So, for this coming year, I'm looking to upgrade my lights. Currently, I'm running two X800's.

I was looking at a ~600 w/s light that was compatible with AC power and Vagabond units. After a lot thinking, the two units I'm looking into are the X1600 and Style RX 600.

I wanted to ask your opinions on the matter. Please note that I use the PLM modifiers as my main diffusers. They work very well for my needs and are viable options for both lighting systems. Hence, diffusers aren't going to affect my decision that much. Secondly, I'm in a position where switching systems will not make me take a hit in the $$$ area nor do I mind having a mixed system either.

Having said all that, which of the two lights mentioned is better? Having never seen the Style RX 600, I'm left to ask about it's build quality. Is it nicely built and capable of being used on location? My X800's are ABSOLUTE TANKS considering everything I have put them through in the past year or so.

If the Style RX 600 is better, then how so? I know the digital interface of the back is prettier and easier to use than the analog backs of the WL's. They also have some sort of a computer integration system built in. Other than these, what are the major differences between the two?

Thank you.

The digital Elinchroms are not fully compatible with inverter/battery kits(Vagabonds, Tronix very well). The older 600 S works perfectly with the battery packs. They are both tough and durable, but I slightly prefer the handling of the elinchrom lights due to the built in handle. The X1600's have a better power range. Color temp is similar. I also like the frosted glass dome you can get for the Elinchrom. It's pretty much a toss up as I have WL, Elinchrom and Profotos and they all play well together.

i believe the 600RXs work fine with the XTs if youre looking towards that route.

You might want to check out the X1600s and a Cyber Commander...pretty amazing what that thing will do when connected to Buff lights.

Scott Clark wrote:
You might want to check out the X1600s and a Cyber Commander...pretty amazing what that thing will do when connected to Buff lights.

yea, if I get the X1600 I'll be getting the commander.

Honestly, the thing I really like about the Style RX over the WL is the digital back. Being able to control power in tenths of a stop with a few easy key strokes is awesome. I know the new AB's are supposed to be like that, however as many threads have shown, no one really knows when they will actually be out. Moreover, I'm rough on my lights and the events I shoot get crazy at times. I'd like the better build quality of the WL than the AB, so I would have to wait until they get a digital back on the WL's.

tedwca wrote:
The digital Elinchroms are not fully compatible with inverter/battery kits(Vagabonds, Tronix very well)...

So, you're saying they don't work well with Vagabonds?

The RX-600 will work with a Vagabond or the Tronix. It's mulit-voltage strobes that sometimes have issues with inverters. I cannot tell you how nice the RX-600 and Skyport is. From the digital controls, to color accuracy to exposure accuracy, plus a 6 stop range and fast flash duration, everything is good. Then you add Elinchrom's wonderful light modifiers like their Rotalux softboxes and it's all good.

yea, if I get the X1600 I'll be getting the commander.

Honestly, the thing I really like about the Style RX over the WL is the digital back. Being able to control power in tenths of a stop with a few easy key strokes is awesome.

The CyberCommander gives you digital power control to 0.1-stop over the White Lightning flash. It essentially replaces the rear controls of the flash unit, including control of the modeling light, putting it all in your hand. It also gives you a readout of how the color temperature drops as the power is decreased, so that if you use more than one light, you can make sure you keep the color balanced.

I'm still working to get a smooth methodology of using its flash meter capabilities--it's a new way to work. You take a flash measurement, then when you adjust the power, the readout shows you how the f-stop changes. So if the flash measurment is f/8 and you want f/5.6, you hold the button to raise the power and watch the flash readout--not the power readout--until it shows f/5.6.

RDKirk wrote:
yea, if I get the X1600 I'll be getting the commander.

Honestly, the thing I really like about the Style RX over the WL is the digital back. Being able to control power in tenths of a stop with a few easy key strokes is awesome.

The CyberCommander gives you digital power control to 0.1-stop over the White Lightning flash. It essentially replaces the rear controls of the flash unit, including control of the modeling light, putting it all in your hand. It also gives you a readout of how the color temperature drops as the power is decreased, so that if you use more than one light, you can make sure you keep the color balanced.

I'm still working to get a smooth methodology of using its flash meter capabilities--it's a new way to work. You take a flash measurement, then when you adjust the power, the readout shows you how the f-stop changes. So if the flash measurment is f/8 and you want f/5.6, you hold the button to raise the power and watch the flash readout--not the power readout--until it shows f/5.6.

Very interesting. I must say that I have not been keeping up with the CyberCommander stuff. If this is the case and it works effectively and efficiently, then I might just buy the X1600. We'll see...

Maybe you should wait to see how the Einsteins pan out ( hopefully) before the end of the year. They will have about every thing you are looking for and will be plug and play with the commander (with the optional receiver)
http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/progress-report.html


At least that's how they look o paper

The original PLMs aren't compatible with Elinchrom stuff either. PCB has announced that the version 2 PLMs will use a Elinchrom-friendly 7mm shaft.

Robb Mann wrote:
The original PLMs aren't compatible with Elinchrom stuff either. PCB has announced that the version 2 PLMs will use a Elinchrom-friendly 7mm shaft.

Elinchrom's actually have an additional umbrella hole (in the base?) for using non-7mm/elinchrom specific umbrellas. While it's not quite as centered as their standard umbrella hole....I imagine it'd work pretty well in the meantime (until PCB releases the second version).

derek walter wrote:
Maybe you should wait to see how the Einsteins pan out ( hopefully) before the end of the year. They will have about every thing you are looking for and will be plug and play with the commander (with the optional receiver)
http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/progress-report.html


At least that's how they look o paper

I've been testing the CyberCommander with White Lightning now for a few days. It takes a few minutes to select the parameter information for each earlier Buff light, but after that's done, it's done.

Maybe you should wait to see how the Einsteins pan out ( hopefully) before the end of the year. They will have about every thing you are looking for and will be plug and play with the commander (with the optional receiver)
http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/progress-report.html
At least that's how they look o paper
- derek walter

Is there any word on what the price range on these will be? Also what about build quality - are they like AB's or WL's?

Elinchrom's actually have an additional umbrella hole (in the base?) for using non-7mm/elinchrom specific umbrellas. While it's not quite as centered as their standard umbrella hole....I imagine it'd work pretty well in the meantime (until PCB releases the second version).
- cathpah

Yea, I saw the picture of the Elinchrom unit and it has a secondary umbrella holder. It is a little off-center, but I don't think it would really matter much at all for general use.

I've been testing the CyberCommander with White Lightning now for a few days. It takes a few minutes to select the parameter information for each earlier Buff light, but after that's done, it's done.
- RDKirk

I have yet to get my hands on the CyberCommander. There's a lot of good stuff being said about the unit and I look forward to checking it out. If it's worth it, then I think I might just stick with a full WL system rather than have a mix.

The Einstein 640 is priced at $439.95USD and isn't expected to change. As for "build quality" how do you define that? Build quality of both WL and AB are, in my opinion, excellent and comparable or better than other monolights in this class. Basic form follows function build with state of the art robotic circuit board assembly and the same components used by other quality manufacturers.

Their reliability rate, customer satisfaction and in-use life is excellent by industry standards and by customer feedback. Latest analysis of AB long term reliability shows 0.88% repair or replacement per year.

Einstein has Lexan housing (like Elinchrom RX) and an attachment assembly based on an improved version of the WLX series. It also has frosted glass dome to protect the lamps, UV coated flashtubes, and produces extremely smooth patterns and WYSIWYG modeling, and 250W quartz lamp and steel insert in the mounting block.

When the Einsteins come out I may look to trade over to that system. I'm currently using 2 X1600s and they work well enough, but I had been considering recently changing to the elinchrom BXRI 500 lights.

I'm going to wait it out and also keep reading about the cyber commander system.