Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I have had my Cyber Commander and Einsteins since June and have been very happy with them and the whole idea of the way the Commander and Einsteins work together, making light adjustments on the fly simple and easy. The problem seemed to start after I had been out of work for a couple of months due to an injury, when I started using the system again the Cyber Commander seemed to have developed some gremlens.
Sometimes it will not turn on(Pressing the left button to turn on power)
I called tech support the first time this happened and they said to remove the card and then turn it on. This did get the unit to power up again, and I also bought a new micro card as suggested by tech support. The problem is that sometimes everything works fine and I can make any adjustment as needed, but other times and for no apparent reason the Cyber commander becomes unresponsive and the only way to get it back on again is to remove the card.

Yesterday I had a session at noon. I played with the lights/modeling for 15 minutes prior to the session and everything worked perfectly, then just before the client arrived I went to turn up the modeling lights and the Cyber commander could not be powered back up. The lights did remain at the same settings I had them before the Cyber Commander quit, so I got throught that session OK(I use a CST on my camera), but had to stick with the same setting for the sitting. After the client left I tried to power up the CC again and was forced to take out the card to get it to power up again. The CC powered up after taking the card out and recognized my lights, but the ISO moved from 200 back to the default 100 ISO.

I know I will need to send this in to have it fixed, but I am afraid that when the tech guys get it they will not be able to repeat the problem as it only seems to happen once in a while(Though usually at the worst times)


Cyber Commander V29
I have 2 version 1 Einsteins and a WL 1600 in my current set up.

Hmm, sorry to hear that. Glad your session worked out for the most part though. Strange behavior. Doesn't sound like it's corrupted SD cards since you've menstioned you've tried different ones. Perhaps a loose contact in the SD interface not causing it to read the card/setups correctly? Is the left joystick (power button) 'clicking-in' correctly or does it feel mushy at all? Honestly, regardless of it was still under warranty, I'd send it in ASAP.

Here's the thing, if you don't send it in there's really nothing Tech Support can do without the unit on-hand for any testing/repair (aside from simple troubleshooting), so you might as well do so sooner than later. Just be sure to include a small note with the symptoms (and in your case the frequency of the issue) and you should have no problem getting it fixed. PCB Support is top notch, and they resolve issues fairly quickly & painlessly.

When did you get the Commander? Did you upgrade to v.29 yourself or did it come installed? Be sure you are using alkaline or lithium batteries, do not use rechargeables. The unit will likely need to come in, but depending on certain variables, we may be able get you going until a lull in activity becomes available for you to be with out it.

Thanks for the advice Liquid Rhino. The toggle switches seem good and firm, not mushy. I am thinking along the sames lines that you suggested that it may be along the lines of a loose connection somewhere.

I got the Cyber commander in June and I have never upgraded the software, It came with 29. I am reminded that it is version 29 because i see that everytime it has to reboot when I remove the card, so I didn't have to check my paperwork to see what version it was. :lol:
I have only used akaline batteries in the unit, never rechargables.
I just need to get through the next 12 days or so and I will be able to send it in.
Since I am using the same setup for sessions this week, I could go back to the stone age and use my pocket wizards while I ship the CC off to get repaired. Which might not be a bad idea the more I think about it.

I had the same issues that was cleared up by using a different brand of Lithium batteries.

I had started with enloop rechargeable and then regular alkaline disposable.
The new Lithiums have been working fine but it's only been a few sessions so far.

Increase the screen brightness to about 40-50%. This can be done by going to SET UP>ADVANCED CONFIGURATION>CYBER COMMANDER SET UP, then adjust using the left joystick up and down. This should prevent the Commander from rebooting until it comes in.

I decided to send it in today. It should arrive in Nashville Friday via Fed Ex. Until then I am using my boring old Pocket wizards. Thanks for the input everyone, soon it will be in the hands of the creators.

I'm having this same problem. Sometimes the CC works just fine, then it goes totally black and non-responsive. New batteries didn't change anything, but it sprang back to life after removing the MicroSD card. After reinserting the MicroSD card, it starts working again for a few minutes before going dark.

It would be interesting to know how many people experienced CC-releated MicroSD problems. I'm guessing that most MicroSD cards are good for years of normal use, so if the CC-related MicroSD failures represent more than a small fraction (say 1-2%) of all CC's sold to date, then it would be logical to assume that the root cause lies somewhere within the CC.

I had this problem, Go to wal-mart buy a new SD card and your problem will probably disappear! My card turned out to be defective after only 2 uses.

Ive had the same problem with one of the many CCs Ive had (4 or was it 5 different ones so far?).

The screen would just go black. Taking the SD out and back in solved it for a bit, but then it would happen again. A new SD of my own DID NOT solve this problem. I think it was some fault with how the SD card is held in place in the CC itself, and the card would get loose just enough that the contact was broken. Try taping it in tight with some gaffers tape. You may want to roll up a bit and then tape that roll against the SD to force it in more.

Or just return it. Or you can ask AB to send you a replacement and then return it.