The Cactus V4 wireless flash triggers




Cactus V4 Packaging, originally uploaded by Hartsord.

I have long been a fan of Strobist mindset of lighting in my photography. I have built up my strobist set-up around a set of modded V2s triggers and receivers, but I must admit that I have not been completely satisfied with their performance.

In particular, the V2s triggers are quite temperamental, especially with the hotshoes. My most reliable set-up is a modded set that links my Vivitar directly via PC to the receiver. It really works well, but does not really promote confidence with its looks.

A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing around the Gadget Infinity website, looking for a possible additional flash to add to my set-up. My Vivitar 285HV has pretty much been discontinued, but I heard that Gadget Infinity (which supplies the Cactus V2s triggers) are coming up with a 285HV clone (warts and all).

And so, I was browsing around their lighting stuff, when lo and behold, I find that they were now offering a new trigger set-up, now up to the V4 model. I did a bit of research, and decided to try out a set.

After a few days, my set arrived. I actually purchased two full sets, plus another receiver, so I have a total of two triggers, and three receivers. The new packaging looks much better than the V2 packaging, and you can see it above.

Cactus V4 Inside the packaging

Opening, the pack, I see that it has nice neoprene-like separators, with the neat sample booklet on top.

In the pack

Removing the booklet and manual, you can see the trigger and receiver underneath. Gadget Infinity also includes a set of batteries for the receiver, so you can start shooting right away!

Cactus V4 trigger set cables

Under the top neoprene-like packing sheet, we find the cables that come with the set.

In the box

This is pretty much all that comes with the set: the "When Light Dances" sample booklet, the manual, the trigger, the receiver, and three types of cables.

Cactus V4 cables

Here is a close-up of the cables that come with the Cactus V4 trigger set. Clockwise from left, the basic PC cable, to connect the trigger to the cam or the receiver to a flash. The mini-mic cable connects the receiver to some flashes or strobes, same with the 1/4" cable on the right.

Cactus V4 - top

Here is the the trigger and receiver of the Cactus V4. On the receiver, you can also see the channel switches (16 channels in total). The line beneath the Cactus logo on the receiver is actually the on-off switch. On the top of the trigger, you can also see the test button.

Cactus V4 - bottom

On the bottom of the trigger, you find the channel switches. On the receiver, you can see that the receiver has several ways of mounting: one is the standard shoe, second is the standard treading, and third is the feet that are on the battery cover.

Cactus V4 - power

One nice change is that the receivers now use AAA batteries! Much easier to find than the CR2's of the V2 receivers. The cover feels rather flimsy though, and comes off a little too easily.

V4 receivers as stands.

The new V4 receivers can function as stands, although the feet are spaced a little closely together, so is not very stable. Also in the photo is the old V2s trigger and receiver for reference. The V4 is a little larger than the V2s, especially the receiver, but the new form factor feels a lot more stable, and sits much lower now than the old version. Thankfully, they've eliminated that flimsy angle bracket set-up!

More on the testing in my next entry here on Hartsord's Random Stabs in the Dark.

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