| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
MultiMax 7.35beta firmware
Eric Canha, Photographer
 |
Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 4:56 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> I am thinking of updating the firmware on my Multimax units to the new beta version to get better control over short and long range triggering. Before I pull the trigger I scanned here and didn't really find anything in terms of warnings or issues that users may have had where the beta software was worse than the current release.
So for those who have moved to the beta, is it stable? Any issues or troubles? |
|
Shawn Cullen, Assistant
|
San Diego | CA | | Posted: 6:34 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Eric,
I we have been using v7.35 with no problems at all. We have not used all of the new features yet, since we have been covering mostly basketball, but we have seen better results with shorter range triggering of remotes and strobes.
When basketball ends and baseball starts for us, the longer ranges should help a lot! Also having the ability to use just one unit as a repeater for the outfield remotes.
The feature that allows you to changes your Custom ID on the fly, could come in handy during this Final Four, and the NBA Finals.
Hope this helps. |
|
Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
 |
Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 6:58 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Been using it for several months as well.
Seems to be pretty stable and the Maxes are a lot more reliable.
One sort of "hidden feature" we found out during the Winter Olympics is the "auto shutdown mode".
We would set up remotes a day or more in advance and leave everything on --- cameras were on AC power --- but the Maxes went into a shutdown mode. The amount of time was in question ...LPA says the "auto shutdown" is at 40 hours. But a few photographers had it happen in a lot less time.
I did a test on my units to time them and they seem to shutdown at 40 hours.
More later ... will have a write up on the site sometime soon. |
|
Bryan Hulse, Photographer
|
Nashville | Tn | USA | Posted: 9:05 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Wow! There are some interesting upgrades in this Beta release:
- Long Range Mode for remote camera triggering
- Close Range Mode for close distance triggering
- Custom ID Move – put custom ID’s on any frequency
- Multi-Zone Receive
- Signal Strength Indicator – shows noise level and triggering strength
- Hot Shoe Disable Mode
- Noise Sniffer – find the clearest channel easily
- Repeater Mode – deploy more radios for extreme range needs
I assume any MultiMax can take the upgrade? Mine are several years old.
The signal strength indicator and noise sniffer are very intriguing!
I can't wait for Bert's writeup. I hesitate to use this Beta version until then. |
|
Eric Canha, Photographer
|
Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 9:11 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Great news....except for the auto off. That was my bane with the buff remotes too. When you say a lot less than 40 hours I'll hope that you mean more than 4 or 6 hours before they auto-off themselves. You ever just get the feeling that people are a little too helpful when it comes to conserving battery power???
I'll flash them in the morning.... flooding pretty much wiped out my week so I'm hoping to be able to shoot next weeks as things dry out around here.
Thanks for the replies! |
|
Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
|
Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 10:11 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Not sure if the firmware you list here is what I have. After several of us expressed concern over the auto off function LPA sent out a firmware that allows for manual disabling.
The "RF sniffer" function has been around for quite a while (test how much RF a Canon camera throws off some time for fun)...the long range function from my experience is best used in extreme circumstances and is not much difference in "normal" situations like basketball, hockey, baseball, etc. ... from my tests.
But as I have mentioned previously, the consistency and reliability is significantly improved.
I hope to put Jordan, Shawn and Myung to work on doing some tests during next week's Sports Shooter Academy.
(Time permitting.)
With the NBA Playoffs starting in 2 weeks, that will be the ultimate test on improved reliability... I think.
I see what LPA was doing with the auto shutoff feature. But they needed to have a way to disable it...and they have.
Great news on all fronts so far. |
|
Eric Canha, Photographer
|
Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:12 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Well just tried to update my new MultiMax units and crapped out. I downloaded the new utility and neither unit will show up on any of my windows boxes. Tried XP-pro Vista32 and Vista 64 as well as a Windows7 machine.... get the feeling I have too many computers around me.... and none of the machines could "see" the wizards.
I downloaded 1.18.9 and looked around for an older version of the update utility. If anyone has an older version (windows) that they would be willing to email me I love to try it out....
These are band new out of the box with ver 7.29 f/w in them. Oh well worst case I'll call LPA Monday. |
|
Eric Canha, Photographer
|
Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:34 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Disregard my last post.....
Putting this on PAGE 38 of the manual along with the blurb of what the USB port is for would have taken too much space :
To set the MultiMAX to USB mode:
1.Connect the Unit to your computer.
2.While holding down the Back Light Button turn on the Unit to either TRANSMIT or RECEIVE.
3.When the Unit is in USB mode the LCD screen should be blank and the top red LED will blink steadily.
Nope more fun to bury it 3 links deep in the help section of the website.
7.35 loaded. |
|
Shawn Cullen, Assistant
|
San Diego | CA | | Posted: 11:58 PM on 04.02.10 |
->> Bryan,
Only the newer USB version Pocket Wizards can take the new firmware. These units are USB enabled and have a Mini USB connector right above the power switch on the side.
Also, I am not sure if they are on the current models as we speak, but LPA does have a new hotshoe mount. They are still plastic (a good thing), and are much stronger than the older ones. We have been using them for about 2-3 months and have not replaced one yet. Bent one, but just bent it back into shape and kept shooting.
They are the same $5 a piece for spares. |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|