13, 2008 at 06:12 PM

bacilonur
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p.1 #4 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

I use Vagabond II's with my Acute2 1200's, works great. You just have to set recycle on the pack and the battery to fast or it shuts off for a fraction of a second every time you pop it.

Dec 13, 2008 at 06:16 PM

evan balbier
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p.1 #5 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Tronix works fine, you will get about 150 medium power shots but the recycle time can get up to 10seconds after a good amount of shots

Dec 13, 2008 at 07:58 PM

bka20d
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p.1 #6 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

take the hensel visit mpg off your list--- it cannot handle the power spike of a pack.

Dec 13, 2008 at 08:21 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #7 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

alanwarp wrote:
<hijack>
Woot...Buffalo Tom, saw them a number of times back in Providence and few in Philly...sorry don't know the answer

</hijack>

Ha! Good to see another BT fan around. Sometimes I think I am the only one... lol. I was fortunate enough to see BT about 20 times and never got tired of them live.. great show! I'm really not a fan of their latest CD, however I still listen to their older stuff on a weekly basis.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 14, 2008 at 03:09 AM

System6ix
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p.1 #8 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Thanks so much for all the input, I really appreciate it. I think I'll give the Vagabonds a try. At $300 it's certainly worth giving it a try and in the unlikely event I don't care for it, I think it will be easy enough to unload in the buy/sell forum... lol.

Thanks again,
S6ix

Dec 14, 2008 at 03:12 AM

bacilonur
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p.1 #9 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

The only thing you may want to do it somehow dye the cover black, or take it all out and store it in a Peli permanently. As far as performance, it's better than most, if not all.

Dec 14, 2008 at 03:13 AM

System6ix
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p.1 #10 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

, yeah I must admit that fugly cover is what made me avoid the Vagabond for as long as I could (yeah I am that shallow...lol). Now I feel like I have no choice but to embrace it in all it's blaze orange glory... lol.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 14, 2008 at 03:18 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #11 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

You can always get the AcuteB 600R again

I still have your's by the way . . . don't think I'll ever sell it again!

Dec 14, 2008 at 07:13 AM

System6ix
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p.1 #12 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

sboerup wrote:
You can always get the AcuteB 600R again

I still have your's by the way . . . don't think I'll ever sell it again!

Hey there, fancy meeting you here... lol. I just sent you a PM fine Sir.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 14, 2008 at 02:01 PM

stiksandstones
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p.1 #13 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

I will add I had the tronix XT on my acute21200R, I noticed the PW feature was real buggy with it, sometimes it popped, sometimes it did not-but have never had an issue when using my generator OR AC power.
So, I would avoid the tronix.

Dec 15, 2008 at 10:23 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #14 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Thanks again to everyone who replied and stiksandstones, thanks for that little tidbit as well. That is actually about the third time I have heard of people having problems with the Tronix / Acute2 / PW combo. I decided to throw in the towel and purchase an Elinchrom Ranger. It just doesn't sound like I would be thrilled with the performance of the Acute2 1200 "out in the field" so I've decided to leave it where it belongs.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 16, 2008 at 03:22 PM

Justin Berman
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p.1 #15 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

2 thoughts:
first, the vagabond 2 works fine with the acute 1200, not sure about the R version.

second, the 7b/7b2 come with a free head at the moment

Dec 16, 2008 at 04:11 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #16 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Thanks Justin. I decided against the Vagabond II as the type of shooting I am doing is typically trying to overpower the sun a great deal. I received some feedback that indicated that trying to use an Acute2 1200 whilst trying to overpower the sun at maximum or close to maximum output was beginning to push it leading to extremely slow recycle times. At $300 for a Vagabond II I tempted to try it out myself as I think it would be easy to unload the VBII if it wasn't quite what I was after. If I decide to still do that I will make sure to post my results.

I am aware of the Profoto special and was quite tempted by it. However two things swayed me. The first was that the 7B2 was $4600 w/ a free Pro Head once you placed it in your cart @ B&H the moment the special was announced. That same exact item is now $6100 when placed in your cart. Soooo, is it a free head or is the base price of the 7B2 inflated to reflect the "free" head? No idea, but I am not going to pay the $6100 when it was $4600 last week. Also, B&H (nor does anywhere else I can find) doesn't seem to be openly offering the 7b with a free head. If you put the item in your cart at both B&H and Adorama there is no free head included. I guess you could trust it will arrive with the pack, but at that price I would like some assurance.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 16, 2008 at 06:17 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.1 #17 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Here's what Profoto says about free head offer. http://www.profoto-usa.com/promos/freehead.asp

BTW Calumet shows the B2 at $5960.00 http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/PF0129/

Dec 16, 2008 at 07:25 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #18 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Thanks CD, I did see what Profoto says about the free head, but since I am the one paying for it, I would prefer to have the free head actually in my cart before I click proceed to check out... lol. Calumet also doesn't show the free head when you put the B2 in your cart and if you add the Pro Head it's not free. Errrr! Oh well. Maybe it's a sign I really don't "need" one... lol.

Dec 16, 2008 at 07:43 PM

mmurph
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p.1 #19 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

Give them a call, order over the phone. Or e-mail one of the preofessional support reps.

I have always had good sucess working with Calumet, especially once you get to know specific individuals there. At that price level they have a little more of a professional, boutique-type service that I am really coming to appreciate.

I can send you a name if you would like to e-mail.

Best,
Michael

Dec 16, 2008 at 07:49 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.1 #20 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

System6ix wrote:
I would prefer to have the free head actually in my cart before I click proceed to check out...

What I would do is either phone or E-mail for conformation that you will get the free head per Profoto promotion.

mmurph is a little bit quicker today

He is right about having a relationship with someone at a pro shop.

Dec 16, 2008 at 07:55 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #21 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

c.d.embrey wrote:
System6ix wrote:
I would prefer to have the free head actually in my cart before I click proceed to check out...

What I would do is either phone or E-mail for conformation that you will get the free head per Profoto promotion.

mmurph is a little bit quicker today

Dec 16, 2008 at 08:08 PM

bka20d
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p.1 #22 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

System6ix wrote:
c.d.embrey wrote:
System6ix wrote:
I would prefer to have the free head actually in my cart before I click proceed to check out...

What I would do is either phone or E-mail for conformation that you will get the free head per Profoto promotion.

mmurph is a little bit quicker today

He is right about having a relationship with someone at a pro shop.

Call? Umm, I am embarrassed to say I didn't even think of that as I am a little spoiled with the whole "digital age" thing and usually just do all purchasing online so I can avoid talking to people.... lol.

Cheers,
S6ix
you should definitely call...when i bought my b2 as well as the acute b's, the free heads were not showing on my orders because of the way the "kits" were inventoried in the store computer system.

Dec 16, 2008 at 09:43 PM

rico
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p.1 #23 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

mmurph wrote:
I have always had good sucess working with Calumet, especially once you get to know specific individuals there. At that price level they have a little more of a professional, boutique-type service that I am really coming to appreciate.

Ditto. I received a Profoto Striplight yesterday from Calumet Chicago, and Howie called this morning to ensure safe delivery. Never had that kind of follow up before. Too bad about the sales tax.

Dec 17, 2008 at 05:51 AM

stiksandstones
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p.1 #24 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

System6,
I thought the acuteB would not be enough to overpower the sun, but with a magnum head I have been having great results in full daylight. The 600w has been more than enough with that magnum head-Not so with a large SB or my octobank, but magnum....been great.

Dec 17, 2008 at 07:20 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #25 · Powering an Acute2R 1200 w/o electricity

stiksandstones wrote:
System6,
I thought the acuteB would not be enough to overpower the sun, but with a magnum head I have been having great results in full daylight. The 600w has been more than enough with that magnum head-Not so with a large SB or my octobank, but magnum....been great.

Hey there. Nice pic of James Stewart on your website. We sponsored him for years (Moto Tassinari) when he was kicking a-- on 2-strokes, before the AMA in all it's wisdom swayed the rules... lol.

Thanks for the magnum info. I've heard from others that option works quite well. I actually just scored an incredible deal on a Profoto 7b and free head from Calumet this morning, so I am now finally a happy man as it was what I really wanted from the start they are just pricey as all hell.

Cheers and thanks for all the helpful info,
S6ix

Dec 17, 2008 at 07:32 PM


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