I took these pictures of my photosensitive tent this morning, 9 weeks + 5 days in flower. This is a Big Bud under an XGS-190.
I LST'd the canopy which turned into a deep bowl shape. I call it "The Valley of the Dolls."
I should have used something as a reference scale, but these things are large. In the background is a Super Skunk growing under the Blackstar v2 180 we talked about. By comparison the buds are spindly. It could be genetics, but 120w actual isn't enough for that space. Some of the SS buds have been under the XGS for a month (I don't rotate too much) and they're larger.
Here's an Orange Bud under the RW-150 (diagonal to the XGS)
Same thing about the reference scale. The bud in the back left could hide a coke can. Just held a tape measure behind it and 3". Hard as a rock.
There is another Big Bud under a custom Apollo 4 180w (130w actual) I bought off Alibaba. It's growing like the Super Skunk. Airy, light, spindly buds but not as spindly as the SS. Like the SS, it gets some light from the XGS and RW.
I don't think anyone would be disappointed with A51. The Chinese lights (which the Blackstar basically is, with onshore support) will grow. A new grower would get some smoke. They really need to be doubled (or supplemented with those
Cree bulbs from Home Depot). But, at that point it would cost nearly as much as an A51.
One space where I feel A51 lacking is the small-scale grow. Cabinets, autos in a 4' tall tent, etc. Spaces where more diffusion is desirable. 3w instead of 5w. Maybe white backboard or wide-angle reflectors like the Hans panel.
Reading Jeff's (owner of A51, username eraserhead) past posts, he contemplated producing replacement boards for the Apollo and perhaps other common Chinese "cartel" lights (the dozen designs that come in 1000 colors and an equal number of brands). That would be a cool upgrade path that would cultivate future A51 buyers.