No I think you are correct as this is how I am reading it as well.
Here are the questions that I am struggling with?
Do I have to have both the PX and JRx transmitter to have both manual control over AB's and *TTL over my 580's? The knobs on the JRx are to have remote control over the studio strobes and eventually manual control over the *TTL strobes once that new deal comes out in 6-8 weeks.

If I just get a PX trans will the JRx recievers be able to use TTL or do I have to have PX recievers for my 580's to still be able to use *TTL?

I guess I am just wanting to figure out the easiest way to get both lighting systems running without having to stack two transmitters (one from each system) on my camera and buying different receivers. Me thinks I may be asking for too much

The JRx Trans can trigger/fire *TTL flashes but only as manual flashes. This is NOT the same as using the actual *TTL functions of the flash so you have to set the output that you want as opposed to letting *TTL (the camera) decide the output.....I think . It can also trigger and adjust the power of AB lights along with those *TTL manually controlled flashes. This should include control of other hotshoe flashes that have sync ports.

The PX Trans can do the above AND actually work the *TTL magic (if you want to call it that cuz the camera and flash are making the decisions for you). So you don't have to have a PX and JRx Trans. Just the PX if you want *TTL control.

Once again, my disclaimer is that's the way I understand the manual to explain it.

Cordell

the site now has them up and shipping(claimed), should be ordering my set tomorrow
will post ordering experience and such

Thanks for the head's up ishoot... just ordered mine also...

http://www.radiopopper.com/docs/radiopopper_jrx_manual.pdf

The manual. The control for the channels and options looks bleeding complicated, keep a manual with you at all times, etc.

Why they couldn't have used two switches for A:B:C: OFF and labled them accordingly is beyond me. The need for a two switch combination with no cheat sheet looks very annoying in the field.

aeast wrote:

But wouldn't I need the JRx Transmitter in order to remotely control the AB's with JRx Recievers in addition to a PX transmitter and PX receivers to use ETTL on the 580's? In other words have two transmitters on camera to control both studio strobes and small ETTL strobes with their corresponding px and Jrx recievers.


Nope, the Px can control the Jx slaves including the A:B:C channels through it's menu system, nowhere near as fast as using the Jx transmitter of course, if I was in a studio it would be faster to walk over to the light and adjust manually than go through the menu system and change that way using the Px. I'm buying the Px system anyway but already have a perfectly functioning slave system so I'm wary of buying the Jx system for the above reason and after reading the manual, in the heat of a wedding, the piano switch system just looks too complicated and too easy to get wrong or mess up by accident.

To be honest were I to get a Jx system I'd be very tempted to have a Px on the flash and still have a Jx transmitter velcro'd onto the side for faster adjustments. I use ETTL and manual strobes together constantly. That way I have the Jx transmitter for fast changes and when I'm using strobe only but the Px as backup should I drop the Jx transmitter mid wedding and break it or something. Hmmm, maybe that's exactly what I'll do. Put the 3 groups on 3 lights (with big A:B:C stickers on the lights), set up the channels then put gaffer tape over the switches to lock the settings in without fear of screwups. Px on flash and Jx transmitter velcroed to the side.

Anyone see any method of locking the dials on the transmitter against the possiblity of accidental changes?

Beni wrote:...
Anyone see any method of locking the dials on the transmitter against the possiblity of accidental changes?


At present your theory is that you will accidentally make changes to the dials. How about you get the units in your hands then judge. It just might work out great as is so I would say not to worry so much just yet. Your thinking is almost like someone who doesn't like the idea of a AF lens with a full time manual focusing ring on it because they just might turn it by mistake. BTW I have done that But has never been a huge problem.

How about I spend a lot of money just to find out that I can't use them? Do you really suggest that people should buy then try? I'm a full time wedding photographer, I don't have time to learn about problems at someone elses wedding but I do know Murphy very well, met him too many times over the years. If someone tells me that it isn't an issue, that there is sufficient torque, then fine, I'm happy to go with that. I asked a simple question, I didn't make a complaint. Your suggestion of buying then trying without being able to ask legitimate questions, especially when the Strobist review specifically mentioned a way to disable the dial after dialing it in....well I'll let others judge whether your point was anything other than your seemingly personal beef with me that you've mentioned elsewhere.

So are you saying everything you've ever purchased worked 100% the way you visioned it based on photos and 1 or 2 opinions?

One person's "sufficient torque" is another's nightmare....one will say it's hard to move, the other will say its far to easy to slip.

Beef with you? No not really. Just the ol' usual complain thing without much reason that goes on often....but hey, it's like photography; it's a style. Nothing wrong with that

Anyway, I'll just hide you so there is no more response from my end because some complaints/ners are endless no matter what new items come about.

I am still drawn to the CyberSync as a wireless trigger. If I don't plan on remote controling 580EX flash units then the AA batt on the CyberSync looks better to me than the JrX CR123A batt.

What is the difference in the sleep times on the recievers? On CyberSync they turn off in one hour. How do you wake them up? How does the RadioPopper JrX receiver work?

Okay, the RadioPopper JrX Receiver is manual on and off (holding down the power button for 2 sec). That is very nice. Battery only lasts for 50 hours though. So that means going with rechargeable cr123a batts for sure.

So my question now for CyberSync owners... when they go to sleep how do you wake them up? Pop a flash or walk over and turn them on again?

pcunite wrote:Battery only lasts for 50 hours though.


"Only" lasts for 50 hours? And you were expecting what, exactly?

50 hours of use out of a buck fifty battery sounds great to me.

http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

Tom

tgomearajr wrote:
pcunite wrote:Battery only lasts for 50 hours though.


"Only" lasts for 50 hours? And you were expecting what, exactly?

50 hours of use out of a buck fifty battery sounds great to me.

http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

Tom




+1 50hrs doesn't mean you will fire the unit 50hrs straight and the battery dies. That amount of time will last quite a bit of number of flashes.

Hobby posted some QnA on the RP JrXs:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/08/radiopopper-jrx-questions-and-answers.html

tgomearajr wrote:
pcunite wrote:Battery only lasts for 50 hours though.


"Only" lasts for 50 hours? And you were expecting what, exactly?

50 hours of use out of a buck fifty battery sounds great to me.



Yeah... assuming you have fresh batteries! After using them at a wedding that will be 50 - 8 plus sitting for 6 days till the next wedding. Will they make it through to the next wedding? I would rather have all AA batts... less to worry with and mess with on the charger.

Read the link provided by Headshotz. It talks about the batteries too.

pcunite wrote:
tgomearajr wrote:
pcunite wrote:Battery only lasts for 50 hours though.


"Only" lasts for 50 hours? And you were expecting what, exactly?

50 hours of use out of a buck fifty battery sounds great to me.



Yeah... assuming you have fresh batteries! After using them at a wedding that will be 50 - 8 plus sitting for 6 days till the next wedding. Will they make it through to the next wedding? I would rather have all AA batts... less to worry with and mess with on the charger.



First, perhaps you use triggers for 8 solid hours at every wedding, who knows. But most normal wedding photographers certainly would not. I did not use my Pocket Wizards that way either.

I use triggers for specific shots during most of the day. The only time triggers are usually turned on and left on is during the reception to light the dance floor.

But even going back to your straight 8 hours solid, that means 6 + weddings per $1.50 battery. And the "sitting 6 days" between weddings mean nothing with these batteries unless you are using rechargeables... Regular disposable battery chemistry does not self-discharge like rechargeables.

Six 8-hour weddings for a buck-fifty is not too bad at all and no screwing around having to worry about recharging.

Tom

these got me tempted to ditch my skyports. ability to adjust flash power is a big plus for me specially when u have lights up high or farther away. but no word on how much that rpcube for flash will be though. at least itll work with my AB off the bat. hmmmmph.

tgomearajr wrote:
pcunite wrote:
tgomearajr wrote:
pcunite wrote:Battery only lasts for 50 hours though.


"Only" lasts for 50 hours? And you were expecting what, exactly?

50 hours of use out of a buck fifty battery sounds great to me.



Yeah... assuming you have fresh batteries! After using them at a wedding that will be 50 - 8 plus sitting for 6 days till the next wedding. Will they make it through to the next wedding? I would rather have all AA batts... less to worry with and mess with on the charger.



First, perhaps you use triggers for 8 solid hours at every wedding, who knows. But most normal wedding photographers certainly would not. I did not use my Pocket Wizards that way either.

I use triggers for specific shots during most of the day. The only time triggers are usually turned on and left on is during the reception to light the dance floor.

But even going back to your straight 8 hours solid, that means 6 + weddings per $1.50 battery. And the "sitting 6 days" between weddings mean nothing with these batteries unless you are using rechargeables... Regular disposable battery chemistry does not self-discharge like rechargeables.

Six 8-hour weddings for a buck-fifty is not too bad at all and no screwing around having to worry about recharging.

Tom

Have to agree with that, paying the extra for lithiums where I know that they aren't going to die mid wedding because I haven't shot for a week, or adding a whole bunch of CR123A's to the recharge mess that I face getting home from a wedding (currently 40 AA's) is worth the extra to me.