Radio Popper is the new kid on the block when it comes to wireless radio strobe triggers. In fact, they are so new you can't even buy the product just yet. But, when you can, the promise the difference will worth the wait. And I, for one, believe them.
There are basically two product types Radio Popper is offering. The first provides wireless TTL flash. Yes, you probably already have this if you have modern equipment and mated flashes. However, you don't have it like this. With the exception of 1 or 2 very expensive 3rd party options, to my knowledge, all of the big names in camera technology handle wireless TTL flash using IR. This works great if all of your flashes are close by and you have a line of sight to each of them. When you don't, or if things change, this fails drastically. Radio Popper is changing that. You'll still need your modern equipment and mated flashes. Radio Popper will sit in between your camera and those flashes and retransmit those IR signals over RF. This means that, suddenly, they'll work through walls, behind your subjects, when not visible to the camera, and from very far away — up to 500 feet away. To my knowledge there is currently no other product that does this in this way and, when considering all options, no product that does this in such an inexpensive way. The cost is $175-$225 per transmitter or receiver. You'll need one transmitter for the camera and a receiver for every flash you intend to use.
The second product being offered by Radio Popper has been on the market for quite some time. Radio Popper is just doing it cheaper and better. For photographers looking for wireless flash triggers who don't need the TTL features, there have been three options on the market before now.
First, the expensive PocketWizard. They can fire both strobes and camera, work from a great distance, and fire every time. These are standard equipment for many photographers. They run $180-$300 per transmitter or receiver.
Second, is the dirt cheap eBay and Gadget Infinity Radio Slaves. They fire strobes, work for about 300-500 feet, and fire about 80-90% of the time depending on closeness and batteries. These are standard equipment for most amateur photographers and those who aren't willing to plunk down the PocketWizard cash. They run $15-$25 per transmitter or receiver.
Third, is the middle ground. Lots of manufacturers have made products ranging from $50-$150 per transmitter or receiver that falls somewhere in between the functionality and the reliability of the above two options. I know of very few people actually using them, however.
Piggybacking off the requirements and research for the Wireless TTL model above, Radio Popper will be offering a non TTL variety capable of a 2000 ft range and promising much fewer misses than that "eBay Radio Slaves" for $25 per transmitter or receiver. With this, the usability, affordability, and reliability of this product will have all jumped leaps and bounds.
Finally, even if you aren't a fan of wireless TTL, the wireless TTL version will be capable of syncing at very high shutter speeds which means that overpowering the sun just got a lot more possible.
Products are slated for release in the Summer of 2008. I'm counting the days.
