Since the devastation in Japan

I've been thinking about getting an additional 580 ex flash but have been putting it off because they have become so freaking expensive. I am seriously thinking that the camera manufactures my be out of business for months or even longer and that could lead to major price hikes or no camera gear at all. I use my first gen 580ex flash heavily in my work but i don't usually use 2 flashes at once. My first one is coming up on three years old even though it continues to work like a charm. I don't want to be put in a hard place if it breaks and canon repair has limited parts to fix it. People's thoughts please. Is the 430EX flash really down on power compared to the 580ex in real word performance. I mention this because the 430ex is 280.00 and the 580ex is 450. That's a pretty big jump in price. I think I'd rather be safe then sorry and get an additional unit but saving money in these times is going to become even more important I feel. Whats the smartest route to take?