i need to get a remote shutter release for my upcoming trip to yosemite. i checked ebay and it looks like phottix has at least three models for the d300 for sale right now--the cleon, the cleon 2 and the new plato.
other than price, does anyone know what the functional differences are and will they make a big difference for a casual user such as myself?
Here are the tech specs for the different units. I have a Cleon I and have had no trouble with it other than the receiver battery life being a bit short sometimes. Take the battery out if you are not going to use for some time. Tech is similar to an older/cheaper garage door opener.
The newer models offer rolling codes and different transmission frequencies. The rolling codes in theory should eliminate the chance of another unwanted device triggering the unit.
The Plato information implies that it has actual two way communications that confirm the trigger is in range of the receiver.
Phottix® Cleon I
Frequency 315 mHz
Channel 16 Channels
Battery 23A and CR2
Single/2S/Continuous By receiver
Cable Fixed
Transmission One way
Range 50-100m
Resistance to interference Normal
Phottix® Cleon II
Frequency 433 mHz
Channel Smart Code (16,000,000) )
Battery 23A and CR2
Single/2S/Continuous By transmitter
Cable Optional
Transmission One way
Range Confirmed 100m and more
Resistance to interference High
Phottix® Plato
Frequency 2.4GHz Worldwide
Channel Smart Code (16,000,000)
Battery 2 AAA Batteries
Single/2S/Continuous By transmitter
Cable Optional
Transmission Two ways to confirm in range
Range Confirmed 100m and more
Resistance to interference Extremely high
My dad told me he just recently bought the cleon on ebay for his canon mk2, but received a note and a cleon 2 in the mail saying they upgraded him for free as the cleon was out of production now. Not sure if it will be the same situation for your camera model though.
