Advisory: Elinchrom BXri and Explorer XT

Photographers will always have to face a situation of shooting outdoors. Most often, in locations where electricity is not always available and when natural light isn't just enough. Solutions to these problems, if you are going to bring your lighting equipment out on location, include long, unwieldy extension cables, gas-powered generators or inverters. Going with battery-powered inverter is the easiest and most flexible solution.

If you are working with low to mid power lighting settings, (occasionally at high power) and needs to capture more frames, then Tronix Explorer XT SE would be your ideal unit.Though it may not give the fast recycling time compared to Exp XT3, its recycling time is decent enough in most photo shoots. Rated at 350watts (continuous) and recommended up to 2400ws, it can give around 500 full power pops (for Elinchrom BXRI500). At lower power settings, it can give more pops at faster recycling times. The Explorer XT SE was designed to power up bi-voltage compacts. 


Since the electronics of the monoblocks (studio flash) or powerpacks are quite sensitive and complex, they need to be powered with a pure sine wave voltage input. In simple terms, a voltage output similar to what we get from our 110V or 220V convenience outlet. Otherwise, it will fry the electronics out or will have long-term ill-effects on the monoblocks or powerpacks.


With the Tronix Explorer (or its predecessor, Tronix Explorer ) – it qualifies to the number one requirement – its voltage output is a pure sine wave or has the voltage output similar to what we get from our convenience/household outlets.
It is also primarily developed and designed for use with studio lighting equipments. Other than being a pure sine wave inverter and being one of the most affordable inverters at around USD300+ a unit, what makes Tronix Explorer stand out?

Power and Reliability

Due to its increased power rating at 350 to 800 watts continuous (while other products stood at 150-300watts) and with a peak power rating of up to 2400watts, it can power up more powerful monoblocks or powerpacks. Its efficient circuit design that generates almost a thousand pops for 300ws monoblocks, a typical cycle in a 3-4 hour photoshoot.
In addition, compared to the very first Tronix Explorer, Explorer 1200, it can give faster recycling times. For example, a 300ws monoblock can recycle in 1 sec (for Tronix Explorer Mini) while the Tronix Explorer 1200 can recycle in 2-3 sec.

Best of all, it has a wider list of compatible monoblocks and powerpacks, used by most photographers today.

.