These are inexpensive which makes a good intro to someone just learning. Plus, if you break one you won't feel bad. The accessories are quick and easy to attach.

They're low quality construction and are prone to defects. The accessories are also very low quality. These should be considered "disposable" strobes.

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 deal with customer service because (honestly) I didn't feel paying the shipping to get these serviced was even worth it.

Similar Products Used:

Photogenic. My first set of strobes were Photogenic which I LOVED. Like an idiot I sold them when I moved, and this cheap Smith Victor set makes me miss the Photogenics.

Carefull on buying this product. Adorama ad mentions a 100 Watt modeling lamp, but the itme I received used a medium screw base incandescent modeling lamp. Smith-Victor advises not to use the quartz in the 200i's in the unit I received. Perhaps mine is an obsolete model. If you receive one with the 40 watt modeling light return it immediately because the 40 watts is to weak to use except in absolute darkness