Led issue

babynuka

Member
First of all Hi everyone! Just made an account here today but it is not the first encounter.
I'm looking to buy a LED panel. I'm new to led, I only grew 1 time with HPS and it was ok. But now I wanna grow non stop. My plan is growing only 1 plant in a 1m x 1m x 1.20m tent... I am from EU so one option would be to wait for the new release of Grow Northern. I saw some ppl saying "GN is s**t, same as other LED's" but honestly I didn't saw any led growing such huge monsters as the GN does on DP autos. The new unit will be around 400 GBP. Other option is to buy 2x of other panels but at this moment I don't think I cand find 2 that can a better job then GN. I'm not excited about new GN cause is expensive but the good part is that will not pull so much electricity ~ 350W. If any of u think that GN isn't a good deal pls explain. Thanks!
 

Dloomis514

Well-Known Member
First of all Hi everyone! Just made an account here today but it is not the first encounter.
I'm looking to buy a LED panel. I'm new to led, I only grew 1 time with HPS and it was ok. But now I wanna grow non stop. My plan is growing only 1 plant in a 1m x 1m x 1.20m tent... I am from EU so one option would be to wait for the new release of Grow Northern. I saw some ppl saying "GN is s**t, same as other LED's" but honestly I didn't saw any led growing such huge monsters as the GN does on DP autos. The new unit will be around 400 GBP. Other option is to buy 2x of other panels but at this moment I don't think I cand find 2 that can a better job then GN. I'm not excited about new GN cause is expensive but the good part is that will not pull so much electricity ~ 350W. If any of u think that GN isn't a good deal pls explain. Thanks!
Do you have a link to the panels you are considering?
 

babynuka

Member
No I don't. I have no idea of witch LED is better. Until now i never saw any LED to impress me as some GN grows.
 

babynuka

Member
Saw a thread, someone said the same thing. Another said it is just the case of apollo from cidly. All i know is I saw some amazing grow journals witch I didn't see from other led's, not even half of what GN did.
 

gk skunky

Well-Known Member
Got any links to the grow journals? I agree looks like some apollos off alibaba with a custom finished case. Says they are using epiled, but then I see they have a luxeon modual upgrade as well.

Though if you are in the UK and looking for a cheap unit the VIPARs would probably do about the same, or any alibaba light. Though be warned they do have a reputation for burning. out prematurely. If you want to avoid that you might want to look at some more reliable units like A51, apache and rapid led. A buddy of mine that got me into LED stuff was using some HTG supply 432s that appear to be blackstar clones. He has a bunch of A51 now, still uses the HTG stuff but within the past year he has sent a light off for repair almost once a month or so. He's had to send a light back soo many times it's Freaking crazy. The apollos seem to be known for having clusters go out and needing replaced.
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
I am from EU so one option would be to wait for the new release of Grow Northern.
You may be waiting a long time. They were supposed to bring their new light to market last June. (I didn't realize it's still unavailable until I saw your post.). I can understand taking time to get it right. But, they stopped selling their original light last May. If I used Grow Northern and needed a light in the past 6 months, I'd probably question my loyalty.

Looks like it may be another re-branded Apollo.
Their original light was. One difference between them and the other rebrands (sold at a markup) was that GN published their spectrum and ratio. I had one made through Alibaba for $150 (shipped) and it grows ok. An additional $100 for an A51 RW75 is a better value. But, sometimes people are afraid to pay a lot just to try LED. It's not a bad light (as long as one understands it's not as efficient, generates more heat, may have trouble getting warranty support.).

GN sells a "Rebel module" which replaces the Apollo module with Phillips LEDs, doubled the output, etc. So, when people see great grow journals that may be what was used. GN published the spectrum, ratio and part numbers.

That's significantly better than Chinese imports, and especially the expensive rebranded lights. But, still... 6 months without anything to sell? I don't think I'd ever consider GN again.

Anyway, the elusive new light is supposed to use the same stuff as the Rebel module and looks like an Evergreen (? The company that makes Blackstar).
 

babynuka

Member
I get more confused every day. Yes, i kept mailing a guy from GN and he keeps saying that in a couple a mounts they hope it will be on the market. It is kinda bad ... So then what do you suggest instead of GN. I can spend 400-500 euros for my 1x1x1.8 tent. I will still be growing just 1 auto.
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
So then what do you suggest instead of GN.
I'm just finishing a grow with 2 Area51s, a Blackstar and that Apollo custom-spectrum. I like the Area51s. Huge difference in density and bud size.

A lot of people categorize RapidLED Onyx in the same league as A51. Also Hans panel. Advanced LED seems to have a good reputation.
 

babynuka

Member
So I searched the internet all night and came up to this. I will buy 1 unit and will upgrade later with another one.
So this are the led's I found in the range price, please help me pick one:
https://www.hydrogrowled.com/84X-PRO---120W-LED-Grow-Light-P84C60.aspx
http://a51led.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=181
http://advancedledlights.com/3w-led-grow-lights/new-diamond-series-xml-10w-cree-xml/
https://www.hydrogrowled.com/Sol-4-200W-400W-LED-Grow-Light-(G4)-P159C59.aspx - this one is kinda expensive though. But i saw some great buds from the bigger one sol 9 witch i will never in my life afort.
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
So I searched the internet all night and came up to this. [hydrogrowled]
The A51 is far superior to HydroGrowLED which is essentially a rebranded Chinese import sold with a lot of secret sauce hyperbole. You won't find their spectrum and ratio, whereas A51 publishes actual part numbers. You know exactly what you're feeding your plant. Limited lifetime warranty.

HydroGrowLED also has been a controversial entity. More accurately, its owner (Cammie Mckenzie). Sometimes known as LEDgirl. She posted a thread on rollitup a few months ago (<<link) under a pseudonym to run down a Chinese factory she claimed stiffed her. After her identity was discovered (via the factory's public response that it was Cammie who stiffed them), she disappeared. Reports of "grassing out" unhappy customers to authorities, or threats thereof. HGL and "Lush Lighting" (another dubious outfit) seem to have found a comfortable sponsorship at ICMag (where negative comments are deleted).

There are people who grow well with those lights. But, I see people growing well with TopLED and Vipar. Why pay a premium and support someone with such a questionable history?

If I were you I'd do A51. Next choice might be RapidLED (Onyx) or Advanced.
 
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