Commlite Comtrig T320 review

Introducing the Commlite Comtrig T320!

These cheap and effective little triggers should be starting to take over from the RF-602, but more on that later.

The Specs:

• Radio frequency: 2.4GHZ
• Signal type: Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
• Antenna: Built-in PCB Antenna
• Control Distance: 120m (subject to environmental limitations)
• Channels: 7
• Normal triggering sync-speed: 1/320 second
• Battery Type: 2 x AAA (2.4V~3.2V)
• Standby time:
• Transmitter T320-TX:  1000 days
• Receiver T320-RX:     200 hours
• Camera shutter port, Studio flash (RX)/ECP (TX) ports: Ø2.5mm
• Safe Port Voltage: 3.3V to camera (T320-TX), 300V from flash (T320-RX)
• Minimum latency: 400µs
• Body Dimensions: 84*42*38mm (L*W*H)
• Net Weight (without batteries or cables):
• Transmitter T320-TX: 51g
• Receiver T320-RX:  49g
• Working Temperature: -15°C~65°C
• Storage Temperature: -30°C~85°C

The T320 comes with a Transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX). Some may think this is a disadvantage over most triggers which are now transducers (one unit can transmit or receive) However to me it makes little difference. If a transmitter breaks just buy a new set and you’ll get a backup receiver.

Extra receivers can be bought separately which is what I did

The T320 receiver has 2 ports on the left hand side which are both 2.5mm audio sockets.

The one labeled camera can be connected to your cameras remote port and allows one to use a set of triggers as a wireless shutter release (and with the spec of up to 120m sync this can be quiet useful!).Unfortunately cables are not supplied for this but can easily be hacked up.

The next port is used as a pc sync port to connect to your flash. A cable is supplied with the triggers and goes from a 2.5mm jack to a 3.5mm jack. A 3.5 to 6.35mm jack is included for studio strobes.

For those of us that just don’t really bother with pc sync ports there is also a hotshoe which has the ability to wake up flashes that have gone into sleep mode. Sadly it didn’t seem to work with my YN468II. The max voltage on the pc sync and hotshoe is 300v which should allow the use of older High voltage flash units. This is a BIG plus as the older strobes can be picked up often quiet cheaply.

The transmitter also has 2 ports on the side

However this time the camera port is used as a second option to triggering the flashes by connecting to the pc sync port on your camera (if it has one which mine doesn’t). The other port, labeled ECP is used for sensor style shooting. One can connect to a standard sensor to trigger a camera or flash from movement or a change in ambient sound. There is however little information on this port so I can’t comment on voltage limitations.

The right hand side of both transmitter and receiver is the same.

They both sport a nice on off switch which isn’t easily slid into the on position in a bag. There is also a button which allows the user to change the channel.

The T320 has up to 7 different channels but sadly doesn’t support groupings (although you could have multiple triggers set to different channels and trigger them individually but you won’t be able to trigger them all at once unless they are set to the same channel.) The current channel can be displayed by pressing the CH button when the trigger is on. Pressing it again will change the triggers channel.

By far the best thing about the T320’s is that they use NORMAL batteries - not the CR20 that most triggers use. AAA – OH YES!

Overall I have really enjoyed these wireless triggers. The fact that they sync up to 1/320^th of a sec , work up to 120m, take AAA batteries and have a proper screw mount make them worth the few bucks that they retail for.

I might look at getting another set of RX and TX just to make self-portraits and group shots (where I am in them) slightly easier

Where to buy:

Broadcast lighting: http://www.broadcastlighting.co.za/

Commlite website: http://www.commlite.com/en/disproduct.asp?id=38

Update 30/06/13

The range on these little things is truly amazing. The little star of light is a flash that has one of the T320 receivers on it.