Horizontal Flash in Umbrella - any users here of Phottix Varos H-Mount Plate and Strap?

I am looking at ways to mount my flash horizontally inside of Umbrella / Brolly Softbox. After searching around, Phottix Varos H-Mount Plate and Strap seems to be the best solution (although it appears to be out of stock most places). The Godox Bowens Bracket is another option, however because I need to use it only for Umbrellas and brolly soft boxes, I feel that large circular head will unnecessarily block light and not fit well in smaller applications.

DIY is the third option however before deciding which route, I would like to request input from others here. Please comment and share your experience if you mount your flash horizontally in your light modifier.


1. Phottix Varos H-Mount Plate and Strap

I use DIY (6) and the Godox S type (2). I made six DIY mounts back in 2010 and with one exception they have been great ever since. I attach the Velcro buckle strap just 'behind' the screw/stud as it's easier to use. My bases are slightly longer than the Varos H type. Breadboards are not indestructible - they are tough enough, except I managed to snap one in half - easy to repair or remake, though. Use Loctite on the screw/stud thread. Auto stores stock anti-slip matting or you could just Gaffa tape the receiving surface.

I've not needed anything else for that role. Cheers

I use the S Type mount as I also have Bowens mount modifiers, and I can use them on speedlights or monolights this way.

Usually it is umbrellas with the speedlights though.

Photo from ksbal's gallery.
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Thanks for your responses guys (please keep them coming)

@ksbal, I looked long and hard at the S Type mount and I like it, however I am not sure how much of the light will it block by virtue of its large circular head. Do you use it with umbrella or brolly type soft boxes where the flash sits reversed and in the reflected light path?

@OceanRipple. Do you have any pics of your DIYs? Cell phone pic would suffice. As you have used both, whats your impression of using your DIYs vs S Type in umbrellas or other modifiers where the flash is positioned reversed as compared to a normal softbox?

starlights wrote in post #18360441
Thanks for your responses guys (please keep them coming)

@OceanRipple. Do you have any pics of your DIYs? Cell phone pic would suffice. As you have used both, whats your impression of using your DIYs vs S Type in umbrellas or other modifiers where the flash is positioned reversed?

On the Godox S light blocking - I wondered about that too, but in practice any blocking seemed absolutely minimal.
re Speedlites in reflective umbrellas - it's quite easy to end up with ugly shadow transitions - it's more forgiving to go shoot-through - YVMV!

Cinch strap; overall stretched out dimensions are 25mm x 46cm - a few cms shorter is OK too.

Old photos. Second one re-used super crappy plastic swivel adaptor - light weight though . . :

Thanks of your super quick response. I like your setup a lot. I may go the DIY route. I wonder if the stud height can be reduced to bring the flash head closer to the umbrella shaft. One of the Brollies that i intend to use this setup with is only 60cm/24" DIA (Deep/silver) and I feel that the S Type may end up blocking nearly 30-40% of the light path area... Moreover, the DIY/Phottix will be lighter i suppose.

starlights wrote in post #18360308
I feel that large circular head will unnecessarily block light and not fit well in smaller applications.

Methinks you worry too much about 'light blocking' by the flash...decades upon decades of studio flash fired into umbrellas has not revealed a significant problem in this regard!

I suppose you are right, especially regarding regular umbrellas, however I am concerned about a 2" deep silver brolly that i wanted to use. I feel that the S Type would cover over 30% of its area - although I like its design a lot and will definitely get a couple of larger modifiers.

@OceanRipple: Where did you get the cinch straps from? What length? I can't seem to determine the right ones on Amazon. Thanks.