Strobist Designs Real Open Source Remote Trigger

When I wrote about the Lumipro Flashgun (yes, the review is coming), a strobe designed by actually listening to the people who would buy it, I called it ‘open source’ (with the quotes). While, technically, it wasn’t true, it certainly followed the spirit of the project.

Now, there is a true open source flash project. Called the SPOT (Strobist Project Opensource Trigger), it is a wireless trigger for off-camera flash, and by downloading the schematics and GPL-licensed` software, you can build it yourself for around $50.

As with any remote trigger system (except proprietary, built-in ones like Nikon’s Creative Lighting System) you’ll need two units — one for transmitting and one for receiving, but even $100 for a pair is cheaper than the pro alternative of Pocket Wizards. Specs are basic but, coupled with a manual flashgun, everything you’ll need for some hot weekend strobist action. Here’s what you get, cribbed from The Strobist himself, David Hobby:

• Synchs at up to 1/250th of a second

• Approximately 30-meter range

• Triggers through walls and windows

• 4 groups of adjustable flashes

• Remote power level adjustment for “old” flashes (e.g. SB-24)

• Cost of parts ~ €50

• Open source software