Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed Asymetrical 1100 Watt/Second Battery Operated Power Pack Kit - Includes: Ranger RX AS Power Pack, Freelight S Lamphead, Battery, Multi-Voltage Charger, Sync Cord, Shoulder Strap - NO Reflector

Comments about Elinchrom Ranger RX AS 1100 W/S Kit:

I haven't owned these lights very long so I cannot speak to their longevity or performance over time. Overall this is a great product and I recommend it.

Likes:
1) Product is well built - has a solid feel and components feel substantial.
2) Asymmetrical pack allows for even lower light levels than regular pack by plugging a light into socket B which only delivers 1/3 the total power. This allows using the light close to a portrait subject while using f4 for short DOF.
3) Light quality is consistent.
4) Level of control is excellent
5) Modeling light i bright, although shuts off after 15 or 30s.
6) Included is the necessary adaptor to use the Ranger Skyport wireless receiver so you don't have to buy the adaptor extra. Why the Skyport made specifically for the Ranger doesn't plug right in to it is beyond me. You can sync with any remote device since the Ranger comes with the necessary cord. It also has an optical slave cell if you are using other flashes.
7) You can charge while in use but not if you are using the Ranger Skyport receiver since they plug into the same socket. You can, however, use the regular sync socket with either a regular Skyport receiver or any other brand and charge while in use. This does not allow for indefinite use, though, because the battery drains faster than it charges.

Dislikes:
1) Recycle time is slow but not a problem for what I do. You can turn on fast recycling but this drains the battery faster and shortens its life. Therefore, I haven't used this option. On low power settings in slow recharge mode, you can shoot pretty quickly but cannot do burst shooting since the recycle still takes about a quarter of a second. From a full power flash, it takes over 5s to recycle.
2) The power pack is heavy - 20 pounds. The up side is that you can hang it off the stand as a sandbag. Don't expect to use it like the Quadra.
3) Elinchrom's literature is pretty lousy. For example, the head plugs into the socket in a very specific way but the manual doesn't explain it - you are on your own to figure it out.
4) Despite being shown in the picture, the lights don't come with reflectors.

Other information: The head has a hole through it just below the flashtube for an umbrella shaft which puts the light right at the center of your umbrella. However, I have umbrellas with slightly larger shafts and they don't fit through that hole. The light's mounting base has a piece that will clamp an umbrella there so I can still use my other umbrellas but getting them centered on the light is trickier.

You can turn on the modeling light 3 ways - at the camera with the Skyport control if you have the Ranger Skyport receiver on the power pack, or you can press the modeling light button on the power pack, or you can press the modeling light button on the back of the head.

Comments about Elinchrom Ranger RX AS 1100 W/S Kit:

I haven't owned these lights very long so I cannot speak to their longevity or performance over time. Overall this is a great product and I recommend it.

Likes:
1) Product is well built - has a solid feel and components feel substantial.
2) Asymmetrical pack allows for even lower light levels than regular pack by plugging a light into socket B which only delivers 1/3 the total power. This allows using the light close to a portrait subject while using f4 for short DOF.
3) Light quality is consistent.
4) Level of control is excellent
5) Modeling light i bright, although shuts off after 15 or 30s.
6) Included is the necessary adaptor to use the Ranger Skyport wireless receiver so you don't have to buy the adaptor extra. Why the Skyport made specifically for the Ranger doesn't plug right in to it is beyond me. You can sync with any remote device since the Ranger comes with the necessary cord. It also has an optical slave cell if you are using other flashes.
7) You can charge while in use but not if you are using the Ranger Skyport receiver since they plug into the same socket. You can, however, use the regular sync socket with either a regular Skyport receiver or any other brand and charge while in use. This does not allow for indefinite use, though, because the battery drains faster than it charges.

Dislikes:
1) Recycle time is slow but not a problem for what I do. You can turn on fast recycling but this drains the battery faster and shortens its life. Therefore, I haven't used this option. On low power settings in slow recharge mode, you can shoot pretty quickly but cannot do burst shooting since the recycle still takes about a quarter of a second. From a full power flash, it takes over 5s to recycle.
2) The power pack is heavy - 20 pounds. The up side is that you can hang it off the stand as a sandbag. Don't expect to use it like the Quadra.
3) Elinchrom's literature is pretty lousy. For example, the head plugs into the socket in a very specific way but the manual doesn't explain it - you are on your own to figure it out.
4) Despite being shown in the picture, the lights don't come with reflectors.

Other information: The head has a hole through it just below the flashtube for an umbrella shaft which puts the light right at the center of your umbrella. However, I have umbrellas with slightly larger shafts and they don't fit through that hole. The light's mounting base has a piece that will clamp an umbrella there so I can still use my other umbrellas but getting them centered on the light is trickier.

You can turn on the modeling light 3 ways - at the camera with the Skyport control if you have the Ranger Skyport receiver on the power pack, or you can press the modeling light button on the power pack, or you can press the modeling light button on the back of the head.