Corlan,
I think it's a case of "you get what you pay for" but in most respects, the Einsteins's (and alien bees) give a lot of bang for the buck.
Einstein reflector is better quality than the ab reflector. Heavier metal, but still flimsy modifier clamp system based on the old balcar mount. It works, but there is some play when the reflector is attached. Many modifiers available. Cybersync transmitter just feels cheap, poorly made and was difficult to put on the Phase DF hotshoe, until I put it on "in reverse" but it works well with the small csxcv that drops into the Einstein. You do need to take care not to damage the pins on the csxcv when transporting. Most importantly, it works. I can install the CST "the right way" on my Canon. I had no problems acheiving 1/1600 flash sync with a Phase DF, Schneider 110mm LS, and P65+. There is no doubt that the Einstein monolight is a much better light than the AB line.
The Vagabond MiniLithium is not much larger than a Quantum Turbo battery, and very lightweight.
I'd much prefer the Hensel, but I drank the kool-aid and committed to the IQ180 upgrade. I've already spent way too much money this year and need to be more concerned with sending my own kids to college instead of Dave Gallagher's kids to college. :ROTFL:
I hate to put it this way, but the Einstein alternative is almost a "disposable" lighting system should it get damaged in transit. Should anything happen to an AB, you wouldn't cry. But I just might shed a tear if I damaged a Hensel speed head...
Einstein ~US$500; weighs about 4 1/2 lbs
Vagabond MiniLithium ~US$240; weighs about 3.5 lbs
CST transmitter ~US$60
CSXCV Einstein receiver ~US$30
Yep, these camera systems are most certainly sucking up all the cash ... if we had half a brain, and stopped thinking with our trigger finger, we'd realize, the lighting is way more important than more megapixels.
However, I guess it depends on what you're shooting and how much of it you do with lights ... and importantly, whether you use an assistant(s) or primarily work solo. If you don't shoot a lot with lights, I'd seriously suggest renting. For example, an $11,000. Profoto 8A-2400 w/s with high-speed sync and lightening fast recycle cost about $95. to rent, and 2 Pro 7 heads are $40.
Decades of studio and location work kinda sorts out the men from the boys in terms of lighting. What holds up and what doesn't, what causes problems rather than solving problems, how flexible one is compared to the other, how available are rentals, and how well one can think ahead so you don't have to change systems later at a hefty loss.
If I had the cash (and hadn't thought with my trigger finger so much
), my ideal system would be Profoto AIR generators and monos in studio, and Hensel 1200L(s) for location (which also uses the AIR triggers).
I once was all Elinchrom and hated the mount ... trust me, the mount system can become the most important part of a system when in actual use. That the Einstein mount is even a little questionable (Balcor, really?), would take it off my shopping list immediately ... bag for the buck or not. (sorry for the rant, but it's a pet peeve of mine).
I've not had a single issue with Profoto's mount system, followed closely by Hensel's "industrial" duty mounts. I'd have no qualms mounting a Mola 43" Mantti beauty dish or 7' Plume on either ... can't say the same for other makes.
My philosophy about shipping ability differs a bit ... I'd shed huge tears if any of these were damaged in transit ... since there was a reason I was shipping them the first place
If you haven't actually held a Hensel Mini head in hand, try it, they are squat little tanks ... very tough little suckers. But again, like most, I'd rent not ship ... rentals are often not much more then the cost of shipping this stuff insured , especially with stands and all that junk.
-Marc