Impact lightstands?

[dshankar]

How are Impact light stands? I need a decent quality stand for an Alienbee B400 and a large 47" Octabox.
At least 7' but no need for anything over 9' (but I'll take the extra height if it's just a few bucks more).

I also need 3 more cheap compact light stands - 2 for backgrounds, diffusers, and reflectors, and 1 for another B400 with a medium sized 24-36" softbox.

Questions:
Is this Impact air-cushioned 4-section stand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Black_Stand.html#spec ifications) good enough for the B400 + Octabox?

Also, whats the difference between 3 section and 4 section?

Any advice in buying light stands? I treat my equipment gently so I don't need something that is super-durable.....

[dshankar]

Also is this good enough for the B400 + Octabox? http://alienbees.com/ls3050.html
Or at least the B400 + med softbox and the other stuff?
The Alienbee lightstand works out cheaper than the Impact because I get discounts.

[ben_r_]

Personally I found them to be very cheap and didnt like them. I ended up returning them for Bogen ones.

[SnlpeR]

that 8ft 4 section stand is what comes with the "impact lightstand kit"

i bought them as my first kit to get my show mount flashes off camera

i tried them on my AB800 with 4ft octabox and while they hold the light and modifier up....
theyre just not sturdy enough to support the weight at height

i wouldnt recommend getting those impact stands

look for the 9.5ft or 13ft impact stands

[dshankar]

that 8ft 4 section stand is what comes with the "impact lightstand kit"

i bought them as my first kit to get my show mount flashes off camera

i tried them on my AB800 with 4ft octabox and while they hold the light and modifier up....
theyre just not sturdy enough to support the weight at height

i wouldnt recommend getting those impact stands

look for the 9.5ft or 13ft impact stands
Yeah I just changed the link to the 9.5ft. Looks like a winner for the big octabox?

[Lotto]

The 9.5" heavy duty air cushioned one is very good. I have one and it should hold your gear with ease.

The difference between the 3 and 4 sections is that the 4 section one is shorter when collapsed and has lower minimum height, and the 3 section one is a littler stronger, in general terms.

[scot079]

agree w/ Lotto. The "heavy-duty" ones are A LOT nicer than the regular ones, but they are bigger. No Impact stand compares to a Bogen, especially if you don't baby your stands, the Bogens are tough as nails

[ben_r_]

Ah, see I bought a couple of the regular ones because I was trying to stay light weight, so my previous comment was not based on the heavy duty ones...