Any input on this 300watt led?
In LEDs there appear to be 3-4 categories:
1. Inexpensive direct imports from China. These use epi-whatever chips. I use that term because you don't know whether they're genuine Taiwanese or made on the mainland, or final encapsulation performed by the light maker to save money. They will require using more watts per sq. ft., generate more heat. Their spectrum is probably not the result of growing, but just copying what others do. (Could be a good spectrum, may not be.). Warranty support will be difficult.
The common suggestion to those contemplating these lights is to buy a ceramic metal halide until you can afford a better LED. You'll get more light for the same watts and heat.
If you're intent going with such a light, get something others have used. There are a lot of people using TopLED/MarsHydro. Nice thing about this one is that it has an online support forum at 420mag. Having community support should be better than dealing with a nameless/faceless person on eBay or Amazon. Experienced growers here recommend Vipar on eBay as "the best of the worst." I doubt there's much difference between these lights. But, the point is, I'd follow the herd rather than searching for cheap lights among the thousands of resellers of essentially they same light (one of which you seem to have found).
I have an Apollo 4 (180w, 130w actual) clone purchased from AliExpress seller "Thunder Lighting" for $150 delivered with custom spectrum based upon Grow Northern's rebel spectrum. It grows ok. If I were a new grower I'd be very happy with its results. But, it's not as efficient as an Area51 RW-75 for another $70.
2. Rebranded Chinese imports.
Probably the most predatory lights: Kind, Blackdog, Growblu, HydroGrowLED, Lush. These are essentially #1 sold at a premium with hyperbole-laden web pages, short on details about the chips and spectrum/ratio they use. They push the *anticipation* that you're buying something proprietary, "secret sauce." More about selling than growing.
Some of these, like Blackstar aren't quite as overpriced. The markup might be a fair tradeoff for dealing with a domestic business, domestic warranty support, a "brand" that has a reputation to maintain.
I have 3 Blackstars. I'd say they're about as good as the Apollo 4 clone. Not worth the money when, for a slight bit more I could have gotten Area51.
3. High-end lights. These use Cree, Osram, Luxeon. They publish the chips they use (down to actual part numbers), the spectrum used. No "secret sauce" hype. They give more light per watt, less heat. Area 51, Rapid/Onyx, Hans/Bonsai Hero, maybe AdvancedLED (was category #2, but is becoming more high-end).
I have 3 A51s. I like how they have a lifetime (anticipated) upgrade path. A new model is expected soon with the most efficient Cree diodes. I imagine upgrade parts will be available to existing owners sometime next year.
There are some higher-end brands like ApacheTech. I personally don't understand what makes them worth the premium they cost, but there are experienced growers who use them. The feel overly expensive like #2. But, they use high-end chips, are transparent (informative) about what you're buying (diodes, spectrum).
The only reason I can see to hesitate investing in a high-end light is that the technology is evolving. Commercial COB fixtures are coming to market. A51 is about to release a new fixture using the latest Cree bulbs.
4. You mentioned using CFL. There are LED bulbs which are
more efficient (lumens per watt) than CFL. (<<link). If you don't like negotiating a forest of bulbs in your tent, there are higher-power 18w CREE PAR38 spots and floods mentioned at the end of that link. 83 lumens per watt, which is very good for a directional light. (CFLs are 60-70 lumens per watt. Put them in a reflector and they're 40-50. )
If you went this way you'd spend less on electricity, use fewer bulbs (especially if you use the PAR38 ). 10-year warranty. Easy to scale into it (just go to Home Depot and buy a bulb, replace 2-4 CFLs.). About as efficient as the 100w COB GrowErr linked to (90 lumens per watt).
Summary:
There's no need to spend a fortune on the #2 "secret sauce" lights Indica is promoting (he got snookered into one and now he's soothing himself). If you go with a cheap #1 Chinese light, don't go with unknown sellers. Stick with TopLED/Mars or Vipar ebay. Don't expect much because it's a disposable light. If you're prepared to make a long-term investment, buy Area 51 (or build your own COB, look for
@REALSTYLES thread where he's making one after buying TopLED/Mars which he's currently using).
If I were you, I'd leverage your CFL mounting, power distribution, etc. and merely replace some with LED lightbulbs described in the link above. Go low wattage if you want more uniform coverage. High wattage if you want more penetration, fewer bulbs to navigate. This would let you wait and see some of the developments expected soon. Small incremental cost. Bulbs you could use as supplemental light. Efficiency that exceeds T5HO.
), like a politician does with statistics to prove a point, so treat all claims with speculation and you'll at least have some defense against the greedy. New ratings are coming and will help weed out false claims but for now it's a relatively new and a bit unregulated industry.
