Think ive been led astray

[cdgmoney250]

Not sure the relevance of how often I post... guess that means I'm a newb.

I don't know how to quote people yet.. So my bad I always get Apache and Area-51 mixed up because of the RW fixtures. My mistake. Probably discredits everything I'm saying.
But referring to SK question... I don't know where PLC stands in terms of tests and data, but can anyone on this forum think of one company that can produce better/ similar alleged results that isn't almost double the price?
And have factual data and videos to prove it?
All I'm saying is that unless you use a SK or have put a par/ lux meter under one to know.. what is the basis for your argument? In my eyes, they are ahead of EVERY other light manufacture TODAY and use the same principles that all the DIY guys are into (full spectrum light, low heat, reliability, light density) other than cost. I don't know where they will stand tomorrow, but if we are talking about commercial fixtures and what is the best bang for your buck, please show me a better or even comparable alternative that is backing their claims with: side by side grows, using multiple light measurement tools on video, having their lights on display next to other industry leading lights at a public expo.
Whether it's top bin COBs or top bin 10W diodes packed in super tight with a reflector around it, if its delivering quality spectrum with good density who cares? Sure DIY is cheaper/ can be more efficient ( think larger than a 4x4 or 4x 8 ) but for a lot of people that is not an option, at least a desired option. BTW it's really easy to get extreme efficiency when your grow space is not that big. More LED's run soft gives you more light for the same/ less watts. If you think on a different scale that is same principle behind the SK light with individual diodes as opposed to several COBs. Sole source of light is not as efficient as multiple light sources if wattage is the same.
Their claims, at least to me, are not outlandish or even unreasonable based on my own experience with LED's and yields I have personally seen. And compared to other "commercial" fixtures I would say if the SK performs even in the same ball park as they claim, then their light is a much a better value over many of the other blurple or RW fixtures out there.

Also if you can buy the same fixture off of Alibaba, why would they waste their time replacing the diodes if they didn't perform better than the "high bay spot light" we can all order from China?

 

[BigYellowCob]

Here's a message i received from SK.

"Show me ANY LED Grow light with actual data showing the PPF and Lumens and show me the price of it ..

Show me any 1000 watt comparable LED grow light for cheaper than our light.

In fact , if show me a grow light with certified data that is brighter than ours and cheaper, ill give you a free grow light.. Hows that!!!"

I invited them over here to defend their product.

In Greengenes Apache AT600 vs 1000w HPS thread, I'm certain that the LEDs in the Apache were much more efficient than anything that SK is selling, plus the Apache was pulling 200 more watts than SK's 400w light. Yet even in that side by side test, the Apache came a few ounces shy of matching the HPS for yield.The bud quality was a little better, and in this case I would call the Apache AT600 a light that is "comparable" to a 1000 watt HPS.
I don't think SK knows what the word comparable means.

Here's how I read his comments that he sent you:

"Most other LEDs on the market are shit, but my light is 1 step above the other shitty lights. You can pay more an get a quality light, or you can buy my shitty light for cheaper while I lie to you and say it's comparable to a 1000w HPS".

It would be entertaining if he were to show up in this thread though, lol.

 

[FranJan]

From Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/HerbGrow/comments/2pydds/psa_stay_away_from_spectrum_king_leds_long/

"What's up, my family?!
Sorry I haven't been as active lately, I've been busting my ass getting everything with the new grow room together. It's coming along nicely, and as soon as the effing electric company can get here to shut down, I can add some more juice and get this bitch rolling I'm stoked!
What I am posting about is a very shady company that I've been duking it out with recently, some of you saw my other post but for those of you that didn't they are called Spectrum King LED, what a LAME name. Anyways, I came across their YouTube page when I was researching lights for the new room. It seemed somewhat interesting for an LED but quickly after watching some of their videos, I noticed they seemed phony. The guy who I presume is the owner goes on and on about how this light is the best on the market and can replace a 1K watt even the Gavita 1000e Double Ended fixture that has a 1150 watt capability.
You guys, this light is the best on the market right now and has the highest PAR output of any other light out there. Here is a non-biased video showing PAR readings from the Gavita as well as others. You can see the PAR levels for the Gavita at 36 inches from the canopy and dead center are 730. This company does the test here and gets a reading of 535, how? I wasn't sure so I called them out on it.
Well they made another video, briefly insulting me and then doing another demonstration supposedly with the Gavita at it's maximum performance. The response went against the company after another YouTuber noticed that they used different meters for different lights. Once the dislikes and comments questioning their demonstration began to grow they quickly removed the video, like it never happened.
Stay away from these guys. They are nothing but another shady company trying to sell bogus products and take away our hard earned money. I love this hobby, I love this community and I will not let any snake oil salesman try to screw the industry more than it already is. We all deserve honest information so we as consumers can make informative decisions, especially since growing costs a fortune already. I encourage anyone with a YouTube account to call these fuckers out and demand honest answers."

 

[cdgmoney250]

I've read through all the hate mail too.
This doesn't show that the product doesn't do what it claims.
And if anybody Youtube's SK vids from the past 4 weeks, it pretty much disproves the whole hate novel.
Can anybody provide a video of seeing the light in person and it not performing?

 

[1.21 Gigawatts!]

I gotta know, does their Kool-aid require only 1/4th mixture that of regular Kool-aid? You sure do seem to have drank a lot of it, you're all hopped up on it. What's it taste like?

In my eyes, they are ahead of EVERY other light manufacture TODAY and use the same principles that all the DIY guys are into

They don't replace the diodes. They buy the same exact fixture from China, and resell it for huge prices. If they went to the trouble to do everything that they say they do, why do they use a high bay China fixture, that also happens to use, wait for it, Cree XBDs?? Why replace Cree XBDs with other, Cree XBDs?? That's the most asinine thing ever.

Also if you can buy the same fixture off of Alibaba, why would they waste their time replacing the diodes if they didn't perform better than the "high bay spot light" we can all order from China?

Cree XBDs are not nearly the best, far from it. That's a fact.

 

[Growmau5]

SK goes out there and pounds the pavement, marketing, talking to growers, podcasts, doing YouTube grows. As far as LED companies go, they have made a pretty decent effort connecting with their customers, I commend them for that. They do sling a lot of mud, but a lot gets slung at them .

When I became aware of all these threads exploring their product like: allibaba fixture, middle of the line diodes, etc I grabbed my pitchfork, lit torch, and joined the angry mob. BUT the reality is, growers are doing pretty decent with these 400w lights, pulling about a pound. with a discount code, the thing is about a grand and sure $1000 worth of cxbs or veros would kick its ass, but some people dont want to or cant build their own light. I dropped $1100 on my BML, it does ok, im not butt hurt about it. At the time i didnt know how to build my own stuff.

 

[Red1966]

Not sure the relevance of how often I post... guess that means I'm a newb.

I don't know how to quote people yet.. So my bad I always get Apache and Area-51 mixed up because of the RW fixtures. My mistake. Probably discredits everything I'm saying.
But referring to SK question... I don't know where PLC stands in terms of tests and data, but can anyone on this forum think of one company that can produce better/ similar alleged results that isn't almost double the price?
And have factual data and videos to prove it?
All I'm saying is that unless you use a SK or have put a par/ lux meter under one to know.. what is the basis for your argument? In my eyes, they are ahead of EVERY other light manufacture TODAY and use the same principles that all the DIY guys are into (full spectrum light, low heat, reliability, light density) other than cost. I don't know where they will stand tomorrow, but if we are talking about commercial fixtures and what is the best bang for your buck, please show me a better or even comparable alternative that is backing their claims with: side by side grows, using multiple light measurement tools on video, having their lights on display next to other industry leading lights at a public expo.
Whether it's top bin COBs or top bin 10W diodes packed in super tight with a reflector around it, if its delivering quality spectrum with good density who cares? Sure DIY is cheaper/ can be more efficient ( think larger than a 4x4 or 4x 8 ) but for a lot of people that is not an option, at least a desired option. BTW it's really easy to get extreme efficiency when your grow space is not that big. More LED's run soft gives you more light for the same/ less watts. If you think on a different scale that is same principle behind the SK light with individual diodes as opposed to several COBs. Sole source of light is not as efficient as multiple light sources if wattage is the same.
Their claims, at least to me, are not outlandish or even unreasonable based on my own experience with LED's and yields I have personally seen. And compared to other "commercial" fixtures I would say if the SK performs even in the same ball park as they claim, then their light is a much a better value over many of the other blurple or RW fixtures out there.

Also if you can buy the same fixture off of Alibaba, why would they waste their time replacing the diodes if they didn't perform better than the "high bay spot light" we can all order from China?

So suddenly it's cheapness. not quality as the standard? What makes you think they're changing the diodes out? If you have to use 1000w of LED to replace 1000w of HID, what have you gained? Longevity? I doubt it, the cheap LEDs don't last very long. Economy? The cheap LEDs still cost way more than HID. Temps? All the wattage used ends up as heat eventually. The cheap LEDs still put out as much heat as HID.

 

[testiclees]

SK goes out there and pounds the pavement, marketing, talking to growers, podcasts, doing YouTube grows. As far as LED companies go, they have made a pretty decent effort connecting with their customers, I commend them for that. They do sling a lot of mud, but a lot gets slung at them .

When I became aware of all these threads exploring their product like: allibaba fixture, middle of the line diodes, etc I grabbed my pitchfork, lit torch, and joined the angry mob. BUT the reality is, growers are doing pretty decent with these 400w lights, pulling about a pound. with a discount code, the thing is about a grand and sure $1000 worth of cxbs or veros would kick its ass, but some people dont want to or cant build their own light. I dropped $1100 on my BML, it does ok, im not butt hurt about it. At the time i didnt know how to build my own stuff.

same argument applies to platinum led who sells the worlds most powerful grow light. i.e. for a thousand bucks you can grow a lb. if youre an advanced grower.

i still believe they are conniving sheisters.

how much optic lighting can you get for 1k?

 

[FranJan]

"In my eyes, they are ahead of EVERY other light manufacture TODAY and use the same principles that all the DIY guys are into"

Clueless or a shill. Maybe he even hacked the account. Grow lights based on old SC3 tech is not AHEAD. That thing is meant for illuminating massive spaces like aircraft hangars and stadiums. And XBD's were never meant for horticulture. I'm not wasting anymore time on this and these guys. BUY FUCKIN' TEN OF THEM. Please. And stop talking like a lawyer trying to win the debate and burying the truth. Fuckin' shill .

 

[PurpleBuz]

ha ha this thread is amazing.

like it or not the OP and his\her alter ego has just trolled RIU for free advertisement.

for the second time in my life I wasted my time reviewing the SK website.

 

[cdgmoney250]

Wow. Now I realized why I never posted in the 7 years I've been a member.
I even use CXA's for veg and have 40 veros going to my other side of my flower room, but now I feel like such an outcast and a "shill" whatever that means, that I don't feel very welcome at RIU.
Sorry if you don't like the way I talk. I guess I should have used more slang and said "cha brah" & " I'm toadz stomping #'s with my DIY COB's brah." Maybe I'd fit in better then.
Well I work at a grow store and we should hopefully be getting in a SK 300 and possibly a 400+ as well as some of their propagation lights which will hopefully outperform T5 lights at the least. I will test it with our par meter and let you guys know what the results are, believe them or not. Other than that I think I will go back to observing here and looking for the jewels hidden amongst all the opinionated nonsense.
Btw SK has a video of how they make their own die boards for the diodes on their website and YouTube. So YES in fact they DO replace the diodes from the "China highbay" fixture.
And other than slander what I have to say, not a single post that actually refutes anything that I've said so far. But I'm all ears. I think we all want the best light for the value.. Peace

 

[1.21 Gigawatts!]

Cool story, brah.

Wow. Now I realized why I never posted in the 7 years I've been a member.
I even use CXA's for veg and have 40 veros going to my other side of my flower room, but now I feel like such an outcast and a "shill" whatever that means, that I don't feel very welcome at RIU.
Sorry if you don't like the way I talk. I guess I should have used more slang and said "cha brah" & " I'm toadz stomping #'s with my DIY COB's brah." Maybe I'd fit in better then.
Well I work at a grow store and we should hopefully be getting in a SK 300 and possibly a 400+ as well as some of their propagation lights which will hopefully outperform T5 lights at the least. I will test it with our par meter and let you guys know what the results are, believe them or not. Other than that I think I will go back to observing here and looking for the jewels hidden amongst all the opinionated nonsense.
Btw SK has a video of how they make their own die boards for the diodes on their website and YouTube. So YES in fact they DO replace the diodes from the "China highbay" fixture.
And other than slander what I have to say, not a single post that actually refutes anything that I've said so far. But I'm all ears. I think we all want the best light for the value.. Peace

 

[PurpleBuz]

Wow. Now I realized why I never posted in the 7 years I've been a member.
I even use CXA's for veg and have 40 veros going to my other side of my flower room, but now I feel like such an outcast and a "shill" whatever that means, that I don't feel very welcome at RIU.
Sorry if you don't like the way I talk. I guess I should have used more slang and said "cha brah" & " I'm toadz stomping #'s with my DIY COB's brah." Maybe I'd fit in better then.
Well I work at a grow store and we should hopefully be getting in a SK 300 and possibly a 400+ as well as some of their propagation lights which will hopefully outperform T5 lights at the least. I will test it with our par meter and let you guys know what the results are, believe them or not. Other than that I think I will go back to observing here and looking for the jewels hidden amongst all the opinionated nonsense.
Btw SK has a video of how they make their own die boards for the diodes on their website and YouTube. So YES in fact they DO replace the diodes from the "China highbay" fixture.
And other than slander what I have to say, not a single post that actually refutes anything that I've said so far. But I'm all ears. I think we all want the best light for the value.. Peace

the problem with SK is perception and the feel of a used car salesman giving you a good frisking.
From what I have seen is the units might perform as well as any average grade led light on the market but requires a tall ceiling for reasonable distribution. But the real problem is they try to claim their lights can replace a 1K hps, BUT which one ? with 400 watts ? where is the par footprint for each model ?

and then you come along and actually sound like a salesman ...

 

[testiclees]

Wow. Now I realized why I never posted in the 7 years I've been a member.
I even use CXA's for veg and have 40 veros going to my other side of my flower room, but now I feel like such an outcast and a "shill" whatever that means, that I don't feel very welcome at RIU.
Sorry if you don't like the way I talk. I guess I should have used more slang and said "cha brah" & " I'm toadz stomping #'s with my DIY COB's brah." Maybe I'd fit in better then.
Well I work at a grow store and we should hopefully be getting in a SK 300 and possibly a 400+ as well as some of their propagation lights which will hopefully outperform T5 lights at the least. I will test it with our par meter and let you guys know what the results are, believe them or not. Other than that I think I will go back to observing here and looking for the jewels hidden amongst all the opinionated nonsense.
Btw SK has a video of how they make their own die boards for the diodes on their website and YouTube. So YES in fact they DO replace the diodes from the "China highbay" fixture.
And other than slander what I have to say, not a single post that actually refutes anything that I've said so far. But I'm all ears. I think we all want the best light for the value.. Peace

please take another 7 years of silence. your posts have a phony stench.

 

[Stephenj37826]

If you aren't happy send them back.

 

[ttystikk]

Well, this 'debate' has absolutely convinced me to go DIY with the CXB kids.

For that, I do believe I owe 'Spectrum King' a vote of thanks- for reminding me how crummy my lil 90W UFO and CAP 130W SOLAR STORM toys have really been...

 

[testiclees]

If you aren't happy send them back.

quickly

"Spectrum King wants you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase for any reason just return the merchandise in its original packaging within 30 days of the date you received the package"
"

 

[Stephenj37826]

I feel it will be an uphill battle for people like PLC and myself . So many have cried wolf it will take at least a year before real results can shine through the clouds of smoke these companies have blowed up people's rears for years. I guess I'm from the old school belief of do onto others as you would have them do unto you. I want to make money just like everyone else but I don't want to make it at someone else's expense.

 

[Growmau5]

@Stephenj37826 I agree to some extent about the uphill battle. LED rebranders (&others) have done a major disservice to the industry. Educated LED consumers will see your product (& PLC's) and know its legit. It's the first time LED buyer that you will have to "convince"


Off topic, but I really like what you are doing. Taking a nice efficiency setup and air cooling makes a lot of sense to me. Removing those heat BTUs and reducing load on the AC makes your product even more efficient. keep up the great work.

 

[Dave's Not Here]

Wow this thread was painful to read and I had an open mind about SK before I came across this. Even more disturbing are the people that have touted these sub-par lights (for cash I'm imagining) as the best thing since sliced bread in things like YouTube videos etc., a few people lost a lot of respect I had for them tonight.