Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Anyone have experience with both units? So far I'm finding the usual size/weight and recycle time comparisons.

I already own a mini but I'm only using one b800 on it. Have a chance to pick up a vagabond II for $280. I like that it recycles multiple lights and higher power lights quicker and the ability to use a car battery in a pinch.

Is it a better option or am i better off just buying another mini or two?

btw anyone replace or upgrade the battery in your vagabond II, if so to what effect and cost?

i have both but haven't pushed both to the limits. I think the VB2 has more charge but i haven't empted out the Mini on any shoot to say for sure.

The old Vagabond II uses a lead-acid battery aka Car battery.

Problem with lead-acid batteries is that they have to be charged up all the time or sulfation will result and your battery will be useless.

Replace batteries can be purchased from Paul C Buff.
http://www.paulcbuff.com/vagabondparts.php

Some people have found other sources - because the battery is basically a car battery but you can google that yourself.

Kiteguy- thanks for the reply. I am aware of the maintenance required for the SLA battery in the VB. Just curious if this is a deal breaker for some along with the weight of the unit itself.


chopper-how many lights do you normally use and at what power setting?
Do you find the mini is sufficient for most real life shooting situations then?

Although I can only give you an approximate answer as I have never counted flashes. The V2 and Mini seem to be very similar in shot count. I have used both units to their limits and had as many as 3 lights off of one battery.

The only glaring difference is the V2 can power third party lights. The mini is limited to AB lights due to brownouts. Oh, the weight of the V2 doubles nicely as a weight for your lighting stands if your on location (the extra kilos are not all bad).

I tend to prefer the Mini personally. But thats just me. One battery per light stand is the ideal "wire free" lighting solution.

I recently bought a Innovatronix Explorer Mini since it supports most digital monolights (I own Elincrhome monos). Supposedly supports two 500watt monos for approx 400 pops. I haven't tested it yet to see how many shots I get from a full charge.

http://tronixphotoequipments.blogspot.c ... hoose.html

http://www.innovatronix.com/explorermini.asp

Not sure if this is something to consider or if you just wanted to stick to PCB stuff.

There's a place in Markham (Esna Park area) that sells SLA batteries at a pretty good price. Can't recall the name off the top of my head but can dig it up if anyone needs it.

I normally use 1-2 lights (AB1600 and Ab800) at half power on average. I shoot about 200-250 shots per photoshoot and never ran out of power with either the VB2 or Mini.

Total shot count/charge is not a factor for me, but the recycle is or will be when I add 1 or 2 higher power strobes to my kit.

Carlton- thanks for bringing it up, was gonna ask about the innovatronix (actually their whole line in general).What was the total landed cost for their mini? How are the cycle times btw with both your 500w strobes at full?.

They marked down the shipping price for customs so I only paid $26 in taxes and customs. Worked to around $420 total inc shipping.

On a single 400w strobe, the cycle times seems to be the same or very similar as if I was plugged into an outlet. I was too lazy to dig out another strobe to test but I'll do that this wknd as all my studio gear is over at a relative's place.

recycle times seem about the same to me, but i shoot only about once every few seconds, since i am trying to slow down in shooting.