Looking for a new light

Been growing for 8 years starting with cfls and moved into HID. I've been using the same 1 k hps got the past 5 years without issues but have always wanted to try led. Now that there are s variety of other lights (cob, cmh etc) I figured it's time to update. I grew in an unheated basement so I liked the HID for heat but now I'm having the opposite problem and can't get my temps under control in my new smaller than usual 4 x 4 x 7 tent even with exhaust and intake fans. Summertime sure doesn't help . I've been researching quite a bit but can't decide which way to go so I'm looking for advice on a replacement 1k HPS light. I am not very handy so I'm nervous about diy cob lights and I hear they put off s decent amount of heat as well. Would love to keep it under 500 bucks if possible. I was thinking a few Mars led lights but further research indicated they aren't the best. I was looking at some of the California light works stuff as well. Any opinions?

dont buy mars. period.

if you want to be budget you can run cobs a little harder, they lose some efficiency but are still above the other techs. something like this can run at 125-150W with a $30 driver so 4 of those combos for your space are under $500 and well above HPS in efficiency:

https://cobkits.com/product/clu058-1825-light-engine-single/

CobKits said:

dont buy mars. period.

if you want to be budget you can run cobs a little harder, they lose some efficiency but are still above the other techs. something like this can run at 125-150W with a $30 driver so 4 of those combos for your space are under $500 and well above HPS in efficiency:

https://cobkits.com/product/clu058-1825-light-engine-single/

Click to expand...

What is the heat off of a set up like that. I would love to try cobs but a little nervous in regards to handiness, assuming you have to mount them in a bar somehow

low-mid 50s in efficiency so 4 of them would be 250-300W of heat, so about the same as or a little more than 1 400 HPS

mars panels put out a shitload of heat watt for watt its almost as bad as hid ime. in a 4 x4 if you dont want to go the diy route this thing would rock it http://www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/cxp-420/
or if you can build your own frames these about about as easy as diy gets.3 of these kits would rock a 4 x 4 ,2 of these kits would still be pretty awesome in there
http://timbergrowlights.com/200-watt-cree-cxb3590-4-cob-meanwell-hlg-kit-meanwell-hlg-power-supply/

600 watt hid + 2x4 tent = 90f= cooked plants!! 300 watt 6 cob + 2x4 tent = 74f = happy plants!!
Got to agree with sixstring!!

two of these would \make you real happy. PacificLightConcepts ->http://www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/cxp-420/ 50 w /SF would make you happiest. 800w from the wall is what you want. PLC will deliver that for you. peace

Timber will also custom build you a fixture if you have the funds... Or, you can buy some of their DIY kits as has been mentioned.

I'd recommend the Nextlight, too. Reports have been very good on those.

thanks for the input, gotta save a little more dough before I can make my purchase, my 1k HPS is running at 90 ...

Mars Might Make A Shitty Light But They Do Know How To Throw A Party Piece AND How About Some Ice Cold Michel Pfeiffer White Gold