Avenger Light Stand...WOW...

I did a lot of research on light stands before I bought three Impact stands (listed below).
The stands worked pretty well, but did not have the stability I desired. I ended up using my fairly cheap, but much beefier, background stands for remote shooting.
*** Impact 10' AIR CUSHION 4-SECTION LITSTD BLACK ***

I'm a pretty smart fella, but it is extremely difficult to really get a sense of what a stand is going to be like until you have it in your hands. I hope this helps some folks.

So I researched some more and it looked like the Avenger C Stand was the way to go. They are supposed to be "HEAVY DUTY," and that's what I wanted

So I ordered the following...
3 x Avenger A2033F Century C Stand - 10.75' (3.25m)
1 x Avenger D600 Mini Boom 4.25 - 7' (1.2 - 2.1 m)

Let me just say that these things are freaking TANKS...especially compared to the Impact stands. They do cost more, but I was blown away when I took the first one out of the box. Where the main pole of the Impact stand may be the size of a Quarter and fairly thin walled tubing, the Avenger stand is easily the size of a half dollar and much thicker tubing. Sure, they weigh more, but for peace of mind and stability...it's a no-brainer for me. The Avenger knobs are huge and made of steal, not plastic like the Impact knobs. The Avengers I have aren't air cushioned, but that's ok for me.

PS...the Avenger Mini Boom is built exactly the same as the Avenger C Stand. With enough counter weight I feel I could hang an elephant off that thing.

I'm an Avenger fan!!! I get it now!

'C' stands have been the staple of the professional studio photographer for decades. THe base/leg design, while not only stable, is a tremendous thing when you've got multiple stands close together.

And not just the C stands, by the way. All the Avenger stands are like that. When my Impact "heavy duty" stands started breaking one by one under my light usage, I started converting over to Avenger stands and never looked back. They're awesome.

Love my avengers though I prefer regular tripod style than c-stand style. Mathews is another one which has great stands.

Avenger stands are great, not only their C stands. Air-cushioning is over rated if you know what you are doing.

To be fair, the impact light stands don't cost nearly as much...

heavy duty... heavy... not good if you hike all the way up a hill and shoot... unless you're still in your 20s

I own one for my mola setti. It's a tank like you say.

That said, anything is higher quality than impact. IMHO, they are garbage quality.

most definitely comparing twigs to tree trunks here - it would make more sense if you compared the impact C stand to the avenger

the 10ft air cushioned ones you speak of are super light and portable and can't take much weight - there is another version i think its 13ft that is heavy duty and not air cushioned that carries more with a larger 'trunk' than the air cushioned models

i would not carry my boom out for a location shoot where i would be moving a lot but i would my other two stands

i own 2 heavy duty ones and 1 air cushioned one and they both serve their different purposes

kokakaste2 wrote in post #14299106
Air-cushioning is over rated if you know what you are doing.

I know what I'm doing, particularly when I use an air cushioned stand to hold my $1500 Profoto D1 AIR 10' up. NO quick trips back down at the end of the shoot.

K.C. wrote in post #14311209
I know what I'm doing, particularly when I use an air cushioned stand to hold my $1500 Profoto D1 AIR 10' up. NO quick trips back down at the end of the shoot.

When I started using speedlites I bought two air-cushioned stands. So far over the years I have never had a need for the air-cushioning. Reason why all of my newer stands don't have it now. I (or any of my assistants) have never accidentally loosened locks on the stand and light come crashing down.

But I guess everyone have different experience.

I too am a big fan of Avenger gear.....

I am also a huge fan of the Cheetah C-stands. Very well made, nice price, and great customer service.

Check them out if in the market.