This is a special order item. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at the time of shipment.
When a photoshoot requires using a location that is not fully connected to AC circuitry, a DC battery power pack is an ideal solution when smaller on-camera flashes are lacking the light output needed. There are a wide variety of these sorts of devices, but the Bowens, Explorer 1500 Pack stands out with a feature set not found on most other portable strobe power generators.
Contained within this compact, yet powerful pack is a sophisticated operating system that allows for the two head outlets to be adjusted from 31 to 1500 watt/seconds in 1/10th-stop increments. The adjustments can clearly be read in sunlight and low-light with the top-deck control LCD display. Battery charge, status, channel and other essential system info can be easily adjusted and viewed with a quick glance of the screen. Custom functions include: bracketing, sounder, modeling timer, charge, and recall. Also, there is a switchable photocell (slave) that can be replaced by the Bowens Pulsar radio sync receiver that is built into the pack. A Bowens Pulsar transmitter is required for this wireless operation. Otherwise, the two wired PC sync sockets with safe and clean 6V power will connect to any camera with a sync terminal.
Many functions are carried over from the QUAD series AC power packs like auto-bracketing that allow for a succession of shots to be made with the pack automatically lowering and raising the power level around the metered setting. The bracketing interval range is 1/10 to 9/10-stop. The two main independent output channels connect to Bowens QUAD heads and will let users fire them symmetrically, asymmetrically or locked in a chosen ratio. The short flash duration of up to 1/5700th of a second, keeps consistent 5300°K color temperature from shot to shot.
Additionally, a modeling light found on a connected flash head can be powered by the Explorers circuitry that provides a timed 250 Watts power load with a single head and 100 Watts over two heads. It can be programmed to shine for anywhere from 1 to 60 seconds that is either proportional or 100%. The 12 Volt battery will provide up to 150 full-power bursts with a single head. It is quick to recycle and can be augmented by the inclusion of two additional 750 Watts/second Bowens Esprit Gemini on the top deck. Using these Gemini ports, the total power is maximized to a whopping 3000 watts/second over 4 heads. Charging the battery is a breeze and the cell is able to be charged within the pack's housing or with an external charger in 5-6 hours. A quick charger and car charger are also available as optional accessories.
Altogether, the Bowens Explorer is an excellent, full-featured portable flash power generator with features to please the most demanding photographers. This package includes a pair of QUAD 3KM flash heads, with flash tubes and modeling lamps.
| Maximum Watt/Seconds | 1500 W/s (3000 W/s with Gemini sockets & 2 Esprit & 2 QUAD heads) |
| Recycle Time | 0.5 - 3.8 seconds |
| Flash Duration | 1⁄2130 - 1⁄5700 second |
| Flash Variability | 1⁄10 Stop increments |
| Sync Voltage | 6 VDC |
| Voltage Stabilization | ±0.1% |
| Distribution | Symmetrical or Asymmetrical |
| Head Outlets | 4 (2 Quad and 2 Gemini) |
| Flash Ready Indicator | Battery Status, 1/1, 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 power, Ready Light, Switchable Audible Beep |
| Battery | 12 VDC, 5 Ah Non-spillable sealed lead-acid battery |
| Sync Voltage | Compliant to ISO 10330 standard |
| Built-in Slave Cell | Yes |
| Circuit Protection |
Thermostat slows recharging Resets automatically 3x 30A ATO fuses |
| Auto Dump | Yes |
| Dimensions |
10.6 x 7.1 x 9.4" (27 x 18 x 24 cm) Head: 4 x 9 x 4" (10.2 x 22.9 x 10.2cm) Head Cable Length: 16' (4.9m) |
| Weight |
24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) Head: 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |