MaxTech Transceiver User Manual
Congratulations on your purchase of the new
PocketWizard MultiMAX
digital radio triggering system.
The PocketWizard MultiMAX is a microprocessor-b ased radio slave s ystem that us es
advanced digital sig naling to increas e triggering rang e, reliability, and rejec tion of radio
noise from other sources. Since it utilizes Transceiver technology, it is both a
transmitter and a receiver all in one. It is the most innovative and advanced wireless
solution in the photographic industry. As a stand-alone unit, the MultiMAX offers
precision s pecial effects fun ctions not available in any wireless triggerin g device. It
incorporates integrated Trigger Time Control software, True Trigger Confirmation and
Selective Qu ad-Triggering, all of which offer s olutions to photograp hic challenges that
hinder today’s p hotographer’s creativity. Unparalleled in featu res and perf ormance,
the Pocket W izard MultiMAX is m ore than jus t a radio slave.
Welcome to Digital Wireless Freedom!
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FCC & IC Compliance Information
W AR NIN G: Ch anges or modifications to this unit not expres sly approved by the party
respons ible for comp liance could void the user's authority to operate the equipm ent.
NOTE: This equipm ent has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to p rovide reasonable protec tion against harmful interf erence in a resid ential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equ ipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception , which can be determ ined by tur ning the equipm ent of f and on , the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the r eceiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and also with RS S-210 of Industry
& Science C anad a. Operat ion is subject to the followin g two con ditions: (1) T his
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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Table of Contents
Icons U sed in this Manual ................................................8
Features ..............................................................9
Communication Technology ..........................................9
Basic Features ....................................................9
Special Featu res ...................................................9
Parts Designation ......................................................10
LCD Inform ation .......................................................11
Contro ls ............................................................. 12
Getting S tarted ........................................................13
Power Switch ...............................................12
Keypad .................................................... 12
PORT 1 / PORT 2 ...........................................12
Status LED .................................................12
Battery Information ................................................13
Inserting B atteries ............................................13
Battery Life .................................................13
Lanyard .................................. .......................14
VELCRO
Care and Maintenance .............................................15
®
.......................................................14
Quick Setup - Basic Radio Slave Operation ...........16
Basic Setup for Remote Flash .......................................16
Triggerin g Multiple Flas hes With Multiple RECEIVE U nits .................17
Connecting MultiMAX (set for TRANSMIT mode) to Flash .................17
Standard R adio Operation ...............................................18
Trans ceiver Control ...............................................18
Chan nels ....................................................... 18
Compatibility .....................................................19
Selective Quad-Triggering (A B C D keys) ..............................20
Class ic C hannels ............................................21
L Key ......................................................21
True C onfirm ation .................................................22
Radio ..................................................... 22
Option al Flash Conf irmation Cable ...............................22
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Menu S ystem .........................................................24
Navigation .......................................................24
LCD Contrast Adjustment ......................................24
Numeric Entry ...............................................25
Main Menu ...........................................................26
A: Advanced Menu ................................................26
B: Basic Settings .................................................26
C: Counter Menu .................................................26
D: G o Advanced ..................................................26
D: G o Normal ....................................................26
Basic Settings .........................................................27
A: Contact Time ..................................................27
B: Beep Menu ....................................................29
A: Bee p on All ...............................................29
B: Beep on Trigger ...........................................29
C: Beep on Zero / Error ........................................29
D: Be ep Disable .............................................29
Counter Menu .........................................................30
A: Count Up + R eset ..............................................30
B: Count Down + Res et ............................................30
C: Clear / Reset ..................................................31
D: D isable .......................................................31
L: Load .........................................................31
Advanced Menu .......................................................32
A: Delay Menu - TRANSMITTER .....................................32
A: Remotes + PORT 2 ........................................32
B: R emotes Only .............................................33
C: R ear Curtain ..............................................33
A: Delay Menu - RECEIVER ........................................34
A: PORT 1 + PORT 2 ........................................34
B: PORT 2 .................................................34
C: Equalize .................................................35
B: In tervalom eter (Time Lapse Phot ography) ............................36
C: Multipop ......................................................37
D: SpeedCycler - TRANSMITTER ....................................38
D: Fast Mode - RECEIVER .........................................39
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Other F eatures ........................................................39
Keypad Lock .....................................................39
High V oltage Protection ............................................39
Relay Mode ......................................................40
Software V ersion D isplay ...........................................40
Applications of Advanced Functions ........................................41
Self-Timer or Cable Release .........................................41
TT L / Auto flas h Helper ............................................41
Programmed sequence shooting .....................................42
Recycle Lockout ..................................................42
Camera Equalization ...............................................43
Lag Time Measurement .......................................44
One U nit Equalization .........................................47
Two U nit Equalization .........................................47
Equalization A djustmen ts ......................................49
Tech nical Inform ation ...................................................50
Specifi cations .................................................... 50
Radio Information .................................................51
Maximum and Minimum Settings .....................................52
Saved Settings ...................................................52
Troubleshoo ti ng .......................................................53
W hen in doubt ! ..................................................53
Reset to Default Factory Settings .....................................53
Radio Performance ................................................54
Time C onversion Charts .................................................55
Fractions to Decim al ..........................................55
Seconds to Minutes and Hours ..................................55
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Icons Used in this Manual
N
N Read the information following this icon. It shows important notes about the
subject being discussed.
L
L Follow this icon for more detailed information on the subject in another section.
ë
ë Find valuable tips and techniques with this icon.
Refer to http://www.pocketwizard.com/
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for updated information.
Features
Communication Technology
• Full Digital R adio Comm unic ation
• Microprocessor controlled
• 32 digitally coded channels
• Complex 16 or 24 bit c oded signal
• Selective Quad-Triggering
Basic Features
• Built-in hot shoe
• 1/4-20 female mounting thread
• Built-in AC adapter jack (1.8mm)
• Illuminated LC D pan el
• Illuminated soft touch keypad
• Extended battery life
• Sync speeds up to 1/250 with focal plane s hutter,1/500 with leaf s hutter
• Fas t Mode sync s up to 1/1000 with comp atible cameras and flashes
• Adjustable contact closure time
• Compatible with PocketWizard Classic, Plus, and MAX
• Protects cameras from high sync voltage
• Customizable audible beep settings
• W eighs less than 5 .5 ounces with batteries
Special Features
• Transceiver Technology
• True Confirm ation
• Q uad-Triggering C onfirmation on all four zones
• Flash Confirm ation with O ptional Cable on all four zones
• Trigger T ime Controller Software
• Rear Curtain Sync
• Precision Delays
• Intervalometer
• Mu ltipop
• Lag Time Measurement
• Multiple Camera Eq ualization
• Sp eedCycler
• Relay Mode
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Parts Designation
10
LCD Information
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Controls
Power Switch
• TRANSMIT Unit is powered on in
• RECEIVE Unit is powered on in
• OFF Unit is powered OFF
Keypad
• A B C D L Selec ts Quad-Triggering Zones
• TEST Triggers MultiMAX. Press to test
• (Back Light) Illuminates LCD and
• ~/MENU Enters or exits menu system.
• (Up / Down) Selec ts chann els.
PORT 1 / PORT 2
• CAMERA / PORT 1 =
• Input from camera sync terminal,
external trigger button, Flash
Confirmation Cable, or other device
• Outpu t to camera motor drive, flash, or
other device
• FLASH / PORT 2 =
• Output to flash, camera motor d rive, or
other device
Status LED
Displays the following information:
• Blinking every few seconds = pow er on, ready for trigger
• Blinking in sync with trigger = normal triggering
• Steady =
• continuously triggered from radio, hot shoe, or PORT 1
• performing delay or contact time
• Slow blink every sec ond = performing Intervalometer or Multi-pop func tion
• Dar k = power off or poor battery condition
TRANS MITTER (T X) mode
RECEIVER (RX) mode
and Local. Also used in menu
navigation and numeric entry
operation or to trigger rem ote units
and/or attached cameras /flashes
keypad. Hold down for key lock
Stores numbers in numeric entry
Also used in numeric entry
Power Switch
Keypad
PORT 1 / PORT 2 / Status LED
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Getting Started
Battery Information
The MultiMAX requires two AA size (IEC: LR6)
batteries. The MultiMA X will operate norm ally with
Nickel Metal Hydride (N iMH), Lithium Ion (Li), Nickel
Cadium (NiCad) and A lkaline batteries.
Alkaline batteries are recommended.
Inserting B atteries
1. Set power s witch to OFF position
2. Open b attery door
3. Insert fres h batteries noting correct orien tation
as displayed in battery compartment
4. Close battery door
5. Use u nit normally
N Erratic unit beh avior or malfunction may occ ur if
batteries are inserted while the power s witch is set to
either RECEIVE or TRANSMIT . Always make sure
the power sw itch is set to OFF before changing or
inserting batteries.
Battery Compartment
Battery Life
The MultiMAX displays remaining battery life with a 3 segment battery icon in the
upper left corner of the LCD:
3 segm ents disp layed = batteries are fresh/new
2 segm ents disp layed = batteries are good
1 segm ent displayed = replace batteries soon
0 segments displayed = ins tall fresh/new batteries imm ediately
W ith one set of s tandard A lkaline b atteries the M ultiM AX will oper ate for approximately
150 hours. This time may vary depending on temperature, battery type, and the
quality of batteries us ed. Extensive us e of back light, speaker, or extend ed trigger
contact tim es will cons ume the batteries at a faster rate.
Battery Icon
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The MultiMAX continually regulates the battery power which gives excellent
performan ce through out the life of the batteries. The un it will continue to function
normally until the batteries are nearly exhausted.
N The MultiMAX voltage regulation is very ef ficient. There is only a small benefit
when using Lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are designed for the quick burst high
current draw found in cameras and portable flash devices. Expect only a 10 - 20%
longer battery life (approximate) over Alkaline batteries when using Lithium batteries.
ë Examine batteries frequently to prevent damage from leaking battery acid.
Remove batteries from MultiMAX units in the following circumstances to avoid damage
from leaking:
• If unit will not be used for a period longer than 2 weeks
• Du ring shipping or air travel
• In high heat environments
Lanyard
A lanyard is inc luded for hanging eac h unit convenien tly on a light stand, tripod , belt,
or other location. If desired, attach the included lanyard to the lanyard loop.
®
VELCRO
VELCRO® adhesive hook and loop fasteners are included w ith the MultiMAX to
provide a convenient m eans of mounting the unit in a variety of places.
Attach as desired being careful to not obscu re controls or f unction. Recommended
mounting locations:
Brand Fasteners
• Right side of th e unit
• Lef t side of u nit
• Below 1/4-20 tripod mount
N The battery door is not a recommended mounting location.
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Care and M aintenance
To ensure continued reliability, please follow these guidelines:
• Do not subject units to high mechanical shock (do not drop!)
• Keep u nit dry. D o not immerse in any liquid
• Set power switch to OFF when not in use
• Rem ove used batteries promptly
• Remove batteries for travel or extended storage
• Clean with soft dry c loth
• Operating temperature: above -15/ (5/ F) and below 50/ C (120/ F)
• Storage temp erature without batteries
• above -30/ C (-22/ F)
• below +85/ C (185/F).
:
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Quick Setup - Basic Radio Slave Operation
Basic Setup for Remote Flash
N Turn off all equipment before installing batteries or making connections!
1. Install 2 AA batteries in each MultiMAX
2. Connect camera to first MultiMAX:
a. Slide u nit into camera hot shoe
- or-
b. Use sync cab le (included) to c onnect camera’s P C termin al to
CAMERA / PORT 1
3. Connect flash to second MultiMAX
a. Use flash cable to connect flash unit’s sync terminal to FLASH / PORT 2
4. Turn both MultiMAX un its on
a. Set power switch on MultiMAX attached to camera to TRAN SMIT mode
b. Set power switch on MultiMAX attached to flash to RECEIVE mode
5. Set both MultiMAX units to same channel and Quad-Triggering zone
a. Us e to set channel (default is CH: 17)
b. Us e A B C D L to select Quad-Triggering zones
(default is TRANSMIT = A B C D L, RECEIVE = A
6. Turn camera and flash on
7. Press TEST button on MultiMA X (set for T RA NSMIT mode) and releas e.
Confirm remote flash triggers.
You’re all set! Use the camera norm ally.
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Triggering Multiple Flashes W ith Multiple RE CEIVE Units
Multiple remote flash units may be triggered in sync with each other.
1. Install batteries in each add itional MultiM AX unit
2. Use flash cable to connect eac h additional flash u nit’s sync terminal to
FLASH / PORT 2
3. Set power switch on each additional MultiMAX unit to RECEIVE mode
4. Set all Mu ltiMA X units to sam e channel as T RAN SMIT unit
You’re all set! Use the camera norm ally.
Connecting MultiM AX (set for TRANSM IT mode) to Flash
A flash can be connected to a MultiMAX (set for TRANS MIT mode). It will trigger in sync
with the remote f lash units. T his flash is called the local flash and is usually mounted
on a camera bracket.
1. Use a flash cable to connect the f lash unit’s s ync term inal to FLASH / PO RT 2 of
the MultiMA X (set for TRA NS MIT mode)
2. Use the L key to enable or disable the Local flash
You’re all set! Use the camera norm ally.
L Using a local flash this way protects the camera from high voltages. See the
Specifications section, Page 50, for more information.
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Standard Radio Operation
Transceiver Control
The M ultiMAX operates as either a tran smitter or a receiver. To use the MultiMA X as
a Transmitter (sending device) set the power switch to TRANSMIT. To use the
MultiMAX as a Receiver set the power switch to RECEIVE.
L There is a special mode that enables a MultiMAX to automatically switch fr om
RECEIVE to TR AN SMIT then back to RECEIV E while triggering a remote c amera.
Read the Relay M ode section, Page 40, for more information.
Channels
The M ultiMAX is a 32 channel digital radio slave. Eac h MultiMAX c hannel repres ents
a digital code trans mitted on specific PocketW izard radio frequencies. T his enables
many photogr aphers to work in the sam e area. It also enables a photogr apher to
control multiple remote devices (cameras, flash units, etc).
A MultiMAX (s et for TRANS MIT mode) will trigger any num ber of MultiMAX units (set
for RECEIV E m ode) set to the sam e channel. Units s et to different channels will not
interfere with each other.
From the main sc reen press the keys to change channels.
Som e MultiM AX features are only available on higher channels. Refer t o the table
below f or features / chan nels availability:
Features Channels 1 - 16 Channels 17 - 32
Digital Radio S ignal X X
Delay including Rear Curtain Sync X X
Intervalometer X X
Multipop X X
Relay Mode X X
Selective Quad-Triggering X
Confirmation (Radio and Flash) X
Fast Mode X
SpeedC ycler X
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