Flashpoint Xplor 600 HSS TTL Monolight

A value-packed versatile flash.

- Steve Bedell

I DOUBT ANYONE COULD FORESEE the rapid changes digital technology has brought to photography. As a veteran of the business (40+ years), we have come a long way from the match-needle metering and manual flash units of the past. Heck, I can remember when thyristor circuits were a big deal because they could help us automate flash exposures.

Well, fast forward a couple of decades or more and take a look at what’s on today’s menu. We’re looking at a 600 Wattsecond (Ws) flash with an exchangeable battery that will give you more than 500 full-power pops on each charge. If that’s not enough, you can buy another battery for $150. In addition, the flash is full TTL and HSS with Nikon, Canon, and Sony; it has a nine-stop range; and you can control this unit and several others with the included R2 transmitter. And this entire wonder light will only cost you $750.

How can that be? Is it that perfect? Will it cook your breakfast?

For the answers to those questions and much more, let’s take the Flashpoint XPLOR 600 monolight for a spin.

BUILD & FEATURES 

When I cut open the shipping box for the Flashpoint XPLOR 600 monolight, I was delighted to see a nice nylon case that contained everything. The little suitcase has a carry handle plus a shoulder strap for easy portability—nice. Checking it out I found the light, the battery, the flash tube, the charging cords, the R2 transmitter, a basic instruction booklet for the light and the transmitter, and a standard seven-inch reflector using the popular Bowens mount.