Blackstar or Pro-Grow 180w LED?

Hey guys, I'm most likely going to be using LEDs for my next grows. After doing a little bit of research I found this website: http://www.blackstarled.com/18bl2wch.html and after a little bit more I found this: http://www.hydroponicshut.com/pro-grow-180-watt-led-grow-light-hydroponics-hut.html. I'm by every means of the word an amateur when it comes to LEDs, but I do know that 3w chips give off more light than 2w chips. What I don't know is if the Pro-Glow is a better buy at $80. Both blackstarled.com and pro-glow will ship it for free it seems.

I'm probably not going to grow any more than 3 plants at a time, so if this is overkill what would you guys recommend? Thanks

Unless you go 12/12 from seed, I think either is underkill for 3 plants. I have the PG180, and while it can grow 3 plants, much of the outer perimeter of the plants will get little light. You will have to move the panel or the plants daily so all parts of the plants get good light exposure. I now have my PG180 over two plants and 158w of PLLs over two others in my flowering tent. I try to start all of the plants under both phases (veg and bloom) of the PG180 then move them under the 3000k PLLs for the final weeks so there is more red than blue, but much more light than turning off one of the phases of the panel.

Well right now I'm using a double sterlite bin as my grow space and 2 plants fill the entire bin so with that I'll only be able to use 2 plants. I just used 3 plants as the maximum I would ever plan on growing. I mainly want to switch because heat during the summer is unbearable without having the a/c(I have to fight temps hitting 88-90F daily) on 24/7 and they're more efficient than CFLs and I can't run HIDs in such a small space. What are PLLs? Is the PG worth the extra $80 for 3w vs 2w?

I cannot compare since I've not used the Blackstar. However, for two plants, the PG180 is great, in my very limited opinion.

The BS180 typically pulls around 105w while the PG180 pulls 150w. So you are getting much less output from the Blackstar. A better comparison to the PG180 would be the BS 240, which draws around 135w.

Maybe I need to do some more research lol. It's a 240w system that only uses 135w? That's based on the chipset right? In that case the 240w would be better? Also the PG has a 3 year warranty too so I guess I have to consider that as well.

I'll tell you one thing.... If you do decide to buy a Blackstar do not use blackstarled.com. Buy it from Gotham via Amazon or eBay or something.

The rep at blackstarled.com (Caleb Duerr) is a bit shady. I bought my very first panel from him and it arrived broken.
After several emails/phones calls with him he wanted me to send the panel back to lighthouse hydro in NY at my own expense. Keep in mind this was broke straight out of the box.

He eventually rectified everything. I got my panel, working, and he paid the shipping, both ways, but it was a major hassle and was only done after I called Lighthouse directly and complained about him.

Currently I'm having a problem even getting touch with him to file a warranty claim on a separate issue.

So, That's food for thought...

Also, I've heard of some bad experiences with Hydro Hut too, so that 3 year warranty may mean little. So far so good for me though, I'm hoping I won't have to test the validity of warranty.

Yea, I just noticed amazon has the exact same prices as blackstarled.com. I suppose using amazon's warranty procedure would be a bit easier and more secure than saying, "I called this guy." I'm thinking just growing 1 plant and getting a 135w depending on the yield of my current grow. It's just for personal use and I'm micro growing so I really don't need 2 plants unless my yield is garbage(less than 1/2 oz between 2 plants). It's $179 for a 135 and according to amazon it uses 3w chips, http://www.amazon.com/Light-Lighthouse-Hydro-BlackStar-Flowering/dp/B00725XHP6. This guy never finished his journal, but it looks pretty good for a 135w: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/522982-100-00-dollar-cfl-led.html.

Cloudz, check out curley604!! He uses vipar A300's.. I'm also thinking of going LED's for the same reason. Check out flowamasta too!! These 2 guys are great with tons and tons of knowledge!!

Yea I've seen it, $500 for a A300. is way out of my price range though. The VIPAR line is too expensive for my taste lol. Decided that after this grow is over I'll go with the BS180 from gotham assuming the price stays the same at $230. The 2012 version has 3w diodes. I'll probably finish growing my autos that I got from the 4/20 event and then do 12/12 grows. Just for personal use so I don't need the yield a plant vegged for a month is going to give me.

The real question is... http://www.hydroponicshut.com/pro-grow-400-led-grow-light-hydroponics-hut.html or http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-405w-FSF-Lighthouse-Hydro-BlackStar-Chrome-Grow-light-Flowering-LED-L021-/271012666700?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f199d1d4c?

The HH one would be 250 watts on full spectrum, and the Blackstar Chrome would be 312 watts on full spectrum. Both lights offer switchable spectra. Blackstar's youtube video shows an average of 328 PAR @ 18 inches. This is for the 4 spot, 180 watt model only, NOT the 9 spot 405 watt that I am considering for purchase. There is no footage available for that size that I am aware of. HH doesn't have any available info for PAR that I am aware of or a list coverage area that I can find, but they do show a picture of it operating in full spectrum mode that looks like it is lighting up a 4'x4' pretty well. I have not seen a 405 Blackstar in operation, but I have seen the 180 and it was BRIGHT. Here https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/513874-lst-fim-training-under-blackstar.html is the 4 spot in operation from a height of 32" showing a 6ft tape measure along side the illuminated spot. It looks to be covering the 4' x 4' area pretty well but only the center 18" x 18" is getting extremely intense light. I guess that's what they mean by "for experienced growers." I'd want to slam my light down to 12" or 18" from the top of my canopy and I'd probably fry the middle plant or come out with a TREE. I'd be alright with 24" from canopy with a 9 spot though, twice the lights, twice the foot print?? Also, for comparison, here is HH's light http://www.hydroponicshut.com/pro-grow-400-led-grow-light-hydroponics-hut.html. Suggestions, anyone?!