What are good off brand flashes for Nikon?

I have a d7000 and recently had my sb600 flash die… I need something around $250 and would like to find a good off brand to extend my $$ a bit. I've never shot with anything other than Nikon products, so I don't know what would be a good off brand to use. Any suggestions?

Vivitar, Yuong No. Just get one with a Nikon foot.

Yongnuo makes good ones. If you're fine with manual power output, get the YN560 with Nikon hotshoe.

It can be triggered off camera wirelessly with your camera's popup flash, this works nice indoors (but not so well outdoors, where one would use radio triggers).It does not support TTL at all though.

There are other YN flashes that support TTL when they are mounted on the camera or with a cord, but can't be triggered wirelessly as optical slaves, these always need a radio trigger (and then only work in manual power output mode too), such as the YN465.

Myself, i use a YN560 and don't miss TTL at all.

If you want a flash that can do iTTL wireless using the controller in your camera, the Metz 50 (for Nikon, of course) is the best thing out there. It is actually a better flash than the SB-600, but we won't go there. $225-$250, depending on where you look. The older Metz 48 is just as good, and will cost less if you can find one.

You can also look at Sigma, the 610 Super is within your budget, more powerful than anything but an SB-900, and still has all the bells and whistles.