**ULTIMATE LED TEST** *GLH Spectra 290* VS *Blackstar 500* VS *Hydro Grow LED 336X*

[Heretic]

Blackstar 500: $539.95
Spectra 500: $1,299.99
Penetrator 336X: $1,599.00

nice test ill be around watching but IMO the blackstar has already won sheerly on this post right here, the GLH may yield a slight bit more but not much as other studies have shown but when dealing with say a 240 w blackstar versus a 190w GLH its the GLH panel you want, now with this test wat i see is a difference of something like 30 watts or so on the panels on the average and thats not enough to get me spending 1300 for an LED when i can get 2 panels that give me MORE area of light that draw BARELY less power. I promise you for the price 2 blackstar 500's is going to blow the spectra and the penetrator out of the water.

As a single panel the blackstar is going to lose out to the GLH panel for sure though, I own blackstars and kessils, very happy with both of them. Would like to run some GLH stuff but at the prices shown NOT WORTH IT. Im wanting around 600watts of draw from my LED panels now and 2 500's will make me a happy camper without having to spend 2500 bucks to get it.

subbed to this bad boy.

Just wanted to say that something is not right here with pricing per watt.

Don't know if Mike at GLH has totally changed his pricing, but I bought (2) 290's maybe 5 months ago for 1300 total. They draw 330w EACH, giving me a price of $1.96/watt. Very close to the blackstar.

 

[WeJuana]

Just wanted to say that something is not right here with pricing per watt.

Don't know if Mike at GLH has totally changed his pricing, but I bought (2) 290's maybe 5 months ago for 1300 total. They draw 330w EACH, giving me a price of $1.96/watt. Very close to the blackstar.

I see what your talking about.. GLH still seems to be selling the unit your speaking of.

If you click on the 180 model on their website, it says its the new 290 which draws 305 watts and is $750.
The next model up, the old 300, which is now the 500 is going for $1,299. The description states it draws both 360w and 500w, so I am not sure if they are upgrading the wattage, but mine draws 360w.

I'm not too sure how they came up with the pricing, but it definitely seems like the better buy would be with the "180 model" as it is called on the site if it draws 305 watts over the 300/500 @ 360w.

 

[Scrogreen]

I see what your talking about.. GLH still seems to be selling the unit your speaking of.

If you click on the 180 model on their website, it says its the new 290 which draws 305 watts and is $750.
The next model up, the old 300, which is now the 500 is going for $1,299. The description states it draws both 360w and 500w, so I am not sure if they are upgrading the wattage, but mine draws 360w.

I'm not too sure how they came up with the pricing, but it definitely seems like the better buy would be with the "180 model" as it is called on the site if it draws 305 watts over the 300/500 @ 360w.

I have seen that too on the site. There upgrading? Can you tell a difference Juana? Or I guess you really dont have n e thing to compare it to. Just wondering "what" they did to improve the light besides make it a little bigger.

 

[PSUAGRO.]

Correct. All 3 of these were taken from the same mother, so they are all of the same genes. Instead of transplanting the 3 into bigger pots, I'm just going to flower them.
I took a clone which will just be put into a bigger pot when it's ready, and will be new my LA Con mom.

The clones coming up out of the clone machine are the same LA Con strain, so now we get to see if the yield will be effected with 3 gallon plastic pots vs 5/7 gallon smart pots in addition to

comparing the lights.

Not trying to be a know-it-all dick; but I finish my autos in three gallon smartpots and their less than half the size of your moms when fiinished......It's your grow do what you want
oh love the smartpots by the way...

 

[SWUSAZ]

Nice stuff Sub'd.

 

[WeJuana]

@ Scrogreen - I am still awaiting an email back from GLH to clear that up, so I will post info once I receive it.
@ PSUAGRO - I appreciate all input and comments, so don't hesitate to give it. I am aware that 3 gallon is not necessarily an ideal size pot for flowering and I may lose some yield with them, but it is all for the sake of experimentation and learning
@SWUSAZ - Thanks and glad to have you with us!

 

[WeJuana]

[video=youtube;Ef1QqBnW344]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef1QqBnW344[/video]

Video of the LA Con mother plants showing their size

 

[PrezDickie]

Which of the three plants will be going with which lights? I've got a lil feeling that the plant furthest to the right in the tent will put out a really nice main cola. thanks for the video. how soon till the mothers get to the test tents?

 

[WeJuana]

Which of the three plants will be going with which lights? I've got a lil feeling that the plant furthest to the right in the tent will put out a really nice main cola. thanks for the video. how soon till the mothers get to the test tents?

Thanks! I'll try to do video updates every now and then.

The way I see it, I'll size up the largest plant with least wattage to smallest with most wattage, making it:

Far right > Lighthouse Blackstar
Back right > Hydro Grow LED Spectra
Left > Grow LED Hydro Spectra

I know the bush on the right has a good stature for a top cola as was pointed out, but I think these 3 are close enough for a pretty accurate comparison. This will be just one trial of multiple, with the next set of plants trailing like 4 weeks behind. I think we will definitely get a good feel for how these lights perform after a few harvests.

They'll be entering into the flower tents tomorrow.

 

[PSUAGRO.]

Thanks! I'll try to do video updates every now and then.

The way I see it, I'll size up the largest plant with least wattage to smallest with most wattage, making it:

Far right > Lighthouse Blackstar
Back right > Hydro Grow LED Spectra
Left > Grow LED Hydro Spectra

I know the bush on the right has a good stature for a top cola as was pointed out, but I think these 3 are close enough for a pretty accurate comparison. This will be just one trial of multiple, with the next set of plants trailing like 4 weeks behind. I think we will definitely get a good feel for how these lights perform after a few harvests.

They'll be entering into the flower tents tomorrow.

Let the Led trolling begin...........................................

 

[trx250x7]

Hmm Ever think about adding a 4th? http://californialightworks.com/grower-feedback-program.html They have a free trial for test grows...

 

[PrezDickie]

Hmm Ever think about adding a 4th? http://californialightworks.com/grower-feedback-program.html They have a free trial for test grows...

Hard to imagine these lights can match up even with the 5W led they have such a limited spectrum. Do you know of anyone who has grown with them?

 

[trx250x7]

I just came across.. more of a test than to see if its better than the others. I would like to see how they work

 

[Heretic]

I see what your talking about.. GLH still seems to be selling the unit your speaking of.

If you click on the 180 model on their website, it says its the new 290 which draws 305 watts and is $750.
The next model up, the old 300, which is now the 500 is going for $1,299. The description states it draws both 360w and 500w, so I am not sure if they are upgrading the wattage, but mine draws 360w.

I'm not too sure how they came up with the pricing, but it definitely seems like the better buy would be with the "180 model" as it is called on the site if it draws 305 watts over the 300/500 @ 360w.

The website has been kinda useless for a while now. 500 should be how many watts the leds actually draw. That's why my 290's draw slightly higher due to fan wattage. Since yours draws closer to mine, and you claim to have paid double, I would try to get in touch with Mike at glh and see what he says about it... unless you are fine with that. lol

I guess disregard if you bought used and got the older 300 or something...

 

[WeJuana]

@PSAUGRO - Yeaah buddy!!
@trx - I was thinking of running 4 but right now I'm lacking space, possibly in the future. I would want to keep a similar wattage though for test purposes.
@Heretic - I was under the impression I was getting a 360w light Good looking out though.

 

[hippy132]

The website has been kinda useless for a while now. 500 should be how many watts the leds actually draw. That's why my 290's draw slightly higher due to fan wattage. Since yours draws closer to mine, and you claim to have paid double, I would try to get in touch with Mike at glh and see what he says about it... unless you are fine with that. lol

I guess disregard if you bought used and got the older 300 or something...

Yes, I bought two Spectra 180's thinking I was getting the new ones ( V3) which were the new 300's ?? and got the V2 which apparently has to be kept 4 ft away from plant, could have been happier with better communication and website up to date. Its all crazy, not sure what to believe anymore...

 

[WeJuana]

Yes, I bought two Spectra 180's thinking I was getting the new ones ( V3) which were the new 300's ?? and got the V2 which apparently has to be kept 4 ft away from plant, could have been happier with better communication and website up to date. Its all crazy, not sure what to believe anymore...

I definitely think their page needs to be cleaned up and narrowed to one wattage draw and name per unit. I will make sure to note it in my reply when I receive a response.

 

[El Superbeasto]

The thing with "Mike" from GLH, he's not as honest as most would like to think.

He has an "alter ego" on here and other forums...

Want more info, PM me.

 

[curly604]

ill second that motion , get him beasto!!!!

 

[Endur0xX]

Hmm Ever think about adding a 4th? http://californialightworks.com/grower-feedback-program.html They have a free trial for test grows...

it seems like a good deal, I almost want to pretend I am an experienced grower to get that deal! too bad I dont have a 1000$ kickin around! In terms of this ULTIMATE LED TEST though, it would take to long to get it going if he has to wait 2 weeks to be approved and then shipping... LETS GET THIS SHOW ROLLING!