HLG-550 vs PLC-6

The PLC6 is a very good light. The difference in output is within 10% of each other. The HLG-550 uses around 120 watts less but isn't waterproof like the PLC-6. You won't go wrong with either one.

Edit

85 watts less for HLG-550.

Edit#2 HLG-550 is 2.4 umol/j and 1265 ppf. Other numbers where from S5 bin. Only a few shipped with those before S6.
 
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chooselove said:
From what I understand, the quantum boards on the HLG are more efficient than the COBS on the PLC
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Essentially. Both do what they say they will do.

PLC 6 leverages COBs and their cost : performance to offer a light that replaces a 1000w hps system photon for photon with a total light output of 1125µmols and uses ~590w to do so. Equating to ~1.91mols/w at cost $799 USD. 25x25" fixture.

The HLG550 leverages mid power diodes to get more efficiency out and replace a 1000w fixture photon for photon with a total light output of 1184µmols and uses 515w to do so. Equating to 2.3+µmols/w at a cost of $1049 USD. 26"x20" fixture
 
Yeah apples and oranges, really. The PLC-6 is $250 cheaper, is very water resistant (which obviously makes up part of that price) and is designed to be a value proposition for commercial growers (a balance of cost and efficiency)

IMO a much closer comparison would be the $1,049.00 600 Watt Citizen CLU048 4'x4' Framework from Timber. PPFD of 880 over a 4x4 vs about 850 for the HLG. If you dimmed the Timber a bit they would be close (with still a slight edge to HLG)

Obviously gg could design a light that is even more efficient than either of these but it'll cost $1100+ and the commercial growers prob aren't going to spring that much for a few percentage points of efficiency.

And of course you can diy and add as many cobs as you want to the proper constant voltage driver and have one of the most efficient fixtures on planet earth :)

EDIT: lol, forgot about the HLG discount. that is a damn good value
 
chooselove said:
Thanks... It really is that discount that has me considering the 550
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Not to mention it does about the same as the PLC light but uses about 15% less energy. With the discount they are fairly equal in price so it makes the value of the 550 tough to beat.
If you're just like most of the other growers on here at home with small personal grow then having a light that's somewhat waterproof is probably irrelevant unless you water your plants from above the light fixture :p
 
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