Astral Extreme AS-X-400 Monolight INSTRUCTIONS
Table of Contents Introduction �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2 Precautions �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Overview ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 5 Getting Started ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Introduction Thank you for choosing Impact. The Impact AS-X-400 Astral Extreme monolight can be used for everything from professional wedding and portrait work to action and sports photography. This monolight is an easy-to-use and reliable tool built for functionality, and it incorporates advanced features that are engineered for speed. In fact, that’s why we call it the Extreme—because it’s extremely fast.
Precautions ⚠ • Please read and follow these instructions, and keep this manual in a safe place. • Keep this unit away from water and any flammable gases or liquids. • Do not leave the device in a closed vehicle under the sun or in other areas subject to very high temperatures. • Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the equipment. There are high-voltage components inside the unit. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock or product malfunction.
Precautions ⚠ • Handle the unit with care. • Clean the unit with a soft, dry cloth. • Keep this unit away from children. • Make sure the item is intact and that there are no missing parts. • All photos are for illustrative purposes only.
Overview 1 2 3 5 6 8 10 12 7 9 11 13 14 15 17 18 5 4 16
Overview Legend 1. Adjustment/carry handle 2. Umbrella mount (rear) 3. Modeling lamp output control dial 4. LCD display 5. Flash output control dial 6. Modeling lamp indicator light 7. Modeling lamp button 8. Sound indicator light 9. Sound button 10. Slave indicator light 11. Slave mode button 12. Flash ready indicator light 13. Flash test button 14. Wireless remote port 15. 1/4” phono socket 16. Power Switch 17. Fuse bay 18.
Overview 7 5 6 4 2 1 3 11 13 12 8 10 9 7
Overview Legend Also included 1. Modeling lamp 14. Transport cover 2. Flashtube 15. 7˝ grid reflector 3. Protective glass dome 16. AC power cord 4. Bayonet accessory mount 17. PC sync to 1/4˝ phono cord 5. Accessory release latch 18. Spare fuse (installed in fuse bay) 6. Umbrella mount (front) 19. User manual 7. Optical Slave sensor 8. Mounting bracket positioning rails 9. Mounting bracket 10. Hex screw 11. Ratchet handle 12. Locking knob 13.
Getting Started Mounting the Astral Extreme 1. Make sure the mounting bracket’s ratchet handle is fully tightened. 2. Loosen the locking knob on the mounting socket and mount the Astral Extreme onto your lightstand. 3. Tighten the locking knob until secure. You can adjust the tilt of the monolight by loosening the ratchet handle. Make sure to keep one hand on the monolight to hold it steady to avoid damaging the light.
Getting Started To install the modeling lamp, follow these steps: 1 1. Make sure that the monolight is turned off and unplugged. 3 2 2. Remove the transport cover by pulling the accessory release latch and rotating the transport cover counterclockwise. 3. Remove the protective glass dome by carefully pulling it from the clips holding it in place. 2 4. Screw the included modeling lamp into the threaded socket. 5. Reinstall the protective glass dome by snapping it in place over the two bulbs.
Getting Started 1 2 To install the reflector, follow these steps: 1. Align the three pegs on the reflector with the corresponding notches in the monolight’s bayonet accessory mount. Note: Make sure the reflector’s umbrella hole is aligned with the monolight’s umbrella mount, located next to the accessory release latch. 2. Insert the reflector into the accessory mount and rotate the reflector clockwise until it locks into place. To plug in the Astral Extreme, follow these steps: 1.
Flash Power Output The Astral Extreme’s flash power output covers a 6-stop range. It is adjusted via the flash power output control dial (A) from 6.0 (full power) all the way down to 1.0, in 0.1-stop increments. The selected flash power is displayed on the LCD (B). Note: Turning the flash power output lower than 1.0 until “OF” is displayed on the LCD will disable flash firing. This feature is for use with the dedicated remote.
Modeling Lamp C B A The modeling lamp is a continuous light that you can use for flash positioning to give you an idea of how the flash will illuminate your subject. To turn on the modeling lamp, press the modeling lamp button (A). When the modeling lamp is on, the modeling lamp indicator light (B) will glow blue. Use the modeling lamp output control dial (C) to steplessly adjust power output.
Audio Confirmation B A The Astral Extreme can emit a beep to let you know when the flash has fully recycled and is ready for another flash. This feature is useful when you can’t see the flash ready indicator light, which indicates the status of the flash. The audio confirmation will also cause the monolight to emit a beep when you press any of the buttons or rotate the flash output control dial. To turn on audio confirmation, press the sound button (A).
Triggering the Flash There are three ways to trigger the flash: 1/4” phono, optical slave, or wireless remote (sold separately). When you trigger the flash, the flash ready indicator light will turn off and then turn on when the flash has recycled and is ready for another flash. If audio confirmation is activated, the monolight will emit a beep when the flash has fully recycled.
Mounting Accessories Wireless Remote Control A dedicated remote control, the Impact ControlSync 16 Transmitter and Receiver (sold separately), can control triggering, adjust power levels, and turn the modeling light and audio confirmation features on and off. To use the remote, plug the dedicated receiver into the monolight’s USB wireless remote port.
Mounting Accessories The Umbrella Mount The Astral Extreme has an integrated umbrella mount that employs an internal tension spring capable of holding up to a 7´ parabolic umbrella. To mount an umbrella in the Astral Extreme, insert your umbrella shaft into the umbrella mount at the front of the monolight. Depending on the desired position of your umbrella and the length of its shaft, the shaft may emerge from the umbrella mount at the rear of the monolight.
Adjusting the Center of Gravity Adjusting the Center of Gravity The Astral Extreme has an adjustable mounting bracket held in place by a single hex screw. This makes it easy to adjust the monolight’s center of gravity if a large or heavy accessory is causing it to tilt forward or backward. To adjust the monolight’s center of gravity, follow these steps: 1. Turn off and unplug the Astral Extreme and remove any mounted accessories. 2. Use a 3 mm hex wrench to loosen the hex screw in the mounting bracket.
Replacing Parts Replacing the Flashtube IMPORTANT: Before replacing the flashtube, it is recommended to manually empty the capacitor (see below), even though the Astral Extreme has an autodump feature. To replace the flashtube, follow these steps: NOTE: When handling the flashtube, use a clean cloth or cotton gloves. Never touch the flashtube with your bare hands. Oil residue from your fingers can cause the surface of the lamp to heat unevenly and explode. 1.
Replacing Parts 6. Insert a fresh FT-X-400 flashtube into the flashtube socket. 7. Wrap the metal wire around the clip that holds the flashtube in place. The wire does not need to be in the exact position as before, but it does need to connect the two ends of the clip. 8. Reinstall the modeling lamp, glass dome, and reflector. Replacing the Fuse The Astral Extreme’s user-replaceable fuse protects the flash unit’s circuitry. The fuse and included spare are located in a bay mounted above the AC plug (A).
Specifications 21 Maximum power 400 W/s Recycle time 0.4 sec. at full power Flash duration 1/5000 to 1/8000 sec. Power output control 6-stop range, 6.0 to 1.0 in 0.
One-Year Limited Warranty This Impact product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal consumer use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs later.
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