Further to my older review of the YongNuo SF-18 External Battery Pack for Canon Speedlites which is powered by standard Alkaline or Rechargeable AA batteries, I came across Triopo LE-28 battery pack which originally powered Triopo's TR-120 bare bulb flash units.
With a little investigation with Triopo sales, I was informed that the Li-ion power packs were also available separately, so I had to try one.
Packaging & Contents
The LE-28 battery pack came in a larger padded carrying case which is intended actually to carry a the forementioned bare bulb TR-120 flash unit together with the Li-ion battery pack and all cables and chargers etc.
There was a nylon shoulder strap included which can either be used with the padded case or with the leather case of the battery pack.
The Battery Pack
The LE-28 is quite small 12 x 8 x 5 cm weighing 353 gr net or 420 with the leatherette case which fits like a glove.
The leatherette case has an extra belt clip on one side which can be used either on the photographer's belt or on large camera bag straps.
The open top shows the main on-off switch two output sockets that follow the DIN connector standards labeled OUT-I and OUT -II. Four blue LEDs are responsible to indicate the battery charge.
The accompanying coiled flash unit connector cables are quite short at about 50 cm when retracted. While quite stiff, can easily reach a length of 2 m. They can extend even more but will give an inconvenient drag to the flash and the camera.
The Carrying Case
The larger nylon padded case with the elastic Triopo emblem on the front, has one divider inside and a pocket in the front. Two hooks on the sides allow for the attachment of a carrying strap.
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Connecting with a FlashSince Triopo's own flash units feature either Canon or Nikon external power connectors, the LE-28 can be supplied with both types of connector cables.
Since there are two output sockets, up to two flash units can be connected simultaneously.
Compatibility
Compatible Canon Flashes
- Speedlite 540EZ,
- Speedlite 550EX,
- Speedlite 580EX,
- Speedlite 580EX II,
- Speedlite 600EX-RT,
- Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX,
- Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II and
- Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX
- Speedlite 540EZ,
- Speedlite 550EX,
- Speedlite 580EX,
- Speedlite 580EX II,
- Speedlite 600EX-RT,
- Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX,
- Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II and
- Macro Twin Lite MT-24E
- Speedlight TR-982 HS,
- Speedlight TR-982II HS M/S
Very low price compared to similar product.
Very high output.
Very good quality for the price.
Decreases flash charge time significantly.
Extends the life of internal batteries of the flash.
Cons
Adds a significant ~500 gr of extra weight including cables when carried around.
Coiled power cable adds some restrictions in movement when shooting.
Conclusion
As I had mentioned in similar situations, where the user is to choose between an original and a clone product, a professional or serious enthusiast photographer wouldn't look at cheap alternatives and really shouldn't since maximum reliability can only be assured with an original Canon product (or at least maximum accountability for any failure).
Nonetheless, if you overlook Triopo's limited quality control, Triopo LE-28 External Li-Ion Battery Pack is a very powerful and decent quality alternative doing quite the same job, yet for two flash units simultaneously, at a fraction of the cost.
Since Li-Ion Batteries for flashes are getting more and more popular, so are the Li-Ion External Battery packs.
Note: The LE-28 External Battery presented in this article was kindly offered by Triopo headquarters, for evaluation and review. However, it arrived without a power charger adapter with the proper plug and proper voltage, which information I had to discover, to search and purchase from power adapter suppliers individually.
Disclaimer:
This review and test was run on a single product sample, using the specifically described methods. Independent if the findings are better, on par or below the expectations for the product, it can not be used as a rule, unless more samples of the same product are tested. Furthermore, similar comparison tests should be run with comparative capabilities products so as to reach a solid conclusion.
I hope you found the review useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2015-2017 S.C.Vlachos
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