Hildozine Pocketwizard Caddy
In a comment on my most recent video, Moishe from MPEX suggested to use Hildozine Pocket Wizard Caddies to attach my Pocketwizards to the stand or flash. Strobist wrote about these caddies a while ago but for some reason I didn’t pay much attention to it.
Until now, I just let the PW’s hang from the lanyard. But it’s clear that this isn’t the most elegant nor equipment friendly solution. My way of working often requires moving flashes all the time. The pocketwizards are in for a serious beating with all this banging into the stands.
My handy dad and I have been trying to make a custom bracket but in the end it wasn ‘t what I expected.
So when I received a package from MPEX containing two Hildozine PW caddies, I was pretty curious yet a bit sceptic to see if these things would be THE solution. A few incredibly busy days packed with assignments allowed me to give the caddies a good testdrive.
photo copyright www.hildozine.com
At first sight a PW caddy is just a piece of plastic and a rubber band. Heck, at second and third sight it still looks like a piece of plastic and a rubber band.
But this is a pretty handy piece of plastic. I like simple designs that work and the caddy is one of those designs. The PW fits perfectly in the caddy and when you fasten the screw PW and caddy become one. Attaching it, is a breeze.
I personally prefer to attach the caddy straight to the flash rather than to a stand (like in the picture below)/
photo copyright www.hildozine.com
I have used the caddies on a few shoots and I wouldn’t want to work without them anymore. This is a very practical solution that has been designed really well. At 15 dollars it’s not too expensive either. I think every pocketwizard should come with a Hildozine caddy but in the mean time you can get them here at MPEX.
Personally I use elastic bands, but that’s just me…
I’m sure they work fine too Jon. But I think these caddies are just a tad faster to work with and they look really professional (which is a big plus for some clients).
I use Pocketwizard Caddys and love them. I have 4 of them and use them at every wedding I shoot. Thanks for the article.
If you place the caddy on the flash, you wouldn’t be able to put snoods, grids, gels, etc. on your flash.
the only exception would be using an umbrella..
Hey there!
Could you tell me if there is a difference between the gear you uses and the Elinchrom Skyport ?
Thank’s for sharing your knowledge.
Stephane
@sarked: I can still put my grids, snoots and gels on my flashes with the caddy attached to the flash. But it might be harder in some other configurations.
@stephane: The skyports seem to work well and are cheaper but several friend who have them, tell me they aren’t build as tough as the pocketwizards. If you work in studio or are careful with your gear the skyports are ok but for me the better build quality and the longer range of the PW’s is important.
I see.. anyway, at least you’ve got options where to attach them.
I’m just curious, how may PW’s do you have?
I’m still starting out, so I’m just happy with the Cactus triggers.
How durable are these caddy? My PW are always beaten every time I take them on location. One of them dropped one on the pavement and I almost had a heart attack…ha ha ha…