First Softbox - Westcott Apollo 28" or Cheetah Qbox 24"?

I have seen a lot of threads that are complimentary of the Qbox, but I just recently viewed the Onelight DVD which heavily promotes the Apollo boxes. Does anyone have an opinion on why one might be a better option than the other? They're in the same general price range, and I don't know which is the better option to grow with.

Love my Apollo, a little bit of a **** to get open due to the velcro but still one of my fav modifiers. I would go with it due to it being a bigger light source.

Young_Werther wrote in post #10611380
Love my Apollo, a little bit of a **** to get open due to the velcro but still one of my fav modifiers. I would go with it due to it being a bigger light source.

If that is the case why not bigger softliter, it is cheaper also and folds just like apollo. And you don't have problems of apollo, like:

Flash sitting too high
Removing front diffuser to adjust power
How to tilt the darn thing

You do loose recessed front panel of the apollo.

I have the apollo, and if I had to do it again I would get the q-box, ez-box, or one of the ebay knockoffs.

I had Apollo 28" and I sold it. It was great tool in means of light it put out, but it was pain in ass to adjust power when needed. Flash sits inside the box and you have no access to it unless you open front screen. This said I think it was great tool for me, helped to create some nice photos but I would not buy it again unless I have power to control flashes from distance like ettl cord or the new pocket wizards etc. That was one of the reasons why I sold it.

p.s. the tilt problem can be easily solved if you have boom and even on normal light stand it does tilt quite a bit.

Ya, I don't have a issue with the apollo and tilt, but I own a boom.

Also although the Apollo, and Qbox are great, do yourself a favor and get a 30.00 60" shoot through umbrella.

Just playing devil's advocate here... Zack consistently uses and endorses the use of Westcott products. He may not have a 'deal' or an affiliation but he does seem to have an agenda with regard to Westcott. I could be wrong.

There have been both good and bad reviews here on the Westcott Apollo and many have noted the down-side of the design. There have also been huge numbers of people with the Qbox24 and from what I've seen, more are happier with the Qbox. Again, I could be wrong.

In my opinion the overall design of the Qbox is better and with a new bracket on the way it's going to be even better.

I haven't seen one design change or indication of change from Westcott. That either means they don't listen to the consumer or don't care.

Edward, at Cheetah, listens and responds to the consumer.

Thanks for the responses guys. FTR I have a shoot through umbrella and will be purchasing the Photek 60" softliter very soon (maybe even before I get the softbox). The Cheetah LOOKS nicer to me, and it comes with the grid and the spot matte, which are both very appealing for the price. I just wish they had a combo deal with the cheetah stand & the Q24 like they do with the Q16.

It seems like the Q24 package has everything you need to start shooting as long as you have a flash and a stand, is that correct?

TMR Design wrote in post #10612251
In my opinion the overall design of the Qbox is better and with a new bracket on the way it's going to be even better.

New bracket, I assume more solid one?

bobbyz wrote in post #10612818
New bracket, I assume more solid one?

I don't know the specifics.

TMR Design wrote in post #10612837
I don't know the specifics.

Ok.

I purchased the Apollo and returned it after a few days of use. The quality of light was good but the design (lack of tilt) was a dealbreaker for me.

If I purchase another portable softbox it will be the Cheetah.

I'm a Qbox24 user.
Now that I'm getting better with OCF, the softbox has been instrumental in the quality of my photos.
Plus, construction is VERY solid and it folds up very small for easy packing.
Tilting, angling, and overall use of the softbox is very simple.
Plus, it comes with a grid and a circle adapter thing now. Haven't used them yet, but I can imagine that they are good modifiers.
The best thing about Cheetah products is that the customer service is TOP NOTCH. I was stupid and lost my Qbox which left me with the front diffusion panel and the ballhead with bracket. I contacted Cheetah and he was more than happy to give me a better than fair price on replacements. I'm looking forward to buying from them again!

I heard apollo's do not set up / break down easily and with all the rods and stuff, they can get bent, which make them useless.

Only thing I do not like is that the Qbox sags a tad bit, which can be compensated by adjusting the tilt accordingly.

I just had a photoshoot yesterday where I used the Qbox extensively on location.
I'll be uploading the photos later and will update this thread if anyone is interested.

I bought and returned the Apollo twice.
The umbrella collapse feature is attractive.
Everything else is a pain.
QBox is a much nicer modifier relative to setup, use and light quality. The grid is another plus.

I also found adapter rings that fit the QBox so it can be used with monolights as well.

Qbox it is!