The Equalizer vs. Super Spreaders

Does anyone out there have any useful info on the performance difference between these 2 products? Here are their manufacturer's websites:

Super Spreaders: http://www.adjustawings.com/superspreader-main.htm

The Equalizer: http://www.n-g-w.com/ngw/lighting.aspx?request=EQUALIZER-HOT_SPOT_DIFFUSER&title=Reflectors&type=product

Thanks for the help.

Looks like most of the info on these products is from the manufacturers and is biased. Hopefully someone out there who owns an Adjust-A-Wing with a Super Spreader can tell us how that performs differently from a standard reflector; that would be a great start.

Well the Super Spreader that I got came free with the adjust-a-wing reflector in the box. Surely it's a benefit to have if the manufacturer actually puts a free one inside the box. surely it genuinely improves their product or they would not supply one for free.

Pretty sure they supply it for free because it costs them under $1 and the buyer thinks they are getting something of value for free (this is called marketing). If you are concerned about hot spots directly under your bulb make your own spreader out of hardware cloth. You can make it in a usable shape that covers the whole length of your bulb this way.

Gastanker said:

Pretty sure they supply it for free because it costs them under $1 and the buyer thinks they are getting something of value for free (this is called marketing).

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Yeah and if the performance of the product (reflector) suffers as a result, then people will think it's not such a good performing product and will not buy the product (that is called bad marketing).

I do beleive that they have atleast done testing to confirm the benefit. (ie distance from plants vs temps vs hotspots), or they may aswell save a whole bunch of money and not compromise the merits of their product at the same time as loosing business to competitors.

Why don't all lamp manufacturers offer them? No reason hot spots directly under the bulb differ from a conventional hood to an adjust a wing. Wouldn't larger more legitimate companies like hydrofarm put the money into parallel research? Almost sounds like the default adjust a wing is a faulty product...

Regardless of whether or not you think they work you again can make a more effective spreader with hardware cloth yourself.

helpfull in a traditional hood...likely. helpfull in a adjust a wing..not likely.

For whatever its worth, I'm currently running an adjust a wing with a 600 watt MH bulb in it. I have the wing adjusted to its flattest (widest spread) and it throws a very nice even pattern of light about 5 feet wide.
I used my light meter to adjust the wing to get the most even amount of light coverage. That said, it should be noted that the most intense light coming from the wing is NOT directly underneath the bulb (or within approximately 1 foot of either side of the bulb). Thee highest lux readings are between 1 and 2 feet from the bulb (horizintal measurement). I moved the bulb closer and farther way from the wing and still could not mange to increase the light radiation in the center of the light pattern.

Therefore, in terms of reducing the "hot spot" under the lamp, I don't see the value of the spreader. Perhaps it could decrease the actual heat from the bulb but given the fact that the light intensity under the bulb is lower than the rest of the pattern, I personally would not sacrifice lumens under the bulb for a little heat reduction. With a fan in the room its a non issue. This is my assumption anyways. HOWEVER, if the deflector actually reflects light to the outside of the wing to be reflected back at more acute angles (thereby increasing the amount of light in the center of the pattern) then it would be beneficial. If this were the case though I am not so sure they would market it as reducing hot spots.

I could see the spreaders benefiting a more traditional narrow, deep hood (like the super sun II's that I have) but I don't have the spreader to test it. My flower room lights are on a light rail so I'm fortunate that I don't have to worry about hot spots that much.

Hope that helps.

Gastanker said:

Why don't all lamp manufacturers offer them?

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Maybe it's because the light wing is designed to be able to be adjusted for a wide footprint and then lowered right down over the canopy to keep intensity up. Most hoods are designed for a more focused footprint with the hood higher up which is not much use in some circumstances (the exact reason I bought one).

For a closed end type reflector the heat spreader wouldn't do much good because the relector itself holds heat, and for an air cooled reflector it's not necissery. Which leaves the open ended reflectors where it does have a benefit to getting the reflectors nice and low.

It's not all so black and white really. Have you carried out any tests to discount the merits of a heat spreader?

legallyflying said:

Perhaps it could decrease the actual heat from the bulb.

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Thought that what it was for, for when you have the reflector really low down. Reflects radiant heat.

If you have a more focused beam of light and it is the same distance to the plant then the hotspot problem should be even worse (with hoods). I've kept both vented and non vented 1kW lights less than two feet from canopy with no heat spot issues - again if the adjust a wing is having these problems (and I don't believe it does without the spreaders) then it isn't a very good product. Most parabolic lamps don't offer spreaders and they cover a much larger area and disburse to the side a bit more than wings.

Have you tried with and without spreaders?

Gastanker said:

Have you tried with and without spreaders?

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Nope, but I intend too. You can supposedly get an adjustawing inches from the canopy with the spreader. Ill be able to see for myself, and see what I prefer pretty soon.

It makes sense to me that the spreader makes for a more even distribution of light and heat across the length of the reflector, which means it can go lower or the plants can be grown with less room height. Yes it may reduce lumens directly under the bulb, but gives back across the entire canopy as the plants get different angles of reflection from the bulb penetrating different areas.

Light from one direction casts shadow right? so light bouncing off the spreader back onto the reflector changes the angle of light, meaning there is more usable penetration into the canopy like a prism effect.

The spreader is so close to the bulb and reflects 97% of light meaning the spreader itself almost becomes like another bulb offering light in way more directions. In the same way that a light mover takes intensity away from one area and gives light to other areas (obviously a light mover is more effecient at this).

Like if in a game of snooker you were not allowed to bounce balls off the cushion, youd be potting less balls right ?

I'm all about even light and growth. If the spreader increases light under the bulb then its a good thing. If it doesn't it will simply exacerbate the current issue with the wing which is less light under the bulb. Unless your growing a tightly spaced crop, you don't want the refelctor that close to your plants anyways as you quickly loose the spread.

I would say that anyone offering opinions without a light meter really doesn't have the knowledge to give solid advice. There is QUITE a difference between hoods and the light pattern they put out. I have measured 5 different hoods in a standardized way to find the best one for my situation. The wing puts out a wider and generally more even light distribution than any hood I tested. Light intensity rapidly diminishes off the sides of the hood. The deeper the hood the more this affect is pronounced. The only hood I tested that gives approximately the same coverage of the wing is a magnum XXXL. This hood however would not fit in my veg area.

I would really love to see some hard numbers on diffuser/no diffuser. Maybe I'll pick one up and test it but I'm not really hungry for rep and I'm sure someone will just come back and say nu uhh.

I have both and they are both pretty much the same thing. I'm running a 400w HPS and a 400w MH in a large Adjust-A-Wing.

The SS was available for the HPS, but not the MH and for that I had to get the Equalizer. I like the SS from AAW better overall AFA design and construction, but they both work.

Their main purpose is to eliminate the hot spot directly under the light, so you can get the light closer, and they both do this well. IDK about 'spreading' anything, but they do take care of that hot spot.

Works well for me and so does the AAW. I'm also growing in a basement and temps aren't a problem.

I am going to be converting over to CMH bulbs and no clue at the moment how that's going to work out AFA the spreaders.

Wet

I just want to thank everyone for the feedback. Although standardized results using light meters are the best, any experience growers can share about these products does shed some light on their function/performance. legally, don't sweat it, I will go out and buy a large super spreader; I believe this will fit around any bulb(i know it's longer than a 400w or 600w bulb but I also know that the light generated at the ends of the bulb is very weak, so who cares if it covers that part a little. I don't use fat MH bulbs, only adjusted spectrum in a slender bulb). As I get some light meter readings, I will post my results including all the details. Peace

legallyflying said:

I would say that anyone offering opinions without a light meter really doesn't have the knowledge to give solid advice. There is QUITE a difference between hoods and the light pattern they put out. I have measured 5 different hoods in a standardized way to find the best one for my situation. The wing puts out a wider and generally more even light distribution than any hood I tested. Light intensity rapidly diminishes off the sides of the hood. The deeper the hood the more this affect is pronounced. The only hood I tested that gives approximately the same coverage of the wing is a magnum XXXL. This hood however would not fit in my veg area.

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If you could be so kind to provide us with your lumen readouts from the 5 different hoods tested, I would be forever grateful ;o)
as far as reflectors are concerned, the size of the vent hole often times have a negative effect, if you really wish to be scientific about it to the point of being anally retentive, use a set of internal block covers that are made of reflective material. i've played with lots of hoods including batwings, but decided against using them; for users of batwing/adjustawing it's neccessary to attach a super spreader, so will then be able to place the batwing a foot above the canopy thereby less energy are cast off to the walls. similiarly if the clearance between the canopy and hoods is less than 15 inches, you want to get a equalizer or sspreader, this is especially true for smaller sized reflectors with powerful lights. This product basically cools the center hotspot running directly below the lighting filament, and nothing more.

Enjoy the lower yield with the CMHs.