When the D1′s were announced, and before any of us had them, there was speculation that the built in “reflector” would create hot spots; but once the lights got out into the field I have not heard those concerns expressed by people with the lights. I suppose the results would vary my box and how it is used; for example, I know if I were to take out the inner diffusion panel the light the light would be reflected less evenly. Many of my lighting patterns are built around John Woodward’s teachings — I use indirect light, light with reflections off the edges of the boxes and not directly with the light from the center of the box — and in those patterns there would not be a hot spot under any circumstances.

Bottom Line: I love my D1′s. They have performed flawlessly and seamlessly integrate with my D4 and Acutes.