Octoplus softbox questions

[Dominik Bauch]

I'm looking for a flexible softlight alternative to a litemat 4 through a 4x4 diffusion frame. In many instances with siders / toppers, this can become very unwieldy.
I've been checking out the chimera octoplus, with the chimera Triolet head. I love the large source, the built in light control and the easy ability to walk in the light for close ups but the tungsten nature is a little scary. If I have to dim the light it's obviously going to head sub 3000k fast. How is the best way to deal with this? Carry lower wattage bulbs? Gel outside the softbox (tough as the 5x5 shape is large, can you add get to the inner baffle or does it get too hot?). This is where the compact nature becomes less time efficient vs an LED though diffusion frame.   

Any idea what kind of T stop a 650W halogen bulb would roughly give at 6 feet?

Also are daylight balanced fluorescents bulbs at all useful? (imagine that they would be pretty dim once pushed though the diffusion and an eggcrate)

Thanks.

[Ed Conley]

Castex rentals in Hollywood carries the 5' Octaplus. Not sure  if they have a tri-o-lite set up though.