Hi:
I saw your post and thought about making some comments and observations. It seems it was not that long ago I was in your position. Though I am still learning, I think I finally have crossed over that step where I am finally starting "to get it." I generally do portrait work with models, martial arts and fitness themes, and some limited nightclub/band images. My posts on this forum when I first started posting a couple of years ago surely show my novice roots.
In our small home studio I initially thought I had to outfit myself with multiple lights and looked at similar sets that you mentioned, as well as more elaborate and expensive ones. Ultimately, I took the "strobist" route (
Strobist). I started off with 2 hot shoe flashes (Metz 58--great flashes) and used the Paul C. Buff CyberCyncs. I later bought a third hot shoe flash (a Vivitar).
Did I use 3 lights? Rarely. I usually used one or two. Of course, I was still learning and I am not saying all of the shots were great, but even today, when I think I have much improved, I usually only use 2 and do not remember the last time I used 3 lights at the same time. Admittedly then, my lighting is not elaborate, but I think 2 lights for most of the work that I do is plenty.
Later, I decided that I wanted the power of an Alien Bee. Paul C Buff (the company that makes/sells them) makes high quality economical equipment. These are not Mercedes or BMW quality, but think Toyota or Honda. Well made, very good customer service, and an informative website. I bought two Alien Bee 800s. Recently, I bought an Einstein (sold my DA* 16-50 to buy it--nice lens, but rarely used it).
So, now I have lots of lights, and it is nice to have the variety for studio, location, and outdoors (where hot shoes are super convenient--not as powerful, but very portable and easily placed and set up). With all of these lights, though, at most I use 2 at a time.
I also purchased a Manfrotto boom arm. Nice, good quality, but rarely use it. Cheaply made boom arms are useless. The Manfrotto is a nice piece of equipment. It was not expensive so I am keeping it and hope to put it in to use at some point
I learned, somewhat expensively, that the more you buy and gather, the less you actually use. Of course, this is an age old lesson, and it applies to other professions/hobbies, as well.
If I can presume for a moment, that you are somewhat new to the more serious portrait side of photography, want to have enough equipment to take good and creative shots, but are concerned about spending too much--I would recommend getting a two light setup, based upon 1 or 2 hot shoe flashes, a couple of economical, but reliable, CyberCyncs, a couple of decent light stands and umbrellas, and perhaps a Westcott Apollo for a softbox (I have it and it is very nice; not perfect, but very nice and gives great results).
Doing things this way will cost a bit more than buying the sets you mentioned, but is a nice middle ground beyween these economy sets and much more expensive kits. I also am biased towards flash as opposed to continuous lighting. In the digital world of instant results you can learn flash technique quickly and I think the power and versatility of flash over continuous lighting far outweighs the WYSIWYG benefit of continuous lighting. My wife and I work full time and we have 3 boys and still I have been able to have sufficient time to learn to shoot.
I would recommend a Metz 58 if you can afford it. I like the Metz 58 as it adjusts in output from full power to 1/256, in 1/3 stop increments. I thought this was overkill when I bought them, but I now really appreciate this feature. I have used many umbrellas and they all seem to work the same and produce a similar light. A medium duty set of light stands (likely stronger than in the sets you mentioned) and a couple of Manfrotto umbrella holders are fine.
A list of links are below for reference. I know you are in Australia (I am in Maine, USA), but hopefully these will be helpful.
Amazon.com: Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter: Camera & Photo http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-2331-28-Inch-Apollo-Flash/dp/B003BYRO60/ref=s...4779027&sr=1-1 Amazon.com: Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital Flash for Pentax Cameras: Electronics Amazon.com: Westcott 750 Photo Basics 7.0-Foot Light Stand: Electronics Amazon.com: Impact Air-Cushioned Heavy Duty Light Stand - Black, 9.5' (2.9m): Electronics Paul C. Buff - CyberSync
these are the CyberCyncs. I have the CyberCync Receiver (battery) and CyberCync Trigger transmitter.
Paul C. Buff - AlienBees Paul C. Buff - Einstein E640 Manfrotto 420B Combi Boom Stand (Black) 420B B&H Photo Video
I hope this is helpful. I think having a smaller, but higher quality--not super high end, but well made economical equipment--is better than a set that likely will fall short in terms of durability and quality of construction. That does not mean a cheap piece of equipment is always a bad move. As you get more experienced, I think you will see what you need to spend money on and what you can buy on the cheap. Having a good foundation is best and then over time you can see where you can spend less.
Good luck with your decision.