OGHomeslice
Active Member
Oh wow, is "SF" Spider Farmer? So those are good as well? Thanks!
So, I ordered this *3,000* watt led...
- Thread starter OGHomeslice
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Oh wow, is "SF" Spider Farmer? So those are good as well? Thanks!
Skewbong
Well-Known Member
Quantum boards are the best, imo. I'm not loyal as I researched HLG, MARS, SPIDER FARMER, etc. I was budget searching, for sure. I concluded the mars was best value as they have updated their epistar lights. The other two use higher efficient lights and drivers. But the $ per watt compared to the efficiency was what got me. Went with the mars TSW 2000 (100 more watts than the SF equivalent, and less expensive than SF). Its so nice. No fans. It runs warm for sure, but no hotter than vegas in the summer lol. Hope it helps...not promoting or selling anything. Just thought I'd share my experience.
Skewbong
Well-Known Member
They are bright AF as well
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
I have all HLG and can't complain.
OGHomeslice
Active Member
Like this one Skewbong?
https://www.amazon.com/MARS-HYDRO-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B07VL8FZS1/ref=psdc_14252941_t3_B07TS82HWB
600w for $90 seems pretty darned reasonable. If those are REAL watts, not "equivalent" lol. Thanks!
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PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
It's actually the same company, the Spider Farmer ones look like their higher end ones though. So if those were my 2 options I would pick the Spider Farmer.
Skewbong
Well-Known Member
It is very reasonable. But it pulls 100 watts, dont be confused by marketing BS, look for actual wattage and LED diode type. Samsung is amongst the best, which i believe SF uses, mars uses an upgraded epistar. Old epistars were not efficient, these ones are. Mine pulls just over 300 watts and I paid around $300...I'm in Canada our dollar sux. Can't complain at all, it's legit light power. You could grow 1 nice plant with that 600. I find 100w per plant is nice for me, but there are countless variables that could change this. Good luck my friend. I grow 3 plants in a 4x4...and i use the side lighting for growing lettuce, chard and herbs...legit herbs too lol
sarahJane211
Well-Known Member
Hlg 240 + 2 QBs (Chinese knockoffs) are $150 where I live, and they're making money on those.
Official HLgs are 2x-3x the price, they ain't paying more for the parts than the Chinese so they have a markup in the region of 3x..
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
They use the "H" diodes now. I suggested them to my buddy, so he got one, and it just arrived. His first QB.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Oh that's awesome mana well H/B it's all the same!
China grabs those diodes out of the junk bin they are paying less and the PCB boards are lower quality usually less metal. So lower cost there and the heatsinks are cheaper. 3x markup for retail is fair most business make at least that or more. But hey for the sake of your argument let's say they make 3x now pay all the employees this is America not china you actually have to pay people here
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Thank you for saving me from typing that. Fuck China and all of their cheap knockoff bullshit. I refuse to buying anything from them if I can help it.
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
People are somehow under the impression that HLG just buys their boards from China and resell them. Well that's not the case. Take a look at Steve setting up the machine..
sarahJane211
Well-Known Member
Post a close-up photo of a HLG heatsink, so I can compare it with my 2 random Chinese.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Why do I get the feeling you're from China, lol. I refuse to buy anything from China unless I have to. They just like to steal everyone's ideas and make cheap copies. No thanks.
Haha it's the shipping if the heatsinks don't come from China the the aluminum does but good try
pulpoinspace
Well-Known Member
alibaba, wish, and anything that isn't a name brand on amazon is e-waste. instant garbage. you get what you pay for.
but then again alibaba is the only place i've seen lights with 4.0 umol/w so what do i know! (that they'll literally say or print anything to make a sale)
but then again alibaba is the only place i've seen lights with 4.0 umol/w so what do i know! (that they'll literally say or print anything to make a sale)
Lockedin
Well-Known Member
Alibaba (and express) are often not just knock offs, but also factory rejects sold behind the customer's back.
Since Amazon, Ali, etc. ship directly to customers through fulfillment centers; customs doesn't inspect their packages nearly as often (what looks better on a report - 2 knock off grow lights for one person, or a container filled with counterfeit Nike shoes); so the online market is saturated with substandard products.
Not to mention products that just plain suck to begin with...
IMHO - Due diligence. Research until your significant other threatens to leave.
Plan your grow - if possible, get 10-15% more light than you think you need - too much is easier to deal with than not enough.
We all have our budgets, and will buy accordingly. But you can have a lot better experience with your purchase if you do your homework first - and have realistic expectations of whatever you decide to add to your garden.
Since Amazon, Ali, etc. ship directly to customers through fulfillment centers; customs doesn't inspect their packages nearly as often (what looks better on a report - 2 knock off grow lights for one person, or a container filled with counterfeit Nike shoes); so the online market is saturated with substandard products.
Not to mention products that just plain suck to begin with...
IMHO - Due diligence. Research until your significant other threatens to leave.
Plan your grow - if possible, get 10-15% more light than you think you need - too much is easier to deal with than not enough.
We all have our budgets, and will buy accordingly. But you can have a lot better experience with your purchase if you do your homework first - and have realistic expectations of whatever you decide to add to your garden.
But I want to spend $10 to grow a 100lb of pot can I do that? Haha
sarahJane211
Well-Known Member
I'm living in SEA, I can't buy from the USA even if I wanted.
Customs put 100% duty on anything coming from the USA, no duty at all of stuff coming from China.
Can't see your h/s is different to mine .... apart from the 'marketing' hole.
