Choosing new LED light from Alibaba

[Mrwilliam]

So I decided to upgrade my HPS and go for LED. As the price for a decent LED where I live is close to robbery, I want to try the Alibaba way. Naturally I'm considering Kingbrite 600w LM301H 3500K +CREE XP-E2 (660nm+730nm)+ LG UV. But also Mars Hydro fc-e6500. Pretty much the same price. Also gotten some offers from other vendors with other lights.
What would you pick from Alibaba for a 5x5 tent for around $600?

 

[Porky1982]

I wouldn't spend a cent on anything directly from China after there recent actions towards the rest of the world!!

 

[Mrwilliam]

I wouldn't spend a cent on anything directly from China after there recent actions towards the rest of the world!!

Ok. Not really interested in the political aspect. Just want a good grow light for a decent price.

 

[ballist]

I just bought 2 sets of these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002747824981.html. Just installed in a 4x4. 3 sets would work in a 5x5 or bars. You should be able to get something nice for 600

 

[Star Dog]

4x 240w kingbrite/meijiu boards for there light spread and cost per watt 960w £600.
If money wasn't a problem I'd pick strips again for light spread. According the forum a 5x5 needs more than 600w, 25x 40/50w psf.

 

[Treesomewanted77]

Check this place out. May not be as big as your looking for so just get more. https://www.toolots.com/bg-288-v3-ru-65-lm301b.html?cid=9952931480&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo6SlpNuD8wIVcwnnCh1CIgt1EAQYCiABEgIKD_D_BwE

Also I got this light and love it but you could get 4 of the ones above and be cheaper. I think the knockoffs work fine as long as you make sure it’s from a reputable seller and they stand behind it. There is so many options out there these days. Can do HLG builder kits and still get the HLG warranty and customer support.
or build some strip lights really depends on what you are willing to spend and what will work for your setup.

 

[Rurumo]

You should be aware, if you choose sea shipping, your light might be in transit for months.

 

[Mrwilliam]

You should be aware, if you choose sea shipping, your light might be in transit for months.

Yeh, that's what I fear. But kingbrite claim it will arrive in around 10 days.

 

[Rurumo]

Yeh, that's what I fear. But kingbrite claim it will arrive in around 10 days.

Shipping by air is different, you don't have to deal with the container ship logjam.

 

[bk78]

Yeh, that's what I fear. But kingbrite claim it will arrive in around 10 days.

These currently 70+ container ships lined up on the Californian coast, with more being added daily. I highly advise from choosing shipping by sea freight right now. It will literally be months before you get your lights if you choose this route.

Air freight is the only way to go in this day and age we’re living in currently

 

[Star Dog]

I had my boards from kingbrite in 7 days via ups and paid for with PayPal.
Check out ebay people are starting to buy and sell lights through eBay I see a number of them listed in the US, in the UK with ebay no delivery you get a refund via PayPal, if there's a problem you're sent a return label.
Or if you just don't want it anymore you have 30 days.

 

[Rocket Soul]

So I decided to upgrade my HPS and go for LED. As the price for a decent LED where I live is close to robbery, I want to try the Alibaba way. Naturally I'm considering Kingbrite 600w LM301H 3500K +CREE XP-E2 (660nm+730nm)+ LG UV. But also Mars Hydro fc-e6500. Pretty much the same price. Also gotten some offers from other vendors with other lights.
What would you pick from Alibaba for a 5x5 tent for around $600?

As much as I don't dig mars as a company their bar fixtures seems ok I guess if you can get a good deal on shipping. Having the light spread around properly makes up for a lot.
For Alibaba: well, you haven't linked the light so hard to say but generally for a 5x5 I'd rec more smaller lights, rather than one big ol light in the middle that only gives light to sides and corners if it hangs at 3 feet.
The 2 board fixtures with the same kind of boards would be better. For a perfect light spread I'd spec out how much 4 x240 kits would cost you: if you set each doubleboard to center over a 3x2 foot print you have perfect cover, but you'd probably have to dim a bit. Also: if a driver goes belly up then you still have the extra power. Also the higher wattage HLG drivers are generally the most likely to fail (on anecdotal from some of the light makers) while 240w meanwell hlg have lowest fail rate.

 

[not_a_doctor]

I never have more than 2 plants and have 2 x 300w quantums from meijiu and 4 of there fogro60 for veg
I cannot fault them and don't write off the red spectrum 60w boards as I've had them from seed to 3' tall in veg and looking unreal
Meanwell drivers too but I source my own in UK as they push postage weights up massively when ordering lots

 

[Mrwilliam]

Got my lights set up now. I picked the Kingbrite 600w LM301H 3500K +CREE XP-E2 (660nm+730nm)+ LG UV. Took less than a week to get them. Looks good so far. Will be interesting to see the yield.

 

[Leighbraz]

Got my lights set up now. I picked the Kingbrite 600w LM301H 3500K +CREE XP-E2 (660nm+730nm)+ LG UV. Took less than a week to get them. Looks good so far. Will be interesting to see the yield.

How did the lights do?