Photontek or Hyphotonflux or ?

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
I've been looking around considering my first LED (yes I've done this before and have always waited).

I'm looking to change out from HID in a 4x4 veg area.

Hyphotonflux:
I've looked at this one: https://www.amazon.com/HYPHOTONFLUX-HPF4000-MeanWell-Commercial-Hydroponic/dp/B08G85XXKG

It has Meanwell drivers, Samsung leds and 2.7 efficiency

Photontek:
To be fair that compares more directly with this, https://photontek-lighting.com/led/x-465w-pro-led/
But of course I'm looking at this: https://photontek-lighting.com/led/x-600w-pro-led/

HLG:
I'm not sure I want to go with boards vs bars.

Of course money is an object, especially since I don't sell. But it's not the only object if it were not an object at all I'd buy 2 of theses: https://photontek-lighting.com/led/xt-1000w-co2-led/ and dim it almost to extinction LOL but I'd have direct replaceability with 2 of those :lol:

Anyway please speak up and feel free to suggest other lights I'm not currently dithering about. I keep thinking about @Lordhooha 's extremely attractive light choice (that isn't available to mere humans ha ha) I'm also cool with waiting. I have a good HID system and my environment, fwiw, does ok.
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Both are rebranded lights. The numbers of the first I do not trust, rebranded china light. Second is a rebranded lumatek zeus which you'll find plenty of journals and info on.
Bc blondes and hlg Canada are good alternatives with reliable numbers. When you Amazon your lights you tend to get stiffed on the numbers slightly, just based on calculations and diode count based on them being supplied from china as if top bin.
Bc blondes might have discount codes if you look into to it.

But for a veg area maybe some easy diy is best, hlg120/132 are easy and cheap and you do not need all that power; 1000w for a 4x4 veg is ridiculous. You just need to make sure your spd is around 4000k
 

Southernontariogrower

Well-Known Member
I've been looking around considering my first LED (yes I've done this before and have always waited).

I'm looking to change out from HID in a 4x4 veg area.

Hyphotonflux:
I've looked at this one: https://www.amazon.com/HYPHOTONFLUX-HPF4000-MeanWell-Commercial-Hydroponic/dp/B08G85XXKG

It has Meanwell drivers, Samsung leds and 2.7 efficiency

Photontek:
To be fair that compares more directly with this, https://photontek-lighting.com/led/x-465w-pro-led/
But of course I'm looking at this: https://photontek-lighting.com/led/x-600w-pro-led/

HLG:
I'm not sure I want to go with boards vs bars.

Of course money is an object, especially since I don't sell. But it's not the only object if it were not an object at all I'd buy 2 of theses: https://photontek-lighting.com/led/xt-1000w-co2-led/ and dim it almost to extinction LOL but I'd have direct replaceability with 2 of those :lol:

Anyway please speak up and feel free to suggest other lights I'm not currently dithering about. I keep thinking about @Lordhooha 's extremely attractive light choice (that isn't available to mere humans ha ha) I'm also cool with waiting. I have a good HID system and my environment, fwiw, does ok.
I dont think you need that much power for veg. In 4x4. My 600w led is way too strong for veg. Maybe 350w in 4x4 for veg only? My 6 is at half power for 18hr if not too intense. So less is probably more. 600w flowers better than my 1k hps at same distance imo! Bar leds offer even spread and plants can get close wo side effects. Hope this helps you decide on new veg led.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
I run 3, 50 watt 4' strips for veg.Can put them close to keep short.
I run a 600 W MH that I start at 400w and up to 600w before transfer to a 1000w flowering table (all HID). Occasionally when I'm breeding I'll run the 600 for the first couple weeks of flowering so I was looking for something that flexible.
Both are rebranded lights. The numbers of the first I do not trust, rebranded china light. Second is a rebranded lumatek zeus which you'll find plenty of journals and info on.
Bc blondes and hlg Canada are good alternatives with reliable numbers. When you Amazon your lights you tend to get stiffed on the numbers slightly, just based on calculations and diode count based on them being supplied from china as if top bin.
Bc blondes might have discount codes if you look into to it.

But for a veg area maybe some easy diy is best, hlg120/132 are easy and cheap and you do not need all that power; 1000w for a 4x4 veg is ridiculous. You just need to make sure your spd is around 4000k
I'm in California (CA is our state two letter abbreviation, sorry Canada). Does that make a difference?
 

V256.420

Well-Known Member
I bought a few HLG 550 Bspecs a year ago and they have done an awesome job. I run them @ 400 watts in my 4 x 4 tents.

Now that I've learned a bit I would rather have more of a coverage area with either 4 boards more spread out or 4 bars. These lights can get hot in the middle. I got very good coverage from the HLG 100 V2 veg spectrum. 4 of these in a 4 x 4 are even better than the 550 Bspec but @ $149 each it's a bit steep. Even with the RIU code it comes out to about $540 (US) for 4 of them.

The good thing about having the 4 HLG 100 V2's is that you can turn each one on and off separately if you don't want to use the whole tent.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
I bought a few HLG 550 Bspecs a year ago and they have done an awesome job. I run them @ 400 watts in my 4 x 4 tents.

Now that I've learned a bit I would rather have more of a coverage area with either 4 boards more spread out or 4 bars. These lights can get hot in the middle. I got very good coverage from the HLG 100 V2 veg spectrum. 4 of these in a 4 x 4 are even better than the 550 Bspec but @ $149 each it's a bit steep. Even with the RIU code it comes out to about $540 (US) for 4 of them.

The good thing about having the 4 HLG 100 V2's is that you can turn each one on and off separately if you don't want to use the whole tent.
That's one of the things I liked about Photontek, you would actually remove bars!
 

Southernontariogrower

Well-Known Member
That's one of the things I liked about Photontek, you would actually remove bars!
If price isnt an issue go with the best. Bar types are easier to cool imo. With some of these newer 440w you could flower with them. BC blondes make a very nice light, exchange might make the price very reasonable. Electric sky makes nice lights too. The lesser watt one would be awesome veg light. Youd need 2 in 4x4 though. Just checked the hyphotonflux and looks pretty nice for veg light, price isnt that bad.
 
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curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
If price isnt an issue go with the best. Bar types are easier to cool imo. With some of these newer 440w you could flower with them. BC blondes make a very nice light, exchange might make the price very reasonable. Electric sky makes nice lights too. The lesser watt one would be awesome veg light. Youd need 2 in 4x4 though. Just checked the hyphotonflux and looks pretty nice for veg light, price isnt that bad.
I went ahead with the Hyphotonflux through Amazon so if I don't like it I can return it. I rarely use my 4x4 to flower in, only for a week or two if I need to keep some plants out of the pollination area.
 

MyBallzItch

Well-Known Member
I've been using the hyphoton joint for about a year now. It has a "warmer" white light and handles flowering well. It's got a really solid build "feel"... dare I say quality? Not sure if he has made the driver removable yet like the new Mars lights but overall it is a "quality" light. the days of saying "ALL Amazon light BAD" or "Chinese crap lights... must buy domestic build lights" are a thing of the past. I've built and bought all kinds of lights and the hypho and Mars FC bar lights are the best I have used so far and are about the same price as it would take to buy the parts and put together yourself.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
I bought a hyphotonflux too , I haven’t used it yet , I’m going to also flower with it to see what it can do
I'm looking forward to hearing how it works for you. Please tag me when you post and thanks for sharing your experience.
I've been using the hyphoton joint for about a year now. It has a "warmer" white light and handles flowering well. It's got a really solid build "feel"... dare I say quality? Not sure if he has made the driver removable yet like the new Mars lights but overall it is a "quality" light. the days of saying "ALL Amazon light BAD" or "Chinese crap lights... must buy domestic build lights" are a thing of the past. I've built and bought all kinds of lights and the hypho and Mars FC bar lights are the best I have used so far and are about the same price as it would take to buy the parts and put together yourself.
The nice thing about Amazon is if I hate it I can return it. They now sell the longer cords so the driver can be moved outside the tent. I never shut the tent I have in that room so that's not a problem for me. Thanks for letting me know your experience too. I appreciate it.
 

harrychilds

Well-Known Member
If you want a LED light for a 4x4 tent then go for the 465w pro led by photontek, photontek is the sister company of Lumatek. A 600w will be too large for your 4x4 area.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
If you want a LED light for a 4x4 tent then go for the 465w pro led by photontek, photontek is the sister company of Lumatek. A 600w will be too large for your 4x4 area.
I understand they are related to Lumatek and I have a Lumatek ballast however I'm concerned about their driver and LED choice. So I decided to go with the Meanwell Driver and Samsung LEDs of the Hyphotonflux at about 450 w and see how they do. Do you have experience with them?
 

harrychilds

Well-Known Member
I understand they are related to Lumatek and I have a Lumatek ballast however I'm concerned about their driver and LED choice. So I decided to go with the Meanwell Driver and Samsung LEDs of the Hyphotonflux at about 450 w and see how they do. Do you have experience with them?
Yeah, I got the Lumatek 465w Pro a few months back for my 4x4 Premium Gorilla grow tent, it's the best light I have ever used, I got the 5m extension cable so I have no issues with the Driver :bigjoint:
 

harrychilds

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I'm curious what other lights you've used?
I used to use a 600watt HPS dual spectrum light but I was getting a lot of heat problems, even in the winter I would be struggling to keep the temps in check so I swapped it out with a 465w led to keep the temps down and if the temps go to low I have got a oil filled radiator to keep the temps up. I've used the old school CFL lights to start off the seedlings also and then once they get so big I used to wack them under the HPS bulb :)
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
I used to use a 600watt HPS dual spectrum light but I was getting a lot of heat problems, even in the winter I would be struggling to keep the temps in check so I swapped it out with a 465w led to keep the temps down and if the temps go to low I have got a oil filled radiator to keep the temps up. I've used the old school CFL lights to start off the seedlings also and then once they get so big I used to wack them under the HPS bulb :)
Thanks
 
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