PatchMaster Lightning Capture Trigger: Initial Review

[TheFantasticG]

Well, I love photographing lightning. So I thought I'd get a trigger. I was looking for the most inexpensive option of course. But, like usual, you get what you pay for.

Here's my video review of the PatchMaster Lightning Capture Trigger for the Nikon D90/D5000



YouTube - PatchMaster Lightning Capture Trigger -- Initial Review

[TheFantasticG]

*At the request of the PatchMaster I have removed the video from my youtube account. They believe my unit that I received was faulty and have given me a full refund of my money. I'm mailing it back to Turkey today.

[fotogeek]

There have been 150+ positive feedbacks on eBay about PatchMaster Lightning Trigger (and no negative feedback). Obviously you had a particular issue. Also refunding your full money is a proof of that.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...ab=AllFeedback

[TheFantasticG]

Well well well. You're right. I got my full refund. Why? Because it didn't work as advertised. We never talked about how long the video would stay down. Just that I would take it down, and I did. I figured two months was enough time, so I put it back up. I'm not saying customer service wasn't bad, because after I put the video up on youtube, all the sudden I got VERY prompt responses to my concerns.

Don't like it?

Make a video of your product showing the faults I showed are fixed and post it as a response. Mainly the problem that when the red light came on, the shutter was not activated. That should clear it up any misconception of the products performance right? The video that is on youtube right now does not, infact, show that an image is recorded. All it shows is that a red light comes on when the a light source is registered. Great. That works. But it doesn't show the an image was recorded to the storage device. My review shows that the camera shutter was not activating, thus not recording an image to the SDHC card.

[groovyone]

Interesting. Did you ever get a different model?

[TheFantasticG]

No. I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting my money back if the 2nd unit failed as well. I sent the unit back to the mailing address from Turkey where it was sent from. They have it in their possession and I haven't received any correspondence (not that I expected it) on why the unit failed. I have been asked frequently why the unit failed, and I can only say I don't know.

I did, however, purchase the AEO Lightning Strike! II and did the exact same test:



You can easily distiguish between the two videos what is not working in the PatchMaster Lightning Capture device.

Like I said, I wish it had worked from the get go, but it simply did not.

Don't believe my test was relevant? This is the official PatchMaster Lightning Trigger in action video on youtube:



Guess what you did see. Thats right. You didn't see a review of the image. So until they put up another video showing the trigger tripping the shutter to release and showing the resulting image, my critical review remains valid.

You can find here at this link a user of the PatchMaster unit for the D2/D3/D700/D300 and it worked. It tripped the shutter and posted the results. Here is his only complaint:

Another flaw is that review of images on the LCD using the play button does not work when the trigger is connected to the camera via the 10 pin jack. This is in contrast to my 10 pin MC30 Remote which still allows review of images on the LCD using the play button. Thus I am unable to check my exposure and adjust SS and aperture when using the trigger to shoot lightning. have to disconnect the 10 pin each time i need to review images.

I don't have to do that with my AEO Lightning Strike! II unit.

What is unfortunate is that reviews for these units are few and far between.

[fotogeek]

I believe, 150+ positive feedback is enough to prove that the unit triggers the shutter as expected. Do you think that these guys have left their feedbacks without testing whether the shutter is triggered or not. Oh, I don't think so... Also you can find the sample photos taken by PatchMaster Lightning Trigger both on eBay and official web site.

By the way, your video is referenced from AEO's official web site. And this case makes your video less persuasive. :)

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by fotogeek

I believe, 150+ positive feedback is enough to prove that the unit triggers the shutter as expected. Do you think that these guys have left their feedbacks without testing whether the shutter is triggered or not. Oh, I don't think so... Also you can find the sample photos taken by PatchMaster Lightning Trigger both on eBay and official web site.

By the way, your video is referenced from AEO's official web site. And this case makes your video less persuasive. :)

150 positive reviews does not make it a flawless product. It also doesn't mean he didn't get a dud.

[apollo.11]

Originally Posted by groovyone

150 positive reviews does not make it a flawless product. It also doesn't mean he didn't get a dud.

I'm confused, do the patchmaster's have a good reputation. I'm interested in one at $100

[fotogeek]

Originally Posted by TheFantasticG

So until they put up another video showing the trigger tripping the shutter to release and showing the resulting image, my critical review remains valid.

Thanks to Paul..

You Tube

You Tube

[TheFantasticG]

Originally Posted by groovyone

150 positive reviews does not make it a flawless product. It also doesn't mean he didn't get a dud.

That is most probably what happened. It is amazing the slander compaign that PatchMaster is going through though. I got an email from them as a matter of fact:

Dear Valued Customer,
*

As the PatchMaster Team, we are always trying to provide the products of highest quality with the best prices in the market. Your satisfaction has been always our top priority.

In order to achieve this, we have been improving our processes since we have sold our first PatchMaster Lightning Trigger.

Your positive comments on eBay let us know that we are on the right track. So far we have made only a single person angry; our competitor!

*

Since the very first day we have listed our product on eBay, our competitor has started conducting an unfair campaign against us and our product.

It has started with putting false statements in the listings about PatchMaster Lightning Trigger and recently it has turned into a very ugly way of advertisement.

In a video added to YouTube, PatchMaster Lightning Trigger has been shown as a device which is not working at all.

The video is full of lies and totally wrong information about our product.

The intent of video is obvious; being again alone in the market and implying high prices.

*

We take our power from our valued customer and now we request your help. If you are happy and satisfied with PatchMaster Lightning Trigger please record a video of a few minutes showing, stating or proving that it is actually a fine product working as advertised.

*

As an appreciation, our first 30 customers who send a video will receive $10 refund.

*

Yes, you heard it right; we will pay $10 for the first 30 videos.

Why would we do that?

Because we know that our product is working as advertised.

*

We are looking forward to receive your video soon, not to prove that we are right but to see that you are a really happy customer.

*

Thanks & Regards...
PatchMaster*Team

I wasn't angry. Just sad I didn't get a working product.

No, I don't work for AEO. I did buy their product though, and yes, the first one I got worked.

[TheFantasticG]

Originally Posted by fotogeek

I believe, 150+ positive feedback is enough to prove that the unit triggers the shutter as expected. Do you think that these guys have left their feedbacks without testing whether the shutter is triggered or not. Oh, I don't think so... Also you can find the sample photos taken by PatchMaster Lightning Trigger both on eBay and official web site.

By the way, your video is referenced from AEO's official web site. And this case makes your video less persuasive. :)

Yes, people leave positive feedback just to get positive feedback in return.


Why does matter who links to my video? I don't get a pay check from your "competitors" don't bother attacking me anymore, it just makes you look worse.

[Abel]

Originally Posted by fotogeek

There have been 150+ positive feedbacks on eBay about PatchMaster Lightning Trigger (and no negative feedback). Obviously you had a particular issue. Also refunding your full money is a proof of that.

eBay Feedback Profile for patch_master

Dan, I assuming that you are in fact the ebay seller that this thread is in reference to since upon registering this was the first thread you replied to.

In regards to our rules here on Pixtus there is no commerical support, advertising and/or promotions allowed unless you are a paid monthly sponsor which helps TPF remain online.

Thanks.

[PeterDorr]

Dear All,

First of all, I have nothing to do with this company, other than that I paid them @152 for the two triggers. When I tried the soundtrigger I really could not get it to work first time around. The lights were indicating that it gave a signal to the flash but it did not. So I went to my friend who has the same device and there it did not work either so I assumed a DOA.

I send an e-mail to pmgadgets on Sunday at 15.00 and within 30 minutes I got a reply back stating that they would replace the faulty device immediately. Today (Tuesday) the postman indeed brought me a new device.

So I can only say that these guys gave me a very good service.
I thought positive experiences deserve being mentioned here as well.

Thnx guys.

[auddii]

So they have good service, but a crappy product? How many units that don't work are shipped out and returned. Guess there are probably more than zero unhappy customers. Love that smear campaigns aren't limited to politicians. Also like that they have to pay for proof that at least some of their units work (since it's very obvious that many do not).