The Nikon
SB-500 (launched in 2014) has a boasts an onboard high-intensity LED light that’s ideal for movie recording AND helps mirrorless camera's find focus. "There is no AF illuminator, but there is a continuous-light white LED video helper light where the AF illuminator used to be."
AND NO -- having bought into the SB range a few decades ago I found them to be too limiting (low power, small heads, lack of rechargeable batteries (yes I do not include AA), poor light fidelity etc....) and so bought into Profoto - starting with A1 and now B10X Plus heads - the difference is immense (and yes they are more expensive). Watch any Seth Miranda vid on the subject to gain a fuller understanding.
Goodox is a challenged supplier from my perspective -- as they are not an alliance partner their products will always be at risk when a new product (Z8/Z9) or camera firmware update is issued. I have seen a few posts on the banding issue with Godox lights in High Speed Sync. AN issue that simply does not happen when I shoot with Profoto strobes or A10 "speedlights". I have not used the newest Godox V1 pro (which looks a little like an A10 but still has a RED AF assist light, but also a modelling light) or the AD600Pro (WITSTRO All-in-One Outdoor Flash AD600Pro) -- both seem interesting and clearly hit the OP's <$1000 price point (when Profoto almost certainly will not) - obviously one may need to add a Nikon compliant TTL trigger.
It is clear that while one can buy "cheap" solutions, which work well in many set-ups, these are often compromised when one looks to push the envelope. As with so much of life -- there is a price -vs- capability trade-off to be considered.
