A bit over a week ago Marelux released the 3.0 version of the Apollo III strobe - but there doesn't see to be any information from there about how it differs from the Apollo III 2.1 previous version - @Phil Rudin or anyone else?

Some improvements will be better quality flash tubes tested to 1 million flashes at five second intervals at full power. These tubes also make the manual power settings more uniform across the range. Perhaps a small power increase, to increase power you decrease recycle times so max power is not the goal but rather a balance of both. Our strobe already has a 120 degree beam angle with a beaded dome which softens light across the frame. Many competing strobes have a flat front with a narrower beam angle which may look brighter in the center but don't extend to 120 degrees and with a diffuser added to reach 120 degrees power is reduced often by a stop or more. The modeling/video light is new and is 3000 lumens at 5500K and with a CRI of 95. Some other strobes have higher lumen target lights but with low CRI values. We have universal compatibility offering Manual, TTL, RC (including RC-Manual, RC-TTL, and RC-FP), Pre-M, and HSS. It also introduces Marelux’s proprietary MTL mode not offered on other strobes. The Apollo III 3.0 continues to lead with its advanced wireless optical triggering technology. Working with the LumiFlux and Artemis 4500RMT 2.0-S or the earlier Lumilink, it delivers a reliable remote triggering range of up to 15 meters, even at depths of 10–20 meters underwater. Without the restriction of fiber-optic cables, you can position your Apollo strobes anywhere within range, unlocking ultimate freedom and creative potential for your shoots.

You can find all of this information and more at the link. https://www.marelux.co/products/apollo-iii-30

6 hours ago, Phil Rudin said:

Some improvements will be better quality flash tubes tested to 1 million flashes at five second intervals at full power. These tubes also make the manual power settings more uniform across the range. Perhaps a small power increase, to increase power you decrease recycle times so max power is not the goal but rather a balance of both. Our strobe already has a 120 degree beam angle with a beaded dome which softens light across the frame. Many competing strobes have a flat front with a narrower beam angle which may look brighter in the center but don't extend to 120 degrees and with a diffuser added to reach 120 degrees power is reduced often by a stop or more. The modeling/video light is new and is 3000 lumens at 5500K and with a CRI of 95. Some other strobes have higher lumen target lights but with low CRI values. We have universal compatibility offering Manual, TTL, RC (including RC-Manual, RC-TTL, and RC-FP), Pre-M, and HSS. It also introduces Marelux’s proprietary MTL mode not offered on other strobes. The Apollo III 3.0 continues to lead with its advanced wireless optical triggering technology. Working with the LumiFlux and Artemis 4500RMT 2.0-S or the earlier Lumilink, it delivers a reliable remote triggering range of up to 15 meters, even at depths of 10–20 meters underwater. Without the restriction of fiber-optic cables, you can position your Apollo strobes anywhere within range, unlocking ultimate freedom and creative potential for your shoots.

You can find all of this information and more at the link. https://www.marelux.co/products/apollo-iii-30

Many thanks! I was hoping that the website would say that the 3.0 offers better this, this and this and we have added this and this (compared to the 2.1), but your post has now provided that information.

@Phil Rudin - the recent Backscatter strobe tests reported that the Apollo III 2.0's output was significantly less when tested compared to the Marilux claim of GN44 - has Marilux made any comment about this?

The test was dome with an older generation Apollo III and Marelux is improving with each new generation. Guide number is a balance between brightness, bean angle, fast recycle and more. I suggest you read the Retra response to the Backscatter strobe test.s in the thread above. In the case of the MX V BS top strobes the MX has a beaded dome with a 120 degree beam angle V. flat front with around 100. beam angle. The MX beaded dome softens the light output while the BS strobe needs a flat diffuser with a loss of a full stop of light to get to 120 degrees . Go to Marelux.co and checkout the difference shooting at 5 and 10 frames a second and decide which is more powerful and efficient.

Edited September 17Sep 17 by Phil Rudin