The
PocketWizard
Users Manual
Put the magic of a Wizard into your photos
TM
Table Of Contents
Introduction / Features .........................................................................................1
Getting Started / Using your PocketWizard .......................................................2
Installing Batteries.................................................................................................3
Connecting the Transmitter to the Camera.........................................................4
Connecting the Receiver to a Flash Pack ............................................................4
Connecting the Transmitter to a Local Strobe ...................................................4
Transmitter and Receiver Orientation.................................................................5
Care and Feeding ..................................................................................................6
Troubleshooting Guide .........................................................................................7
Introduction
Getting Started
Congratulations on your purchase of the PocketWizard radio slave. This is the newest
entry in the most reliable line of radio slave products available. The PocketWizard is a
fully digital radio system, making use of a microprocessor in both the transmitter and
the receiver. Digital signaling allows the PocketWizard to reject spurious noise, and to
receive weak signals without any degradation in performance.
PocketWizard Features
1. Sixteen selectable ID numbers (channels)
2. Regulated power supply - no performance degradation until low battery indication
3. Digital trigger signal virtually eliminates false fires
4. Sync at speeds up to 1/250 second with a focal plane shutter or 1/500 second with
a leaf shutter (it takes approximately 540uS for the receiver to respond to a sync)
5. Will trigger most cameras with motor drive ports
6. Allows you to use a strobe you carry with you, a remote strobe, or both
7. Light weight - weighs less than 4.5 ounces with batteries.
8. Transmitter and receiver each use 2 AA batteries
Page 1
Using your PocketWizard
1. Install batteries or an AC adapter in the transmitter and receiver. See page 3 for
detailed battery installation instructions
2. Attach a sync cord (PC to miniphone is the most common) from your camera to the
SYNC IN connector on the transmitter - note that the SYNC IN and SYNC OUT jacks look
the same
3. Attach a sync cord from the SYNC OUT
4. Set the dial on the PocketWizard transmitter and receiver to the same ID number
5. Turn the transmitter and receiver on. They will automatically sync up to 1 /250th
of a second with a focal plane shutter and 1/500 with a leaf shutter
6. Verify that the light on the receiver blinks every few seconds
7. Verify that the light on the transmitter double blinks every few seconds
8. Move the LOCAL - BOTH - REMOTE selector switch on the transmitter to the BOTH
position
9. Press the TEST FIRE button on the trans mit ter and confirm that the remote strobe
goes off. The receiver will stay activated as long as you hold the TEST FIRE button.
10. Send in your registration card, and you are ready to go to work!
SYNC OUT
SYNC OUTSYNC OUT
Page 2
connector on the receiver to your strobe pack
BOTH
BOTHBOTH
Installing Batteries
To install batteries, remove the battery compartment door, and insert two AA
batteries.
Note: Please use care when installing batteries. Improper installation can
damage the battery contacts on the left hand side. Install the top battery first by
placing the left edge in the center of the battery compartment. Slide the battery
all the way left, then press the right side down into the battery compartment.
Repeat these steps to install the bottom battery.
Connecting the Transmitter to the Camera
To connect the PocketWizard transmitter to the camera you need a PC to miniphone
cable. The miniphone end plugs into the SYNC IN terminal on the transmitter and the
PC connection plugs into your ca mera.
Connecting the Receiver to the Flash Pack
To connect a receiver to a flash pack requires a cable with a mini phone plug for the
SYNC OUT terminal on the receiver and the appropriate connector for your strobe. Sync
cables are available for most popular strobes. (see the included accessories list).
Make sure that the batteries are in the proper orientation, as shown on the label in the
battery compartment. The battery cover should be installed by sliding it up from the
bottom of the unit until it snaps into place.
When to Change Batteries
If the light on the PocketWizard transmitter or receiver stops blinking, the batteries are
low. Press the TEST FIRE button on the transmitter, and see if the receiver light turns
on. If it does, you still have some battery life remaining, however with reduced ran ge.
If the light does not turn on, the batteries should be replaced. Expected battery life for
the receiver is about 25 hours, the transmitter should last about 70 hours.
Page 3
Connecting the Transmitter to a Local Strobe
The transmitter is equipped with a miniphone connector labeled SYNC OUT. With the
appropriate cable, a strobe pack can be fired from the transmitter without the use of a
receiver. To fire the local pack, the LOCAL - BOTH - REMOTE switch should be in the
LOCAL or BOTH position
Most modem flash packs have low voltage, low current sync terminals. Some older packs have
NOTE:
as much as 400 volts applied across the sync ter minals. The PocketWizar d is designed to work with
voltages as high as 300 volts, and may not work with higher voltage packs. If you have an older flash
unit, chec k wi th the manufacturer to mak e sure your pack will not exceed these limits. You may also
purchase an LVT (Low Voltage Trigger) from Bogen Photo or your strobe manufacturer.
.
Page 4
Transmitter and Receiver Orientation
❏
Long range performance of your PocketWizard radio slave system is dependent
on orienting and positioning the units properly. In general, it is a good idea to
have line of sight between the transmitter and the receivers. If this is not possible,
try to keep the units away from large metal, concrete, or water-filled objects.
(remember that people and trees are both full of water.)
❏
When carrying the transmitter in your shirt pocket, it is best to clip the tran smitter
on the outside of your pocket, as this helps keep the antenna away from your
body. Avoid having the antenna press against your body, because you will end up
absorbing most of the signal and range will be reduced.
❏
Receivers can be mounted to flash packs using Velcro tape, as long as you are
sure that the receiver is mounted such that the antenna is completely above the
top edge of the pack. It is best under all circumstances to avoid any contact
between the antenna of the units and anything metallic.
❏
You may find "dead spots" in some areas. These are caused by a number of
different things, but the solution is almost always the same - try moving the unit a
few inches to one side or the other. Again, try not to put the units behind concrete,
metal, hills - anything that absorbs radio.
Page 5
Care and Feeding...
To insure continued reliability, please follow these guidelines:
❏
Do not subject the unit to high mechanical shock (don't drop it!)
❏
Damage may occur to some components if the PocketWizard is stored below
-40°C (-40°F) or above +85°C (185°F).
❏
Keep your PocketWizard dry.
❏
Do not connect any device to this unit unless that device is approved for use
by LPA Design. Connection to unapproved devices may cause damage and
will void your warr an t y.
❏
Remove the batteries when storing the unit for an extended amount of time.
Remove spent batteries promptly.
❏
Turn off units whe n no t in use.
❏
To clean the PocketWizard, use a lightly dampened cloth to wipe the exterior
surfaces. Do not use solvents or other cleansers. Do not immerse the unit in
any liquid.
Page 6
Troubleshooting Guide
There are very few things that can go wrong with the PocketWizard. In most cases,
the first indication of a problem is that "it just doesn't work". If you do have a
problem, please follow the troubleshooting steps in order.
Before you start troubleshooting:
❏
Make sure that there are good batteries in both transmitter and receiver (see
directions on page 3)
❏
Turn both units off, then back on
❏
Make sure that both units are dialed to the same ID number (move the knob away
from and back to the ID number and make sure it rests solidly in the detent)
❏
Put the LOCAL - BOTH - REMOTE switch on the transmitter in the BOTH position
These steps should fix most proble ms. If there is still a problem, use the following
troubleshooting table.
Symptom Cause - Solution
The LED (on the transmitter
or receiver) doesn't blink.
Battery compartment damaged
corrosion, bent or broken tabs, or other problems. If you cannot bend
tab back into place, send unit in for repair.
Damaged unit
items. Then send unit in for repair.
- Double check all "Before you start troubleshooting"
- visually inspect battery contacts for
Symptom Problem - Solution
The LED on the transmitter is
stuck on
When I press
remote strobe doesn't fire, and
the light on the receiver
doesn't turn o n.
When I press
remote strobe doesn't fire, but
the light on the receiver
come on.
TEST FIRE
TEST FIRE
Camera sync stuck on
- unplug the cable at the PocketWizard end. Replace cable.
Bad cable
Stuck
TEST FIRE
Bad transmitter / receiver orientation
the
,
repositioning the transmitter and/or receiver according to the
Transmitter/Receiver Orientation section.
Too long a distance
unit to work
Bad pack
the
,
Incompatible pack
doesn't work (connected to either the transmitter or the receiver), it may
does
not be compatible with the PocketWizard. Try another pack (of a
different model), if the se c ond pack works then the first is not
compatible. Some older packs have very high sync voltage and are not
compatible with the PocketWizard.
Bad cable
and press test fire. If the strobe works connected to the transmitter, the
receiver needs repair. If the strobe does not work when connected to the
transmitter, replace the cable.
button
- see if moving closer to the receiver causes the
- Press the test button on strobe to verify proper operation.
- If you have replaced the cable, and the strobe still
- try connecting the pack to the sync out on the tra nsmitter,
- unplug the sync cable at the camera end.
- press it and see that it snaps back out.
- Try reorientin g o r
Page 7
Page 8
The FCC wants you to know the following:
WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of th e FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential 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
equipment does cause harmful i nterference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning th e equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
a.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
b.
Consult the dealer or an experi enced radio/TV technician for help
c.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Oper ation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
FCC ID Numbers: Receiver: KDS-POCKETWIZ-R
Transmitter: KDS-POCKETWIZ-T
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