Third party (wireless) TTL & manual flash recommendations?

Hello. I have one EOS, no flash for it yet, strobist allures and would also like to use what I'll get in manual mode when I am lazy and only bringing some Leica, which BTW requires a pretty low sync voltage.

Related questions: Does some wireless TTL stuff work for you? Can you really balance 2 or even 3 lights & get somewhat repeatable results in wireless TTL mode?

Which flash maker offers bearable manual controls / user interfaces these days? - I loved my old Metz 60CT 4 but it is admittedly too bulky.

The unit(s) I am looking for should have tilt & swivel head and a rather high guide number.

Are AA Eneloops still the power source of choice or are there flashes with Lithium batteries out now?

I have no clue what I should be looking for. The guy at the electronics mall told me they don't have flashes he'd recommend and I should buy Yongnuo. I don't understand their system; They have off camera only flashes that offer no hotshoe TTL? What would be a reasonable kit for me to get?

 

I want a capable hotshoe flash for wedding like indoors work with my 70-200mm. If the 2nd unit could serve as backup for it it would be nice.

If TTL technology isn't there yet, I could probably light portraits and such in manual mode too, but I'd love to combine the EOS' speed with quick cheap dirty flash placement, without further hassle.

I seem running out of working heritage hotshoe flashes so it is time for something new. Thanks in advance for any help and insight.

Feel highly encouraged to mention other, even more expensive brands that work well for you.

I'm consciously not looking for monolights / studio strobes. - I don't have a car to haul them around and would prefer a backpackable kit (including cameras) on my scooter. If there is a portable flash system worth looking at, please name it.

I have the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT and radiotransmitter YN-E3-RT. I think it works ok most of the time. However, the flash does not know what you consider is the correct exposure so flash compensation or manual settings may be warrented for some situations. As I learned about flash using studio strobes I don't mind manual mode. The system uses radio which makes it way more useful than systems using visual or IR transmitters. You can hide the flash inside a softbox or even behind other objects and the information still reaches the flash.

 

I only have the one YN600EX-RT so I cannot speak to how they perform with ratios.

 

The flash drains rechargeable batteries when in stand-by which is one of the drawbacks. It has some sort of external power connection as well. Never investigated this though.

I have the YN-E3-RT, 2 YN600EX-RT, and a few YNE3-RX for the YN568EXII's..they work great..AND I get Group mode on my 1Ds MkIII! The best thing about the Yonguo line is AF assist from the transmitter..Canon REALLY should have included it with their transmitter...