Manufacturers don’t build entire factories “for forgeries.” They build factories to build products. Pick and place machines, PCB reflow ovens, etc. are generic machines that can be tooled to build anything within a specific size and material range. One of the big problems for a lot of manufacturers is “gray market goods.” They come off the same supply line as the official product, but they change the branding silk screens, tend to use thinner PCB materials, or lower bin diodes . That allows them to produce things that LOOK real, but don’t necessarily comply with specs.
It’s directly profiting off someone else’s designs, production costs, and IP. It’s tantamount to theft by the production companies.
Like I said, to each his own, but people seriously misuse the words “can’t” and “need.” Most growers CAN afford to build a light with legit parts. They CHOOSE not to because they know they can get a similar part for less money and they would rather spend that money elsewhere than pay full price.
A V1 QB costs $45 from HLG directly. With a driver and heat sink, your talking less than $1/watt still. Sure, it won’t be four boards for one heatsink and have single dimmer control, but you don’t NEED those things for it to work... you want them.
This isn’t specific to HLG or lighting in general even... in China they have knock-off vehicles. Like, literally counterfeit cars...