ORLIT Rover RT TTL 300ws Off-Camera Flash Kit With Bowens Mount

2020-10-07T11:39:24

So far so good. Could be great if it wasn't for a few nitpicky things. For a run and gun moble set up it is pretty good. More power than a speedlite, yet smaller than a battery powered full size strobe. From testing it does seem to bee 1 2/3 stops more powerfull than a 600rt speedlite. Which is a little less than the clammed 4 speedlite equivilent (2 stops) of the 200 w/s Godox 200AD. But companies always over state specs. My cheap 150 w/s studio strobes is a little over 1 stop more than the 600rt. You would hope then that the 300 w/s Orlit Rover rt would be 2 stops, but double the w/s never directly convert to double the flash power. The recycle time at full power is way faster than a speedlite at full power. And with the extra power, going down to 1/256 power is usefull when you don't need it. It is powerful enough to over power a high noon sun when paired with a 7 in reflector, even on hss. So in a softbox it is still doable at full power and tweaking of camera settings. Just get the softbox close to the subject. I wish it had a little more umph, but at the sale price of $199 it is a steal. And being able to use the Canon rt system and not have to buy into another controller system is great. Just make sure to update the firmware of the Yongnuo controllers (wich firmware is getting harder to find from Yongnuo). Now the bad or just the nickpicks. Wished the reflecting bowl behind the tube extended a little farther up on the side to help protect the tube while taking modifiers off and on. The tilt adjustment needs some teeth to keep it from sagging with larger modifiers. I wouldn't put too large or heavy modifiers on this bowens mount. The mount and the tilt doesn't look strong enough to hold them. The display shows link to a controller by changing the controller system type text from black to green. Which is really hard to see, especially in the sun. It has a modeling light that is bright, but online and in the manual it say it is adjustable or ratioed with the flash power. My unit doesn't have that capability or I haven't figured it out. It may have been removed in a firmware update. Probably because there was a problem with the LED at lower power. Wished it came with the small 5 in reflector to protect the tube. Also a way to mount it on a light stand riser. The pack's protective cover doesn't have holes that allowed for the shoulder straps that clip on the pack. That was stupid. All and all a decent, but not great strobe. But for the price it is really good.

BRENT S.

2020-10-07T09:17:42

Lightweight and easy to use

bobby s.

2020-09-30T08:55:48

Super love this product! I have use two Orlit 610’s and this new light is amazing. I have have use it now for two weeks in a lot of different situations and it is very reliable. I am base in Arizona where we have a lot of bright sun and it just enough to over power the sun. I am looking forward to using it as a hair light in the studio.

KARL M.

2020-09-15T20:40:39

Full functionality with my RT Canon system, Speedlites 600RT, 600RT II and 430RT at the same time, mastered via Speedlites or ST-E3 as well. Great for one man party.

Alfredo G.

2020-09-02T06:35:50

Amazing model light, only 10 Watts but extremely bright. Now if I could only figure out how to change it's modes. Nice unit, it's all Orlit. Works just like our 610's, AC800's. Consistent. Can't wait to get it out of the studio and try all the different modes available.

RICHARD H.

2019-12-31T05:07:30

The Orlit Rover rt ttl 300 is a great addition to my Orlit family. Quick easy setup, light weight, small and packs a lot of power.

Samantha L.

2019-11-06T14:47:40

Affordable alternative to the Profoto B2, which I've used and respect. This flash is a solid performer and just the right power -- stronger than a speedlight and enough juice to keep up with my Orlit RT-610 in a variety of duties. Clean, clear, consistent light. Definitely does the job!

ED F.

2019-10-29T04:33:41

Have used it several times and I love it

ALONZO F.

2019-08-08T08:44:58

A very nicely built flash unit. What I like most about it is the ability to adjust the flash power in tenths rather than whole units, this gives a wide range of flash power selection most other battery operated flash units do not provide.

Christopher H.

2019-08-01T09:39:19

i really like this unit, it has a lot of power, works great on ttl or manual mode, and what i liked the most is that is rt compatible i can trigger the unit using a canon 43 rt, or the yongnuo rt e3 just make sure to have the latest firmware. Know what i didn't like. the head! it feels not very sturdy if you use a heavy soft box it feels like it's going to break so only use medium softboxes Another thing i don't like is that the flash tube is exposed the other orlit lights have glass covers to protect the light so if you are on location you are more liked to break the flash tube i would like to have the option to buy the original jinbei flash head which is not a bowes mount but has the protective cover

JORGE G.

2019-02-07T18:17:39

There is a lot of power and punch in this small package. I've used the Rover on a few shoots already and it continues to impress me every time I place it on a light stand. It's still in my gear bag, and won't come out until I need to charge it.The overall features that make the difference for me are size, power and flexibility. Since the Rover is so lightweight, I can have it on a smaller-sized light stand (and that reduces the weight of my travel kit) or on a boom for an assistant to hold without fatigue. All that and it uses all of my existing Bowens mount modifiers and gives me more possibilities for creative image making either in a studio or on location.With it's Canon RT compatibility, it immediately fit right into my mix of lighting gear, including other Orlit strobes, without the need for detailed configuration. I was able to unbox it, put it in my gear bag and head off to a 2-hour shoot and the only setup I needed was to assign it a group letter!So far, I'm very happy with the decision to add the Rover to my lighting tool bag. It's a great value for the money, and a powerful, flexible tool for any photographer who loves light.

Timothy H.

2019-01-21T07:58:41

This is my go to guy for on location shoots and a great background or hair light in the studio, compliments my Orlit RT 610 and 400 very nicely. The battery pack works as a great weight/counter weight for your stand if you're working outdoors solo. My only fear is there are no replacement bulbs for sale in case of an accident. Adorama should also sell the head and battery pack separately in case of accidents since I'm sure most people primarily use these lights outdoors. Please, Please, Please make replacement parts for this available for sale!!!

HACHEMI T.

2018-10-12T14:39:32

I really like this light and it does a good job. At this point, I am not sure how long the power will last but great so far. Also, it recharges quickly!

Gregory S.

2018-09-20T19:48:30

This is my second Orlit product (first one is an RT 610), and it fits well within the Orlit and Canon RT systems. Its very compact and perfect for when you need more power than a Speedlight, but don't necessarily need the power of a 600 Ws Monolight. Ive used it on several photoshoots, both in studio and outdoors, and so far its been quite reliable. There were none of the disconnects that plagued the early RT 610 units. I use mine with a Canon ST-E3-RT transmitter, and have also used Canon RT Speedlights to trigger it, and both work well. It works great on its own, or when combined with Canon RT and RT-compatible lights (i.e. a RT 610 as main, Rover RT for rim/edge, and Canon RT Speedlights for the background.) Power output and color temperature seem pretty consistent shot to shot, I didn't notice any oddities during the shoots or in post. Recycle time is quite good, it had no issues keeping up. Its quite lightweight, and works equally as well on a boom (Avenger Boom Stand) as it does on a medium weight light stand (an Impact Heavy Duty light stand). Battery life is outstanding! They do have spare packs available for it, but I did a two hour shoot on a full charge (which worked out to about 330 frames) and still had plenty of power left. The readout does not give you an exact percentage or mAh readout, but it was down by one bar, so there was between 50-75% of charge left. I think I could have easily used it for another two hours. For most shoots a fully charged pack should see you through, although having a spare would probably be a good idea for events or weddings. It uses the same charger as the RT 610, which is nice. The Bowens mount gives you some great modifier options, the largest I've used on it is a Phottix Raja 41" Parabolic Softbox, and the smallest would be the reflector for the RT 610. This mount also makes setup quite fast, although without any type of guard over the flash tube, you'll want to be careful when changing modifiers. This brings me to my next point, and is why I dropped the rating two stars and cant recommend it to anyone yet. At the time of this review (9/20/2018), there are no replacement bulbs available for it either from Adorama or the manufacturer. Ive found several bulbs that may work, but haven't tested them yet. So if you do break a bulb or have one fail, you're at the mercy of your warranty. It wasn't something I considered until after purchasing the unit, but probably should have, since bulbs aren't available for the unit is based on either, which is extremely odd considering how long its been on the market. However, spare bulbs were eventually made available for the 610's so hopefully the same happens here, because it would be a real shame if such a great product is sidelined by something as simple as a broken bulb.

DEDRIC R.

2018-08-12T21:27:33

It is just fine for the run and gun guy or girl, but it is not at all suitable for the studio. The rapid fire routine of fashion photography proves just too much for the light. It can not hold a consistent power level to save it's life. And I had such high hopes for light.

Robert B.

2018-07-31T08:46:42

So far great. Have only used it for one shoot, in combination with Canon’s transmitter and speedlite’s.

Joakim B.

2018-07-26T11:27:24

Unit seems of average build and durability . Orlit tigger did not work so I used Pocket Wizard to trigger light . Was not able to test TTL or HSS . Perhaps the next Gen or this light will be a better product . Lastly the Orlit trigger has a nice aesthetic but it’s buttons are mushy and as previously mentioned did not work . Can not recommend this product and that’s a shame . I really wanted to like this light .

Eroildo C.

2018-06-26T11:48:25

I can’t say a whole lot just yet because the light (or the trigger I’m not sure) is currently incompatible with my Canon 6D Mark II. I did get a chance to use it without High Speed Sync enabled and the light output is so beautiful! The light fired as fast as I shot it without a single failure and the refresh rate is ridiculously good.. I got this because I didn’t want to buy the Profoto B2 as it was far too expensive. This thing is better believe it or not! I just need a firmware update so I’m a sitting duck

Casey S.

2018-06-25T19:53:03

Small lightweight and durable I use it with westscot beauty dish Joel Grimes. I have it on a monopod and one hand the a7r3. I then change settings and I eye autofocus. Winner super worth it. Feels like I'm cheating at times.

Joshua J.

2018-06-22T10:07:49

I've used the AD600 and AD360 for TTL HSS for the last couple of years. Before that a Profoto B250. This unit is closer to the B250 than either of the ADs in design and function, but like the B250 it's HSS is hobbled with not being able to use TTL at the same time. If you can live with that it could be a capable flash for you. I returned mine because of the TTL HSS issues.

Michael S.