Best LEDs for under 200$

I have a 60”x32” grow tent and I am hoping to get 2 led lights for under 200$ each. Is the mars hydro ts1000 a good option? 140$ each on amazon. I’m reading a lot of mixed things about LED lights and I definitely want to stay LED due to temperature and maintenance issues. Any other recommendations? Is this a good option?
 
This is a better light for less money than the ts1000:


Also you would need more than just 2 ts1000's for that space.
That’s awesome! Thank you for the reply. Do you think 2 of those would be adequate? I’m currently running 8 autos in 3 gallon pots in my space
 

hillbill

Well-Known Member
This is a better light for less money than the ts1000:


Also you would need more than just 2 ts1000's for that space.
Got one 2 weeks ago and it is lots of bang for that buck.
 

hillbill

Well-Known Member
If you put 3 of those V1 kits in there, you could probably run them at 80% each and have a photon quilt across the canopy.
My tent is exactly the same size and 3 HLG 135v1s would be more than adequate, will probably have another soon
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
My tent is exactly the same size and 3 HLG 135v1s would be more than adequate, will probably have another soon
The other alyernative would be buying single boards + heatsinks for 49 each and get suitable driver. Im not sure of current pricing of the 135 kit but i expect it too be a bit cheaper.
 

ilovereggae

Well-Known Member
The other alyernative would be buying single boards + heatsinks for 49 each and get suitable driver. Im not sure of current pricing of the 135 kit but i expect it too be a bit cheaper.
In this case I think the DIY kit might actually be cheaper, unless they already have wagos, wire, m3 mounting screws, hanging clips etc.

$49 for board/heatsink + $65 for driver, + $15 for the assembly stuff... i think with shipping of individually sourced parts from different vendors would put you over the top, or be very close in price.

Unless they just get a single driver to power multiple boards, that would save a few bucks for sure.
 

Humple

Well-Known Member
In this case I think the DIY kit might actually be cheaper, unless they already have wagos, wire, m3 mounting screws, hanging clips etc.

$49 for board/heatsink + $65 for driver, + $15 for the assumbly stuff... i think with shipping of individually sourced parts from different vendors would put you over the top, or be very close in price.
You definitely shouldn't be paying more than $50 for an HLG-120H-54A! But you may still be right about the cost/value of a kit over full DIY - haven't done the math myself. But no one should be spending that kind of money on that driver! (At least not in the US; I don't know what kind of prices folks are seeing elsewhere.)
 

ilovereggae

Well-Known Member
You definitely shouldn't be paying more than $50 for an HLG-120H-54A! But you may still be right about the cost/value of a kit over full DIY - haven't done the math myself. But no one should be spending that kind of money on that driver! (At least not in the US; I don't know what kind of prices folks are seeing elsewhere.)
You are right I was thinking of the price of a 240W driver. And I guess to be fair if you buy all the extras from Amazon and get free prime shipping you could definitely build it for cheaper. Sorry @Rocket Soul you were right. I need more coffee.
 
This is a better light for less money than the ts1000:

just a stupid Noob question but this light would work well for veg and flower in my 2x3x4h grow box? I think I’ll finally get it operating now that I’m a legal pothead... er, patient.
thanks
 

Attachments

Humple

Well-Known Member
just a stupid Noob question but this light would work well for veg and flower in my 2x3x4h grow box? I think I’ll finally get it operating now that I’m a legal pothead... er, patient.
thanks
Is it a full 2x3, or is that an approximation? (It looks a wee bit smaller than that.) If it's really 6 square feet of space, one QB288 would be a little on the low side. Generally, with QBs, you want at least 30w sq/ft. Atreum lighting sells 60w 2" strips with added 660nm red diodes - three of those would kill it in your cab (don't know if they're in stock at the moment though).
 

ilovereggae

Well-Known Member
just a stupid Noob question but this light would work well for veg and flower in my 2x3x4h grow box? I think I’ll finally get it operating now that I’m a legal pothead... er, patient.
thanks
Yes I think it would work great! I ran the v2 DIY 135w kit in a 2x2x4.5 tent for year or so. Im about to build a similar size grow cab for another flowering space. Only thing I would suggest is try to remote mount your driver to help with heat, and if possible put your exhaust fan on outside of your box drawing the air out so you can use the full 4 ft for your plants.

Is it a full 2x3, or is that an approximation? (It looks a wee bit smaller than that.) If it's really 6 square feet of space, one QB288 would be a little on the low side. Generally, with QBs, you want at least 30w sq/ft. Atreum lighting sells 60w 2" strips with added 660nm red diodes - three of those would kill it in your cab (don't know if they're in stock at the moment though).
If he is just starting out I think the 135W kit will be plenty for now. Lots of other stuff to dial in before that extra few watts matters. Maybe even for now just plan to have the footprint be 2x2?

Also those atreum strips are $60 each. 3 v1 boards @ 50W each in parallell on a 150H would be a little cheaper and you would have a ceiling full of diodes and would be crazy efficient. Thats my plan but using a 120H since I already have one and my new flower box is only 31" x 24".
 

Humple

Well-Known Member
Yes I think it would work great! I ran the v2 DIY 135w kit in a 2x2x4.5 tent for year or so. Im about to build a similar size grow cab for another flowering space. Only thing I would suggest is try to remote mount your driver to help with heat, and if possible put your exhaust fan on outside of your box drawing the air out so you can use the full 4 ft for your plants.



If he is just starting out I think the 135W kit will be plenty for now. Lots of other stuff to dial in before that extra few watts matters. Maybe even for now just plan to have the footprint be 2x2?

Also those atreum strips are $60 each. 3 v1 boards @ 50W each in parallell on a 150H would be a little cheaper and you would have a ceiling full of diodes and would be crazy efficient. Thats my plan but using a 120H since I already have one and my new flower box is only 31" x 24".
Also a very worthy approach!
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
just a stupid Noob question but this light would work well for veg and flower in my 2x3x4h grow box? I think I’ll finally get it operating now that I’m a legal pothead... er, patient.
thanks
That would be fine for veg and slightly sub-par for flowering. You might want to ask yourself, will this be your long-term space, or will you want a larger area in the future? You could start with that v1 kit for now, and add wattage later if needed. Another option would be to DIY it and buy two board/heatsinks for $100, then get a 185w driver, some wago connectors and wire, and put it all together for under $200. Maybe go for a 240w driver instead for $15 more. Get dimmable drivers, like the kit has so you can adjust your wattage needs.
 

JimmyIndica

Well-Known Member
I have a 60”x32” grow tent and I am hoping to get 2 led lights for under 200$ each. Is the mars hydro ts1000 a good option? 140$ each on amazon. I’m reading a lot of mixed things about LED lights and I definitely want to stay LED due to temperature and maintenance issues. Any other recommendations? Is this a good option?
Timber grow single cobs 3500k is best option if I had to pick
 
Top