Has  anyone try those ebay cheap strobes?

Does they worth? or is it a waste of money?

http://cgi.ebay.es/GY1000-Professional-1000w-Studio-Strobe-Flash-UK_W0QQitemZ140217535675QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3860QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.es/180WS-180WS-Studio-Flash-Strobe-Light-220V-222_W0QQitemZ160223270953QQihZ006QQcategoryZ3860Q

I didn't look at the link, but Dan is right - you get what you pay for.  I threw the lights I bought on ebay out - but I still use the stands and soft boxes so it wasn't a total loss.     If it is the best that you can afford right now, one thing about a "safe" light that you have outgrown is you can use it as a hair light or a background light when you do upgrade.

The item may not meet safety standards in your country.  Most of this cheap stuff is mass produced in China and safety is not given much attention.  The tungsten lights I bought from U.S. on ebay, made in China, were a hazard, and they got so hot that the casings started to crumble.

And at the end of the day, when you factor in currency exchange, shipping, duties, taxes, (plus FedEx and UPS ad brokerage fees if you are not in the same country as the shipper) the prices are rarely as good as they appear at first glance.

I use both.  Strobes in studio, or I bring it along for schools or dance groups.  One or two Nikon speedlights outdoors for soccer teams or in the rink for hockey & ringette.

What are you using them for?  You can't go wrong with the strobist approach as a starting point and you will always have need for a good speedlight. 

What are you using them for?  You can't go wrong with the strobist approach as a starting point and you will always have need for a good speedlight.

Good point. I ll use for studio people shoot but it would be fine if I can go outdoors.

Can I ask you why dont you use the strobist approach in the studio? is about power? accesories?

Strobes are pretty dummy-proof when you have a light meter.  Continuous source of power.  Faster recycling period.  An easy slider on the back makes adjustments a breeze.   Attachments are a point to consider:  I have a cheaper set of Camerons and couldn't really get anything much for them, but my Alien Bees I have barn doors, gel holders, snoots, grids...  If you look into the extras before buying strobes, even if you only plan to use an umbrella in the beginning, you'll be happy you can grow.

I've never tried a battery pack with the strobes.  Don't know how long they last, how long they recycle.

The speedlights are another thing.  I haven't mastered all of the controls (and may never!)  so tend to stick to my standard setups.  Recycling times are longer, and sometimes you lose a frame because they are not ready.   Sometimes I get a random burst of blaring light, and the subject is overexposed by several stops.  (Not shooting TTL so I don't know why.)   You have to stop in the middle of the shoot to change batteries.  Always recharging batteries.  Must have an endless supply.   Less attachments available, but on the ice I use a shoot-through umbrella.  Umbrellas blow over on the soccer field.  Sometimes in bright bright sun my speedlights don't trigger - I guess the sun overpowers the the trigger on my D200.   One indoor soccer arena has something going on that interferes with my speedlights.  I don't know what it could be, but they have acted totally unpredictablly in that soccer arena on both occassions there.

I'm having trouble with my radio trigger for my strobes lately.  I'm pretty sure the culprit is the frequency of our Wii.  It's only happened in my house and not when I take out on location. 

Bottom line.  I 100% prefer my strobes, but you can't really throw them in the backpack and go out for a hike can you?