I have been an avid reader of the strobist blog by David Hobby (strobist.blogspot.com) and Joe McNally's books and site, and in general things related. So the urge to get control of my flashes, when off camera, is not surprising. I have struggled on this past year with my ST-E2 and infrared, but recent classic problems have prompted me to upgrade. In one shoot I had set everything up and was ready to begin, as the sun peeked over the edge of the building and nuked my signal. There was an awkward tree to boot... At another shoot I had two lights and wanted to be in front of them. Things didn't fire, so back I step. The shots were actually quite funny - in most one or the other fired, but rarely both. Grrrr...

So, off to the blogs, the google, the review sites and read read read. OK - parameters first: would like TTL, neeeeed high-speed sync (live in Houston, do portraits outdoors during the day), want ratios. Don't really need massive range.

So I started with the PocketWizards (PW) - read about them on Strobist of course, watched the videos, liked the demos, cool gear and idea of being "future proof".

Then I read more, and learned about the interference problems with some Canon flashes. Hmmm. Started thinking about other products. Started looking widely.

Came to RadioPoppers. Really liked the idea of a radio that sits neutrally between the Canon systems IR signals. The transmitter listens to the master device (my ST-E2, still in control) and then transmits them to the receiver that outputs IR right onto the flashes sensor. Great range. Simple. Didn't like the idea of the brackets and stickers etc too much. Also the price... $250 for the PX units I wanted. Watched the video on RadioPopper site about the range - found it unconvincing, with the issues of the radio shadow from that large lens. Anyway, range is not my primary requirement. So was almost ready to buy, but the price...

More searching. Worrying about cost. Came back to look at the PW Jr gear. Maybe I can do without TTL. But I can't lose high-speed sync. Aaargh. Then I read about the recent firmware upgrades for PW that has improved the way they work with the 5DMkII. Also read that 430II are OK with the interference issue. I have one, and am planning on getting a couple more, so that would work (keep the 580 for on camera work). And getting the transmitter and two receivers was "only" $637 instead of $750, plus they were at Amazon, so free shipping, could get them in a few days.

Reasons I chose the PW:
1) lower cost
2) easy computer interface for updates and config
3) more elegant versatile mounting of flashes - may sound stupid, but with this system I can carry around/store the flashes in their original bags, as they easily come off the radios, while with the RadioPoppers the temptation is to keep them in the clamps, and then you have them loose in the bag like that...
4) future proof (I hope)
5) if I don't need ratios, I can just use the radio on the camera (without the ST-E2) while the RadioPopper needs the ST-E2 always, to have something to listen to - difference is significant - the PW MiniTT1 really is quite small (and cool), while the ST-E2 with the RadioPopper velcroed to the top is quite large (and a little less cool...)
6) nice bonus - if there is no camera or ST-E2 on the transmitter, the PW system will automatically go to high speed sync - no need to think, and great if you are shooting in aperture priority. (It also does something called hypersync, which I read about in the manual several times, but need to play with to understand. Yes, I am a person who downloads the manuals before the gear arrives, and reads them. Is there a twelve-step program for that?)
7) if I ever want to add manual lights, it is easy and affordable to do that with some of the less expensive receivers.

They'll be here tomorrow!! Can't wait.