BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Quantum Turbo versus Quantum Turbo Z

To love this question, log in above
April 01, 2002

The Turbo is bigger and heavier than the Turbo Z because it has greater capacity; about 50% more flashes with most flash units. Flash recycle time is also slightly faster, but not by very much compared to even using NiCad or NiMH cells. Take a look at the capacity specs for each and decide whether you need the increased capacity of the Turbo for the added weight and cost.

-- John

To love this comment, log in above
April 06, 2002

Next question. A reasonable recycle time(1-5 seconds) is nice, but the number of possible flashes is almost more important to me- I hate having to change out flash batteries when shooting a wedding. I was using a Vivitar 283 powered with NiCads and that was fine as long as I had two ready to go. But I think I killed them(the NiCads)They seemed to not hold a charge anymore. Yes I could by new NiCads And I may still. But anyway the point of all this is- I went for a the Sunpak 522 flash and now want to know the best way to power the darn thing.

I need a recycle time like I said of 1-10 seconds (most of the flashes will NOT be full power, because I use a White Lighting Strobe on all the indoor posed shots) I mostly would like the power to hold out on 1-3 NiCad packs, Or one cute little Turbo Pack. The question is which way to go. I guess I need to find out more about NiCads vs the Turbo. & since we know the Turbo's got more flashes than one NiCad and no memory problems I was leaning toward the Turbo. I need to find out the cost difference between buying two or three NiCads or One Turbo while I am at it. Thanks for picking through this and I appreciate any other thoughts on this subject. Thanks, Teri

To love this comment, log in above
April 08, 2002

The Turbo and Turbo Z both provide much faster flash recycle times compared to using the NiCad cells you've been currently using [in the flash handle ??]. In comparing the Turbo versus Turbo Z, they are not much different from each other. The Turbo is slightly faster than the Turbo Z. There are technical reasons for this related to the Turbo's higher capacity.

How the Turbo and Turbo Z recharge a flash so quickly:
The Xenon tube inside a flash requires a very high voltage to fire (about 300 volts; sometimes more). However, if you're using four NiCad cells, they only produce about 6 volts when placed in series. There is a high voltage inverter inside the flash that increases the voltage from the NiCad cells to the very high voltage required to recharge the flash discharge capacitor. Both the Turbo and Turbo Z recharge the flash much, much faster by providing this high voltage directly instead of going through the inverter inside the flash. This is the purpose of the special CS5 cable that's required. I have a dedicated flash handle that provides high voltage directly to a detachable flash head that can also be shoe mounted and powered by internal AA cells. On the handle it recharges, much, much faster and this allows firing several shots in rapid succession. I don't have to wait on the flash!

IMO you gain a huge benefit in flash recharge time with either one. The only downside being tied to your rig by an "umbilical cord" running to a larger battery worn on a belt. OTOH, no batteries in the flash handle makes the rig lighter. Your decision between a Turbo and Turbo Z is more a tradeoff with the number of flashes each will deliver versus their respective size/weight. You should have an idea of how many you would likely need before you have enough time to recharge it. Think about this when you make your decision.

-- John

To love this comment, log in above
April 08, 2002

To love this comment, log in above
April 08, 2002

Unlike the Turbo and Turbo Z, Quantum's other batteries (e.g. QB2) are simply high capacity and high current capability, but _low_ voltage. They replace the low voltage batteries in a flash instead of providing a direct high voltage source like the two Turbo batteries do. It's why they cannot recharge the flash as fast as either Turbo can. The low voltage ones use a "dummy battery set" for some flash units that do not have a plug for external low voltage. The power is provided to the flash through a connecting cord between the external Quantum battery and the "dummy" batteries. You shouldn't need any "dummy" batteries in your Sunpak with either of the Quantum Turbo's.

Hope this helps explain why the "dummy battery set" is used with some batteries and some flash units, but not all of them.

-- John

To love this comment, log in above
April 08, 2002