Strobe upgrade or modifiers?

I currently own two Flashpoint 320m strobes, with a large soft box and a beauty dish. I've been wanting to get some additional modifiers for them as well as get a portable setup. I also own a couple 430 EXII's that I run with pixel kings. Needless to say, I've enjoyed the ability to control flash power from the camera. I don't have any "wind resistant" modifiers for my speed lights, only umbrellas.

So, I'm contemplating either purchasing the flashpoint battery pack, and additional modifiers (wanting gridded soft boxes for a little more control) and continue the learning process. However, I'm also torn about investing more money into a system that I know has limitations I will outgrow, likely sooner than later.

Generally I shoot portraits. Kids, seniors, couples, etc. I've got a 6D, 24-70L, 50 f1.4, and 85 f1.8, and 70-200.

This is not a limitation based decision, it's a future cost benefit based decision - I will answer the inevitable "what is your current setup preventing you from doing". The answer is nothing yet, because I'm still learning - I don't want to waste money on a system I will grow out of.

Knowing this, would you invest in a new light system now?. If so, which one? I'm looking at either alien bee or Einstein. Are there MAJOR benefits of Einstein over Alien Bee that I will regret as I learn more other than flash duration? I can almost get two lights for the price of one if info with ab800 over Einstein.

Also, with the cyber sync system, would I be able to trigger strobes via my ETTL triggers and maintain ETTL flash? For instance using strobes to create ambient lighting at a venue, and the speed lights for direct fill? Thoughts?

If I were looking at a AB800, I would think about the AB1600 for a little more. I don't have any experience with either of those strobes but you should buy the most powerful one you can afford. In my case I own a Mettle 600Ws AC/DC with battery pack and would suggest whichever of the two strobes you decide upon to make sure it's an affordable purchase, especially if portability is an issue. Some of the battery packs for those systems are pricey.

Bueller?

No one has an opinion?

I would pick the strobes I want before I invested a ton in modifiers. It makes no sense to invest a lot in softboxes for the flashpoints if you decide later to get bees. Yes, some modifiers can take speedrings that will work for both, but I would start with the strobes first.

I think you need to wait and get to the limits of your equipment before going another route.

Are you wanting or needing to take the strobes out on the road? why not buy another 430ex2?

Gear acquisition syndrome is a terrible thing. What mount are the modifiers you already have? may want to factor that in. if the modifiers you have are good, then I 'd stay with strobes you can mount them on. But I'm not sure you NEED new strobes yet? Why do you want a battery pack?

I'd like the battery pack to be able to go mobile with my strobes. The only modifiers I have for my speed lights is umbrellas (and a brolly).

I've had a few situations where I've found myself wanting more depth of field in bright ambient, which will require an ND and a strobe.

The modifiers I currently own are cheap, so I don't feel obligated to have them work if I go with a new system. I can always keep using them indoors on the current strobes.

The flash points are working fine other than not having any options for remote power adjustment and only being 150ws. They will run off dc power packs, if I purchase them.

Purely in regards to strobe selection.

Major benefits of the einstein over the ab800, twice the power and constant color mode.

I Like not having to white balance shots of varying power levels differently. It's not a huge issue and there are plenty of amazing photos with ABXXX but; when buying a new light I definitely found it an attractive feature.

The fact you mention ND and shallow DoF with high ambient (something I am about to invest in as well) I would say 640Ws is still not enough for what I need. I can only hit F16 at just over 7' (just over 5' with AB800) with my beauty dish, this is fine for a single person but if lighting a group of say 4-5 I want to put my large modifiers further away but simply do not have the power. Until I get more power I must simply go with reflectors when I need distance. Again not a terrible option, just not what I desire at times.

That said, doing those kind of shots would require near full output and constant power levels which negates the color shift, an AB1600 would work just as well as einstein in that particular setting.

to shoot outside and in the sun, yep, need different strobes. I would check out the 'over power the sun' threads and see what might fit what you want to do. Power Pack wise, Vagabond Mini is suppose to be the bomb.