So I know RJ's thoughts on the poppers, but anyone else out there want to chime in? I know the PWs are the standard, but I honestly feel like the Radio Popper Jrs. will come out in 6 months and make them worth significantly less than current retail. I like the radio popper idea and the ability to keep the flash on my camera and easy control with my master slave switch. I have heard a couple of issues with them though:

1) Not 100% reliable. I have heard anywhere from 85% to 100%, but most seem to be hovering in the mid 90s.
2) The signal is not always perfect. I have seen this one first hand where occasionally the flash fires at full power even though it is set on lower. Not sure why this happens, but definitely ruins the shot.

What about SkyPorts. My friend that picked up the Radio Poppers said he would sell me his SkyPorts for a good deal, but I don't know much about them. Any thoughts?

If I don't have any triggers, what is the way to go?

Andy and I ordered skyports yesterday and they should be here on Thursday, we'll chip in with our 2-cents then!

Hi Chris,

I have the Skyports and they are good. I like the size (they are tiny), I like the fact that they come with ever cable needed (except the household to mono), they come with a zippered protective case, and the range is generally good if you don't need more than 75-100' of range. In that range they are very reliable. Besides the size, I love the fact that they can do groups, which the PW's at twice the price can't do, you'll have to buy the MultiMax, which is 3X the price of a Skyport receiver. The 1 thing I don't like about them is that the trigger uses a coin type battery, and although it lasts a long time, I have been using mine every weekend at weddings for 2 months, they are hard to find.

That being said, I am considering selling mine and the reason is because this past weekend I shot at a huge church that allowed flash, so I put my strobe on the loft, which was about 20' high after extending the light stand. The distance from the loft to the altar was almost 150' and at this range I found that they didn't fire consistently. For reception usage, they have been very consistent and I have never had any issues with them. One thing for the inconsistent firing could have been that I used them the prior weekend on 2 weddings and I didn't recharge them for the wedding this past weekend. But I haven't tried to verify that yet. I am going to post them for sale shortly on here, so if you want to see images of all they come with let me know and I can take a few pix. Only for this reason I am considering the PWs, although I may give the AlienBee CyberSync s a try before buying the PWs.

Right now I am leaning towards the RadioPoppers. I think with proper setup, they are the best way to go, but hoping some others can put some more input on the subject.

Got a link or something? The only time i hear about them not being reliable is from 4 stories up through an apartment or down the street in the neighbors house...

See Paul's post in there. (Isn't Paul on your own team?)
http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...showtopic=30249

From Ed Pingol's review:
However, out of 20 shots across a busy street in San Francisco with all the powerlines, a couple did not fire a flash.

Ed Pingol's Radio Popper Review

so there is an 85% and a 90% (couple out of 20 didn't fire).

Those are a couple of the reviews I read that gave me those numbers.

Chris did you actually read Paul's comment? He was triggering from outside his house.

And I didn't see ed's review with a similar to real-world test like that.

I did read it, and yes he was "pushing them," but I am just trying to get other people's opinion and experience in comparison to PWs before I plop down $720 on them. I have read Dave Hobby's review too which says indoors they worked 100%, but I am trying to get others view points to find out if anyone had issues beyond what I have read and seen. Just wanting reviews and experience with them and SkyPorts, because PWs are pretty well known.

I ordered the Universal Skyport from B&H for about $190.00 a will get it on Sunday am going to use it with the Viv 285 and the Sunpak 383 . I hope it works properly. I will keep you informed...................................

I have and love the skyports. Work flawlessly. There are some downsides to the skyports vs the PW's though, namely:

- internal rechargeable battery in the receivers (make sure you remember to recharge before your shoot!), although they do tend to last for a looong time.

- slightly less range (i've hit 400' consistently)

- transmitter battery can be difficult to source (radio shack is where I get mine).

all said, i'm very happy I saved nearly 50% over the PW's for most of the functionality.

http://g9chon.com/RS.html

These flashwaves are cheap but really tiny and have worked well for me. I only use them as a manual trigger so no ttl and no high speed sync and only at the reception usually.

Before really loving my video light I would have wanted the Radio poppers now I am not so sure, though with all the beach weddings, I do think about getting them.

I'm not sure these can be classified as 'cheap' anymore... they've gone up by $60 in the past 6 months, and are now more than the Skyport set...