XMSR Remote & Trigger User Guide Bowens.co.
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Congratulations on purchasing your new Bowens product. Thank you for choosing the XMSR radio and remote trigger. The Bowens XMSR has been designed by working closely with photographers to develop a unit that meets the exacting high standards demanded by today’s working professionals, while remaining simple and intuitive to use. The XMSR has been created as a system remote that will operate multiple type lighting units including monolights and generator systems.
Table of Contents XMSR user guide SAFET Y INSTRUCTIONS • Safety precautions Environmental safety Radio frequency Final disposal FCC Information ...........................5 ...........................5 ...........................5 ...........................5 ...........................5 XMSR • Appellation ...........................6 QUICK CONTROL GUIDE • Batteries Power On Functions ...........................7 ...........................7 ...........................
Precautions • • • • Always study and understand this user guide and accompanying safety instructions before using this unit. Make sure that the Bowens Instruction and Safety Instructions always accompany this unit. Bowens products are intended for professional photographic use only and should not be used for any other purpose. Equipment should only be serviced, modified or repaired by authorised and competent service personnel.
XMSR Appellation 6 XMSR user guide The XMSR wireless remote permits high speed triggering and adjustment of settings on Bowens XMS range flash. The XMSR also provides a number of advanced features that greatly extend the functions available, including input sync bias and channel cycling. Devices controlled by the XMSR wireless remote are termed as ‘slaves’, the XMSR itself being the master. Slave devices maybe monolights, packs or another remote configured as a receiver.
Quick Start Guide Batteries Before powering up the XMSR you must first ensure the correct size and battery type (2 x AAA) are inserted into the unit. To insert batteries first remove the battery compartment cover by pressing on the side (as indicated on the cover) and pulling it away from the main unit. Insert the correct battery type and replace the battery compartment cover. XMSR user guide 7 Power On To power on the XMSR press and hold the power on/off button (see page 5).
XMSR user guide 8 Quick Start Guide Flash Trigger Any slave devices that have a built-in XMSR receiver can be triggered via the XMSR Remote and Trigger. Slave devices that do not have a built-in XMSR receiver can be triggered by connecting an XMSR (using the correct cable) that has been set to receive mode (Rx). Only paired slave device (flash or remote) set to the same channel as the master XMSR will fire when a trigger signal is received.
For the remote to communicate with other slave devices on the XMSR network they must first be associated or ‘paired’ and be operating on the same channel. For settings such as flash power and modelling power to be adjusted, the slave must also be on the same group as the remote.
Operation XMSR user guide On receiving the confirmation signal from the slave, the remote will display “Pairing Complete” indicating that pairing has been successful. If the pairing session has not completed, or has been unsuccesful, the XMSR will time-out after a period of approximately 15s and the message “Slave Not Found” will be displayed. Repeat the pairing process again. This process should be repeated for each of your slave devices.
Operation Groups This function allows slaves operating on the same channel to be sub-divided into 8 independently adjustable groups while still being triggered together. A group may consist of single or multiple slave devices. Group 9 transmits to ALL groups. Groups are changed as follows: XMSR user guide 11 Press & hold ENT Alternatively, to adjust the group start at the main menu and press the key. The current group setting is shown, use the and keys to select the required group.
XMSR user guide 12 Slave Settings Changes to the settings below are actioned only by slaves on the current channel & group. Settings for each group are stored, and are fully independent of each other. Slave devices are updated immediately once a setting is changed, however should a slave device be activated or changed to operate on the masters current group/channel, the remote should be test fired to synchronise the slave settings with those of the remote.
Slave Settings Head On/Off The flash head can be switched on or off by first selecting the ‘Head’ sub-menu using the key, then selecting either ‘On’ or ‘Off’ as required using the keys. Press & hold ENT XMSR user guide 13 Note: Some slave devices do not support all modelling modes. These devices will continue to operate in the last valid selected mode. Modelling Mode The modelling mode can be adjusted by pressing the key until the modelling mode page is displayed.
Slave Settings XMSR user guide Recharge Speed The Recharge Speed can be adjusted by pressing the key until the Recharge Speed page is displayed. The required option can then be selected using the keys. Press & hold ENT NOTE: The Recharge Speed function is only compatibe with units that include this feature. Currently not supported on the XMS. Sync (Photocell) Bowens.co.uk Slave Settings The cell sync can be adjusted by pressing the key until the Sync page is displayed.
Remote Settings With the exception of the ‘Function’ setting these settings effect only the operation of the remote and do not change settings on the slave device. Transmit / Receive Mode The mode setting determines how the remote will operate. When set to Tx the remote transmits settings/sync trigger commands to slave devices. In the Rx mode the remote acts as a slave device enabling it to be used to trigger flash devices, or act as a camera release.
Remote Settings XMSR user guide Function Cont. Press & hold ENT Fast Sync Fast Sync mode enables Leaf Shutter cameras to sync at speeds faster than their standard X-Sync. The X-Sync speed for Leaf Shutters is generally limited to the mechanical speed limitations of the shutter, usually around 1/800th of a second. Fast Sync mode on the XMSR allows greater speeds than 1/800th second which in some cases can increase up to 1/1600th second. The ‘Fast Sync’ option permits high speed triggering.
Remote Settings Fast Sync Time The ‘Fast Sync Time’ page is only visible when the fast sync option is enabled. This determines how long Fast Sync will remain active after the last trigger pulse before reverting back to normal sync speed. An interval of up to 30 minutes can be selected. Selecting ‘0’ disables the time-out and the remote will remain in the Fast Sync mode indefinitely, however it is advised that this is only done when connected to an external power supply source via the USB port.
Remote Settings XMSR user guide Display On Time The ‘Display On Time’ is the duration the remote’s screen remains on after the last button press. An interval of up to 180 seconds can be selected. Selecting ‘0’ disables the time-out and the display will remain active indefinitely, however it is advised that this is only done when connected to an external power supply source via the USB port.
Remote Settings Input Sync Offset To access the Input Sync Offset screen you must first turn ‘on’ the extended menu. The Input Sync Offset function allows adjustment of the interval between the remote being triggered and its outputs (sync output connector or radio sync command transmission) being fired. In this mode the remote and camera are triggered from an external manual release. XMSR user guide 19 The ‘Timebase’ defines the range over which the ‘Input Sync Offset’ will operate.
Remote Settings XMSR user guide Input Sync Offset Cont. To use of the Input Sync Offset function the camera / lens must be set to manual focus. When ready to take a photograph first half press the camera’s trigger button to enable the cameras pre-focus and to prepare the camera to trigger. Then press the trigger switch / release to fire the XMSR which will then trigger the lighting and the cameras motor-drive in sequence according to the values set.
Un-Pairing In the event you should wish to remove the association between the remote and one of its slaves the un-pairing process should be used. To commence un-pairing start at the main menu and press page is displayed then press the ENT key. key until the un-pairing A warning message is displayed reminding you that once you have completed this process you will no longer be able to communicate with the slave device. If you wish to continue press the ENT key, otherwise press the key to exit.
Specifications XMSR user guide Un-Pairing Cont. Un-Pairing Successful Un-Pairing Failed USB Input The USB input on the side of the XMSR (see page 6) can be used to externally power the remote if required. Simply insert a USB micro connector into the XMSR input and connect to a suitable power source. Bowens.co.uk Specifications Specifications Frequency Band 2.
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Bowens International Ltd. Gilberd Court, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9WN, UNITED KINGDOM. email: info@bowens.co.uk tel: +44(0)1206 832650 Bowens.co.
