Best HPS Bulb ?

I am using a GE 400 watt HPS bulb about 30 $ seems to work good. I see bulbs in this size ranging from 30 - 100 $ are these high dollar bulbs really worth the money or is this just hype. I know some claim to put out more lumens which should help increase yield.
Are they worth the extra cost vs increased yield, quality etc.

Sodium and mercury give the HPS its color. So as far as some brands claiming a wider color range of light or a more light on one side of the spectrum than the other, i think thats bullshit.
but if the light has more lumens its going to be brighter, which is better. paying $xx for xx% lumen increase? that's up to you

yea i'd say its preference. I always use Hortilux 1000W with enhanced blue spectrum, its suppose to put out more lumens in the blue spectrum. I dont know too much about light/photons/spectrum myself- some people lumens dont even matter as they are a measure of light based on what humans can see. Im sure there is a correct science behind it all, but next to nutrients, light seems to be one of the more debateable topics. For my $$, i buy hortilux top of the line bulbs hoping that they are specifically designed for plant growth. As were growing a cash crop, it may be wise to use light somewhat designed or tested for plant growth, and opposed to any HPS thats designed for industrial or warehouse lighting. Either light will get you bud, but i cant testify to the actual differences

kno said:

...but if the light has more lumens its going to be brighter, which is better.

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I thought the same thing for a very long time myself until I took an astronomy course in college. Luminosity and brightness are not the same, nor are there standards of comparison. Much of the luminosity HPS bulbs put out isn't being used by the plant, except for heat transfer. "Brightness" is a completely different animal, and cannot be measured in lumens- it's measured in temperature (Kelvin ratings).