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Elinchrom Strobes + Vagabond Mini
I'm looking to finally invest in some beginner studio strobes, that I can use on-location with some indoor use. Through my work, I'm able to get a great price on Elinchrom strobes, and would like to go with the Elinchrom D-Lite 4 IT kit, which comes with two strobes. I was hoping to use them with a Vagabond Mini, as I hear so many great things about it, and the price is right. Through my research, I've found that two D-Lite 4's are not compatible with the Vagabond Mini, but there are some D-Lite 4 models that will work with certain Vagabond Mini models. Another source mentioned that the Elinchrom Style 250 BXRis would work right out of the box with the Vagabond Mini. So my questions are: 1.) Has anyone used two D-Lite 4s with one Vagabond Mini successfully? 2.) Does anyone know which D-Lite 4's are compatible with which Vagabond Mini model? 3.) Would it be better to go with the Style 250 BXRis instead, or would it be better to stick with the D-Lite 4 IT's and buy a second Vagabond Mini? The price difference is similar, and I realize the BXRis are a higher-quality strobe, but I wonder if 400w/s vs 250w/s is a big difference. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated, I've tried searching around the web, but I'm getting mixed feedback. Here are the models I'm looking at, in the event that it's necessary: D-Lite 4 IT Kit: EL 20815KIT Style 250 BXRi Kit: EL 20753KIT Vagabond Mini: VM120 Edit: Due to recent feedback, the third question will be the one requiring more comments. Thank you! Aug 24 11 06:01 pm Link I don't have the D lite 4s but I do have the bx 500 and the style rx, both work off of the Vag mini. I have only tested them so long term use I don't know about. I mostly use the Vag mini for another light on location. Aug 24 11 06:04 pm Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSV2FIw7_9g Basically - no, they will not function. It handles one just fine, but not two. If you get RX series lights, you can toss more than one of those at the mini and that works well. Check the video - there is another that uses the RX lights on there, and they used up to four of those without issue. Aug 24 11 06:07 pm Link hmmm might be possible call the good folks over at alien bee and ask them .. im sure they will give you a direct answer Aug 24 11 06:08 pm Link Alienbee will not guarantee compatibility with any lights but his own. This is largely for insurance & liability issues. The lithium mini is not a good match for strobes more powerful than 600ws due to slow recycle times, but I know of no inherent incompatibility issues. Of course, the mini lithium IS completly incompatible with Elinchrom Ranger and Ranger Quadra systems, but that's another matter.  mini lithium can only power ONE strobe at a time, regardless of brand. The recycle times drop to suck if you plug two lights in. Aug 24 11 06:10 pm Link Maxximages wrote: Did you test two strobes on one Mini, or just one strobe? I know a single D-Lite 4 works with the Vagabond Mini, but the issue arises when I want to use two strobes, which I do. James Ogilvie wrote: I saw that video, which was what raised my concerns, because it said those D-Lite 4 ITs wouldn't work with the Vagabond Mini, but other comments said that 'newer' models would work with a certain Vagabond Mini, they just didn't specify which ones, hence my confusion. 1472 wrote: I might do that, but their website says they don't make any claims of compatibility with other brands other than their Alien Bees, which I understand, as they want you to buy their strobes instead of competitors. I may contact them if I can't find concrete answers, though. Robb Mann wrote: That's exactly what I figured. So would two 250w/s BXRis be a better choice, as it'll be 500w/s instead of 800? Or would it be better to have the two 400w/s strobes with two Vagabond Minis? Aug 24 11 06:12 pm Link Just FYI, I have D-Lite 4's and the mini, and have no issue running one of them. These are older models without the fans. Aug 24 11 06:12 pm Link James Ogilvie wrote: Ah, thank you for the edited comment, btw! That's useful information, I'll look for that second video. Aug 24 11 06:17 pm Link Kendra Paige wrote: You can't run multiple packs off one mini. Not if you want good recycle times. One mini per head is the max. Aug 24 11 06:55 pm Link Robb Mann wrote: I've pretty much decided I'll be needing two Vagabond Minis, there doesn't seem to be much room around it. Aug 24 11 09:39 pm Link The 250 watt lights will be too weak for a lot of on location work if you wish to mix the ambient or over power the sun with nice modifiers. 400-500 is about the lowest. But you don't have to go the rx route to power two elinchroms on location or buy 2 vagabonds. Innovatronix's new mini or xt3 powers two bi-voltage units and works with two elinchrom d lite 4s. Aug 25 11 07:20 pm Link http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/view … ?f=8&t=926 Paul C. Buff wrote: Aug 25 11 07:31 pm Link James Ogilvie wrote: Just to be clear you have the 90-260VAC D-lite 4 it and a 120V Mini? Aug 25 11 07:35 pm Link Consider this one as an alternative to the Vagabond Mini. It's compatible with Elinchrom lights. I have a Tronix Pro SE for my BXRi500's and I'm happy, thought it's much heavier than this unit. This puppy is my next purpose. http://innovatronix.com/detailpage.asp? … egoryid=42 Aug 26 11 08:26 am Link the minis work great with my JTL 300WS strobes. i did a test with two plugged into one mini and don't recall have terrible recycle times (but they weren't on full power either). the minis rock! Aug 26 11 08:29 am Link Maxximages wrote: Did you test two strobes on one Mini, or just one strobe? I know a single D-Lite 4 works with the Vagabond Mini, but the issue arises when I want to use two strobes, which I do. Since you asked, I tested a BR500 and a Style 300rx both on full power, both lights plugged into the same fully recharged mini and fired at the same time, recharge time is 8-10 seconds. Aug 26 11 08:54 am Link hartcons wrote: It's to do with the way the elinchrom d lites are built. Aug 26 11 08:59 am Link You can get used Elinchrom EL500 C classics for under $300 each. They are pure analogue and work superb with the mini. At lower power settings, they recharge almost as fast as if connected to AC power. They are old school, no digital luxuries, but they are built like tanks. The light that comes off of them is absolutely superb and consistent shot to shot, month to month, regardless of time / power setting changes. The s series also works well, gives better control, but is a bit pricier. All studio shots in my port were shot with them. Aug 26 11 09:23 am Link Hi Everyone, i have visatec solo 600watt. will this vaga mini work for visatec? from what i can see it shouldnt be any problem, but just want to double check before i buy vaga mini. i rang Alien bees they said that they cant guarantee it will work. cheers Nov 08 11 08:09 am Link Deddy Wijaya wrote: It may not work depending on your voltage and frequency?? Nov 08 11 08:42 am Link |
