What would be a better use of $500-$600?

[Stryker]

The Canon 430 EXII may be used as a slave of the 580 EXII but it cannot be triggered off cam alone. You have to have an off cam trigger like a Pocket Wizard or Flash Wave or the cheaper alternative would be a Canon off camera shoe cable or cord OC-E3.

I'm guessing that goes for the 580 as well, right? Those wireless triggers (that support TTL) sure are pricey!

Not sure about the 580EX besides, that was already replaced with the 580EXII

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Can't the 480 be triggered by the pop-up flash?

 

[TheBiles]

So, while reading up on various flash techniques, information, and equipment, I've noticed that lots of people seem to recommend getting the most powerful flash that you can afford off the bat ("better than to grow into rather than out of," "can't have too much flash," etc). Is the Speedlite 580EX II worth the little bit extra cash? Most of the discussions I've read look like "well, I always heard to buy the best first, so I bought the 580 and never looked back!" Thoughts on this?