Help talk some sense into me!

So I got the summer 2011 Calumet catalog in the mail today. They usually have a pretty good sale on lighting equipment once (or maybe twice?) a year. Well, their travelite monolights (375R and 750R models) are on sale.

Currently I am definitely in the beginning stages of learning off camera flash and use a 580exII and 430ex with various light modifiers.

I'm thinking it is probably wiser to stay minimal until I have outgrown my current set up, but I'm tempted by the sale. Financially, I can technically afford 1 or 2 travelite 750's (and I'd just get the kit to have some stands and umbrellas thrown in, all for under $1000-for 2). But I'd hate to spend $1000 and have them sit in a closet. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

You're in Chicago and Calumet has a store in the 'burbs somewhere. Go and get your fingers on one of those lights you're considering and learn about the user interface, how they're constructed, how they adjust, etc. Look at other lights too, wherever you can get your hands on them. Your decision should be based on more than specs and price.

With studio lights it's easy to start small and add equipment in time. Nothing wrong with that approach. My only suggestion is to include a flash meter in your first purchase. Studio flash without a meter is a recipe for frustration.

Thanks for the advice Curtis. I've played around with the 750's in the store and I like the feel and look. They seems well constructed and straight forward to use. I think I would be happy with them. I have not had a chance to look at many other lights though, so I'll definitely try to do that.

For my taste, the problem with the Travel Lights is that they use analog power controls.
Elinchrom or Einstein are a better solution because they have digital control and step in 1/10 stop increments.

Thanks David, good point to consider.

What do you shoot? How do you shoot?

When I wanted to get some lights, I rushed out and bought a Genesis 200 set, thinking I'd be doing more home studio work than anything else.

They sit in the basement now, I use my 580exII and 430exII for almost everything. I only bring the Genesis 200's out when I'm shooting in my studio, which is a small percentage of my shooting.

For that kind of cash, you could pick up a couple more 580exIIs, gang them, and get some high powered, fast recycling light thats mobile and flexible.