Fed up with Catus V4

[SilverBullet07]

OK there has to be something more dependable then Catus v4. Everytime I try to use these things on a shoot they never work unless I'm 30ft or so from them and not around a corner.

Does any one know if the the CyberSync works better then Catus V4?

[oldwolf]

I used to use the Cactus V2 with the antenna mod and it worked fine. I've since moved up to the Cybersyncs and they work perfect as well. I'd highly recommend the Cybersyncs.

[SilverBullet07]

Thanks OldWolf
Can you get over 50 ft and out of sight with the cybersyncs? I've heard that the Canon Flashs emits some signals that interfer with some radio triggers. I wonder if that is what up? I tried the flash plugged in with a pc terminal plug but it seemed to have the same issues.

Might have to try them out.

[oldwolf]

Yes. I've even tried them in the house which has a lot of RF interference as far as wifi network and wireless phones going all the time. I've also used them outside with no LoS and they work fine.

Testing them out, I've had the lights on the second floor and the transmitter in the basement and they trigger all the time.

They've been used with AB400, AB800, Canon 430EX, Canon 430EX II, Vivitar 285HV.

Hope that helps a little.

[i speak in math]

have you tried changing the batteries? I have no trouble making them trip around corners but I haven't tried them 30 feet away. They aren't known for their range, but for their affordability. Additionally, I have no reliability issues and they trigger almost 100% of the time.

[natek313]

I can vouch for CyberSyncs. I use them and love them.

You're the first person, however, that I have heard with that problem with the Cactus V4's. I know plenty of people have issues with them not always firing. I would definitely recommend changing the batteries like Eric suggests. But, you may very well be outside of the working range of the V4's. Why not contact the manufacturer if fresh batteries don't solve the problem?

[SilverBullet07]

Yesterday I was taking pictures of a boat 4m away and the flash with catus v4 was behind it about 2 m and slightly down hill. I would have thought that 20' should be in range but it would not fire. I ended up moving the flash within sight of my Canon 580 and used the canon wirless system to trigger it.

When I got home, I did some testing. From 28' as long as they can see each other it seems to fire but when you put the transmitter out of sight of the reciever it starts missing.

This set had just went back to Hong Kong because I thought it was missing triggering the flash to much. Before I had flashes set up in a room 24x24 room at different places and they would misfire but the new set seems to better then they were. As long as the tx and rx can see each other they seem fine. I've also switched out batteries in the rx but have not done so in the Tx.

I got these hopping that I could put them behind subjects and be able to trigger them further away 30-50 feet put maybe the Catus v4 can not do that.


oh well.....

[SilverBullet07]

I did some more testing with the catus v4 yesterday. All I can say, I can not believe others don't have the problems like I'm having. I had two Rx's at one end of the dark hallway so I can see the red lights on them. No flashes connected. I hand held the Tx and press the test botton. within six feet they fire every time. As I start backing away from there, 12 feet I start having misfires. Some times only one would fire. I changed the freq and some freqs nothing fired right next to each other.

Needless to say this is the second set. I got the first set as soon as the V4 came out, and returned them this past December because of the same issue. Now this set does the same. New batteries in the Rx's but not in the Tx.

What a piece of poo. Just wanted others to know if they are looking into buying these.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet07

Needless to say this is the second set. I got the first set as soon as the V4 came out, and returned them this past December because of the same issue. Now this set does the same. New batteries in the Rx's but not in the Tx.

Put a new battery in the TX... the ones that come with the triggers do not have a full charge and are just meant for brief testing. I started to have problems with my cactus about a week after I got them.. I replaced the TX battery and it worked perfect.

[oldwolf]

Have to agree with everyone about the battery issues. I replaced all the batteries in my v2 and they work fine. I'd have to think the same would be true for the v4. The ones that come with them are just for testing purposes.