I'm no expert as I don't have any real personal experience with this stuff...yet. I just bought two Via Volt 600 watt electronic ballasts. I don't have everything set up so all I have done is plug'em up to test them. They were real inexpensive but they are anything but cheap. All of the ballasts we're talking about are made in china including lumatek so unless I'm mistaken that isn't really an issue to compare. The ballasts that I bought are beautiful. I was really impressed when I pulled them out of the box. Very solid, consistent anodize. Nicely machined aluminum wattage selector (50%,75%,100%,110%). A great feeling of quality. They are totally silent. If I'm not mistaken the specs with a 99% power factor it is more efficient than the lumateks and cheaper. Apparently lumatek 600 watt ballasts have had issues with bulb compatibility and interfering with constant ph and ppm meters.
These ballasts were 140.00 each and one of the nice features they have is an 8 minute restart. Here are the specs :
New! The 600 watt Switchable Electronic Ballast features a five year warranty and has hot lamp restart protection and a 8 min delay.
Features:
5-YEAR WARRANTY
• Extruded aluminum housing is engineered to dissipate heat and keep the components cool
• Without noisy fans
• 120V, 240V,347V, 95-264V, available
• 250W, 400W, 600W, 750W and 1000W models
• Detachable power cord allows easy change over
• Operates both HPS & MH lamps
• Completely silent and lightweight
• Extremely efficient – 99% power factor
• Comply with UL, CUL, EMC standards
• Generator ready
• Dimmable - Ballast can be dimmed to 50%
• Multi-Wattage - Power different wattage lamps on the same ballast
• Super Lumens - Up to 10% more light at the flip of a switch
• Dual-Voltage - E-Ballast with the same light output on 120V or 240V
• Internal RF Shielding - best on the market
• Enhanced Lamp Compatibility - works with all major brands of lamps
• Soft Start - increases lamp life and lumen depreciation
• Internal resin coasting - projects components for long life
• External breaker system - protects against power surges
• Sunlight Supply Ready - fitted with Standard Connector for accepting Standard/Sunlight Supply lamp cords
• Features a 5 year warranty (3 year plus 2 year prorated for repair or replacement)
5-YEAR WARRANTY: If there is a warranty related issue within the first 5 years, we will replace the ballast within 24 hours and ship it UPS ground along with a pre-paid call tag to get the original ballast back. For faster shipping, charges apply.