Confused about where to buy Blackstar

I've heard good things about Blackstar lights in this forum, but I've found two different sites to buy them from. What's the deal?

http://www.lighthousehydro.com/

http://www.blackstarled.com/

have you heard the bad things about blackstar^? You want to buy them on ebay by the way.

ebay is cheaper than gotham hydro? never messed with ebay but im sure ill start going at it there!

Never buy from blackstarled.com - They are thieves.

Two things:
1. They're overpriced so you'll want to get them from eBay, BUT
2. If you buy from eBay if/when you have an issue you'll have no warranty

Seriously. Some of the blackstar panels have serious problems that make them just not worth the risk of buying them full price. But on the flipside if you don't have a warranty on a blackstar, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

For the people that got panels w/o the diode issue it's all roses though.
Problem is you don't know what you're going to get.

Yeah, I've just been reading about the blackstar problems.

I'm vegging 4 plants from seedlings now with a prosource 90w UFO in a pretty small cab (1.5' x 1.5' x 3.5') and am looking to buy a flowering led after I get another cab to keep the mother in. Initially I liked blackstar because I'm looking to spend around $300.

Anyone recommendations for a flowering led?

Amaximus said:

Never buy from blackstarled.com - They are thieves.

Two things:
1. They're overpriced so you'll want to get them from eBay, BUT
2. If you buy from eBay if/when you have an issue you'll have no warranty

Seriously. Some of the blackstar panels have serious problems that make them just not worth the risk of buying them full price. But on the flipside if you don't have a warranty on a blackstar, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

For the people that got panels w/o the diode issue it's all roses though.
Problem is you don't know what you're going to get.

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Hi amaximus. I have seen you along with several other recurring names on here. Do you know if the 2013 Blackstar corrected the issues I have been seeing people have with them?? They seem like a "popular" entry level which is what I need right now and ASAP too. i just cant decide with all the back and forth over the LEDs.

Also see the mixed feedback but a really decent ok on a grow fron uhh...fluff??....what about those?

Thanks!

I'm with Amaximus and Enduro. I have 4 Blackstar 240s and one of them, after only running it for a month, developed the dreaded UV failure. I can't recommend them. FWIW, I bought a couple new on eBay from Gotham Hydro using the "Best Offer" feature and did OK price wise i guess. Gotham is replacing the bad one under warranty.

keepitquiet said:

Hi amaximus. I have seen you along with several other recurring names on here. Do you know if the 2013 Blackstar corrected the issues I have been seeing people have with them?? They seem like a "popular" entry level which is what I need right now and ASAP too. i just cant decide with all the back and forth over the LEDs.

Also see the mixed feedback but a really decent ok on a grow fron uhh...fluff??....what about those?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Howdy keepitquiet,

I was under the impression that the UV problem was fixed with the 2012 models but that apparently is not the case. You can call up and ask them but I don't think I'd put too much stock into their answer as they told me it was a problem with older models but here we are months later still seeing it show up on newer models.

Yes, You are correct, for entry level leds blackstars are very popular and work relatively well as long as the UV problem doesn't creep up. The pro-grow 180's are popular as well and work with more wattage and, as far as I know, have no known issues with their units, comparably priced. I like those units and would buy a pg180 if I was currently in the market. (Well, I am in the market but I'm looking for a larger panel for a fair price)

fluff is running rhinogrow's... I don't know too much about those panels right now.

The most attractive thing to me about the Blackstars was the price. The 2013 models are much more expensive (right now anyway) so I would spend just a little more and step up to a better brand if I were in the market now.

*I wonder if the 2013 models pull the advertised wattage or if it's a little over half like it is with the 2012 and prior. If they are pulling advertised watts then I might change my opinion.

birdmananyweather said:

ebay is cheaper than gotham hydro? never messed with ebay but im sure ill start going at it there!

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Gotham sells them a little bit cheaper on ebay f/shipping i believe. You will also have more protections through ebay as a buyer.

yeah i would go with a pro grow 180 over the black stars for entry level growing