Illegal to use pocketwizards?

enivre · 7th September 2007

Hi guys,

I'm a little sick and tired of my cheapo radio trigger that works only 50% of the time and I'm searching for something more reliable.

I've read that you can't buy pocketwizards in singapore because of some interference issues or something (shrug). The thing is, can I buy them from B&H, ship them over and use them locally? I don't want to spend $600 just to have it stopped at customs.

Thanks!
Ervine

jmmtn4aj · 7th September 2007

Different countries have their own radio laws, and Pocket Wizards may use frequencies not allowed for personal use here. Check if they have a version that complies with local rules? Otherwise, order away and tell use how it goes

The pocket wizard interests me and this is the first time I'm hearing this :O

davidsim · 7th September 2007

saw them at a local camera shop here in Iowa. was quoted US$213.95 before tax for a pair of tx and rx.

nightwolf75 · 7th September 2007

eh... mattlock was using it in his latest CS idol shoot. shldn't be a problem bah?

AJ23 · 7th September 2007

Originally Posted by enivre

I've read that you can't buy pocketwizards in singapore because of some interference issues or something (shrug). The thing is, can I buy them from B&H, ship them over and use them locally? I don't want to spend $600 just to have it stopped at customs.

Oh dear, then Cathay Photo's been selling illegal stuff?

As far as I've seen, CP has been selling Pocket Wizard for at least the past 2-3 years, the last price I saw is $600-800 for a pair promotion or something.

VSonic06 · 7th September 2007

Why not try the Elinchrom Skyport flash triggers? They're about $380 for a pair of tx + rx.

IMHO these are just as reliable as Pocketwizards and much smaller too.

enivre · 7th September 2007

I heard CP sells them but they don't sell them to locals for local use..

Was considering the skyport too, just wanted to know my options... skyport looks very flimsy.. haha...

enivre · 7th September 2007

Originally Posted by davidsim

saw them at a local camera shop here in Iowa. was quoted US$213.95 before tax for a pair of tx and rx.

That's very cheap... is that the older version?

AJ23 · 7th September 2007

Originally Posted by enivre

I heard CP sells them but they don't sell them to locals for local use..

Was considering the skyport too, just wanted to know my options... skyport looks very flimsy.. haha...

Come on, how many non-locals, will actually buy pocket wizards from CP? And from the price, it's not that CP will stock up these items just to let foreigners buy?

Best is to go down and check with them though.

catchlights · 7th September 2007

use skyport, it's cheaper and compact.

you can use the bowens (ruby) one, or the quantum (mr chan).

since cathey are no longer agent for pocketwizards, you will have problem of repair it in future if you insist of getting one.

jmmtn4aj · 7th September 2007

Originally Posted by davidsim

saw them at a local camera shop here in Iowa. was quoted US$213.95 before tax for a pair of tx and rx.

Which model? The cheapest model B&H stocks is 179 for a SINGLE Tx/Rx o.O

davidsim · 7th September 2007

Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj

Which model? The cheapest model B&H stocks is 179 for a SINGLE Tx/Rx o.O

my apologies, it is US$213 for one pocketwizrd plus II transceivier. So need to buy 2 for tx & rx.

enivre · 8th September 2007

Went down to cathay, they told me they don't sell PWs to locals.

Bought the skyport, thanks for the advice!

AJ23 · 8th September 2007

Originally Posted by enivre

Went down to cathay, they told me they don't sell PWs to locals.

Bought the skyport, thanks for the advice!

Care to share how much you bought the skyport?

AReality · 8th September 2007

Originally Posted by enivre

Went down to cathay, they told me they don't sell PWs to locals.

Bought the skyport, thanks for the advice!

My friend said the antenna is quite flimsy and easily broken. izzit true?

.

VSonic06 · 8th September 2007

Originally Posted by AReality

My friend said the antenna is quite flimsy and easily broken. izzit true?

The antennas are soft and slightly flexible. It might take some deliberate effort to break it off the mount.

enivre · 8th September 2007

bought at $360... yes the antenna feels flimsy, in fact the whole unit doesn't LOOK like its worth that amount coz it's rather plasticy..

BUT! Today i had a 6 hour shoot, it didn't skip a beat..

VSonic06 · 8th September 2007

Originally Posted by enivre

bought at $360... yes the antenna feels flimsy, in fact the whole unit doesn't LOOK like its worth that amount coz it's rather plasticy..

Especially when you see the "Made in..." label

I was expecting more for a Swiss company's product... fortunately it works very well and reliably. I've not had a single flash misfire since switching to the Skyport.

incubus · 8th September 2007

Originally Posted by enivre

bought at $360... yes the antenna feels flimsy, in fact the whole unit doesn't LOOK like its worth that amount coz it's rather plasticy..

BUT! Today i had a 6 hour shoot, it didn't skip a beat..

so $360 is for one transmitter and 1 transceiver?

catchlights · 8th September 2007

Originally Posted by incubus

so $360 is for one transmitter and 1 transceiver?

one set, one transmitter and 1 transceiver, two cables, one charger.

7th September 2007	#1
enivre Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,692	Illegal to use pocketwizards? Hi guys, I'm a little sick and tired of my cheapo radio trigger that works only 50% of the time and I'm searching for something more reliable. I've read that you can't buy pocketwizards in singapore because of some interference issues or something (shrug). The thing is, can I buy them from B&H, ship them over and use them locally? I don't want to spend $600 just to have it stopped at customs. Thanks! Ervine

7th September 2007	#2
jmmtn4aj Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 996	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? Different countries have their own radio laws, and Pocket Wizards may use frequencies not allowed for personal use here. Check if they have a version that complies with local rules? Otherwise, order away and tell use how it goes The pocket wizard interests me and this is the first time I'm hearing this :O __________________ Zenfolio

7th September 2007	#3
davidsim Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: East Posts: 604	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? saw them at a local camera shop here in Iowa. was quoted US$213.95 before tax for a pair of tx and rx.

7th September 2007	#4
nightwolf75 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: in bet MORE diaper changes... Posts: 14,579	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? eh... mattlock was using it in his latest CS idol shoot. shldn't be a problem bah? __________________ When did ignorance become a point of view? - Dilbert budget AD/ROM shooter, anyone?

7th September 2007	#6
VSonic06 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 808	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? Why not try the Elinchrom Skyport flash triggers? They're about $380 for a pair of tx + rx. IMHO these are just as reliable as Pocketwizards and much smaller too.

7th September 2007	#7
enivre Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,692	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? I heard CP sells them but they don't sell them to locals for local use.. Was considering the skyport too, just wanted to know my options... skyport looks very flimsy.. haha...

7th September 2007	#10
catchlights Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Punggol Posts: 10,782	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? use skyport, it's cheaper and compact. you can use the bowens (ruby) one, or the quantum (mr chan). since cathey are no longer agent for pocketwizards, you will have problem of repair it in future if you insist of getting one. __________________ Shoot to Live, Live to Shoot www.foto-u.com \| www.benjaminloo.com \| email

8th September 2007	#13
enivre Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,692	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? Went down to cathay, they told me they don't sell PWs to locals. Bought the skyport, thanks for the advice!

8th September 2007	#17
enivre Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,692	Re: Illegal to use pocketwizards? bought at $360... yes the antenna feels flimsy, in fact the whole unit doesn't LOOK like its worth that amount coz it's rather plasticy.. BUT! Today i had a 6 hour shoot, it didn't skip a beat..