Shoot-through Umbrella vs PBL Photo Studio 40" Reflective Umbrella Softbox

I was intrigued by PBL Photo Studio 40" Reflective Umbrella Softbox promise:

• round catch-lights in the model's eyes;
• tight light control, just like a softbox;
• about $30 for two!

The softbox not only delivers on promise, but also offers:

• more than adequate fit and finish;
• extremely fast setup - front diffuser is permanently stitched to the umbrella, so all you need to do to set the softbox is to open umbrella and install the flash;
• full access to flash controls because only the head protrudes into the softbox.
• light emitting surface is flat thus making light more directional than shoot-through umbrella.

On the downside:

• When used bare, flash hot spot is way too prominent - I had to use a snap-on diffuser to achieve adequate light uniformity.  As a result almost two stops of light are lost.
• The stem is unnecessarily long and I almost poked my model when I tried to position the softbox close to her face.  I then had to cut off 5" of the stem.
• (minor) the stem is round - I really like an octagonal shape of the 43" double fold umbrella which prevents it from rotation.

Here is a comparison of light given off by a 43" double fold umbrella and a 40" umbrella softbox.  The latter, despite having a smaller advertised size, has larger diameter when opened (39" vs 35") because of the smaller curvature.  I am totally sold!  I am ready to pay 2 light stops for tight light control and round catch-lights.

Enjoy!

Right before I published this summary I found this video review.
Edit: Check out Zack Arias' Shoot Through Umbrella vs. Softbox