They're inexpensive making it easy for a beginner to get into using strobes. The accessories are also cheap and easy to use.

These are VERY cheap, and prone to defects. The model lamp is too dim to use affectively and is an odd size making replacements difficult to get.

I bought a kit with three of these a little over a year ago from Adorama. This was a very low-cost outfit and it was obvious when I received it, but I didn’t mind as I had little money and realistic expectations. The “gels” that came with it are light metal rings with thin pieces of Mylar glued to the inside. The Mylar on a couple of them was already coming off when I first opened the package. The snoot and honeycomb were fine. It also included the usual stands and umbrellas, all low-end but useable. The light output is useable with umbrellas but not really enough for a soft box though a small one might be fine. The model lamp is a weird size, so if one burns out expect to play search-the-net for a replacement. I’ve never used mine enough to need a replacement.
After only about 50 flashes or so, one of the strobes started having problems firing and soon crapped out. So, I’ve been using two strobes for most of a year though I seldom used them. To date they’ve seen maybe 300-400 flashes. Then a few weeks ago, one of the remaining two started having problems recycling. Now, I’m strobe shopping again and will retire the remaining one from this set as a hair light.
The bottom line: They’re cheap garbage.

Customer Service

I didn't feel these were worth the money to ship for service, so didn't deal with customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Photogenics (which are far superior to these)

Inexpensive, light weight, variable power selection, can be triggered from another flash unit.

replacement modeling bulbs are difficult to find. Strobe bulb is irreplaceable.

I use it with my Canon Elan 7E and I have taken some great portraits with it. The modeling lamp extends beyond the protective housing of the monolight. I accidentally broke it and it was very difficult finding a replacement. The problem is that the base of the bulb is for European standard. You will need a base adapter to use an American bulb replacement.

Customer Service

Smith-Victor's recently created website is user friendly and it provides useful information.