Get the new PocketWizard E Release!
PocketWizard has been a leader in the radio triggering industry for over 30 years. Our Legacy firmware is legendary for its range and reliability. But we wanted more.
In 2019, we introduced the E Release protocol. This is not a normal firmware update, it is an upgrade and complete protocol change in the way our radios send and receive signals. With the E Release, radio signals now reach farther than they ever have and are less susceptible to outside RF interference for amazing reliability.
The E Release is our new system going forward but instead of having to buy all new radios to get the benefits, you can take advantage of the new system buy upgrading the radios you already own. There is a small one time charge upgrade each radio to access this new technology but any future updates will continue to be free.
This NexGen firmware upgrade will supercharge your PocketWizard®️ radios with more reliability, longer range and better performance. You get it all!
When you upgrade, your radios will:
- Overcome ambient RF interference to send and receive signals with greater reliability
- Get more than double the range of legacy firmware for remote camera(s) and/or off-camera flash(es)
- Pair your PocketWizards with the revolutionary Raven from Fusion TLC
- Use Quad Zone Triggering available with all 32 Channels*, instead of just 16
(*Zones are not available with the PlusXe upgrade) - All radios will use the same, single Channel system
Expand the tabs below to see how the E Release upgrade could benefit you!
Features & Benefits
When you upgrade, your radios will:
- Send and receive signals with greater reliability. The firmware makes your radio more resilient to RF noise and interference. Adjacent channel interference is reduced by 99% in events with multiple photographers.
- Get more than double the range of legacy firmware for remote camera(s) and/or off-camera flash(es). Legacy firmware could typically reach up to 800-1600 feet. With Long Range (LR) mode, available with the Plus III or Plus IV upgrades, distances have been measured in miles.
- Pair your PocketWizards with the revolutionary Raven from Fusion TLC. With FlexTT5 or FlexTT6s, get advanced TTL, power control, and HSS. Use your Plus III and Plus IV radios for advanced HyperSync/SyncView and remote camera triggering with 2 way confirmation.
- Use Quad Zone Triggering available with all 32 Channels, instead of just 16. All 32 E Channels have 4 Zones available.
Note: Zones are not available with the PlusXe firmware - All use the same, single Channel system. Instead of ControlTL and Standard Channels, all radios will use the same E Channels so you can mix and match your PocketWizards. There are also 80 new LR Channels for the Plus III and Plus IV, dedicated to triggering cameras in Long Range Mode.
Everything that PocketWizard® does best, made even better – now available worldwide!
Compatibility & Important Notes
Radios with the E Release can only communicate with other products using the E Release.
You will need to purchase a Firmware License for each radio you wish to upgrade. This firmware will only work with other radios that have been upgraded to the E Release, it will not work with radios that are using Legacy firmware.
The PlusX, Plus III, and Plus IV radios are compatible with virtually any camera or flash that can be triggered by a single pin trigger or via the sync port.
The PowerMC2 radios are compatible with the Paul C Buff Einstein, LINK, or Celestial. They are not compatible with DigiBees. You may need to upgrade your flash as well, please contact us for details, especially if you are using the radios with a Raven.
The charts below are for compatibility with the FlexTT5 and/or FlexTT6 radios. Please check your specific camera model below to determine if the E Release is TTL compatible with your camera if you have FlexTT5/FlexTT6 radios. The MiniTT1 cannot be upgraded to the E Release firmware. It will remain a Legacy product and cannot communicate with radios that have been upgraded to the E Release. Virtually all cameras and flashes can be used with Legacy firmware if you set the radios to Basic Trigger mode in PocketWizard Utility.
If your camera is not compatible with the radio as a transmitter, you may be able to use a Raven from Fusion TLC as your transmitter with your PocketWizards as receivers.
Most Sekonic light meters use our Legacy firmware and cannot communicate with the E Release protocol. The Sekonic L-478DR CAN be sent in for an upgrade in the US. Please contact us before purchasing the L-478DR E Release upgrade.
We are working on options for other Sekonic meters but at this time, only the L-478DR can be upgraded.
Strobes with built-in PocketWizard receivers can only use our Legacy firmware and cannot communicate with the E Release protocol. If you would like to trigger a strobe with a built-in PocketWizard reciever, such as a Profoto or Dynalite, you must use an E Release upgraded PocketWizard connected to the sync port. The internal radio cannot be triggered with the E Release protocol.
Older PocketWizard radios, like the Plus II or MultiMAX, cannot be upgraded to the E Release protocol.
FlexTT5 for Nikon
| NIKON TTL COMPATIBILITY | FlexTT5 with Legacy Firmware | FlexTT5 as Transmitter with E Release | FlexTT5 as Receiver with E Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z9, Z8, Z7 II, Z6 III, Z6 II, Z5 II, Z50 II | *Basic Trigger Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible |
| Z7, Z6, Z50 | *Basic Trigger Only-No TTL | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
| D6 | *Basic Trigger Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible |
| D5, D4s | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
| D850, D810, D800 | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
| D780 | *Basic Trigger Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible |
| D750 | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
| D610, D600 | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
| D500 | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
| D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000 | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible |
FlexTT5 for Canon
| CANON TTL COMPATIBILITY | FlexTT5 as Transmitter with Legacy Firmware | FlexTT5 as Receiver with Legacy Firmware | FlexTT5 as Transmitter with E Release Firmware | FlexTT5 as Receiver with E Release Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1DX | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 6D | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 70D, 60D | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| EOS mirrorless* | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 1DX Mark III | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 1DX Mark II | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 5D Mark IV, 6D Mark II | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | TTL Compatible (Rx Only) | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 90D | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | TTL Compatible (Rx Only) | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 77D, 80D | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
FlexTT6 for Canon
| CANON TTL COMPATIBILITY | FlexTT6 as Transmitter with Legacy Firmware | FlexTT6 as Receiver with Legacy Firmware | FlexTT6 as Transmitter with E Release Firmware | FlexTT6 as Receiver with E Release Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1DX | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 6D | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 60D, 70D | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| EOS mirrorless* | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 1DX Mark III | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 1DX Mark II | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 5D Mark IV, 6D Mark II | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 90D | Basic Trigger Mode Only-No TTL | TTL Compatible (RX Only) | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
| 77D, 80D | TTL Compatible | TTL Compatible | Not Compatible as a Transmitter | TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only |
TTL Compatible: The radio can be used with full TTL communication, including TTL, HSS, Power Control, and HyperSync.
TTL Compatible as a Receiver Only: Canon radios only. The radio cannot be used as a transmitter, only as a receiver. You must use a TTL compatible transmitter, such as the Fusion TLC Raven.
Not Compatible as a Transmitter: The FlexTT5 or FlexTT6 radios cannot be used as an on camera transmitter for TTL. You can use them as receivers for TTL when using a Raven by Fusion TLC on the camera. You can use a Plus IIIe or Plus IVe as a transmitter for manual triggering up to X-sync.
Basic Trigger Only – No TTL: This setting will work with virtually any flash or camera on the market. The radios will only use the center pin contact for full manual triggering. The radios must be set to Basic Trigger mode (under the Misc tab in the PocketWizard Utility). The flashes must be set to manual and can sync up to the camera’s X-sync. TTL, HSS, and Power Control are not available in Basic Trigger mode. Basic Trigger mode is only available with Legacy firmware.
* Canon mirrorless cameras including the EOS R, EOS RP, EOS R3, EOS R5, EOS R6, EOS R6 Mark II, R7, and EOS R50.
Specifications
Which PocketWizard radios can currently be upgraded?
- PlusX*
- Plus III
- Plus IV
- FlexTT5 for Nikon
- FlexTT5 and FlexTT6 for Canon (as receivers only) **
- PowerMC2 (FCC units only) ***
Be sure you purchase the correct version of firmware for your radio and frequency (FCC in North and South America CE for the rest of the world).
Important note: Once you have upgraded your radio, it cannot communicate with a unit that has not been upgraded. However, you can reinstall the legacy firmware at any time and reinstall the E Release as many times as you like.
*The PlusX radios need to be programmed at a board level. You will need to send your PocketWizard to our corporate headquarters to be upgraded.
** The FlexTT5 for Canon and FlexTT6 for Canon with E Release firmware are only usable as receivers, and pair well with the Raven from FusionTLC. A FlexTT5 or FlexTT6 upgraded to the E Release cannot be used as a transmitting radio.
*** The E Release firmware upgrade for PowerMC2 in CE frequency regions is not currently available.
FAQs
Which cameras & flashes are compatible with the E Release?
- The PlusX, Plus III, and Plus IV radios are compatible with virtually any camera or flash on the market. The camera must have a center pin contact hot shoe or a PC port and the flash must have a sync port or a hot shoe capable of single pin triggering.
- For the FlexTT5 for both Nikon and Canon and the FlexTT6 for Canon, see the compatibility charts.
- The PowerMC2 is compatible with the Einstein, LINK, and Celestial flashes from Paul C Buff. (It is not compatible with DigiBees). Note: The latest PowerMC2 E Release firmware upgrade is only compatible with Einstein firmware version 55 or newer.
Do I have to buy new PocketWizard radios to use the E Release?
The beauty of this update is that most current radio models are USB upgrade-able. See list of radios in question above. If you are using radios that do not have a USB port (such as the Plus or Plus II) or any MultiMAX, you may need to purchase new radios to take advantage of all the new features available in the E Release. The good news is that newly purchased radios include the E Release Firmware License.
If I buy a new PocketWizard radio, will it have the E Release?
As of October 2024, the PlusX is being sold as either the PlusX or the PlusXe.
All Plus III and Plus IV radios shipped after September 2019 would have the E Release factory installed. Once upgraded, we refer to the units as Plus IIIe and Plus IVe. If you purchased a new Plus III or Plus IV from a PocketWizard Authorized Dealer on or after September 1, 2019, you may be eligible for a free upgrade. Please see our wiki for more information.
The FlexTT5, FlexTT6, and PowerMC2 are available as upgrades only. If you purchased a new FlexTT5 for Nikon or PowerMC2 from a PocketWizard Authorized Dealer on or after February 20, 2020 or a new FlexTT5/FlexTT6 for Canon from a PocketWizard Authorized Dealer on or after January 1, 2022, you may be eligible for a free upgrade. Please see our PocketWizard Wiki for more information.
Will my upgraded radios work with a PocketWizard radio that has not been upgraded?
Yes and no.
A PocketWizard that has been upgraded to the E Release can only communicate with another PocketWizard that has also been upgraded to the E Release.
However, a PocketWizard that has been upgraded to the E Release CAN be downgraded to the Legacy firmware and will still work with other PocketWizard radios that have not been upgraded.
Once you upgrade to the E Release, the unit is licensed forever to the radio’s serial number. You can connect the upgraded radios to the Utility and select either E Release or Legacy firmware at any time. More details are available in the PocketWizard Wiki.
How many firmware licenses do I need to purchase?
You will need to purchase a Firmware License for each radio you wish to upgrade. This firmware will only work with other radios that have been upgraded to the E Release, it will not work with radios that have Legacy firmware. You will need to upgrade at least 2 radios to use the E Release.
How can I tell if my radio has already been upgraded to the E Release?
An upgraded radio’s status LED will flash a special sequence of red/green/red/green when powered on to indicate that it has the E Release. On the Plus IIIe and Plus IVe, you will also see all four zones on every Channel – for example on Channel 1.
How do I upgrade my PocketWizard radios?
- Purchase a license for each radio you wish to upgrade.
- Download the PocketWizard Utility and connect the radio you want to upgrade to an internet connected computer (either PC or MAC) via a USB cable. The process is simple and fast.
- For the PlusX, please contact us for details about how to send in your radio for the upgrade.
- The license is assigned to the serial number of each radio and is non-transferable.
Why is there a charge for this new firmware?
The E Release is not a regular firmware update. Those are free of charge and are typically introduced for new camera compatibility or bug fixes. The E Release is a complete protocol change which it totally changes the way your radio works. It is a full firmware upgrade that required significant engineering work and delivers valuable new benefits. We were proud to be able to introduce it as a fairly inexpensive and easy upgrade to your existing equipment, instead of forcing you to purchase all new hardware.
Do I have to upgrade?
Yes and No. If you are looking for i-TTL communication with first generation Z Series mirrorless cameras from Nikon (Z6, Z7, Z50) then you will need to upgrade your FlexTT5 for Nikon radios to the new E Release firmware. Otherwise, the E Release upgrade is purely optional for photographers that want greater range and reliability from their existing PocketWizard radios. You can continue to use your radios with the Legacy firmware. If your camera is not TTL compatible with the Legacy firmware, you can use the radios in Basic Trigger mode for manual flash up to X-sync.
Can I revert back to the Legacy firmware?
Yes! You can revert back to the original firmware at any time.
Once you upgrade to the E Release, the unit is licensed forever to the radio’s serial number. It can be downgraded to Legacy PocketWizard firmware at any time for use with your other PocketWizard radios. Reinstalling the E Release can be done at any time with no additional charge.
Where can I find more information?
If you have more questions, please visit our PocketWizard Wiki. If you still have questions please email our support team at info@pocketwizard.com.
“My PocketWizard Plus IIIe radios with E Release are my “go to” radios for remote camera triggers. Nothing else works as well or consistently as PocketWizards do. They have traveled the world with me and never failed.”
Tasos Katopodis
“The E Release has dramatically improved the range and reliability to allow me to concentrate fully on shot composition.”
Kirby Lee
“The PocketWizard E Release upgrade has proven to be very effective in various situations. The upgrade has led to better reliability and signal strength for various assignments such as flash triggering and remote camera triggering. Definitely worth the investment, especially when using the Raven.”
Erik Williams
“I used to worry about misfires. I tried to maintain a line of sight and raise my PocketWizard to avoid potential misfires. However, after using E-Release, I don’t have to worry about these issues anymore. It has been very reliable and has many more Channels to choose from.”
Soobum Im
“When photographing indoor sports, I use my Canon EOS R6 mirrorless camera with a set of four strobes placed in the rafters. The Raven from Fusion TLC controlling 4 PocketWizard Plus III with the E Firmware helps me achieve a solid 1/500 second shutter speed. This helps compensate for the ambient light and reduces motion blur.”
Marc-Grégor Campredon
“I’m using the E Release on my Plus III radios. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect with “e” but I decided to update all my transceivers. It surely works better. There are less problems with range in some difficult conditions (concrete, metal surroundings etc.) and for sure my problems with cutting signal during light painting has gone almost completely. I think it was a great upgrade, and the radios work a lot better.”
Maciej Niechwiadowicz
“With technology continuously improving, there are more electronic devices that can interfere in the sporting venues like pyro, lighting, audio, and handheld transmitting products. The PocketWizard E-Release Firmware keeps up with the current technology to eliminate frequency disturbance, improve the signal range for greater distance between transmitter/receiver, and gives you more Channels to select from.”
Kyle Terada
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