I know I'll take flack from some for honestly responding to this this, but I personally developed all the Einstein circuitry except for three minor low voltage power supplies to drive the uP, and control circuitry. These were developed by the consulting company, Technology Kitchen, Austin TX. It turns out these supplies present no EMI emission that interferes with our 2.4GHz Radio Remotes, but have been found to emit sufficient EMI in the 300MHz band to severely limit PW range.
I finally acquired an excellent power supply/RF engineer two weeks ago and between us, in consultation with PW staff, have reduced the EMI emission to the point that PW range is extended to about 400' . . . about a 20X range increase. Before we can ship Einstein with these solutions we must redraft the power supply board in house and get it in production. I will provide timelines for this as soon as I am able.
On a related issue, we have had sporadic reports of very poor range from Cyber Commander in spite of extensive successful initial testing prior to and during production. This also turned out to be a mistake in drafting on the part of Technology Kitchen, where the FCC-required metal EMI shielding can was not insulated properly from the antenna exit point. As a result, even though CCs are completely tested by our staff before shipping, the can has come in contact with the antenna connection after the vibration and heat/cooling expansion in transit to customers. The result to some customers has been a shockingly low 10' or so CC range instead of the 150'+ design capability. This problem has been corrected on current production units.
As is always our policy, replacement units will be provided for both Einstein and Cyber Commander if either of these problems are encountered. CC replacements are available now but Einstein replacements won't be available for several weeks.
While I take responsibility for these issues, please understand both products involve an extreme degree of advanced engineering and new design territory, some in the hands of others . . . a formula for bug fixing. Replacement of affected units will cost me several hundred thousand dollars. Also note that Canon has made no attempt to rectify similar problems in their 580EXII/PW interface, in spite of their size and resources.
Hey Paul, thanks for all the hard work. I am ordering my first set of cybersyncs and commander this week and am glad to hear the new commanders have no range issues.
TTLKurtis wrote:
PWs aren't reliable just in general.
That's like saying since there is a tornado in one Midwest state the world is coming to an end. I haven't had any issues to complain about that wasn't fixed.
TTLKurtis wrote:
PWs aren't reliable just in general.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion ... however ... Blanket statements like this are never really true across the board ... or very helpful in the end. No tool is absolutely perfect ... but PW's have been very reliable for me.
I've used PW's for many years now ... in the studio ... in large arenas ... inside ... outside ... close proximity and 300'-400' ranges and have had very few issues ...
bacilonur wrote:
Paul, so all Einsteins from now on (and any sent in for service) will have their radios fixed?
Yes. That's been our policy for 28 years now. One caveat: Nothing wrong with Einstein's "radio", rather, an upgrade to Einstein's compatibility with a competitor's product. We, like Canon, could have left the fix to PW but choose to improve our product instead.
Current Einstein shipping has a partial PW fix but the total fix will take several weeks to fully implement at a cost of several hundred thousand $ to us.
Put me on the list for Einstein replacements as my PW's are crazy unreliable w/ the Einsteins. The strobes are a good cost/performance ratio so the wait may be worth it. Just did a photoshoot w/ an entertainment based musician and was having a high level of difficulties.
And Pocket Wizards are plenty reliable w/ most other strobes including X1600's, TTLKurtis.
Suggest a CST for $59.95 and CSXCV for each Einstein ($29.95) while you're waiting for better PWW compatibility and shoot your heart out. Both items are in stock.
TTLKurtis wrote:
PWs aren't reliable just in general.
That is a crap statement. Some people -- not everyone but a lot -- has had issues with the Pocketwizard TT5 and Canon's 580 EXII and the source of the problem is poor RF shielding in the Canon Speedlight. Fair enough --Canon didn't think that people would develop units like the Pw TT5 when they were designing the 580 EX II. .
otherwise I've been using pocketwizards since they were introduced -- First the 16 channel classics, and my current set up is one pair of Pocketwizard MAX and one pair of the first generation of MultiMAX units . I use them hard, and use them regularly in situations where other radio remote system are challenged to the point of failure. With one exception in one shoot out of thousands of sessions, they have NEVER let me down.
TTLKurtis wrote:
PWs aren't reliable just in general.
It might be better to say:
"PW weren't reliable just in general...for me."
My (4) PW Plus II transceivers have worked just fine. I don't usually use superlatives, but I believe they have "never" failed for me. At least I can't think of time they have. They've been used indoors, outdoors, in warehouses, in convention centers, etc.
Paul Buff wrote:
Yes. That's been our policy for 28 years now. One caveat: Nothing wrong with Einstein's "radio", rather, an upgrade to Einstein's compatibility with a competitor's product. We, like Canon, could have left the fix to PW but choose to improve our product instead.
Current Einstein shipping has a partial PW fix but the total fix will take several weeks to fully implement at a cost of several hundred thousand $ to us.
Sorry, I meant the fix for the CSXCV with the CC. I only get about 15' of 100% triggering, at around 30' it's about 25%. Only using the CC for metering, but it's a hassle.
E-Vener wrote:
That is a crap statement. Some people -- not everyone but a lot -- has had issues with the Pocketwizard TT5 and Canon's 580 EXII and the source of the problem is poor RF shielding in the Canon Speedlight. Fair enough --Canon didn't think that people would develop units like the Pw TT5 when they were designing the 580 EX II. .
otherwise I've been using pocketwizards since they were introduced -- First the 16 channel classics, and my current set up is one pair of Pocketwizard MAX and one pair of the first generation of MultiMAX units . I use them hard, and use them regularly in situations where other radio remote system are challenged to the point of failure. With one exception in one shoot out of thousands of sessions, they have NEVER let me down. ...Show more →
I just find it absurd that a company with such a good reputation would allow such terrible, unreliable products out to the market in the Flex units. I don't care if it's Canon's RF shielding that is to blame, they are designing a product to work with that product specifically.
The non-Flex PWs seem a bit cumbersome to use as well - I like the RadioPoppers much better.
Now, if the Flex units work properly with the upcoming 580 EX III, I do like the form factor better on the Flex units.
I just find it absurd that a company with such a good reputation would allow such terrible, unreliable products out to the market in the Flex units. I don't care if it's Canon's RF shielding that is to blame, they are designing a product to work with that product specifically.
From my conversations with the people at LPA design they had no problems with the 580 EX II speedlights they used when they were designing the controlTT systems. I believe them because I have two 580 EXII units that also are also trouble free with the controlTT system, but when I rent additional 580 EX II Speedlights I have to test as most of the rental units I've used do have a problem with it. And 580 EX II units LPA Dsign has subsequently worked with have the problem too.
So the question is: what changed? If you accept the premise that the change was on Canon's end (as it appears to be) I doubt that Canon did it deliberately. Likely there was a change in a power supply component their subcontractor uses that doesn't affect other operations (and Canon really is only obligated to make sure their gear works within their system) but causes the problem when it is combined with an aftermarket tool.
bacilonur wrote:
Sorry, I meant the fix for the CSXCV with the CC. I only get about 15' of 100% triggering, at around 30' it's about 25%. Only using the CC for metering, but it's a hassle.
The CC issue has already been corrected and units shipping achieve about 150' reliably. If yours is only getting 15' contact Customer Service for a replacement. If you setup lights with CC but fire from CST on your camera you should get about 250' firing range and 150' adjustment/metering range.
E-Vener wrote:
From my conversations wit the people at LPA design they had no problems wit the 580 EX II speedlights they used when they were designing the contrlTL systems. I believe them because I have two 580 EXII units that also are trouble free with the controlTT system, but when I rent additional 580 EX II Speedlights I have to test as most of the rental units I've used do have a problem with it. And 580 EX II units LPA Dsign has subsequenntl;y goworked with have the problem too.
So the question is: what changed? If you accept the premise that the change was on Canon's end (as it appears to be) I doubt that Canon did it deliberately. Likely there was a change in a power supply component their subcontractor uses that doesn't affect other operations (and Canon really is only obligated to make sure their gear works within their system) but causes the problem when it is combined with an aftermarket tool. ...Show more →
Of course Canon didn't do it deliberately, nor did we. The world is getting saturated with RF and these things happen. I have been in regular contact with PW president and the fact is clear that we are cooperating to fix the issue while Canon is ignoring it. Jim Clark (LPA President) is s superb rf engineer who is meticulous with his work.
Thanks for the update on the Einstein issue. The RF interop issue is why I always push beta testing when doing product design work (even if I'm mostly software nowadays). Good to know you worked things out w/ the LPA folks. Now I'm just hoping Radiopopper releases and Einstein receiver as well
I haven't had any issues to complain about that wasn't fixed.