mars fc-3000 upgrade?

Sustache

Member
I'm pulling my hair out trying to see if there's anything better than a fc 3000 in the same price range $325 300w. I wont have money for another light for along time and i just roughed it thru a ts600 grow. hlg 300 is $474 not even close in price. not looking to spend much more than the $325 unless I cant refuse. i just dont want to buy it then 2 days later see a better deal. I checked gravita hlg and med grow. mebbe u know of a sale or better light? Thanks in advance and first time on Rollitup!
 

Milky Weed

Well-Known Member
Check out the best deals thread, if you hang out there a week or so usually you can score pretty cheap high watt lights. Or very cheap low watt lights.

They wont be hlg or gavita, but they usually work ok.
 

Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
I'm pulling my hair out trying to see if there's anything better than a fc 3000 in the same price range $325 300w. I wont have money for another light for along time and i just roughed it thru a ts600 grow. hlg 300 is $474 not even close in price. not looking to spend much more than the $325 unless I cant refuse. i just dont want to buy it then 2 days later see a better deal. I checked gravita hlg and med grow. mebbe u know of a sale or better light? Thanks in advance and first time on Rollitup!
What size tent
 

weednerd.anthony.850

Well-Known Member
If you are gonna use a 3x3 mars hydro has also the fc-e3000 which uses some cheaper components but still is a pretty good light from what I’ve seen and heard for $270 not a bad light
but if you can afford the difference I’d grab the fc 3000 personally at $330 or so it’s worth it to get Samsung and osram leds for 60 more dollars
I just recently got an HLG 350R but I know that’s not in everyone’s budget so mars really isn’t a bad option at all

now if you’re gonna run a 4x4 I’d consider a little bit higher wattage and price tag like say maybe a growers choice roi e420 yes it is about $499 but it will crush a 4x4 from what I’ve seen here on RIU a lot of people use the growers choice and love it

also, check websites that let you use buy now pay later options like affirm or sezzle or similar HLG uses affirm that’s how I was able to get the coin up to buy one myself so I got approved for my order didn’t pay a dime just have to pay $50 a month for the next 12 months but to me that’s pennies compared to dropping $549 on one up front and other sites like ledgrowlightsdepot.com use sezzle so you can pay 1/4 of the price every two weeks rather than all up front might make you able to buy a more expensive light if your open to that kind of thing
 
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Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
If you are gonna use a 3x3 mars hydro has also the fc-e3000 which uses some cheaper components but still is a pretty good light from what I’ve seen and heard for $270 not a bad light
but if you can afford the difference I’d grab the fc 3000 personally at $330 or so it’s worth it to get Samsung and osram leds for 60 more dollars
I just recently got an HLG 350R but I know that’s not in everyone’s budget so mars really isn’t a bad option at all

now if you’re gonna run a 4x4 I’d consider a little bit higher wattage and price tag like say maybe a growers choice roi e420 yes it is about $499 but it will crush a 4x4 from what I’ve seen here on RIU a lot of people use the growers choice and love it

also, check websites that let you use buy now pay later options like affirm or sezzle or similar HLG uses affirm that’s how I was able to get the coin up to buy one myself so I got approved for my order didn’t pay a dime just have to pay $50 a month for the next 12 months but to me that’s pennies compared to dropping $549 on one up front and other sites like ledgrowlightsdepot.com use sezzle so you can pay 1/4 of the price every two weeks rather than all up front might make you able to buy a more expensive light if your open to that kind of thing
FC-E3000,TSW2000 20220225_142228.jpg20220225_141913.jpg
 

Lenin1917

Well-Known Member
Fce 3000, only difference is kingbrite diodes instead of Samsung, but a whole lot more of them. Same spectrum, damn near identical par maps.
 

Sustache

Member
If you are gonna use a 3x3 mars hydro has also the fc-e3000 which uses some cheaper components but still is a pretty good light from what I’ve seen and heard for $270 not a bad light
but if you can afford the difference I’d grab the fc 3000 personally at $330 or so it’s worth it to get Samsung and osram leds for 60 more dollars
I just recently got an HLG 350R but I know that’s not in everyone’s budget so mars really isn’t a bad option at all

now if you’re gonna run a 4x4 I’d consider a little bit higher wattage and price tag like say maybe a growers choice roi e420 yes it is about $499 but it will crush a 4x4 from what I’ve seen here on RIU a lot of people use the growers choice and love it

also, check websites that let you use buy now pay later options like affirm or sezzle or similar HLG uses affirm that’s how I was able to get the coin up to buy one myself so I got approved for my order didn’t pay a dime just have to pay $50 a month for the next 12 months but to me that’s pennies compared to dropping $549 on one up front and other sites like ledgrowlightsdepot.com use sezzle so you can pay 1/4 of the price every two weeks rather than all up front might make you able to buy a more expensive light if your open to that kind of thing
What size tent
going 3x3 with 3000 thank you! also how do i like/thumbs up comments?
 

OrgrO

Well-Known Member
I’m in the market for a new LED with a 3x3 footprint myself. I prefer bars over boards. These are the fixtures I’m considering so far.

* Mars Hydro FC-e3000 with 1184 Bridgelux diodes with an advertised efficiency of 2.8 umol/j and a 50,000 hour life span for about $270.

* Mars Hydro FC-3000 with 896 Samsung LM301B diodes with an advertised 2.85 umol/j and a 50,000 hour life span for about $330.

The Samsung LM301B diodes are more efficient then the Bridgelux on a one to one basis operating at the same current. Mars added 188 more Bridgelux diodes while running them a bit softer bringing the efficiency of both fixtures closer in line with each other. I’ve seen YouTube videos showing comparable results from each Mars fixture.

* Spider Farmer SE3000 with 896 Samsung LM301B diodes, same as the FC-3000. Advertised at 2.75 umol/j for about $339. No estimate on life span given but should be close to the FC-3000 at 50,000 hours

*Maxisun MG3000 with 1392 Samsung LM281B diodes. Another case of more diodes ran softer to increase efficiency and life span of the fixture. The fixture is advertised at 2.4 umol/j and a life span of 100,000 hours for $289. I really like the build quality and PAR maps for the Maxisun. I’m leaning heavily towards the MG3000.

I hope I didn't make your decision any harder.
 

Sustache

Member
I’m in the market for a new LED with a 3x3 footprint myself. I prefer bars over boards. These are the fixtures I’m considering so far.

* Mars Hydro FC-e3000 with 1184 Bridgelux diodes with an advertised efficiency of 2.8 umol/j and a 50,000 hour life span for about $270.

* Mars Hydro FC-3000 with 896 Samsung LM301B diodes with an advertised 2.85 umol/j and a 50,000 hour life span for about $330.

The Samsung LM301B diodes are more efficient then the Bridgelux on a one to one basis operating at the same current. Mars added 188 more Bridgelux diodes while running them a bit softer bringing the efficiency of both fixtures closer in line with each other. I’ve seen YouTube videos showing comparable results from each Mars fixture.

* Spider Farmer SE3000 with 896 Samsung LM301B diodes, same as the FC-3000. Advertised at 2.75 umol/j for about $339. No estimate on life span given but should be close to the FC-3000 at 50,000 hours

*Maxisun MG3000 with 1392 Samsung LM281B diodes. Another case of more diodes ran softer to increase efficiency and life span of the fixture. The fixture is advertised at 2.4 umol/j and a life span of 100,000 hours for $289. I really like the build quality and PAR maps for the Maxisun. I’m leaning heavily towards the MG3000.

I hope I didn't make your decision any harder.
thats what im here for lol and those are some good options :) comparing atm
 

Sustache

Member
I’m in the market for a new LED with a 3x3 footprint myself. I prefer bars over boards. These are the fixtures I’m considering so far.

* Mars Hydro FC-e3000 with 1184 Bridgelux diodes with an advertised efficiency of 2.8 umol/j and a 50,000 hour life span for about $270.

* Mars Hydro FC-3000 with 896 Samsung LM301B diodes with an advertised 2.85 umol/j and a 50,000 hour life span for about $330.

The Samsung LM301B diodes are more efficient then the Bridgelux on a one to one basis operating at the same current. Mars added 188 more Bridgelux diodes while running them a bit softer bringing the efficiency of both fixtures closer in line with each other. I’ve seen YouTube videos showing comparable results from each Mars fixture.

* Spider Farmer SE3000 with 896 Samsung LM301B diodes, same as the FC-3000. Advertised at 2.75 umol/j for about $339. No estimate on life span given but should be close to the FC-3000 at 50,000 hours

*Maxisun MG3000 with 1392 Samsung LM281B diodes. Another case of more diodes ran softer to increase efficiency and life span of the fixture. The fixture is advertised at 2.4 umol/j and a life span of 100,000 hours for $289. I really like the build quality and PAR maps for the Maxisun. I’m leaning heavily towards the MG3000.

I hope I didn't make your decision any harder.
maxisun seems decent surprised they arent more popular.
that sf was prolly best in class when it came out but fc/fce-3000 is the king under $350 when it comes to par map and ppfd.
 
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