IF you are new to LED and want help choosing what to buy, POST HERE!

Status
Not open for further replies.
captainmorgan

captainmorgan

Well-Known Member
Looks like a lot of marketing and a little move toward newer tech. The single diodes are 5 watters so that probably means XT-E's at best,Area 51 and Onyx are building lights now with 10 watt XP-L's which is 3 gen ahead of XT-E's and the CXA 2520 is about 3 gen back too. If your going to claim to be building a revolutionary new light why are they using old parts. Why not use 3070's or 3590's and XP-L's,now that would be something to talk about. The light also draws 350 watts for a 3x3 coverage which is 39 watts a sq/ft and I'm sure the UVB is just a reptile bulb. Lots of nice ideas but poorly implemented,I'm sure it will grow some decent bud but think what using high bin 3070's and XP-L's with a reptile bulb would do.

Also add 730 nm like indagro did and that would be the cherry on top.
 
Last edited:
S

Sussy

Member
az2000 said:
For vegging/cloning you can get Cree LED "lightbulbs" at Home Depot. They'll be more energy efficient than Chinese epi-whatever LEDs. Less expensive, more flexible, scalable, 10-year warranty. I documented everything I've gathered about their usage here. (<<link).
Click to expand...
I had a look at your journal and also captainmorgan's, I think I like the led bulbs but am unable to find the exact type used here down under. A hardware store near me had phillips led lightbulbs in 3000k, 6500k and only a 3w 2700k "candlelight". They also have a 11w 4000k mini downlight. Would using a UFO led light plus the lightbulbs be good for a clone to harvest grow?

I'll have a look around and go in and check out lights but I think I have a lot of learning before I get set up.
 
H

Heavy Consumer

Well-Known Member
captainmorgan said:
Looks like a lot of marketing and a little move toward newer tech. The single diodes are 5 watters so that probably means XT-E's at best,Area 51 and Onyx are building lights now with 10 watt XP-L's which is 3 gen ahead of XT-E's and the CXA 2520 is about 3 gen back too. If your going to claim to be building a revolutionary new light why are they using old parts. Why not use 3070's or 3590's and XP-L's,now that would be something to talk about. The light also draws 350 watts for a 3x3 coverage which is 39 watts a sq/ft and I'm sure the UVB is just a reptile bulb. Lots of nice ideas but poorly implemented,I'm sure it will grow some decent bud but think what using high bin 3070's and XP-L's with a reptile bulb would do.

Also add 730 nm like indagro did and that would be the cherry on top.
Click to expand...
Here's hoping what you describe might be on its way soon from one of the established and trusted brands out there. Perhaps this light will provide a small kick in the pants for them to move a little faster in the direction!
 
A

az2000

Well-Known Member
Sussy said:
am unable to find the exact type used here down under.
Click to expand...
At the end of that journal are some "corncob" lights from AliExpress. @mauricem00 uses them. They're about 105 lumens/watt. I've ordered some but haven't received them yet so I can't say anything about them.

If you used a Chinese import UFO and the bulbs it won't be as efficient as using bulbs by themselves because the Chinese import stuff uses less efficient diodes. If conserving electricity is your priority, you probably want to stay away from any of the Chinese import stuff. (The corncob bulbs from AliExpress are apparently different. They use SMD 5730 diodes which are better than Epi-whatever chips in Chinese fixtures.).
 
H

Heavy Consumer

Well-Known Member
captainmorgan said:
The single diodes are 5 watters so that probably means XT-E's at best
Click to expand...
.... I've just received a reply and been advised they are 5W XPE's.

I don't know how these older gen' COB's are likely to perform when compared with newest gen' single diodes, so I'm neither for nor against anything until some of you more knowledgeable guys share your wisdom and experience with the rest of us. I'm curious to see how these work though and what type of value they represent.
 
Last edited:
captainmorgan

captainmorgan

Well-Known Member
XP-E vs XP-L is not even close and the same for 2520 vs 3070. With the parts they use I would expect it to perform at around the same level as Area 51 if they're using good bins but with no price on the website I bet they want you on the phone before they scare you away with the price.
 
H

Heavy Consumer

Well-Known Member
captainmorgan said:
XP-E vs XP-L is not even close and the same for 2520 vs 3070. With the parts they use I would expect it to perform at around the same level as Area 51 if they're using good bins but with no price on the website I bet they want you on the phone before they scare you away with the price.
Click to expand...
I was quoted $895 for a single Solar Eclipse 350
 
Positivity

Positivity

Well-Known Member
crees are so last week...:mrgreen:

Price ain't bad though...better than the $1000 advanced was asking for the xml 350. Remember i really wanted that light at one point but i refused to ante up. Ended up putting 32 xml l2 in a home brew

Same situation now with the cobs except they are way easier to build.
 
Last edited:
S

Sussy

Member
az2000 said:
At the end of that journal are some "corncob" lights from AliExpress. @mauricem00 uses them. They're about 105 lumens/watt. I've ordered some but haven't received them yet so I can't say anything about them.

If you used a Chinese import UFO and the bulbs it won't be as efficient as using bulbs by themselves because the Chinese import stuff uses less efficient diodes. If conserving electricity is your priority, you probably want to stay away from any of the Chinese import stuff. (The corncob bulbs from AliExpress are apparently different. They use SMD 5730 diodes which are better than Epi-whatever chips in Chinese fixtures.).
Click to expand...
Does the wattage matter? Buying the 18w will be cheaper than the 9w, gonna order around 10 of the white and 10 warm white if you think it will be alright. Is there anything else I need to use these lights for a full grow such as other colours? Would I need to get reflectors as well or just use the gu10 base? Thanks
 
A

az2000

Well-Known Member
Sussy said:
Does the wattage matter? Buying the 18w will be cheaper than the 9w, gonna order around 10 of the white and 10 warm white if you think it will be alright. Is there anything else I need to use these lights for a full grow such as other colours? Would I need to get reflectors as well or just use the gu10 base? Thanks
Click to expand...
Lower wattage lets you provide more coverage (more lights from more positions/angles). I'm not experienced enough to know conclusively if that's better. But, so far I prefer that to stronger, fewer sources. I think of the stronger 18w bulbs as top light for taller plants, 9w as side light for taller plants. For the "corncob" lights, the 75w equiv seems to have slightly higher lumens per watt. I'm going to lean that way when I receive mine. (I'm just going from information from the AliExpress pages. May not be accurate.).

You'll want to use reflectors on omni bulbs unless you're dropping a bulb down between plants where the omni light won't be wasted.

It's not clear if you're considering these bulbs for the entirety of your 3x3x7 space, or just veg/clone as you originally described. I think you could outfit your space with 18w on top, 9-12w on the sides. This would be better (more energy efficient) than Chinese epi-whatever fixtures. But, there are more efficient lights available, and you said electric costs were your primary concern.

It might be a good choice to grow 1-3 plants switching to 12/12 light after 2-3 weeks of veg. (Maybe start at 12/12 from seed.). They'll be smaller and require less creativity with these bulbs because the plants will be smaller. You'll get experience faster because you won't spend a lot of time in veg. You could decide whether to add more bulbs to grow more plants (or larger plants). Or, to make an efficient COB or buy an A51. All you'd need is change from 1:1 to 4:1 (warm:cool) and add bulbs in flower. 15-22w/sq. ft in veg, 25-35w in flower.

Being significantly DIY, it's up to you to decide how far to go with it, or the niche it may serve in your grow "toolbox." They'll always be useful as supplemental lighting. They could be the sole source of lighting even for tall plants. But, I hate to see you go too far down that path if electrical cost is your top priority.
 
Smudga

Smudga

Active Member
I have been wanting to swap over for a couple of year now!I even sent of for a 300w unit a year ago But stopped it as they took a month., I'm glad cos it was £.200 and from China and ive never bought nothing from their that has ever had any quality about it, allways a pile of Shit after you wait a couple of months for the junk to get to get to Britain! I have seen the prices go down but havequestions? How many watts for 1.M2?, where is the quality without getting a2nd mortgage? I hope you caw help cos running a 400w hps n 2 exstractors n fan ect is costing me £18 a week I want to run a 1000w but as I grow for me n family I dont sell, how are your power costs in USA?so another question hows the power consumption on leds? Thanks smudga

SnotBoogie said:
Ther::e's been a deluge of growers new to the LED game making threads to request buying advice recently.

To combat this, I hope to centralise "Recommend me a LED light for my situation" threads into one place (as the answer is often the same).

IF you need help deciding what light to buy, post your situation below! we will endeavor to help you!

PLEASE be specific and check your question hasn't been answered already!


I will reserve the next post so that if the community comes together to produce a FAQ, we can keep it nice and handy at the top.

Sticky would be nice. :grin::grin:
Click to expand...
OTE="SnotBoogie, post: 8812111, member: 497572"]There's been a deluge of growers new to the LED game making threads to request buying advice recently.

To combat this, I hope to centralise "Recommend me a LED light for my situation" threads into one place (as the answer is often the same).

IF you need help deciding what light to buy, post your situation below! we will endeavor to help you!

PLEASE be specific and check your question hasn't been answered already!


I will reserve the next post so that if the community comes together to produce a FAQ, we can keep it nice and handy at the top.

Sticky would be nice. :grin::grin:[/QUOTE]
I h
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Smudga said:
I have been wanting to swap over for a couple of year now!I even sent of for a 300w unit a year ago But stopped it as they took a month., I'm glad cos it was £.200 and from China and ive never bought nothing from their that has ever had any quality about it, allways a pile of Shit after you wait a couple of months for the junk to get to get to Britain! I have seen the prices go down but havequestions? How many watts for 1.M2?, where is the quality without getting a2nd mortgage? I hope you caw help cos running a 400w hps n 2 exstractors n fan ect is costing me £18 a week I want to run a 1000w but as I grow for me n family I dont sell, how are your power costs in USA?so another question hows the power consumption on leds? Thanks smudga



OTE="SnotBoogie, post: 8812111, member: 497572"]There's been a deluge of growers new to the LED game making threads to request buying advice recently.

To combat this, I hope to centralise "Recommend me a LED light for my situation" threads into one place (as the answer is often the same).

IF you need help deciding what light to buy, post your situation below! we will endeavor to help you!

PLEASE be specific and check your question hasn't been answered already!


I will reserve the next post so that if the community comes together to produce a FAQ, we can keep it nice and handy at the top.

Sticky would be nice. :grin::grin:
Click to expand...
I h[/QUOTE]

If your in Britain I would definitely check out plantphotonics to avoid custom charges..........not cheap, but high quality gear

http://www.plantphotonics.com/
 
E

Edge7

Active Member
I just received a 10% discount coupon code by email from AdvancedLEDgrow.com:

use coupon code = MERRY2014 for a 10% discount, expires 12/25/2014

Cheers and happy holidays,
Edge7
 
S

Sussy

Member
Do you think these LED panels would work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/191424383013
If I used these I might not need a reflector. Since they run 12v I can hook them up to an ac - dc convertor.

Im thinking of ordering 10x5w warm and cool white so should be around 100w total for $30. Main thing would be if they get hot.

I'll be ordering a 400w led light in January when I have the cash so will hopefully have these arrive by then. Im thinking now use around 100w of leds to raise clones and veg then push the plants under the bigger light for flowering. Im also looking into DIY cob so may even end up making one as I am usually handy with electronics.

34135_2.jpg
 
JimmyIndica

JimmyIndica

Well-Known Member
I would buy in order Kind L600 , Blackdog BD360-U , California Lightworks 440. I am not gonna tell everyone why because it would take me an hour to write it. I did my research and reviews before I bought my Kind K5 750. cost me 1200 so I had to make sure money was spent well. I was also considering blackdog xl750
 
Thecouchlock

Thecouchlock

Well-Known Member
ellydee said:
No, the A51s are great, but they are back ordered at the moment.
You will get great results from either.
It's just personal preference. I think it just comes down to growing "style", I see more vigorous growth with the lamps that have less white.
Another option would be the newest Kessil H380. You would need 4 @ $300 each though. (I'll be getting some of those next week)
Click to expand...
I would rather get struck by lightning than use a kessil
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top