New Gear: PocketWizard Announces Super-Simple PlusX Transceiver

Setting up a wireless control system for off-camera flashes can be a daunting — and expensive — prospect. The fine folks at PocketWizard are aiming to simplify that with the newly announced PocketWizard PlusX, the companies most straightforward and affordable wireless control rig.

Already available for just $99, the PlusX is almost ludicrously straightforward to use. You put one on your hotshoe. You attach one to your flash using the included miniphone-to-miniphone, miniphone-to-PC, or miniphone-to-1/4″ adapter. You set the pair to the same of the 10 available channels, and then you start shooting. That’s it. The transceivers can automatically detect which is sending and which receiving (though you can lock it if you need), and the PlusX has an internal antenna to keep the size compact. As with other PocketWizard gear, the range is an impressive 1600 feet.

At $99 per unit, the PlusX is substantially less expensive than a great number of other PocketWizard transceivers. However, if you get started with these and then want to upgrade, the PlusX is “compatible with all PocketWizard transmitters and receivers including PocketWizard-enabled photo gear from Profoto, Dynalite, Norman, Photogenic and Sekonic light meters.” So you can easily pair them with more gear as you get them, or pick up a couple as an affordable way to expand your existing setup.

FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW

So. Burlington, VT – March 1, 2013 – LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products,

the world leader in wireless control of cameras, flash lighting and light meters, today announces the

immediate availability of its new PlusX Auto-Sensing Transceiver.

The high-quality PocketWizard PlusX is the perfect entry into the PocketWizard Wireless System with

the same range and reliability of its renowned Plus line of radios. Whether new to off-camera flash or

remote camera triggering, or a seasoned professional looking to expand their PocketWizard wireless

triggering system, the PlusX is the perfect choice. And as the user’s technical needs grow, the versatile

PlusX will continue to work with any other PocketWizard radios that a photographer adds to their gear

box.

The 10 Channel PlusX uses PocketWizard’s patented “Auto-Sensing Transceiver Technology” which

means it will automatically switch between transmit and receive as needed. Users just turn it on, connect

it to the flash or camera and set the channel using its simple, rotary-dial. The PlusX automatically figures

out what it needs to do to trigger remote flashes or cameras. Using the same side-profile design of the

PocketWizard Plus III radio, the PlusX has an internal antenna to minimize obstruction and increase

durability.

“The new PlusX transceiver adds to the legendary Plus reliability that so many photographers have come

to trust on all their photographic assignments,” said Dave Schmidt, Vice President of Marketing at LPA

Design, the company that manufacturers PocketWizard Photo Products. “Working on a budget should not

mean sacrificing performance or reliability.”

The PlusX is compatible with all PocketWizard transmitters and receivers including PocketWizard-

enabled photo gear from Profoto, Dynalite, Norman, Photogenic and Sekonic light meters. The

PocketWizard Wireless System allows for total flexibility with whatever lights or cameras a photographer

may be working with.

PlusX Features include:

10 Channels

With the PlusX’s 10 digitally coded Standard Channels, users can claim their own channel for

exclusive triggering when working with other photographers at crowded events. Photographers

can use different channels for different setups and select them simply and intuitively with the

turn of a dial. And these 10 channels are compatible with every PocketWizard ever made 1 set

to Standard Channels 1 – 10. (1radios of the same frequency; in the United States, the PocketWizard PlusXoperates on an FCC-approved frequency of 344MHz. In other markets it operates on a CE-approved frequency of

433MHz)

Backlit Channel Dial

Setting channels is as easy as turning a dial. The backlit channel dial clearly displays the channel and

because the backlight consumes so little power it stays on all the time for convenience.

Internal Antenna

The PlusX features a durable, side profile design with an unobtrusive, internal antenna minimizing visual

obstruction between the photographer and their subject. By utilizing an internal antenna, there’s no

chance to kink or break it when on location. The total height of the transceiver and antenna is 4.2 inches,

and it weighs less than 4 ounces, including batteries.

Easily Connected / Cable Port

On the user’s camera, the PlusX slides into the hot shoe with no cables required. For remotes, it features

one do-it-all miniphone (3.5mm or 1/8”) sync port. The miniphone connector is much more reliable than

a PC connection and every PlusX comes complete with a miniphone-to-miniphone cable, a miniphone-to-

phono (1/4″ or 6.3mm) adapter for triggering the majority of modern flashes, and a miniphone to locking

PC cable for triggering some remote speedlights or for using a PlusX on-camera when the user can’t put

it in a hot shoe. Other miniphone connector cables are available for major brands of lighting equipment

in a variety of lengths. Dedicated remote camera triggering cables are also available for popular camera

systems.

Auto-Sensing Transceiver

With PocketWizard’s patented Auto-Sensing Transceiver technology, the PlusX Transceiver will

instantly and intelligently switch between transmitter and receiver modes keeping setup as simple as

possible. The PlusX may be set to transmit (Tx) only, when desired.

Auto-Relay Mode

PocketWizard’s Auto-Sensing Transceiver technology lets users trigger a remote camera in sync with

remote flashes using only three PocketWizard radios: the one in their hands, a PlusX cabled to a remote

camera, and the one connected to a remote flash. The PlusX cabled to a remote camera will receive a

radio signal and trigger the camera’s motor drive, then switch to transmit mode and trigger PocketWizard-

connected remote flashes, all automatically. The sequence can be started by simply pressing the TEST

button of any PocketWizard Transmitter. Remote cameras require remote shutter release cables.

Status Indicator/Battery Life Indicator

The PlusX features a tri-color LED status indicator that serves two functions. When the PlusX sends or

receives a triggering signal, the LED will glow red. During normal operation, the indicator will blink a single

green blink meaning it is operating normally and the battery life is above 50%. It will blink a double amber

blink when the battery is below 50% but above 25% and it will blink three red blinks when the battery life is

below 25% and it’s crucial to replace the batteries.

Transmit Only Mode

There are times when a photographer only wants their radio to transmit, usually when two or more

photographers are sharing a set of lights. By enabling transmit only mode, users can disable the receive

mode and auto relay functions to make sure their radio is just transmitting.

Range and Reliability

PocketWizard Plus radios are known for their range and reliability. Although the PlusX costs less than

other PocketWizard radios, users will still get the range and reliability they expect from a PocketWizard

product.

Sync Speed

Ultra-fast microprocessors allow for reliable sync speeds of 1/250 seond for focal plane shutters and 1/

500 second for leaf shutters.

For more information visit: http://www.pocketwizard.com/

About PocketWizard

Incorporating the latest radio technology, PocketWizard radio triggers exceed the demands of the

professional and serious amateur photographer with durability, ease of use, advanced capabilities and

legendary reliability. PocketWizard products, including the Plus®X, PLUS® III, PLUS® II, MultiMAX,

MiniTT1® and FlexTT5® are made by LPA Design, based in South Burlington, Vermont and sold by

distributors around the world including the MAC Group in the USA.