Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I use this for my wireless flash triggers. I have a Nikon D40X and Nikon SB-800. You will need to purchase a mini PC Connect Cable to go from the receiver to the SB-800 because the kit doesn't come with one.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Great for triggering your hot shoe flash or studio strobe lights, comes with sync cables. The only thing that the transmitter could fall from the hot shoe of your camera cause is only slide in, so careful.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Lightweight, Small, Has not failed on me yet. Although I must say I haven't quite "put it to the test". In studio it has performed as expected. I have experemented with Long distance and through walls and performed equally well. I don't see the antenna as being as fragile as some seem to think, it is flexable and therefore would seem less likely to catch and break as a more rigid one may.(my opinion). Would reccomend.It would be nice if it had a lock to lock in place on the camera, but seems secure when in place.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

The device very cool and useful and helps to move easily in the Studio and abroad also reduces the risk of wire plug in the flashes,personally i am very pleased with this technology, particularly it works for long distance up to 25 meters knowing it up over further and Its highly recommend product to each professional photographer portrayed abroad

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Used the unit extensivly the first week I've had it and it performed flawlesly. Transmitter has a much lower profile than the Pocket Wizard I was used to, so it was less likely to get knocked around. It also attatched more securley despite not having a lock. Battery life is good, lasted a full 8 hour day of shooting with each charge. The range is good, but not great. You should have no problem with most inside venues.
As for cons, the build feels flimsy and I wish this kit came with a PC cord for the reciever.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Easy to use and set-up. Very happy. :)

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

The range is great. Controls are simple and easy to use. The set doesn't take up much room in my bag. I am using it with 580EX IIs so I had to get a miniplug to PC male cable but otherwise flawless.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

The skyport system is an awesome sense of freedom from wires and limitations . It allows the user to place the strobes where they want them and to move freely with your camera to change position and have many more creative opportunities. The skyport's size is tiny and weighs very little but packs a big punch.
A great tool for on location lighting.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Works great on my 5DMKII with LumoPro manual flashes. The units are smaller than expected, which is a good thing. I've worked with other studio triggers and pocket wizards, and in comparison the Skyports are smaller. Highly recommended.

The other benefit is international travel. Technically you legally can't use your PocketWizard in different regions, for example the American model in Europe. I'm sure most people just use them anyway, but apparently the skyports are universal so it's one less thing to worry about.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I purchased this kit around a month ago, all I can say is wow! I am very happy with how easily it works, just plug and play nothing to really setup when using basic firing of flashes or lights. Also has really nice and easy setup to create groups and control them, if you are looking for a good alternative to PocketWizards then this should be your choice.

The case that they are enclosed in are a little soft, but as long as you are careful then they should last a while.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I use it indoors mainly, it works reliably in out of sight situations as well. I like the fact that it is so small and light. I've been using it for some months now several times a week and it still lasts on the first charge! The antenna looks a bit weak and fragile - but it is OK - never had any problems with it.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Based on my limited experience, the EL-Skyport is very reliable if the transmitter can be held on the shoe base well. My EL-Skyport transmitter slided out the hot-shoe time to time during a photo session. One of a design flaw is that you can't lock the transmitter on the shoe base as what you can do with a regular flash. I don't know why some people think it can "attach securely".The most serious design flaw, however, is the build-in battery in the receiver. I can't turn the receiver on after only five, six times of usages. When the receiver is in charge, the signal light is on. But, the on-signal light can't be on no matter how I push the on-off button. For a [$] a piece of device, I expect a much longer live span. I thought it was a good value remote trigger before. Now, I believe EL-Skyport is much more expensive than Pocketwizard trigger sets in a long run.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

After using these for 8 months, I can safely say these are the best radio transmitter/receivers on the market. I used cactus once or twice, and ran into many problems instantly. While the Skyports are not free of issues, they rarely ever occur. Here's the issues I've found: if you turn on the slaves you have to wait until the light starts blinking for about 5 seconds, otherwise they will not trigger AND turn off if you fire or test before then. I'm assuming there's some sort of warm-up period the manufacturer did not tell us about. Another issues is the lithium batter (for the transmitter) does not last as long as advertised, mine keep dying after about 2 months, or 10,000 flashes. Of course that's still a very long time, but not as long as they said it would be. If you take out the battery while not in use I'm sure it would last much longer. Other than those minor issues, I can't see why anybody would blow twice as much on pocket wizards that do the exact same thing.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Used with my Elinchrom D-Lite set-up, with my Hasselblad and Canon systems. Love that I'm not tangled in cords.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I bought this set at the reomendation of the B&H staff. I have used their recomendations before and they have yet to let me down. This kit comes with everything you will need to use this product with all kinds of equiptment. This was my first purchase of a radio trigger set. I debated between going with a set of Cactus V4's or something more reliable like the Elinchromes or PocketWizards. I have not been dissapointed yet. I was able to take everything out of the box and start shooting right away. It is a pretty simple product to use. After several hundred photo's, they have not failed to trigger the flash. I have not tested them for distance yet. I have placed my flash in another room and the triggers have always worked. Let's not forget about the price issue also. All in all I am very satisfied with this product.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I've only had this set for about 2 mounts which is why the four star rating - else it would have been 5.
I absolutely love them! Being used to Pocket Wixards and Quantums I was shocked by their size. They're are very toy-like in appearance but they do the job. Great price too.
Unfortunately, I have the BX not RX lights so there are features I'm unable to use, like controlling the output...
I love that you just charge the receiver! No more spending money on AA & 9v batteries. Easy to use.
The case houses everything snugly. It's a plus having the various adapters which are included in the package. You're covered for that overseas shoot.
Their performance has been excellent so far! Highly recommend.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

Like many others, I too choose Elinchrome Skyport over PWs for the prices. After almost a year of using them, I find them reliable. Only on one occasion, one of the two receivers ran out of power due to lack of battery indicator (good thing I have three receivers).

They do seem a bit flimsy compared to PWs, but they're fine unless you smash them around.

All in all, I'm satisfied and as I am writing this, I'm ordering another receiver for some creative lighting.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I choose the Skyports over the PWs because of price & size. I find them to work as expected and as promised subject to the issues others noted:
- no battery indicator (so you never really know)
- somewhat delicate construction

Here's a tip that will help if you need to connect to some older gear - esp. if using household connectors. I have some Novatron monoblocks. I bought a mini to household connector and thought I ws good to go. But the Novatrons put out enough of an electro magnetic discharge that they turn off the Skyports if they are close. The fix is to use a longer cable. I keep them about 2' away with no issues - now.

The clam shell cases are nice with enough room for the chargers and a few connectors.

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

These work wonderfully, and I've never had a problem with them. They work at far distances, through walls, etc. I give it 4 stars because the build quality could be better. I've worked with PWs before and they are awesome in pretty much every aspect, but not worth the [$] price tag in my opinion. Any one who complains about these either doesn't know what they're doing or happened to get a faulty trans/receiver. Highly recommended!

Comments about Elinchrom EL-Skyport Universal Radio Slave Set:

I use the Universal system frequently. The range is great, outdoors and indoors. It is reliable once it is set up correctly. I own a Canon 1D MKII and must go through a ritual of turning the camera and sender off, then turn on the camera, mount the sender, turn it on and then finally test that it fires from the camera. Annoying that it cannot simply work when mounted already in the "on" position.
The one feature I wish Elinchrom would add is a locking mechanism to the sender. I have knocked it off the camera or simply shifted it off the contact point too many times to count. On the good side it has survived the many falls, even into a wet gutter.