Paul Buff
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&QSeanzky wrote:
And you have to add $89.95 for the receiver which is built-in for the D-Lite. The 2-year protection plan for the D-Lite 2 is $37.99 not $75.98. That's on top of the 1-year warranty. That makes it 3 years compared to the ABs 2 years. The reflector is also $44.95 not $62.39. That totals to $357.83 with built-in transmitter, digital controls, 3-year warranty, and less/barely noticeable color-shift in the lower power level.
AB400 160WS monolight compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $314.90
AB800 320WS monolight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $369.90
AB1600 640WS monolight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $449.90
The Elinchrom strobes have a sub reflector but the ABs don't. For example, I get by without the reflector for my Elinchrom just fine, but I couldn't with my B800s because it would be bare bulb. So that area is debatable....Show more →
It wasn't my intention to make this a $ VS $ thing or nitpicking point for various bells and whistles.
That said, let me first address the warranty issue: What comes with the D Lite is a LIMITED one year warranty VALID ONLT TO THE ORIGINAL BUYER AND NOT VALID IN FLORIDA.
What this means is that it is not covered if you drop it, scratch it, dent the reflector, plug it into the wrong power source or do anything else the manufacturer deems "improper use", you are screwed an will pay repair charges an go thorough RMA numbers and weeks of red tape and unknown, potentially exorbitant repair charges and you light will be confiscated until you pay whatever charges they choose to assess In short, their warranty service and extended service plans Are profit centers.
Contrast this to our 29 year warranty repair policies that are well discussed and verified on all forums. On all products, you have a 60 day absolute no questions asked return policy. If your equipment falls into the ocean, or off a truck. you send us what's left and we credit you purchase. minus shipping charges. I f you are happy with the equipment, we'' replace it with new at no charge,
On AB, we have 2 year factory warranty in addition to the 60 return policy. Again, no RMAs and paperwork. Send us the equipment with a description of the issue. When we receive it we don't attempt to define if it was abused . . . .we fix it and send it back. If the case is cracked or scratched, we replace it. If capacitors are blown from excess firing rates, we replace them.
It's Golden Rule thing . . . if you are fair and honest we reciprocate to the very best of our ability. But if you keep throwing units onto the freeway and send them back once a month, we will object and tell you we can't keep replacing them free. Does this cost us money . . . of course, but it is built into our pricing as an advertising cost, and it pays off for us in customer good will.
Since we have over 500,000 flash units in the field, yes, we repair a lot of them, in and out of warranty and have a pretty streamlined procedure for getting them in and out . . . 7 technicians and two receiving/processing personnel.
This reminds me of an early experience with a 23 year old girl back in the 80s who had purchased a WL10,000. She called me in tears because her lightstand had tipped over and it all fell in the pool. Replacing the unit was a serious hit on her cash. I told her "I know the cost of the unit is a heartbreaker for you, but for me replacing it is a minor cost of business . . .so just send it back and I'll send you a new one at no charge." Needless to say, this girl became a customer for life and my $$179 investment has been returned 1000 times over. This sort of thing is a one in a hundred and that relates to less than a 1% advertising cost. When most companies spend 5 to15% of sales in ad costs it's kinda' of a no brainer. (Sure glad I didn't go to marketing or business school!!!)
Now back to the D-Lite arguments:
Yes, the new D Lile comes with Skyport receiver, but the transmitter will set you back another $92.50 if you actually want to use it. Many customers buy the basic $224.95 AB400 or $279.95 AB800 and use the supplied sync cord until such time as they want wireless sync.
Attached is a sample order to B&H (if it opens) for D Lite 2 equipped with what you get from a $224.95 AB400. Indeed, it comes out $413.26 I would once again direct you to http://www.alienbees.com/compare.html for performance comparisons And, yes, AB, WL Zeus and CyberSinks are made and serviced in America, and you can talk to us any time on our dime instead of traveling to NYC and standing in line for hours to get an answer from a salesman who just looks up the spec on their (rather technically challenged/limited IMHO) spec sheets.
As for color shift VS power, I suggest you examine this link (D=Lite and RX exhibit the same color VS power characteristics). AB exhibits slightly less color shift VS Power, though repeatability at the low end is better on D-Lite http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/e640detail.html http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/plmv2ad.html
B&H quote:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bah/controller/?O=cart&A=setQty=
Sorry, the B&H Link won't open because it was generated with my login number. I will cut and paste and upload it. To generate it yourself, go to to http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673589-REG/Elinchrom_EL_20483_D_Lite_IT_200Ws_Flash.html
plug in one D Lire 2, then go to accessories and plug in one standard 8 1/4" reflector. then plug in 2 year extended warranty. Regarding the warranty I believe you get a total of two years of protection from accidental damage . . . not three years as you implied. Read the fine print.
Sorry for all the typos - I've been in the hospital for five days and am highly sedated and have dumb fingers right not.
Edited on Oct 09, 2010 at 12:19 PM · View previous versions
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Please try to accept I'm sorry and I am doing everything humanly possible, and have been for so long now it is really taking a toll on on my 74 year old body. I'll be back kicking assess from Austin to Hongkong next week.
