Phottix Strato II Wireless Flash Trigger Multi 5-in-1 Set for Nikon - Transmitter and Receiver (PH15653)

I've had these triggers for about 3 months now and have very few complaints. I had previously used the Cactus v4 triggers, which had pretty spotty reliability and fairly limited range. These triggers are very reliable--I don't think I have had a misfire yet. I tested out the range of the triggers one day and they reliably triggered at approximately a quarter mile away. They were still triggering consistently, but I was no longer able to shout instructions to my children (who were carrying the flash) at that distance, so we stopped the test. Based on other things I have read, others have gotten consistent triggering at even longer distances. I also used them outside recently in snowfall with temperatures in the single digits. I didn't push the range (they were always within about 20 feet), but I still didn't have a single misfire. It's probably not recommended to use them in this way, but I had no problems. There are a lot of things I like about these triggers. First, they use standard AAA batteries, which means it is easy to replace them on the fly as opposed to trying to find some exotic batteries in a pinch. Also, access to the battery doors is very easy--no screws need to be removed, but they seem to hold securely. Second, the multi-channel control on the transmitter is wonderful! I have two receivers (and plan to add more in the future), and it is trivial to quickly disable one of my lights from firing, whether it is to check exposure or because I just don't want that light to fire. This is a wonderful addition. Third, the TTL passthrough on the transmitter is actually quite useful. I have used it for candid shots (Where I've got remote lights flooding the room with light) where I put a TTL flash on the camera to use as a fill light. Works great when it's needed! Fourth, the shutter release function works well. I have used the shutter release in corded mode, as well as in wireless mode, and I have had no problems either way--I actually use this feature more than I thought I would. The only downsides I have seen with these triggers are relatively minor. First, one of my triggers had a pretty tight hotshoe connection at first. I had difficulty sliding shoe-mount flashes in and out. It has since loosened up a bit. The other units didn't have that problem, so maybe it was just a fluke of manufacturing. Second, and this is really minor, I have had a problem with the power switch getting switched to the on position while in my bag. That probably has something to do with the way I was storing them. I've switched bags and don't have that problem anymore. I actually really like the power switches on these triggers. Overall, I am very pleased with these flash triggers. I think they are an excellent value for the money and have worked reliably for me! Update: 3/6/13 I still am really pleased with these triggers! They have held up well, even bouncing around inside camera bags for the last year+. I still find them very reliable, and I don't recall any misfires. I've thought that the new PocketWizards looked nice, but I just couldn't find any good reason to upgrade--these do everything I need for a great price. I now have two transmitters and three receivers. I'm able to set up one transmitter in my hand for a remote shutter release, and the other transmitter on-camera to trigger lights. It works really well. To update the couple of negatives I mentioned in my original review, I no longer notice any problems with the hotshoe connection. I don't have any problems with getting flashes in and out anymore. The second issue was that the power switch was constantly getting switched on in my bag, so that they were dead when I pulled them out of the bag. I've had the problem in basically any bag I've used, but I finally solved the issue. A bit of gaffer's tape over the power switch keeps the switch from getting accidentally switched on (or off). The tape has held up for several months now. I just peel it back when I need to flip the switch, then put it back on. I'm pretty happy with this solution. All in all, I still highly recommend these triggers. They work great for not a lot of money!

The Stratto II trigger set is the third budget flash triggers I have used. I have used the yonugos, the aputure and these. These are the best. I returned all of the others due to the poor build quality and reliability. The strattos have lanyard slots on them so you can attach the included lanyards to the receiver and hang it from your studio flash. This is a great feature because they don't need to hang by the studio strobe attachment cable. This saves both the receiver and your strobe connectors. The build quality is excellent and seem like they will last. There is no clear possible points of failure like the yonugos (the connectors) or the aputures (the antenna pivot). Both the receiver and transmitter also have locking rings on the male shoe. No sliding out of your camera hotshoe. The receiver also has a standard threaded insert to attach to a light stand. Also, my SB600 works great with it. The locking pin on my SB600 is compatible with these, so no flash slipping out. These are more expensive than the other budget poppers out there, but these are the best.

Recently switched from bulky Pocket Wizards (Transceivers II) to the Phottix Strato trigger. I bought 3 transmitters (1 for each camera plus a back up) and 5 receivers (1 each for my off-camera flashes plus a back up) and I've been super happy using this system. Your flash slides directly into the hotshoe on top and then your flash plus Phottix slides into the hot shoe on your camera (or on your hot shoe adaptor on your light stand). You then rotate the small dial to lock them into place (it rotates the opposite way that you'd expect so make sure it's on securely before you start moving around). Super reliable (I've used them at 20+ weddings so far without any failures), they use 2 AAA batteries each. From the transmitter on your camera you have 4 channels and 4 numbers and it's super easy to turn your off-camera flashes on and off, just press the button. You can't change the flash output with this system (which doesn't bother me as I always have my off-camera flashes set on the same manual power level). So I can put 4 off-camera flashes with receivers in the four corners of a ballroom and easily have them all on, 1 on, 3 on just by pressing the little buttons on the transceivers. Tip - label your flashes and receivers and match them up together. That way if you do have a failure you'll be able to swap them out easier. I have my flashes and receivers labeled 1 - 4 so that flash 1 is always paired with receiver 1. Another tip - the on/off switch is easily turned on/off when in a bag. Once I've put in new batteries (battery life is great, I replace after each wedding but they're lasting for a solid 6-8 hours without running out), I just put a small piece of electrical tape over the switch to make sure it stays in the off position.

Awesome price for both transmitter and receiver! Both work great and are feature packed compared to PW's My only real complaint sofar is that I bought two of these transmitter/receiver packs hoping I could use the second "transmitter" as a receiver until needed as a backup in case main transmitter on the camera shot craps. This is not the case, so, be warned if you want multiple receivers, buy just those separately! Pros: - Very low profile compared to the skyscrapers that are Pocket Wizards; no ducking under low overhead obstacles like doorways (sarcasm) - Pass-through on transmitter allows flash operation when used on camera - Multi-channel and groupings very easy to select - Multiple sync ports - Can be used as a remote camera trigger, not just for triggering flashes - Comes with a whole bunch of cables and adapters ready to use on just about any flash/camera system Cons: - Power switches can accidentally be activated a little too easily, especially when putting in/out of bag - Transmitter cannot be used as a receiver.

I like everything about the Stratos. The build, size, functionality, price are perfect. I really, really wanted them to work for me. But at the end of the day I need something that will actually work reliably. I can not afford to have the bride and groom do their first dance again, because my flashes did not trigger. I bought 6 receivers, 3 transmitters, I tried them side by side with my good old PW Plus IIs in a variety of environments, ranges, situations, configurations, batteries, etc. I get - and have always gotten a solid 100% fire rate on my PW Plus IIs. I had some user, cable and connection issues early on, but seriously, I can not remember a single mis-fire in the last 3 - 4 years that was not my fault (forgot to turn them on? plugged in wrong socket? wrong channel?) In the same exact situation, I can not get more than a 60% to 80% fire rate on the Stratos. They are way more sensitive to walls, line of sight, etc. Also, and this is a theory only, they use the 2.4 gHz frequency, which is cluttered with every wireless phone, router, bluetooth device you can think of. In the words of a DJ who I trust and deals with wireless mikes & speakers on a daily basis, "if something wireless is mission critical, it can NOT be on the 2.4 gHz bland". The PW Plus 2 use the 340 mHz frequency, which is a band that their website says is way less cluttered in the US. I know some people here have had good luck with them, and maybe it is because I used them in San Francisco, with a very dense population of 2.4gHz devices. But even then, I can't imagine going to a wedding with a mission critical device that may or may not work, depending on what wireless device the DJ or hotel happens to have nearby.

I researched triggers, and this was the most highly reviewed anywhere near its price range. I bought a transmitter and two receivers for less that one Pocket Wizard would cost! The reviews all rated these #1. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality when they arrived. I had braced myself for a steep learning curve, but they are laughably simple to use. Put the batteries in, turn them on, set them to the same group and channel. Done! I think I took a total of two minutes, counting the time spent inserting the batteries, and mounting them on my camera and flashes! They work beautifully, and look nice, too!

This is a good system. I bought the SU-800 to use with my D3200 to trigger my SB-700 and a Sunpak flash. I didn't realize the Strato II's don't posses all of the qualities of a Pocket Wizard, though (even though the price should have been an obvious hint), so I can't change the flash settings from the SU-800 on my camera as I had hoped. However, I am instead using the SU-800 to control my SB-700 only and using this system to trigger the Sunpak, all simultaneously. It works well and in sync, so at least I'll only have to walk to the Sunpak to change settings.

I can write 15 page review but I will save you the headache... I use these with my Nikon D610 along with Alien Bee 800w strobe lights... Results are so awesome that I went and purchased another set of these trigger/ transmitter to have them as backup. They are bargain for their performance. 2 Eneloop AAA batteries on each transmitter and receiver easily last me 800 plus shots. I was so afraid to use wireless trigger now I cant live without these. Step 1. Put good quality AAA batteries. Step 2. Set channel switch on trigger and receiver to be same. Step 3. Connect receiver on strobe light. Step 4. Slide transmitter to the camera flash shoe. Step 5. Take beautiful and creative photos.