Whether you’re looking for a dependable flash to take on location, or auxilliary lighting for your current studio system, you’ll find no better value
Whether you’re looking for a dependable flash to take on location, or auxilliary lighting for your current studio system, you’ll find no better value than Travelites. These self-contained flash units pack a powerful punch and don’t cost a whole bunch.
Avoid this product like the plague. The lights are good enough but they have a fatal flaw. The locking mechanism for the reflectors is a piece of junk. I bought a 3 head kit. One head came with a broken mechanism, one broke a few months later and the last one broke a few months after that. The Calumet tech recommended that I use a bent paperclip to get the reflectors on and off. You can imagine how professional that looks! I pay to ship them back to calumet to have them fixed at my own expense but its so obviously a design flaw they would probably be broken again in weeks. And since I can't get any leverage on the one with the softbox attached, I can't even remove it so it has to stay in my studio now.
Needed a light for ourdoor groups that was quick and easy to set up. This monolight was exactly what I needed. Very easy to use and lots of power. I usually turn the power to the lowest setting and use it as a fill light with ambient light. Considering buying more for increasing on-location work. The only problem I've had is the airlines - they tend to break the modeling light, so I always carry an extra. By the way, my DynaLite soft box rings work fine on the monolight, didn't need to buy 'special' ones to use a softbox.
Strengths:
Ease of use, strong body design, many aftermarket accessories. Dialable power settings.
Weaknesses:
Expensive when compaired to similar w/s competition. Flash tube and model lights easy to break...all monolights have this problem. Umbrella mount reflector seems very light weight - could bend easy.
The recently redesigned Travelite 750 is Calumet's most powerful monolight. Even so, it displays the great portability and versatility these strobes have become known for.
I have yet to find a lighting situation that it can't handle...
Strengths:
With a GN of 350 (including a bright 250w modeling lamp), this light can easily function as a studio workhorse , yet transports easily to any location.
Setup and breakdown is a breeze, even with booms, softboxes, whatever...
It has a 5-stop variable power control (as well as proportional modeling lamp), and accepts many light modification accessories.
Fast flash recycle times even at full power.
Easily replaced flash tube and modeling lamp.
Weaknesses:
The unit itself cost more than a comparable flash head for a studio flash system, but the fact that it is self-contained makes it much cheaper than that system (with battery, etc.).
At first glance, this was a great product. I purchased one set of travelites to see how they would stand up in both a wedding environment and a studio environment. They seemed to do well. So I eventually purchased a total of 15 lights. I own a 6,000 square foot studio. These lights get used a ton. With in 6 months, 8 of the 15 lights have had to be serviced. Calumet guarantees a 72 hour service, however, one light, they had for 7 weeks before I received it. For the last servicing I sent two lights to Calumet. I received them back within 96 hours, not 72 hours, and one light still did not work when I received it.
Unfortunately, problems with the travelites don't stop there. Every single umbrella that I received with the travelite systems has been returned for repair. After six weeks, I still don't have one of those back. They are on back order from England. I realize that these are inexpensive lights from a very good manufacturer who has a great reputation. However, I strongly suggest people reconsider before they jump at and buy these lights. If they do need service, they don't get it. If you are unhappy, the company really doesn't care.
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
almost everything.
Similar Products Used:
Bowens, whitelightning, photogenics, and normans.
Customer Service:
Slow and ineffecient. Very difficult to get anywhere when something does go wrong.
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