I have Blackstar 135w UFO (pictured I believe) and the 240w 2014 v2 (blah, blah) HO and flower or full spectrum (whatever they call it).
I think they're over priced for what you're getting. It's basically epiwhatever diodes. You can get the same quality light from Vipar (ebay) or TopLED/MarsHydro. They're throwaway lights.
However, I got some really good results using that UFO plus 4 Cree A19 (9.5w/60w equiv) bulbs as sidelighting (in a 4' tall tent). See a
picture here. I would definitely buy another Blackstar 135w UFO if I were in a bind and just wanted something that worked. I wouldn't care that I'm spending 100% more than I would for a Vipar or MarsHydro. It produced well. $100 isn't worth experimenting with something else (to me).
However, that UFO is only 85w actual. You can get four Cree PAR38 floods for about $90-$100 US. That's 72w total. Since they're more efficient than the epiwhatever diodes in the Blackstar, it's equivalent to the UFO's 85w. You get a 10-year warranty. And, if one burns out you just go to Home Depot for a replacement. No internal fans to wear out.
I have grown a plant in a 7' tall tent (3gal container, about 4' tall above the container) using those Cree PAR38s. See
this post.
