Review of Paul C Buff HUB remote. Watch before you buy it.

I have used this new remote for over a month now, and here is my review of this new HUB remote control.
If you have and use it also, please share your experience with it.
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[@karenengel291]

Lots of good points. I've been waiting for a HUB for Sony to come out before buying Celestial lights - but after seeing this I think I'm not going to bother. I don't want to juggle a phone or even Cybersense to control light power while shooting in the field - that should be available on camera via the transmitter. Something as basic as NO power level control on camera, is a deal breaker.

[@matrixphotodesign]

Very Honest review, I found very similar problems with the HUB in fact I broke my HUB and have not since replaced it , In studio I just prefer working with Old Pocket wizard , Having a Built in Lithium battery means the pro already has a end time ,and you really need to have two at the same time ,especially on a full day shoot , also having to rely on on your phone adds another point of failure .You should be able to control your flashes from the remote like so many other on the market. My old pocket wizard still takes AA batteries I can walk in to any store in the world and get them ( And yes I have )

[@Geekatplay]

i am making new video, year and half after use, and only reason to have hub, it is ability upgrade firmware on Link800. It is no other way, except to send them back, to upgrade Link800 to new firmware, except thru HUB and mobile app that connected to the HUB. I feel this is holding consumer hostage to the inferior product.

[@michaelhallahan]

Great review. I'm new to Paul Buff products after 20+ years of using Bowens and Dynalite. I was drawn to the Einstein units after reading about the short flash duration but after about 6 months of use, I find myself feeling like Paul C Buff, Inc doesn't really care much about their clients or the quality of their products. The Einsteins do have consistent color output ( in color mode ) and a nice short flash duration ( in action mode ) but they are fragile and poorly designed...just like all the other products I've purchased from Buff. For what it's worth, the power button on the Nikon HUB unit doesn't need to be held when turning the unit on. It does take a minute to show the "Buff" logo but it will do so even with a single press and release. Re the design of the HUB unit - I suspect it was cheaper for Buff to use an already existing design and try to adapt it to their needs.

[@angelisone]

The lack of real tech supports because Paul Buff died in 2015. Family got greedy & will not send out their equipment to ATG, you or me for real reviews. These products now are coming from Asia. Sony version will not be available until late 2023. Nevertheless ATG will not allow ATG's Sony RT on many transmitters & ATG AF assist beam.

[@matrixphotodesign]

Sorry Im going to have to disagree with you , Ive been using PCB Enstien for 10 years now and never had a customer service issues ,Ive worked in retail my self I know that no matter what unless clients use NASA level quality control there will always be a percentage that are defective , I also came from the days of Flash Packs so I take extra care of my flash.

[@Jdikmen]

I have 4 White Lightnings and 4 Einsteins for the past few years (plan to add a couple Links soon). I have been using the Cyber Commander and CyberSense, but switched to the Canon version of the HUB to try with my 5D MKIV when they released it. I have to agree with all your points although some are not a big issue in my case as I only shoot products in my studio (never take my flashes on location). Everything I shoot is tethered to my laptop running Capture One and I have an iPad Pro mounted to the TetherTools table running the HUB App to control lights exclusively - if I had to use a handheld phone to use the app, that could be a pain. With the iPad, I never have to pick it up to see the light settings from a distance or to make changes. Cyber Commander is great, but really getting hard for me to see as I get older! The only real problem I have run into so far with the HUB is when I add a light after the app is running it usually never finds it. Quitting the app and relaunching the app has always remedied that issue, but a hassle (i.e I have to turn on all the lights I need to use before launching the app). Occasionally a light will not fire as well - about 10% as you say. Also if I take a break and put the iPad (App) to sleep, when I wake the iPad/App usually one or more lights get lost and I have to quit/relaunch the app. I think the HUB has real potential and I will continue using it (because of my unique situation). Not sure if Buff even replaces the battery at EOL? I really like the company, products and support in general, hope they can address some of these shortcomings with updates!

[@MrFrance97]

I miss the wired remote control LG4X with the old cyber sync

[@anorveaa]

Thank you for your video. I was looking into buying Paul Buff system but this HUB completely turned me off. What a terrible product!

[@Geekatplay]

lights is not bad, and customers support the best, hands down. i think engineers need work closer with photographers, that would help a lot.

[@angelisone]

What you have said are correct. Paul C. Buff refused to allow ATG, my staff and I to test and do reviews. Vladimir Chopine, try ATG/Jinbei or ATG/Godox or ATG/Cononmark. ATG & I asked and they did not reply, "Are these made and built in Asia by ATG?" "What so good about all the marketing by claiming TTL & HSS, but you have no Sony's HUB." "Is Hub truly an ATG TTL top hotshoe? Can it do TTL & HSS at the same time like Canon using ATG's? Does Hub as ATG TCM? I was told ATG is not releasing Hub's Sony until late 2023, correct?" Paul C Buff finally becomes like Pocket Wizard.

[@angelisone]

Many photographers don't know but like to say ATG doesn't exist But they used them everyday Again check out they sold to German company, Rollei Surprised and you thought it's Germany made Just like Westcott. Surprised not really made by them Again, Flashpoint, Neewer & PowerExtra My staff like to use ATG TTL transmitter & flash, because one will fit onto many camera brands. We hate using battery that we can not replace. Very dumb ideals like many today laptops.

[@dez5]

HUB remote control = Minus, For $200. Just improve the Flimsy Cyber commander and keep your loyal customers.

[@Geekatplay]

yep, i am very disappointed

[@urbanrump7188]

I recently purchased 4 Links and a HUB trigger and have been very disappointed with the HUB unit and the associated app. My experience has been that the app rarely detects all of my my strobes. And when the phone comes out of lock screen the whole strobe detection process has to start over. So the app is essentially useless. The HUB itself has terrible battery life and repeatedly misfires. I've been a satisfied PCB customer for nearly 20 years but the HUB unit is an absolute piece of junk. Do not buy this product it's awful.

[@Geekatplay]

i am finishing working on updated video, year and half after using them. it should be out soon. Almost none of my thoughts changed. Whatever i thought was bad, still bad. HUB are one of the worst engineering idea from Buff. very useless and under developed. Sadly, it has very huge capabilities, even on current hardware. they need just get real photographer as consultant and working together.

[@urbanrump7188]

@@Geekatplay I agree the HUB is absolutely useless, PCB should offer to buy them back from all the dissatisfied users.

[@Geekatplay]

Lets make it worse, you need HUB, you can update Links 800, only thru app, that only access LINKS by HUB. No other way, except pay shipping and send to the company flash units it self. If you have bug in software on flash head (LINK 800) then you stuck with it, till you buy and use HUB. This is one of few latest practices from Buff, that made me consider to replacing all my Studio flash equipment on different brand. Seems after Paul C Buff death they change company polices.

[@urbanrump7188]

@@Geekatplay yep I really regret this purchase!

[@Farcorner]

The worst part for me is the updating of the link800 unit .. I didn’t include the hub remote(not knowing that it’s needed for updating and enabling TTL ) with my order coz I got another trigger that can communicate and control the strobes .. now I just need to buy the hub remote just for one purpose which is updating my unit which is ridiculous .. $200 for something an older unit like the Einstein can do through a mini SD card .. not to mention that the unit is equipped with technology that makes it able to update using other ways but they decided not to. Now I’m stuck with the older version till I buy the unhelpful remote. @Vladimirchopine

[@mattdeere524]

The HUB is the most unreliable piece of gear I have ever experienced, and Paul C. Buff needs to fix it if they want to stay in business.

[@efreutel]

This HUB gizmo sucks. Definitely not ready for primetime.,Needs a complete redo. 👎👎

[@Geekatplay]

sad, that you need have HUB if you want firmware update on Links800, it is very bad idea. i will make another video about that. the only, only one good thing about Buffs now, it is customer support, they are gold!