Review on Fotodiox EZ-Pro Strip Softbox 12X56 With Speedring For Alien Bees B400, B800 & B1600 Strobe Lights by Hikeboy Ramey

I just received this strip-style soft box about one week ago. Although it came w/o instructions they really aren't necessary. Do a search on You Tube and you can see a video that will explain everything. This is an "umbrella-style" design, so if you can open an umbrella you set up this soft box. There is a round silver plastic dome diffuser that sides on to the main center pole after you open the umbrella and snap it it place(SB). This prevents hot spots, but you can choose to use it or not depending on your needs. The inner white diffuser clips onto four elastic loops on the four corners of the soft box. Simple. Then attach the outer white diffuser onto the outer edge, which attaches with velcro.The speed ring I ordered was for the Alien Bees mono lights. The metal is not very strong, and if you are going to use this SB hard, in the field on a daily basis - setting it up and tearing it down often - I suspect it this is the item that would fail. Still if you are careful it certainly would do the job for a while. OF course this is only conjecture on my part, but this SB is certainly not a "pro" product by any means, although it can deliver pro results. The speed ring fits the SB and my AB lights very well however, despite what some reviewers have reported in other reviews of the other Fotodiox SB products. The fit is snug -without any wobbling or play between the ring and the light.In my case this SB is going to live in my studio and will rarely - if ever - travel into the field. I give four stars for value and functionality, however, it certainly is not a professional grade product.I am happy with this product for functionality and value. I believe with proper care it should last to more than pay for itself and then some. Time will tell.