Lights Research, HEADACHE and FRUSTRATION

GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
SFBayArea said:
Ok, it seems that with Tasty T42100 I need two of them to cover 4x4 area. Which means I will need 8 of them to cover 16x4 area and that comes up to $5360.
With CXP-250, again I would need 8 to cover 16x8 area, which comes to $4600, a less expensive version, but still way more expensive then Sun System 650 (of which I would need 4 to cover 16x8) - 3k.
Is the quality of the buds that much better with COB LEDs then Sun System?
Click to expand...
As some others have posted, price the DIY route, those kits are mainly assembly, they provide all the components. That should get you closer to the SS. imo the COBS are worth it for the quality bump but that's my focus. Longer term they're worthwhile, just a bigger investment up front but you save on things like bulbs and heat management, all the while producing top grade bud.
 
Strainhunters

Strainhunters

Member
verticalgrow said:
:leaf: COB ENGINE from COBKITS :leaf:
only $95 for 320W & use code "RIU" get 10% off:clap:
https://cobkits.com/product/clu058-3618-active-light-engine/
:peace:VG:eyesmoke:
Click to expand...
I would agree. Building a COB fixture has never been easier with todays youtube videos and forums.
There is enough knowledge available here and people here are willing to solve any issue you might face building your fixture.
I'm not sure but there also might be people on here who will build the fixture for you. Maybe @CobKits knows.
 
C

Catfish1966

Well-Known Member
SFBayArea said:
Hey guys some of you may have seen my previous posts about my grow initiative. Basically I am setting up a 16'x8'x7' tent with the actual grow space in the tent to be 16'x4'x7 (or 16'x5'x7', depends on lights).
I've been doing a lot of reading about lights in the past two weeks, but still can't decide which way to go :-(.
Here is my criteria:
1. I want a simple set up without ballasts, duct pipes, heat, and too much electricity draw.
2. At the same time I want a quality product, which is my understanding LEDs (UV, light spectrum, etc) are best for.
3. Use the same light/lamp for veg and for flowering
4. I don't want to sacrifice the yield per plant. I understand that I can grow with shitty cheap LEDs, but I don't want shitty outcome, I want a comparable to MH or HIDs outcome (or slightly less).
5. Being a new grower, I am not sure I am ready to build my own lights, so not sure its an option.

I came up with the list below for a comparison (It would not allow me to post a table).

Brand/Model/Watts/Power Use/Foot Print/Diodes/Warranty/Price

Kind LED/K5 /1000 /650/ 5x5 /3w and 5w /3 /$1,700.00
Adavanced/XML/ 650 /618 /5x5 /10w amd 3w/ 3/ $1,600.00
JOHNSON GROW / CX16 /1000/ 715/ 5x5/ CREE CXA2540/ 3/ $1,250.00
Kind/ K5 /750/ 430/ 4x4/ 3w and 5w/ 3/ $1,245.00
Amare /SE /450/ 450/ 4x4/ 6 CXB3070 &CREE XP-G2/XP-E2 LEDs/ 5/ $1,145.00
DormGrow / G8 / 900 /540 / 6x4 / 3w /Warranty??/$1,060.00
DormGrow /G8 /600/ 390/ 4x4 /3w / Warranty? /$800.00
CALIFORNIA LIGHTWORKS SOLARSYSTEM /550 /550 /400/ 3x4/ Osram LED/ 5/ $800.00
Sun System/ LEC 630/ 630/ 630/ 4x4/ LEC/ 1/ $747.00
Sun System /.LEC 315/ 315/ 315/ 3x3/ LEC/ 1/ $454.00

Based on the data above - ASSUMING its true I came up with the "table" of how many lights I would need for my set up:
Brand /Lights I need / My Total
Kind / 3 / $5100
Kind /4 / $4980
Adavanced LED/ 3 / $4800
Amare /4 / $4580
CALIFORNIA LIGHTWORKS/ 5/ $4000
JOHNSON GROW LIGHTS / 3 / $3750
DormGrow /4 / $3200
DormGrow /3 / $3180
Sun System LEC 630/ 4 / 2988
Sun System LEC315/ 6 / 2724

1. Based on the data alone, the 6 SunSystem LEC 315 comes out to be least expensive option. From the reading on it, its a descent light which is good for both veg and flowering and has plenty of UV.
2. Cheapest LED options looks to be DormGrow 3, however, I have no idea how good or bad these lights are and information that I found on various forums is all over the place. Plus, I think it requires additional red light for flowering.
3. From the most reputable and expensive lights, the best $$$ case is California Lightworks or Amare. However, based on the wattage alone these lights are more expensive and yet only provide half the W that DormGrow or Johnson Grow (don't know anything about Johnson lights).

What do you guys think? Please chime in if you have personal experience with one or another light. Based on first hand experience from another forum member I have dismissed Patinum Lights ,because they are claiming much more power and foot print to their lights then they really are. Hence, please post if you dealt with one or another light, if you can agree or disagree with the manufacture claims of the light foot print, light specter, etc.


Did I just opened an ugly can of worms?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Everyone here will have different opinion. I bought CLW Solar System 550s because I got them @$450 each, they have a great controller, can be adjusted for veg or flower, 5 year warranty and they sell a lot to commercial growers. Haven't used them yet so......
 
S

SFBayArea

Member
CobKits, do you have ideas what people use for the housing? What kind of emitters do you use - 3590? Do lights come with everything except housing? What is the core footprint for each light?
Thanks.
 
BM9AGS

BM9AGS

Well-Known Member
Catfish1966 said:
Everyone here will have different opinion. I bought CLW Solar System 550s because I got them @$450 each, they have a great controller, can be adjusted for veg or flower, 5 year warranty and they sell a lot to commercial growers. Haven't used them yet so......
Click to expand...
Good choice IMG_1583.JPG
 
Hybridway

Hybridway

Well-Known Member
Evil-MoBo gave good advice! Amare Tech. Is the way to go!
Enhanced white spectrum like the sun at the equatorial line. What many are trying to accomplish by mixing CMH w/ Cobs but can't achieve even spectral mixing. It's the only complete enhanced true full spectrum led available using all top components. They're the original cob grow light company.
They have separate switches for the monos & cobs. The monos rock for veg while also enhancing the white cobs in flower. The SE-450 has the UVB bulb on a separate power supply & cord so you can put it on its own timer.
They have different models offering different levels of efficiency depending on your needs & wants. 3590's & 3070's depending on the model. The Pro-series use 3590 cobs & Xp-g2's/Xp-e2's & the latest Xp-g3's for the monos, Meanwell drivers. 5 yr. warranty. Owner got your back! He's a grower too, stays in contact & lets you know when he makes a new light using new tech & is on it pronto.
He offers sales & discounts all the time. Never even heard of anyone ever paying full price.
I own the SE-450, x2 Pro-4's & my Pro-9 is in the mail. Done 2 journals so far on them & invite you to check them out.
My first one comparing to another light, view the first 5 pages.
https://www.rollitup.org/p/12749165/
My latest one where I got my Pro-4's at week 5:
https://www.rollitup.org/p/13058716/
I never thought I'd be this satisfied. Can't say enough good things about this company, the owner & their lights. Hope to see you visiting my journals.
Good luck!
Btw, I was a large hps grower and am now using Amare instead.
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
Sensi-Star under the SE-450
image.jpg They produce much higher quality then my HPS. These lights are no joke man & the only Cob light I'd recommend.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top