Wednesday 25 August, 2010   David A. Selby   New releases, Triggers   14 Comments

Meike MK-RC7 2.4GHz flash trigger: better than RF-602s?

Meike MK-RC7So far there have been many contenders to the title of “best budget flash trigger” currently held by Yongnuo RF-602s. In the 2.4GHz budget trigger market we have seen the arrival of Pixel Pawns and Soldiers, Phottix Stratos and Hähnel Combi TFs, all with various advantages over RF-602s, but all of them are more expensive, some even more than twice the price.

However, Shenzhen-based company Meike has brought out an improved trigger that’s the cheapest 2.4GHz model so far seen on the market. The Meike MK-RC7 “Flash Quick” triggers very much resemble Yongnuo RF-602s in functions, and initial appearance, but offer several key improvements.

  • AAA batteries in the transmitter
  • Bulb and self-timer support when used as a remote shutter release
  • Locking pin on the transmitter foot
  • Universal transmitters for Canon and Nikon
  • Cheaper (see below for where to buy)

Features

  • Universal Iso flash trigger with 100 metre range
  • Wakes sleeping flashes on shutter half-press (Canon/Nikon)
  • 6.35/3.5mm cable for studio lights
  • Wireless shutter release with interchangeable camera cables
  • Autofocuses remote cameras on transmitter half-press.
  • Bulb, continuous shooting and self-timer support.
  • 15 channels and 1 “fire all” channel

Specifications

Frequency FSK 2.4 GHz
Channels 16
Range 100m (open area)
Ports Transmitter Prontor/Compur (PC sync)
Receiver Olympus RM-CB1 (Yongnuo 3-pin)
Batteries Transmitter 2x 1.5V AAA
Receiver 2x 1.5V AAA
Dimensions Transmitter 81 x 34 x 28mm
Receiver 86 x 35 x 34mm
Weight 235g

Where to buy

The Meike MK-RC7 is available to buy on eBay for approximately US $30 for a transmitter/receiver set, with extra receivers priced at around $20 each. Though some listings are titled “for RF-602″, it is unlikely that they are compatible. You can also buy from the LinkDelight web site.

The only differences between the various kits are the included shutter release cables. Both the transmitters and the receivers have universal Canon/Nikon hotshoe pinouts. There are shutter release cables for most cameras. If yours is not yet listed, you can also use Yongnuo cables available on eBay.

  • http://www.dpjphotography.co.uk DPJ

    It’s getting frustrating how quickly the newer ebay triggers are coming out. My issue is when are they going to be supersceded by new versions. If you got RF602′s last week, will they be left for dead within 6 months like the PT04′s etc. I think Yungnuo and the like need to set a standard and stick to it. This would help please their target market as they wouldn’t be worried that in 18months they can no longer get hold of the triggers or cables they are allready using. Just my opinion by the way ;)

  • gromit

    Well, someone with RF-602s should try out these and test if they are compatible. Seems to me they using the same de/encoder chip featuring “trigger all”.

    • LR Editor

      We have ordered a set and will publish a comprehensive review comparing Yongnuo RF-602s, MeiKe MK-RC7s, Phottix Stratos and Pixel Soldiers. Any suggestions are appreciated.

  • http://www.betterfamilyphotos.com/ Michael Ty

    Regarding the “fire all” channel, does that mean that if someone else in the vicinity uses that channel, my flash (or my camera if on remote shutter mode) will be triggered?

    • LR Editor

      Yes. Channel 1111 (16) will trigger all other channels.

  • Steve

    @ DPJ ………..
    I wouldn’t say it was “frustrating” that a new model of flash triggers seems to be released so quickly.
    Exciting, would I of thought, been a more appropriate adjective.
    To ensure you get the maximum value from your current-technology goodies, would it suit you better if no-one released any new products until, say, two years after YOU have purchased something ?
    Also, would you like all companies to stick to the YongUno specifications and not do any innovations, or simply not have YongUno do any more R & D ?
    And we’ll all drive to work in our Model T Ford vehicles and use our Vic-20 (don’t want to upgrade to that new-fangled C-64 technology !! ).

  • Eduerdo

    This triggers are NOT compatible with RF-602 and the flash and camera trigger cables are NOT compatible with RF-602 cables, I have tested them and polarity is inverted in this cables.

    • http://www.JChinPhotography.com Johnny

      Thank you for that info. I was looking to buy a set of MC-RC7 to test compatibility with RF602s. You just saved me some time and money :)

  • http://na Nilo

    I wont think it should be frustrating. PWs are hell of an expense for noobs. these triggers even out the playing field.

  • thomas

    here, you can see some issue I had with this trigger ordered on linkdelight

  • thorsten

    i ordered them in china, delivery time was three weeks. haptical very good, proper work with my cams (d80 and d200) and flash sb-800, but didn’t work with different bowens and profoto-heads, neither with adapted hot-shoe on the receiver.
    linkddelight asked me for an video, that shows the non-funktion to solve the problem.
    i bought phottix strato now.

  • Rantoni

    are MK7 compatible with RF 602??? Can I use both for strobist?

    • David A. Selby

      They are not compatible.

  • Henry T.

    Hi Guys,
    I just got this triggers (I’ve ordered 3 sets, one for Canon and two for Nikon) from lightdelight.com. One of the receiver DOA and I have contacted them, I ve started using the other two sets. On my Canon, the trigger worked fine but on my Nikon D300S, the trigger system is flaky and does not work/fire most of the time. I’ve found out that, when you half-press the shutter button, the trigger communicates with the receiver constantly for like 5 seconds (Green light is solid-on for about 5 seconds) and all my shots’ flash fired fine. However, this is a different story with my Nikon D300S, If I rapidly fire a few shots, the flash will fire 3 out of 5 shots but if I walk around the event room and take a shot here and there, the flash doesn’t fire. Also when I half-press the shutter (to focus) the Green light doesn’t turn-on at all. So this might be that the Trigger (Tx) is not communicating with my camera maybe due to the pin’s locations as it’s designed as an universal for both Nikon and Canon.

    This is also the same problem when I use the PCsync core from my D300S to the Trigger.

    Anyone who is reading this and have one of these trigger system using on Nikon camera(s) and can voice/type in your experience would be greatly appropriated.

    I’ve also read about one user who is having the same issue as me but had a work around by not inserting the trigger all the way into the hotshoe. I’ve tried this but no help.

    If you are looking to get one of these for a D300S, please order one set first to see if you have any issue before ordering more.

    Thanks

    Henry

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