Speedotron 102 Black Line - 2400 Watt/Second Lamphead with Flashtube cover and Flashtube. standard flash head of the Speedotron Black Line. Each 102 head is consistent in power output, and ease of reflector, flash tube, and model light change.
simple and reliable. Easy to fix, often found with sluggish or noisy fans and cable issues. Avoid any unit with exposed cable conductors hanging out of the strain relief entering the side of the can; often the internal wiring has been pulled out of position or strained. DO NOT USE a head with this kind of cable issue- fix it first.
Flashtube condition is everything. New tubes cost more than used units. Avoid any unit with a cracked glass flashtube cover, and especially do not use these around models or people. Good flashtubes should be clear without blackened ends. UV coated tubes are generally preferred but uncoated is fine, as long as you don't mix them. An uncoated non-UV tube should be gelled with a pale yellow CC gel when used with UV coated tubes.
Good light quality in a softbox as the exposed flashtube is best for these application. Often sold with the 7 inch umbrella reflector which is useless at anything other than an umbrella. It throws an uneven pattern when used directly or even with a diffusion screen. Much better is the 7 inch grid reflector that has a tighter, smoother pattern when used bare. The 11 inch is smooth and wider, good for silks and diffusion.
It's a big, bulky head but built like a tank. Simple accessory and reflector mount that works. Make sure you have a 7 inch grid reflector (it has a smaller hole that just passes the flashtube, whereas the umbrella reflector has a much larger hole. The grids that fit this reflector are a must have as well.
If you shoot on location there are better choices such as the 202 head. Frankly the 102 excels in the studio. Transporting the 102 requires the flashtube protector cover; relying on a reflector to protect the flashtube is asking for trouble.
I use this Speedotron flash head. I have 9 of them.