DS-125 upgrage to DS-160

Anyone have their DS-125 strobes upgraded by Ikelite to DS-160's?

http://ikelite.com/faq/faq_curstrobes.html#ds161

I've just had the first DS-125 upgraded to DS-161, second is with Ike now.

Seems like good value to revive an older strobe when considering moving to a camera with Video capability.

Yes, I did.

I have not had them in the water yet, but they look great.

I think it is a good idea as well. Strobes are all updated.

I sent in two of my DS-125s for upgrade to DS-160s. Ike's website says the upgrade is $300-$475. Both my strobes are in good, working condition. I just got the quote from Ikelite - they want $500 each to upgrade the strobes! WTF?

I sent in two of my DS-125s for upgrade to DS-160s. Ike's website says the upgrade is $300-$475. Both my strobes are in good, working condition. I just got the quote from Ikelite - they want $500 each to upgrade the strobes! WTF?

I thought the price was based on the serial number and age of the 125's? Older ones being more expensive that is...

That's not what it says on the Ike website.

"Upgrade prices are based on a fully working Substrobe with no signs of abuse, water damage or other non-warranty issues. Non-working and/or damaged Substrobes will result in increased cost to upgrade."

Ikelite needs to update its website. They now say not only non-working and/or damaged Substrobes, but also older strobes, strobes that are out of warranty, and ones that require electronic updates will result in increased cost to upgrade. If I had known that, I wouldn't have sent my strobes to them for upgrade.

Why upgrade?

I have three 125s. I don't know why I would upgrade. Seems like a lot of money for marginal power increase and more settings. I don't use the strobe for a modeling light anyway.

I sold off my Ikelite Ds125's and replaced with new Ds161. It worked out cheaper to sell them off on ebay and use that money towards the new DS161. I get warranty and brand new battery packs with the new strobes.

regarding Marginal power increase: going from 110w/s (Ds125) to 160w/p (Ds160) is a decent power increase

Regards Mark

regarding Marginal power increase: going from 110w/s (Ds125) to 160w/p (Ds160) is a decent power increase

 

Regards Mark

The 40% increase in power only has meaning if you find yourself firing at full power on the 125s and not getting enough light. I find myself shooting at half power most of the time.

You can never have too much power - Jeremy Clarkson.

Seriously though, I have dual DS-125's and there have been a few situations using the 10-17 where a full dump was just not quite enough - I'm planning on doing the upgrade. I would agree for most of my photos using the 125's works well, particularly macro or fish portraits.

Though I'm quite content with the current function and output of my current DS-125 strobes, with the DS-160 upgrade I was looking for improved performance for an upcoming and repeat JASA trip, specifically a potential increase in my ability to successfully fire off repeat shots with the strobes at at say one-half power... I didn't keep the return email regarding the estimate for the upgrade cost, but my conclusion at that price I was quoted, I'd be about better to sale off my current DS-125's and purchase new DS-160's for the minimal price difference.

However, I'd already sent in my DS-125's for the upgrade estimate, so while declining the upgrade option, I asked the strobes be serviced and any upgrades be completed as long as the strobes were already at Ikelite. Aside from the cleaning as could be evidenced by a control knob which had become a bit sluggish in operation and after service now functions as new, judging by the return paperwork, o-rings were replaced as well as several parts replaced which I hadn't realized needed replacement. All of this was completed for $100 with the strobes returned in a very, very minimal of time. I couldn't be happier with the service I received, despite not receiving the upgrade...