Help decide between octabox (Ebay) and softbox (Cheetahstand)

First off, I know that there will be a slight difference in catchlights in one's eyes based on the shape of the modifier.

I am looking to use speedlites in the modifier and I am looking at two specific options. This will also be mainly used outdoors with some use indoors (if that makes any difference).

Reason I am looking: I recently purchased a 120cm octabox on Ebay (did plenty of comparison between it and the Apollo Orb), but yesterday, it accidentally fell over and the metal rod inside basically just snapped in half. The design in these things are not that great.

So now I am trying to decide between getting another 120cm octabox (and just being more careful with it), OR, buying a 50x50 softbox from Cheetahstand.

Aside from the shape and size difference, there is a major quality difference. The Cheetahstand box appears to have a very solid metal rod in the center which only gets thicker as it goes towards the top portion.

What do you guys think? The price difference is Octobox: $65 Cheetah softbox: $150.

I appreciate any input you can provide!!

I think you generally get what you pay for.

I don't have the soft box in question, but I have 2 cheetah Qboxes, a 43" QS Octa and a 33" beauty dish. All are great quality. The 43 and 33 have fiberglass ribs supporting the "umbrella".

When I emailed Ed at cheetah, he telephoned me back. Solved one problem right then and there and will solve the other just as soon as possible. You can't buy that kind of service, or maybe you can?

hes gone wrote in post #17069826
=he's gone;17069826]I think you generally get what you pay for.

I don't have the soft box in question, but I have 2 cheetah Qboxes, a 43" QS Octa and a 33" beauty dish. All are great quality. The 43 and 33 have fiberglass ribs supporting the "umbrella".

When I emailed Ed at cheetah, he telephoned me back. Solved one problem right then and there and will solve the other just as soon as possible. You can't buy that kind of service, or maybe you can?

That is really what is pushing me towards getting a large square softbox. I have a qbox24 that I purchased from Ed and the customer service was AMAZING.

So now... I am looking at a cheap 47" Octabox from China with no support or a reasonably priced softbox from Cheetahstand with great quality and support.

I have absolutely no issue spending the extra money, seeing that his products are higher quality and his customers service just can't be beat. I am just wanting to make sure that going from an Octa to a square softbox will still provide good results. From my research, I am seeing that they should both produce similar quality light with the main difference being catchlights.

So, just a simple answer. In my position, which would you go with?

I like round/octa catchlights in people's eyes but generally need square/rectangle lights for products and food. IMO once you put a diffuser over the end of an octa the light is essentially the same as a square box for non reflective things. Fall off is a little different between the two.

Well, some good news. I may not even need to buy a new modifier. The center rod that broke, I think I was able to repair it. I bought a metal rod to place in the center of the hollow shaft and applied some super glue to join the two broken parts together. So far, it is holding up really well!