Z-220 cable

Hi Guys,

I'm planing to buy a set of Inon Z-220 for my D100 in a Subal housing.

Which cable will I need?

My Housing is fitted with two Nikonos "N" jacks

I've Nikonos "N" cables for Subal strobe housings but I don't think they'll work...!?

Which strobe has the same connector than the Inon?

Does anybody think the Subtronic mini is a better buy than the Inon?

Thanks and cheers from Manila

Torben

Inon recommends the Sea&Sea Sync /N for the Z220 which I use for my Z220 strobes as well.

The Z220 bulkhead is identical to Sea&Sea strobes. The recommended cable offers the classical 5 pin Nikonos connector. Classical means with 2 spring pins and 3 static pins.

Most of the european housings and strobes feature a modified Nikonos bulkhead with 5 static pins and no spring pins. If you have static pins only the recommended Sea&Sea Sync /N would not work.

Subtronic Mini:

+ better coverage

+ warmer color temp. (4500K)

+ 90 W/s (Inon ~ 60)

+ better service / manual (Europe)

- fixed battery, not interchangeable, recharging requires a break.

Julian

When and where did this "Most of the european housings and strobes feature a modified Nikonos bulkhead with 5 static pins and no spring pins" come onto the scene? This would destroy a normal Nikonos sync cord which we have seen happen but did not realize why. What idiot would abort a world wide Nikonos standard and why?

What idiot would abort a world wide Nikonos standard and why?

You might ask these so called "Idiots":

Seacam, Subal, Subtronic, UK-Germany, etc.

By the way you always have the choice between 3 or 5 static pins and bulkheads can be swapped afterwards for a few bucks.

Maybe there is a reason why 5 static pins were often preferred by customers stating things like durability.

Somehow the Ikelite bulkheads look different to the classic Nikonos ones as well. I am not familiar with them. Can I plug a Nikonos TTL Sync cable with 5 lines into it? Well, I have to admit, that's a nice feature.

Seacam:

Nikonos V type plug connection

As standard equipment on our housings, we have been using the conventional Nikonos V type plug for decades. We have made that plug safer by arranging two additional Orings. We also offer the Nikonos V type original socket with two spring-mounted contacts so that you can use Nikon, Ikelite or Sea&Sea flashguns on our housings. We do not only supply adapters, tees and special lengths but also a great variety of plug types.

Julian

I refer to "them" as idiots for introducing a bulkhead that ruins standard Nikonos style sync cords when inserted. The brilliance of "them" did not think of this, or "them" did not care about the lowly customer? I am not defending the Nikonos connector which has earned its lousy reputation. I am faulting the arbitrary pin change by "them" without considering the consequences for their customers.

Just checked out my Subal D100 housing. It has 3fixed and 2 spring pins. Subbal seems to use the 3/2 Version!?

@Jolly

I used to have a Subtronic 3000pro and a Mega Color. They were just too big, too heavy and to slow in charging, since we normally go out for two to three dives without recharging Option. But the Quality of the Subtronic was just perfect...

I really like the idea to work with a couple of battery sets, but I never had the chance to see the Inon or to test them.

I hope to find the Inon next week on the BOOT show in Germany, so I can decide...

Cheers Torben

Hi Torben,

I think you can order Subal with 3/2 or 5/0 as well.

By the way, the Subtronic Mini is not as big as the higher Subtronic models. In comparison to the Z220 they are longer, but about a quarter less in diameter. You won't get the Mini performance with a Z220.

But the Subtronic built in battery is a design flaw in my opinion.

For your needs (days without recharge) the Mini is actually unacceptable.

Z220 is better choice, just 4 AA's :-) That's one of the reasons why I have two Z220 as well. But Inon support over here is virtually non existent. As soon as there is something wrong, I would have been better with Subtronic.

Julian