Solis tek 600w dimmable ballast, cheap or no?

I'd like to see the spectrum on each...the number differences are very big. In audio 10% THD is not within my audio distortion spectrum. Was in the business on the manufacturing level for 20+ years. We'd try to sell off a receiver that had 1% or .05% when our receivers had .01% THD. Most speakers had over 10% THD. IMD (intermodular distortion) was a more accurate audio rating, but again test gear hears what I can't.

Just saying I'd like more info on the actual effects, although the numbers are huge in THD.

Thanks for all the input guys, i ended up purchasing the solistek 600W dimmable ballast for now. I also purchased the hydrofarm daystar a/c reflective hood. I dont really know too much about it but im hoping it serves its purpose well!


Link to light hood, chime in please and let ne know about my horrible impulse buy!

http://www.brewandgrow.com/grow/lighting/reflectors/hydrofarm/hydrofarm-daystar-6-air-cooled-reflector.html

thinn said:

Thanks for all the input guys, i ended up purchasing the solistek 600W dimmable ballast for now. I also purchased the hydrofarm daystar a/c reflective hood. I dont really know too much about it but im hoping it serves its purpose well!


Link to light hood, chime in please and let ne know about my horrible impulse buy!

http://www.brewandgrow.com/grow/lighting/reflectors/hydrofarm/hydrofarm-daystar-6-air-cooled-reflector.html

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Very good start....is it the same as this one?:
http://www.horticulturesource.com/grow-lighting-systems-fixtures-movers-ballasts-sockets-reflectors-components-c21/reflectors-hoods-shields-parts-s24/hydrofarm-daystar-6-ac-reflector-p6206/

Brother Numsi said:

Very good start....is it the same as this one?:
http://www.horticulturesource.com/grow-lighting-systems-fixtures-movers-ballasts-sockets-reflectors-components-c21/reflectors-hoods-shields-parts-s24/hydrofarm-daystar-6-ac-reflector-p6206/

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Yes it is! Btw, I did not buy through brew and grow, they are too expensive. I used the link for reference though! So im guessing "closed" hoods are better than parabolics? If this one works out fine, a hydrofarm raptor might be in the works...thats seems like it covers more real estate.

I think for concentrated light with a bulb in vertical position (which sounds contadictory) it works fine, but more heat. You'll need to get someone with parabiolc experience to give a more practiced opinion. Make sure you keep yor measurments handy for spacing in your area. The MagnumXXXL 6 " is big and so is the Blockbuster....at least a bit bigger than my YieldMaster II Supremes. The Raptor is also very good. At some point most of us just become comfortable with what we use

Brother Numsi said:

I think for concentrated light with a bulb in vertical position (which sounds contadictory) it works fine, but more heat. You'll need to get someone with parabiolc experience to give a more practiced opinion. Make sure you keep yor measurments handy for spacing in your area. The MagnumXXXL 6 " is big and so is the Blockbuster....at least a bit bigger than my YieldMaster II Supremes. The Raptor is also very good. At some point most of us just become comfortable with what we use

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Which i started thinking after i posted. Maybe im putting the cart in front of the horse on this one...I'll have to wait and see how this one works before giving up on it...if it does the job, then im good. I can always adjust! Adapt and overcome, right!

What are the settings on the 600? From the pic it looks like a 'lumen booster, 600, 400 and 360' is that correct? If so that is the older model of their 600 dimable. Their new model, $187.00, has the 'lumen booster, 600, and 400' as the 360 was not used much and they decided to take it out. I am getting this setup next week sometime with a blockbuster 6" air cooled and Ushio HiLux Gro 600W Super HPS . Most of the money went to the solis tek I am sure on your purchase.

LeafGnosis said:

What are the settings on the 600? From the pic it looks like a 'lumen booster, 600, 400 and 360' is that correct? If so that is the older model of their 600 dimable. Their new model, $187.00, has the 'lumen booster, 600, and 400' as the 360 was not used much and they decided to take it out. I am getting this setup next week sometime with a blockbuster 6" air cooled and Ushio HiLux Gro 600W Super HPS . Most of the money went to the solis tek I am sure on your purchase.

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As for model, i am in the dark until i receive it. From the picture on the ebay listing, that looks to be the 400w solis tek (compared from the manufacturers website) so i think its just a generic pic for the listing. I will keep you updated when it arrives and will post a picture of the actual ballast with settings for you when it arrives. I would think out if $180 that the ballast took probably 140-150 of that price tag the reflective hood is $44 dollars at brew and grow hydro store by me, and they are overpriced on everything it seems. The light is a plantmax????? Just a generic lamp? but iplan on getting quality lamps from the store hortilux/ushio when everything else comes this week.

Update:

Just came in today, model is the newer model with 400w and 600w settings with solis boost for eack setting. Everything checked out as i fired it up for a test run. Surprised at the intensity and heat of the light. Being new to this it is actually quite amazing. The lamp that came with the package was a Plantmax 2000k hps bulb. My question is should i go higher on the kelvin scale for flowering, i know 2700k is ideal for flowering and 6500k for vegging. I still need to go to the store an pick up a halide veg light so if i need higher for flowering, i would just pick it up on that run.... Any incite is much appreciated!

P.s.

Im glad i bought a seperate hood that is air cooled cause the one that came in the package deal is very flimsy. This thing kicks some serious heat out, i can just imagine when i get the 1000w ballast!