Oskar - Retra UWT

My question to IATA: I’d like to request clarification on the IATA regulations for personal-use devices powered by Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, specifically when traveling on passenger aircraft. I am wondering if there are any restrictions or limitations on carrying a photographic strobe, which operates on NiMH batteries installed in the device, in my carry-on baggage? Official answer from IATA: Dear Oskar, NiMH batteries are not restricted in air transport. See below linked document for further information. Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries That said, I would still advise you to contact the air carrier you wish to use and ask them if they allow it. This is because different airlines have different rules when it comes to batteries being carried in the passenger cabin. There’s no official restriction on NiMh, but as we know, it often depends on who’s checking your bag at the airport. In my experience, batteries installed in the device tend to draw less attention, but you never really know.

In general, the battery contacts and compartment have gotten slightly improved with each generation. On the 4th generation Pro Max strobes, we rarely see issues unless the compartment gets seriously flooded, which is very uncommon. For cleaning the contacts, I recommend using wooden chopsticks or any small wooden tool. Wood is soft enough not to damage the contacts but still effective at cleaning, and it's usually easy to find anywhere. Many photographers also use a fiberglass pen.

I don’t recommend placing anything between the battery contacts. The tolerances are quite tight, and even something slightly too thick could cause permanent damage. Finding spare AA batteries on location is usually doable, but replacing damaged contact boards is a whole different story. I understand you might be careful and avoid over-tightening but someone else handling the gear might not.

Just remembered a small trick that works for all Retra Flash models except the first generation, in case you're worried about your strobe turning on during travel. If you set the dial to SOS mode, it takes five clicks to reach BATT/TEST for the strobe to turn on. So, switch it to SOS and install the batteries. If your packing somehow allows the dial to turn five clicks on its own, let me know. I'll send a mermaid to bring you new batteries 😄

I pack my strobes in a backpack with separate compartments, so there’s no way they can turn on by accident. Also, leaving them turned on won’t ever cause a fire, the worst that can happen is more or less subtle battery damage. The user manual doesn’t know how each person packs their gear, so it recommends removing the batteries just to be safe.

Interesting, I'll consider bringing some plastic cases, just in case airport security enforces those protocols.

I haven't heard that one before, but perhaps. In any case, AA NiMH batteries remain the more reliable power source when traveling. They're also much easier to replace if something goes wrong during your trip. That's why we plan to continue producing our AA-powered line of strobes, professional users rely on this level of robustness and versatility.

When traveling, I use a compartmentalized backpack with two strobes, each with batteries installed. Spare batteries stay in the chargers. I’ve never had any issues at security, aside from the occasional curious check, likely due to how the large capacitors inside the strobes appear on scanners. NiMH AA batteries are generally considered safer than lithium cells by airport authorities, as they contain significantly less energy per cell. Regarding the performance concerns with 4xAA batteries: the Retra Flash is designed to protect batteries from overstrain, helping to extend their lifespan. If battery voltage drops too much or too quickly under load, the strobe will stop discharging to prevent damage. Even if the strobe allowed them to operate, you’d face significantly longer recycle times and significantly fewer flashes per charge, leading to a frustrating experience. That’s why it’s recommended to invest in a dedicated set of batteries specifically for use with your Retra Flash. Depending on your location, a set of 4xAA Eneloop PRO batteries usually costs around $20. A small investment for consistent and reliable performance.

Hi Markus, thank you for your feedback. However, I want to clarify that we have never stated the strobe should not be sent for service. On the contrary, we have explicitly mentioned in our message on 28/10/2024 that we will need to inspect the strobe if the error persists. I’m attaching the last part of the correspondence below for full transparency. Please note that we have not heard back from Markus afterwards. [10:39, 28/10/2024] Retra UWT: Hi Markus, thanks for your feedback! If the strobe shows an empty battery status right at the start, this usually means either the batteries are low (which we know isn’t the case here) or there’s an error that prevented the strobe from recharging its internal capacitors. This issue is rare and can often be resolved by restarting the strobe. If the empty battery error keeps showing up at every startup, even with fully charged batteries, please use the error override feature. When you see the "battery empty" error, press and hold the pilot/test button until a new message appears on the screen. From that point, you can use the strobe normally. If you turn the strobe off, the error will show up again, and you’ll just need to reset it by pressing and holding the pilot/test button. Let us know if you need further assistance! [10:39, 28/10/2024] Retra UWT: p.s.: if the error is persistent we will need to look at the strobe after you are back from you trip. [12:02, 30/10/2024] +49: Hi, thanks for reply. But anyway, for the moment I'm definitly not lucky with this Strobe. To many things happen which make me unsure about continuing to use this flash on my travels in the future. I was Shooting Seacam 150D for more than 8 years without any issue. Bought Retra cause everybody said they are reliable. Will contact after return on my final thoughts. BR Markus [12:15, 30/10/2024] Retra UWT: Hi Markus, Thank you for your feedback. I understand that switching equipment can be a bit challenging, especially when you’ve had a long-standing setup. Generally, our strobes have proven to be highly reliable, and once you’re used to the new system, it should meet your needs well. If there are specific aspects you’d like help with or any troubleshooting, I’d be happy to assist. Wishing you a smooth journey, and feel free to reach out once you’re back!

Hi Cerich, I would like to address these concerns more properly now that I’ve had a chance to review the timeline, the number of reported cases, and the steps we took to resolve them. The first time we analyzed this issue was in August 2024 when a customer reported a persistent empty battery error, despite the batteries not being the issue. Before that, we were aware that the empty battery signal occasionally appeared as part of the normal startup check procedure but would typically clear on its own or, in some cases, by turning the strobe off and on. This is similar to a car dashboard error light that may appear briefly but disappears once the system is running normally. Upon closer examination of the customer unit in August 2024, we determined that the persistent appearance of the empty battery signal was a mismatch between the calibration for low battery detection and the onboard sensors. The customer’s unit exhibiting the issue was sent to us, and we manually recalibrated the strobe. Since most strobes were about a year old at that time and this was the only reported case, we decided to monitor the situation before taking further action. The second potential case arose when "Muellema" reported a similar problem in October 2024. However, identifying it as the same issue was more challenging due to less clear feedback from the customer. Since the customer was actively diving and needed a working strobe, we provided troubleshooting recommendations that could resolve even a rare, one-off issue. Btw, our user manual explains how errors on our strobes can be dismissed when they are shown without an apparent reason. As part of our ongoing effort to enhance the robustness of our strobes, we have since improved the empty battery detection and indication program. This update is included in the latest firmware version, which will be publicly available by the end of this week on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store (@JohnD, @Landvogt1893). Let me know if you need any further clarification. Warm regards, Oskar / Retra UWT

Hey everyone, We appreciate you sharing your experience with Retra strobes. Even after 14 years in the business, we handle every issue with the same care and urgency, knowing how frustrating gear troubles can be, especially while diving. Here’s where we stand: Quick Support: As a small outfit, we respond fast and don’t leave you hanging. We love hearing from you, whether it’s an issue or just feedback. Warranty & Service: We’re proud to back our strobes with a warranty extension program that can cover you for up to 5 years in total. That speaks to our confidence in the product’s durability. And if you ever do need to send something in, our turnaround is typically under a week. Continuous Improvement: We’re always looking to make our products better. Your input goes straight to our engineering and design teams, and it truly helps us refine what we do. We truly appreciate your support and patience. For the fastest and most accurate assistance, please reach out through our official channels listed here, so we can review your strobe’s onboard data and provide the best solution. Warm regards, Oskar / Retra UWT

Hi cerich, Thanks for bringing this up. The "empty battery" issue has been reported in only a very small number of units. In most cases, it can be resolved by turning the strobe off and on or, if needed, using the error override function. Since this issue is rare and typically easy to clear, we addressed it in a firmware update rather than broadly publicizing it. No service is required. If you or anyone else has questions or needs assistance, please feel free to reach out to us directly. Warm regards, Oskar / Retra UWT

Hello everyone, I’m Oskar from Retra UWT. We appreciate open discussion and always value feedback from our customers. However, we’d like to clarify a few points regarding the comments made by “Muellema” so everyone understands the full situation: 1. Prompt Communication As soon as “Muellema” reached out to us, we responded, professionally and politely, with step-by-step instructions to help diagnose and potentially resolve his strobe’s issue. Our WhatsApp conversation shows our prompt replies, follow-up messages, and willingness to continue troubleshooting. We regret if our thorough questioning and guidance gave any impression of belittling his knowledge; our sole aim was to gather enough information to find the quickest and most effective solution. 2. Troubleshooting Steps We asked “Muellema” to test the strobe in specific modes, record a short video, and confirm battery readings. Through these steps, he was actually able to get the strobe working again, allowing him to continue using both strobes on his trip. 3. Possible Battery Error “Muellema” mentioned that, at one point, the strobe displayed an empty battery indicator even with fresh batteries. While rare, such an error can be overridden by holding the pilot/test button, a workaround we explained so he could continue using his strobe without interruption. 4. Future Support & Firmware Insight “Muellema” indicated he’s not fully confident in the strobe’s reliability after these incidents. We understand how frustrating any equipment issue can be, especially on a long dive trip. We never refused to inspect or service his strobe; after his last message (“Will contact after return on my final thoughts”), we unfortunately just never heard back. We remain fully prepared to assist him further should he decide to reach out again. In the meantime, our development team conducted a deeper analysis and discovered a potential firmware improvement that will likely address the reported issue, without requiring to send the strobe in for service once it’s ready. We stand by our products and remain fully committed to assisting our customers whenever they need us. 5. Battery Consumption & Shot Count A claim of only 50–60 shots per charge is far from our measured results, which exceed 500 full-power flashes using 8×AA Eneloop Pro batteries. We stand by these test figures. The significant discrepancy can often be traced to factors like prolonged standby times, heavy pilot light use, measuring battery capacity right after intensive use, or unintended multiple triggering when the camera/trigger is set to TTL but the strobe is in manual mode. If you find your strobe is delivering far fewer shots than expected, please get in touch with us directly. We’re here to diagnose the setup and help optimize your battery performance. 6. Our Commitment We pride ourselves on the reliability of our flashes and the support we provide. If any of our users ever experience a similar issue or have concerns, we encourage reaching out directly via email or WhatsApp. We do everything possible to resolve problems quickly and effectively. We regret if any misunderstanding has arisen, and we truly want everyone to have a positive experience with our products. If anyone else here has questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. Thank you all for reading and for your continued trust in Retra UWT. Warm regards, Oskar / Retra UWT

If you’re experiencing power-related issues with your Retra Pro Max strobes, the best first step is to contact our customer support team directly at [email protected]. Posting on a forum often leads to a mix of opinions and speculation, whereas our team, who develops, produces, and tests the products, can provide accurate guidance and solutions. To ensure your strobes are performing as expected, please check that they are running the latest firmware, as updates can improve performance and address potential issues. Battery performance can also be affected by factors such as temperature, charge state, and internal resistance. For the fastest and most effective support, we offer multiple ways to get in touch, including WhatsApp, where you can quickly share images or videos to help diagnose the issue. You can find all our contact options here: https://www.retra-uwt.com/pages/contact. We're happy to assist you!

They are the same.