Shadowed by the main attraction of this month, the new Speedlite from Canon isn’t getting the attention they deserve:

The Speedlite 600EX-RT represents the next generation in wireless flash systems. In addition to traditional optical wireless transmission, the Speedlite 600EX-RT facilitates radio controlled, two-way wireless transmission up to 98.4 feet, among up to 5 groups with a total of 15 individual Speedlites. Communicating on 2.4 GHz frequencies, the Speedlite 600EX-RT does not have the same directional limitations of traditional wireless optical transmitters. Where other wireless signals can be interrupted by physical obstacles, radio controlled systems excel. 15 transmission channels are available, selectable manually or automatically, and radio transmission IDs can be set to prevent misfiring in the event of signal interference on the same channel.

Canon’s Speedlite line was in dire need of a revamp. The IR-based wireless solution doesn’t work well outdoor and controlling them requires a rocket science degree. This looks like a viable answer to the users’ cry for help.

Syl Arena, the author of Speedliter’s Handbook, wrote a wish list and have it revisited after trying out the new toy.