Bluegrassgrower
Well-Known Member
anybody with experience with either of these? is one better than the other?
Apollo horticulture vs. ipower 400w?
- Thread starter Bluegrassgrower
- Start date
Bluegrassgrower
Well-Known Member
nobody at all?
puffnpaint
Well-Known Member
i have a 600 watt ipower and haven`t had any issues yet. only been runnin it since august though so take it for what it`s worth.
Xrangex
Well-Known Member
*BUMP*
I'm ordering a 400w mh/hps lamp tomorrow and am stumped on whether I should go with the Apollo Horticulture 400w WING reflector kit for or the iPower 400w COOLTUBE reflector kit..
I havent seen any grows using Apollo or the iPower lights, so i'm wondering if anyone else has experience with either.
400w Apollo - wing reflector- http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Hortic...Accessories/dp/B004YXDHX6/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2
400w iPower - cooltube reflector- http://www.hpsgrowlightstore.com/hp...-hps-mh-dimmable-cool-tube-reflector-set.html
I'm leaning towards iPower cause i've always wanted a cooltube, since its a closet grow i'd like to keep things cool. They both come with timers and ratchets, both mh/hps and come with the bulbs. They're around the same price, but i'm wondering if sacrificing the cooltube for apollo ballast/bulbs would be worth it? Or is iPower a good brand? lol
I'm ordering a 400w mh/hps lamp tomorrow and am stumped on whether I should go with the Apollo Horticulture 400w WING reflector kit for or the iPower 400w COOLTUBE reflector kit..
I havent seen any grows using Apollo or the iPower lights, so i'm wondering if anyone else has experience with either.
400w Apollo - wing reflector- http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Hortic...Accessories/dp/B004YXDHX6/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2
400w iPower - cooltube reflector- http://www.hpsgrowlightstore.com/hp...-hps-mh-dimmable-cool-tube-reflector-set.html
I'm leaning towards iPower cause i've always wanted a cooltube, since its a closet grow i'd like to keep things cool. They both come with timers and ratchets, both mh/hps and come with the bulbs. They're around the same price, but i'm wondering if sacrificing the cooltube for apollo ballast/bulbs would be worth it? Or is iPower a good brand? lol
Rancho Cucamonga
Active Member
I use Lumatek, wouldn't use any other type of ballast. But I have heard that both, more so the Ipower, have RF issues.
themullisk
Active Member
ive used the ipower 400 watt mh/hps for over 2 years now and it works great just change the bulb every year or so
Xrangex
Well-Known Member
Xrangex
Well-Known Member
What do you mean by RF issues?
Rancho Cucamonga
Active Member
Almost never, ever, go by Amazon reviews. They are not moderated and you don't have to provide proof that you bought item off amazon in order to leave a review there. If going by reviews look for "verified purchase" under the review title but still be wary as there are many who will leave a good review even if they have yet to truly use a product for any amount of time. About 90% of amazon reviews are made within a week or two of buying the product, hardly enough time to review a product that should last 5-10 years.
Rancho Cucamonga
Active Member
Radio Frequency. Cheaper ballasts tend not to have good rf insulation, which can cause it to interfere with any system or device that recieves a radio signal. Anything form tvs, pcs, remotes, radios, cbs, security systems, audio systems, ect. ect.
If it has the 5 year warranty like the Lumatek's I use then go for it if it's all you can afford, but don't be surprised if it blows bulbs and if the worst happens and the ballast goes out if they will honor the warranty.
I have yet for a Lumatek to fail after 3 years of constant use, but I do use Digilux bulbs and have had a few go bad before the 1 year guaranteed warranty is up and every time that has happened I send them a picture of my bulb through email after I remove the connector(they request this) and fill out the warranty form online and I have a new Digilux bulb at my doorstep in less then 10 days. I have done this at 2 months, and once at 11 months, no hassles.
My point, get the warranty info and make sure they will honor it before you buy.
If it has the 5 year warranty like the Lumatek's I use then go for it if it's all you can afford, but don't be surprised if it blows bulbs and if the worst happens and the ballast goes out if they will honor the warranty.
I have yet for a Lumatek to fail after 3 years of constant use, but I do use Digilux bulbs and have had a few go bad before the 1 year guaranteed warranty is up and every time that has happened I send them a picture of my bulb through email after I remove the connector(they request this) and fill out the warranty form online and I have a new Digilux bulb at my doorstep in less then 10 days. I have done this at 2 months, and once at 11 months, no hassles.
My point, get the warranty info and make sure they will honor it before you buy.
JimmyHamilton21
Active Member
I have an LEDWHOLESALERS 400 system with a cool tube I got on amazon that has been running for at least a year or two now, only blew one bulb, which i replaced with an apollo hps. I am now looking at a apollo 600hps setup with a large cool tube hood that will work well in my room. Think I am going to go with apollo and give it a shot. I am low on cash and a $500 lumitek setup is just not an option right now when you can get this on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EW026Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2WRS4X4C0GMOQ
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EW026Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2WRS4X4C0GMOQ
Lo Budget
Well-Known Member
I got the Apollo 600w kit from amazon few months ago. Has a dimmable digital ballast, timer, ratchet hangers & both (mh & hps) bulbs. Didn't need a cool tube since I'm in a basement, so I just got the wing hood package. A cool tube reflector isn't much more when you buy a kit but they are pricey afterthoughts. I think I paid around $157USD. Everything seems to be decent quality, I've been pretty happy so far. Sure beats the T12 40W 48" florescent & a couple of clip-on reflector 'grow light' incandescents I was using. 3yr warranty on the ballast & a year on the bulbs I think.
JimmyHamilton21
Active Member
I ordered the 600 Apollo kit that included an hps bulb only and a 30x25x7 hood with 6inch cool tube. Cost $170. They had the one with both bulbs and a timer for $30 more but I already have a 400 with my and hps if I need it. Will start a thread on it and if I have any issues will post as time goes by.
DemonTrich
Well-Known Member
basement grow, veg and flower tents 4x4x7, appollo 600w cool tube XL hood's, and dimmable digital ballasts. 1 month in veg 18/6 and i love it. no issues. heard the appollo is a little better than the ipower brand, so i went with that recomendation. just wish i went with the 1000 lights.
