Great thread, it got trashed real quick.
Alot of trolling going on, but some very valuable information.
Here is my take on this, as a person who has used many different lights.
For the hobbyist where wattage and efficiency counts, this is where COBS shine.
As for RIO, yes if your growing for profit it may take some time to recoup the benefits for sure.
In addition, in a few years when you do get your RIO back, new technology will be out and much better.
As for commercial, I do not see why anyone would switch to COB. The cost is insane, that is a business market.
Paying 3-4x the price of a DE for several years of RIO is not a good investment.
DE can pull alot, 2.5-3lbs per light at 1k.
With the new ACDE hoods with indirect cooling that does not affect PPFD is a game changer.
As well as cooling DE is honestly not that hard. People are way over blowing the heat of a DE.
They are hot but still coolable with good ventilation.AC is only needed for larger amounts of lights.
The ACDE HOODS, can get quite close even with glass removed.
I love COBS and the PPFD is amazing, but the price is just way too high for commercial at this point.
As well, the dropoff of penetration cannot compare to DE. COBS have good penatration and can grow trees, but a DE will out perform in penetration.
As for RIO, DE wins. People who care about wattage are small timer growers. Large commercial is not worth years od RIO for not much electrical costs in comparison.
What I want to see is the following;
2 5 x 5 grow areas or 2 x 5 x 10 areas with light movers for each
(light movers work if you know how to use them)
Same clones, similar size, 30 day veg, same light cycles, same nutrients, same medium.
1000w of COBs, Either CXB or Vero 29.
1000w of DE with wither a pre built fixture or a ACDE hood.
Same amount of plants.
Want to see a final dry yield as well as real THC testing.
This needs to be done by someone with the means.
I may do this just to get all this BS done with.
For everyone to finally shut up and see which is the better technology and by how much.
Would anyone be interested in this?
Would love for the trolls to be done commenting.
Put this to the test.
We all know COBS are the most efficient PAR per watt and even better when driven lower such as 700ma.
Price is just too high.
One day I hope to see a BML type light with COBS commercially.
This is a debate, I am not a fanboy of any lighting system, I want the best watt for watt.
I would rather replace 1k watts getting 2lbs for 1k of COB and see how much yield increases.
People need to start using the same wattage and see what yields.
If anyone has done this please link me.