Illuminex Surexi vs Cree CXA3070.....fight!

Going to be building my 2nd LED panel. The first one is a 4 x CXA3070 3000k setup running at around 170w.

I have been looking at either getting one of the 25 packs of F3 Surexi LEDs and making a panel with them, or going down the path of the CXA COBs again as they are proven perfomers, the price is right and the build is easy. I have never really seen a lot of growing done with the Surexi's so I am unsure about them performing with growing marijuana.

My question is: What do you think would be the best setup? I have thought about combining the 2 ideas as well and having 4 x 3070 (3k) + 4-8 surexi F3's on a single panel.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions? Anyone have any information regarding growing weed under surexi LEDs? Are the Surexi's using older technology that has since been overtaken by things like the CXA's?

Cree swings! It's a knockout folks..fights over..everyone go home

J/k...I wouldn't devote too much overall power to them but would probably help overall as supplemental.

I was thinking of using the surexis to add 660nm to my spectrum as i believe the 3k 3070 could use a 660nm boost. The question is do I gain anything from using the surexis as supplemental rather than just using some 660nm emitters from stevesled? Because the original plan was to build an extra panel of around 40w of 660 and 20-40w of 730nm to be used as a flower booster....too many ideas and not enough time/space/money to try them all!!!

Not familiar with the surexis spectrum I know they have a tight beam pattern which would be nice

Steves luxeon 660s have about a 90* angle although they could probably benefit from a tighter beam I think...especially for taller plants

I'd think the luxeons would have a higher output/more efficient...so I'd roll with those

(Illumitex)- Why our customers love us

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  I feel like I know more than most people about lighting, and you seem to have the best lights out there. For seedlings, your vegetative light is far better than anything else I have used. Including actual sunlight. Keep up the great work on your LEDs!
  
  Ian West Avid Home Gardener

Ian says Illumitex is the best! Who are you to question Ian! Down on your knees stoners. LOL

Illumitex makes a nice product and Ian does have a point about them in the veg department. Without a doubt my favorite lights to veg with, though all the 730nm can stretch some species when training. They're not the best lights to have on when switching to flower IMO but are great finishers, though my experience with them in my flowering tent is limited. They easily replaced the BS240 at basically half the wattage that's for sure. And I'll be adding some more real soon. The Bubbleponics forum has at least 2 guys using them, though I haven't really checked them out.

Having said that I wouldn't use them as a main light, but as a secondary they are excellent IMO, especially with those 50 degree beam angles. Also I feel you have to get away from their specs and run them harder and with a bit more overlap. I think with MMJ it's a must, though that does increase the amount of diodes you'll need. And I'll be retiring my CREE bulbs soon enough with some COBs and I think COBs and Illumitex F3s, (8 x 660, 4 x 730 and 4 x5000K + 2 Zener diodes per package), are just peas and carrots.

And Surexis are a bit old but Illumitex's design gets a shit ton of light out of them so they're still very efficient. And who knows with Illumi. They could be using better dies right now.

That's my .02 cents. And Ian. Get a life!