Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

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Archive 2009 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

Ronan O Keeffe
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p.1 #1 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experiences with one of these. An Aputure LCD Timer Remote AP-TR3C for Canon.

http://www.linkdelight.com/index.php/LCD-Timer-Remote/Aputure-LCD-Timer-Remote-AP-TR3C-for-Canon-TC-80N3/Detailed-product-flyer.html

I'm going to be using this on a 5DMKII and a 50D and I'm wondering if I should just go for the TC-80N3 instead.

Kind regards,
R.

Apr 19, 2009 at 07:01 PM

reggie747
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p.1 #2 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

A great buy - had one for over 2 yrs without any probs.

Apr 19, 2009 at 07:08 PM

Ronan O Keeffe
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p.1 #3 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

Cheers Reggie,

Will go ahead and order one

Much appreciated!

Apr 19, 2009 at 07:58 PM

jvarszegi
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p.1 #4 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I couldn't bring myself to order anything with the brand name "Aputure".

Apr 19, 2009 at 08:42 PM

Alex Nail
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p.1 #5 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

jvarszegi wrote:
I couldn't bring myself to order anything with the brand name "Aputure".

We I could and did. The remote works great, what a bargain!

Apr 19, 2009 at 08:59 PM

Alek Komarnits
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p.1 #6 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I have an Phottix knock-off (got on eBay) and that one seems to work well for me in the few times I've used it. Puzzled why Canon charges an arm & leg for this stuff.

Apr 19, 2009 at 09:08 PM

matanuska
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p.1 #7 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I use the actual Canon TC-80N3. I'm sure the Aputure functions identically, except it does not appear to have the retractable collar on the plug. The Canon plugs have detents which positively engage, locking the plug, which then must be manually retracted to unplug it from the camera. This one appears that it would just slide in.

This may not seem like a big deal, but here's a story I can pass along. I use RRS plates and clamps on all my gear. When I first started using their stuff, I had a lever release clamp on my tripod. One day, I set my 40D with a 24-105L on the tripod and engaged the lever, not realizing that the dovetail clamp wasn't properly seated in the clamp. Naturally, as soon as I let go, the camera tipped forward and started towards the pavement. Fortunately, I had the TC-80N3 plugged in and the cord looped around the tripod. The cord stopped the camera about 2" from the cement, and the LOCKING FEATURE kept the camera safely suspended from harm.

I am convinced if I had an aftermarket timer without the locking plug the outcome would have been very different.

Now, is this a common occurrence or something one should factor in when buying a timer? That's for each to decide. I just thought I'd share FWIW.

I've also since changed all my RRS clamps to the screw-knob types BTW!

Apr 19, 2009 at 09:30 PM

reggie747
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p.1 #8 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

matanuska,

lucky story with a good ending and Yeah, you're quite right, the knock off in question don't have that retractable collar.
I guess thats the price you pay for saving a large chunk of wedge !!

Regards

Apr 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM

Rocketball
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p.1 #9 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

Alek Komarnits wrote:
I have an Phottix knock-off (got on eBay) and that one seems to work well for me in the few times I've used it. Puzzled why Canon charges an arm & leg for this stuff.

+1. It works great for me too.

Apr 19, 2009 at 11:23 PM

khurram1
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p.1 #10 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

reggie747 wrote:
matanuska,

lucky story with a good ending and Yeah, you're quite right, the knock off in question don't have that retractable collar.
I guess thats the price you pay for saving a large chunk of wedge !!

Regards
Does it stay in during normal use though (i.e. do have to hold it in, or does it slide out fairly easily

This RC-80N3 knock off also looks to have the identical type of plug.
http://maxsaver.net/bw82mmuv010hazefiltercoatednewf-pro-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-1-8-1-7-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1--97.aspx

Apr 20, 2009 at 12:43 AM

scelia
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p.1 #11 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I could not order anything but the original. It has even survived an evening in the river... This was two years ago and it still works like new.

Here is the location it spent the night in the river:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Here is what it looked like when I got it home:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Here is what the insides looked like when opened:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Here it is after rinsing it out and a few minutes with the blow dryer and reassembly:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Apr 20, 2009 at 01:16 AM · View previous versions

Apr 20, 2009 at 12:55 AM

JohnR84740
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p.1 #12 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I had the unfortunate experience of owning the knockoff version. I found it to be less than reliable -- only firing after "encouragement." After a few days of spurious performance, I ordered the canon version, and it has not missed a beat since the day it arrived

Apr 20, 2009 at 01:04 AM

jerrykur
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p.1 #13 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I have a different knock off unit and it works fine. There are lot for sale on eBay.

Apr 20, 2009 at 02:56 AM

FSJ_Guy
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p.1 #14 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I have the real one and it it very well made and easy to use. Worth it, IMHO.

Apr 20, 2009 at 03:01 AM

nkguy
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p.1 #15 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I agree that the lack of a locking collar on the plug end for N3 connectors is a big deal. I've got a bunch of these cheapies and a couple real ones, and the ones with locking collars (from Canon or not) work reliably, whereas the friction fit ones are always screwing up.

Apr 20, 2009 at 03:53 AM

Phocus
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p.1 #16 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

JohnR84740 wrote:
I had the unfortunate experience of owning the knockoff version. I found it to be less than reliable -- only firing after "encouragement." After a few days of spurious performance, I ordered the canon version, and it has not missed a beat since the day it arrived

Which knockoff are you referring to? Was it the Aputure brand?

Apr 20, 2009 at 02:13 PM

UMpg
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p.1 #17 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

i just bought the aputure one on ebay, only used it a handful of times so far, but it seems to work great.

Apr 21, 2009 at 04:08 PM

TrojanHorse
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p.1 #18 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

I recently bought the Canon version... but what a price difference. Wow. It works great though, no regrets.

Apr 21, 2009 at 05:03 PM

Andrew Welsh
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p.1 #19 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

Phottix version here. Works like a champ, even in "extreme" cold (5F / -15 C)... so long as you program it while it's still warm (the LCD flakes out once cooled.. the camera body top LCD also flakes out in the cold, so it's not unique to the timer). No issues in normal operating conditions.

Glad I saved the ~50 bucks. Used on 40D, 5D and 5DMkII.

Apr 22, 2009 at 09:16 AM

dfresh
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p.1 #20 · Experiences with TC-80N3 knock offs?

Has anyone tried the 'Yongnuo' version (MC-C3) knock-off? That version seems tempting since its powered by AAA batteries.

Apr 29, 2009 at 07:19 PM

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