Does anyone have this?

[4jallday]

Has anyone purchased or used this setup? Is it worth the $? I need something but dont want to spend over $500 and this is right there.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-4-LIGHT-800-W-S-HIGH-OUTPUT-STROBE-FLASH_W0QQitemZ7609907238QQcategoryZ30087QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

[Headcase650]

That doesnt look like to bad of a kit, but if no one has any hands on experience how can we know the build quality or performance of the product.

After you buy it give us all an in depth review.

[4jallday]

I guess your right no one has this. I was hoping for a review from someone. I think it looks like a good buy for what I can afford.

[mjordan]

I don't think it's that good of a deal after reading the specs. There are several other better known brands that are cheaper and you can get them from known reputable dealers. These lights do not have stepless power adjustments. Not even the 320 watt second light. This is a sign of a cheaper unit.

I think you can do better with a little bit of research of other brands. Since this is a Alien Bee site and that is not my peferred brand, I'll let others tell you about them. But you can do better than this guy on e-bay.

Mike

[Chudilo]

Is the Alien Bees brand sponsoring this site in some way ?

[Longwatcher]

Is the Alien Bees brand sponsoring this site in some way ?

No, just some AB fans here.

In comparison it looks like the linked set is not too bad for the price.

Advantages to ABs over the linked set are:
- one more stop of control (5 instead of 4)
- The flashtube will probably last longer (250,000+ flashes versus 8,000+ flashes)
- faster recharge time
- lighter weight
- more powerful modeling light possible
- You have more colors to chose from :)

Only real disadvantage is an AB system will cost more and a possible disadvantage in that ABs have lexan case versus metal case for linked set (I don't know how thick the metal is so this may be a strong AB advantage)

And a note that there are even better lights then ABs (Elinchrom comes to mind), but they cost even more. So chose what you need the lights to do, Do your research based on those needs, and then get the best you can afford that meet those needs based on that research.

A lot of people, especially myself, are fans of Alien Bees because for the price they are very good lights and they have very good customer service, but they are now only available in US and Canada and you can only get them factory direct. There are some other lights that are as good around the same price, but we "Bee" fans like the lights and the company so that makes a bit of difference.

Two quick notes on the linked set:
- One you can't get shadowless lights, what you can get is diffuse shadows not the same.
And the
- The linked set seems to have a reverse brolly box - kind of interesting. Except for the light unit in the way, I would think it might do a better job then a standard brolly box. It should do better then a standard umbrella though.

just my opinion and some quick thoughts,

[4jallday]

I would love to get AB but I don't have any of this equipment only Wal-Mart $9 barn lights and ANYTHING is better than those! I really like the fact that it is an all in one lights,stands,softbox,umbrella...

[jtmorales]

Have you looked at the Stellar's? I just got these and I love them. According to the few reviews I've read they are just about equal to AB's and a fair amount more cost effective. I love mine so far.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=386712&is=REG
When you add it to the cart it's 499.95 not the 628 listed. May be just what you need. There is also a kit that includes a softbox, which is the set I got, for a little bit more.