Hi Matthew.
I've work with brand name and really cheap offbrand depending on the project. I think it depend on the client, often people like to see brand to show off. But in order to learn lightning i really think you don't need brand. Basically, the projector is just a small part off the lightning, his position, what you will use between the spot and the target, diffusion, chimera, big frame, the nature of the light, tungsten, hmi, fluo, direct or indirect light, distance between source and diffusion, size of the source,... is as if not more important.
I think you can learn alot with simple lights, even with office lights. I have brand used light wich i need to repare also quit often. I have chinese offbrand that i used with the same lamp inside and it work very very well on certain project, actually i have certain offbrand light that i prefer like chinese ledpanel or some fluo that i have adapt a little bit. I think "flimgear" is done by an old arri employe altought i'm not sure, someone correct me if i'm wrong, but they in my opinion very good spot. I'm on a film for wich i rent arri and filmgear hmi, the arri just broke up yesterday night.....the filmgear work like à charm.
I've seen brand light that where so dirty that almost 30% light where lost. I think you should understand what the differences betweem different source are, and how you can work with it. In a proffessionnal world you will often have to find alternativ solution, so to learn crativity you can do it with many lights. I would just say try try try, make yourself exercices, and you will learn, and to do exercice i would rather do more with cheaper lights than one day with brand. A 3 fresnel kit is a bit short to learn lightning. Anyway, to learn i would say is better to rent it so you can try different type of sources, as even a offbrand hmi is not cheap. You'll get the opportunities to work with brand soon.
But i think i've used the one you linked, or a very similare one. They work but they have many fagil part wich you can acually change. And the barndoor you'll find a way to make them old in place......
I've had a really no budget project last year wich was done with lights that weren't even cine lights and it was a fantastic result in my opinion. What is important is creativity and right color temp bulb, and a good reflector and filter.
Good luck
