LM281B+ vs LM301H EVO

Hi RIU,

Looking for some more grower input and hoping if you are reading this you are willing to lend a hand.

We traditionally reach out to the growers we work with and admire the work of in order to solicit feedback on what works, what they like, and what they would like to see in new models.

This helps us to continue to produce products that are grower focused and meet the needs of our target market - you.

The poll recently posted overwhelmingly showed folks preferring a newer, enhanced spectral output blend of 3000K and 5000K LM301H EVO LEDs to a traditional LM301H 3500K + 660nm approach.

Now - since price is an issue for most of us nowadays, what is worth it to you? LM281B+ LEDs or LM301H EVO LEDs? Let's leave the obvious "efficiency" discussion out of this since we are assuming negligible additional operating costs for a small grow. Also assume both styles being waterproofed with conformal coating for safe outdoor/damp operation.

The price difference to light a 4x4 is easily $300 more for LM301H EVO LEDs. What do you prefer, and most importantly, why?

Appreciate the participation - the last thread really yielded some robust discussions and brought up some great points. Hoping to do the same - and more - here.

Take care and happy holidays.

Dan

I have 2 Maxsisun MF 1000s that use the cheaper diodes. The thought was running more diodes at lower power thus making them more efficient. They do very well compared to 301 Boards using diode in 5000k/3500k also adding 660nm deep red and 730 far red. They use about twice the 3500k as the 5000k diodes. They run at 3700k CCT.

RainDan said:

Hi RIU,

Looking for some more grower input and hoping if you are reading this you are willing to lend a hand.

We traditionally reach out to the growers we work with and admire the work of in order to solicit feedback on what works, what they like, and what they would like to see in new models.

This helps us to continue to produce products that are grower focused and meet the needs of our target market - you.

The poll recently posted overwhelmingly showed folks preferring a newer, enhanced spectral output blend of 3000K and 5000K LM301H EVO LEDs to a traditional LM301H 3500K + 660nm approach.

Now - since price is an issue for most of us nowadays, what is worth it to you? LM281B+ LEDs or LM301H EVO LEDs? Let's leave the obvious "efficiency" discussion out of this since we are assuming negligible additional operating costs for a small grow. Also assume both styles being waterproofed with conformal coating for safe outdoor/damp operation.

The price difference to light a 4x4 is easily $300 more for LM301H EVO LEDs. What do you prefer, and most importantly, why?

Appreciate the participation - the last thread really yielded some robust discussions and brought up some great points. Hoping to do the same - and more - here.

Take care and happy holidays.

Dan

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I think youre posing a false binary choice. If youre doing these boards completely custom then theres nothing stopping you from mixing a few Evo-h (in order to get that 437nm spike) and the using shit loads of 281b at very low power in order to get efficiency cheaply and getting the standard 450 peak. The teick is that you want both these peaks, not only 437nm. I dont know what your price points are but when i consulted an alibubber on 301s and 281s the 301s where 8x more expensive (before placement and fabrication costs). If i can choose between 1 evo and 8 x 281s its a different choice than 1 evo versus 1x 281.

Rocket Soul said:

I think youre posing a false binary choice. If youre doing these boards completely custom then theres nothing stopping you from mixing a few Evo-h (in order to get that 437nm spike) and the using shit loads of 281b at very low power in order to get efficiency cheaply and getting the standard 450 peak. The teick is that you want both these peaks, not only 437nm. I dont know what your price points are but when i consulted an alibubber on 301s and 281s the 301s where 8x more expensive (before placement and fabrication costs). If i can choose between 1 evo and 8 x 281s its a different choice than 1 evo versus 1x 281.

Click to expand...

Hi @Rocket Soul

Yes - you are right on. I did not want to further convolute the decision tree, however I did inadvertently create a false binary, I appreciate you pointing that out.

There are of course options to add discrete spectrum the way others do, however we want to keep to the basics and the needs of the serious hobbyist. Like you said, a blend of the two diode types is the best approach given the price diff LM281 = x, LM301 = 4x, EVO =~ 8x, as long as they are conformal coated, there exists the option of bringing out the best in each to create a solid product.

The blend of LM diodes also keeps the guesswork out of it for non-spectrum hunters who focus on other aspects of the garden rather than light operation. Also keeps price point down due to less complexity.

What do others think? Is there more to it than the 437 nm peak that drives folks to choose 301 EVO, or even 301H to LM281B+? I think that the drive for efficiency is due in most part to the large outfits getting a good return on incremental efficiency adds, however it does little for the smaller grower.
Thanks for elevating the discussion - much appreciated.

Dan

LM281+B pro is the money shot for less expensive diodes. I don't mind the 281+ part, as long as the pro is also in there.

Hooda Thunkit said:

LM281+B pro is the money shot for less expensive diodes. I don't mind the 281+ part, as long as the pro is also in there.

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What does pricing look like on those for large amount, like +4000? Only really if you have it at hand, i can look it up with a bit of time but if u have it lying around pls share

From what I understand the 437nm peak, helps keep Mold, and Mildew at bay.

Rocket Soul said:

What does pricing look like on those for large amount, like +4000? Only really if you have it at hand, i can look it up with a bit of time but if u have it lying around pls share

Click to expand...

4000 is mice nuts. That is 1 single reel. MOQ is 40,000pcs from Samsung. Any less and a disti is putting their market up on it heavy to break down the MOQ and hold the rest.

Not to mention there is a 281B+ pro2 around the corner. And is the first 2835 samsung is confident putting in a hort application. So anyone putting current 281's(B+ or B+pro) in their Iights is only doing it to be cheap, not. aquality product, even on the lowest end. Also doing it against Samsungs recommendation.

As to cost, 2835's are where bins or actually "Ranks" for Samsung, actually matter. 301b/h/evo not so much.

For 2835 281B+Pro
VJ and VK ranks under $0.02...VJ pretty close to $0.01.
VL true top rank that is close to the 3030 world of performance.... $0.035.

For 3030 301's
301 B or H $0.06
301 b/h evo $0.08

So just to be clear, the difference in diodes from bottom barrel VJ 2835(2.2µmols/w) to top end 301 3030(3.2µmols/w) in a 3000 diode fixture is only 210$.
But for a realist "close in performance" diode swap(2.9µmol/w vs 3.2µmol/w)....It's only a $135 difference from the top VL rank 2835 to top 301 EVO.

Don't listen to any BS from a seller charging you significantly more for a 301 solution. And don't take their price bait for a sketchy 281B+ option. Nothing else in the system cost more for 3030 vs 2835 other than diodes. There is no reason for any upcharge outside the diodes cost.

Not to mention if your actually building in the US... 2835's have tariffs on top(20-25%). 301's don't.