SP Studio Systems Power Pack with Charger for SP Systems AC/DC Units and Other Strobes - 12V

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

I use this product to power an old Sunpak 555 handle mount flash, a Photogenic AC320 monolight, and an SB800 when needed, or an SP 920 strobe. Tried it out at a wedding and was astonished at the excellent re-cycle time. Works great with AC/DC monlights on location. I set up 2 lights (using soft-box and shoot thru umbrealla) at the reception and had no problems............Bang! Bang! Bang! This power pack allows me to use smaller monolights instead of the one's that require a long extention cord....luv it!!

I own 2 other HV battery packs (Lumedynes) and this thing is comparably capable (it more than holds its own!)

A little bulky?..Yes...and can't be attached to a belt (too big) but, other than that, well worth the investment!!! Will be buying another within a month!!

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

Are you kidding me? For [$] it's well worth it. .I was getting ready to order a 12 volt battery replacement [as i currently have two of these] and noticed the drop in price. I bought two of these back when they were less than $100. then they went up to over $200. now they are back down to [$] and you better get 'em while supplies last. No I do not work for the company. I use one to fire my on camera flash. sure it's much bigger than quantum but like I said, you can't beat the price. Quantums are over 4 hunnies. I use one to fire my SP lancerlight 3200. and then i have one for a spare. the newer model of these packs have replaceable 12 volt battery, slide out compartment. one of my old ones doesn't have it. so being able to swap the battery out is a big advantage. you can just carry a boatload of 12 volts with you, depending on how much power you need. the batteries are old school panasonic camcorder batteries. very cheap and easy to get.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

I do a lot of weddings and location portraits. The power pack give me the freedom to take pictures in place where no access to power is impossible.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

I know there are better options, but it works for me.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

light weight, easy to use and works well, takes a while to charge but overall very happy with it.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

Of course everyone wants to know how many pics it will take and how fast it recycles.

Well, I do not use this for my on board flash so I was not as concerned witt the recycle time. But for full powered it's 8 seconds. You will rarely be full powered on the sp systems. For the quarter power and half power, it was ready before I was ready.

It is a bit on the heavy side so I will not wear it (even though it comes with a clip). I used clamps to connect it to the stand. Then I am wire free.

I tested it in the dark and it took over 100 pics full power. With a combo of half power and quarter power (more quarter than half) it was well over 300 pics. I was able to shoot all the wedding formals and key reception events with it. The cool thing is that for 50 bucks you can get a second battery to slide in when this goes dead.

The bummer is that it takes 6 hours to fully charge. So you do have to plan.

I would buy this again esp for the price.

You can connect it to your speedlights (however..the sppedlights are not really meant to handle rapid firing (per their own warnings). using lithium batteries there would be a batter solution.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

This is a great product, I really like being able to take my light outdoors. It is very easy to use, and not too much extra weight to carry around. I would buy again if I needed to replace mine someday, or I wanted another.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

I own two of these and heartily recommend them. It's not a perfect Turbo clone since I'm informed by a friend who has one that it won't work with his Quantum flash. But it seems to work for everything else and will recycle my Canon, Olympus, Vivitar and Sunpak flashes from a full dump in about 1-1/2 seconds.

It uses readily available and easily replaceable Panasonic VHS type camcorder lead acid batteries. At 2300 mah it won't give you more flashes than the newest, large capacity NiMH batteries but it can sit for months without losing charge. Sanyo Eneloop NiMH batteries can also sit for many months without losing much charge but they won't recycle your flash in 1-1/2 seconds or faster if shooting at less than full power.

I now keep Sanyo Eneloop in the flash for grab and go shooting without worrying about having to recharge all the time. But I plug in the SP Systems Power Pack for event shooting where fast recycling may be required. It's larger and heavier than a Quantum Turbo but carries fairly comfortably on an across the chest shoulder strap under your jacket. It also has a belt clip but I find it's too heavy for that.

Note that the specs page here is incorrect. It says there's no charge indicator. In fact there are three green and one red light indicating 25, 50, 75 and 100% charge just like a Turbo battery.

The plastic case is much thinner and less robust than a Turbo battery but the whole thing sits inside a well padded cloth case. I think you'd have to try pretty hard to break it in use. I have one that's been in use for a couple of years and another which is just as old but has seen much less use. Recommended. The price is low enough that you can buy two and have a spare.

If it were lighter and smaller I'd rate it 5 stars instead of 4 primarily on value for the money.

Comments about SP Studio Systems Power Pack for SP Systems AC/DC:

If you're looking for a budget alternative to the QuantumTurbos, this will do it. A bit big, but works as advertisedand can't beat the price.Recycles my SB-800 in about 1.5-2 seconds.Nice plus, it uses a Panasonic-style camcorder battery... soit's easily replaceable.

Expertise: Semi-Pro

Problems Encountered: It's a bit big. That's about it.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Quantum Turbo, Battery 1

Items I Recommend: Quantum or Paramount Cables