Dinafem has a blackstar agenda, he attacked my journal three different times (i hope he does it again as the mods have promised to bring out the ban stick next time). I never said blackstars don't work (for the umpteenth time). I also never advocated purchasing a pro grow in this thread. People should do their own research and find a light that works well for them. When I did my homework I was shocked to see that the blackstar 240 only uses 2W diodes, see the link in my post above its all there in full color.
Yes my grow light only draws 130w, a statement made loud and clear on the website unlike gotham's. Mine uses 180w worth of chipsets driven to 130w you've made that argument several times now, the same wattage as a blackstar 240 for roughly the same price except one has a three year warranty and actually uses 3w cree chips. I only use the full veg and flower spectrums the first two and last two weeks of the growth cycle, the rest is full illumination.
Blackstars are made in
Pinghu, ShenZhen China so if you're cool with that run 'em till the wheels fall off, I hope it happens during your 12 month warranty. These lights are supposed to last 50k hours. If a company has faith in their product wouldn't they acutally use the chipsets they advertise, list the correct chipset and input wattage, and offer more of a substantial warranty? That is why I didn't buy them.
See another good read below ...
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/377163-lighthouse-blackstar-240w-led-any.html
Another good read with people giving both sides of the issue a fair shake
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/420031-240w-lighthouse-blackstar-led-grow-2.html
It would appear that Gotham/Lighthouse employ questionable business practices and lack a quality warranty, this is why I don't run them in my grow room. They do work and if you're using them to suppliment a 600w hid you'll be fine. For my money and peace of mind I decided to take my business elsewhere. My advice for what its worth is to not listen to anyone proclaiming one brand is shit and another is the second coming of christ. Do your own research!
Having used pro grows I'm happy with them. I would also, based on my research, happily advocate several other led companies besides hydro hut. GLH and Pro-Source were the other two at the top of my list. It came down to price and I was able to scoop mine up at less than retail on ebay.
As Dinafem said above he don't use LEDS yet, but goes on to say they are the cheapest and most reliable from what he's seen. Take it for what this is all worth, people post opinions on the internet. He haw!
If you actually have a link showing someone unhappy with their hydro hut lights I would love to see it.
another good read that should help anyone doing appropriate reserach ...
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/240615-led-users-unite-141.html
I have a friend who ran a 240w Blackstar and a 180w Advanced Extreme Flower side by side and ALL of his plants grew towards the Advanced, with bigger, better, heavier buds from under the AEF. Does the Blackstar have UV and infrared bulbs like the Advanced? Does any other brand? Im in a 3x3 tent with my 180w Advanced LED with 9 plants and they all respond to the light very well. About $500 for the 180w, but IMHO, well worth it if you want LED.
http://www.advancedledlights.com/categories/3W-LED-Grow-Lights/
Something smug and grammatically incorrect coming from Dinafem coming in 5,4,3,2 ....
All kidding aside man, you said you haven't used them, why so militant that blackstars are the end all be all of the led world?
Here is a great grow comparing GLH led grow lights to blackstars
http://forum.bubbleponics.com/forum/showthread.php?2690-My-first-LED-grow!-Lighthouse-Blackstar-240W-side-by-side-with-Grow-LED-Hydro-240W/page45
Note the difference in final weight achieved. I've got these for days man. Blackstars are decent led lights if you're not looking to spend a lot of dough and don't give a shit about warranty, where they are actually made, and what chipsets they're using.
When I presented the links I've provided here to Victor and Sean at Gotham/Lighthouse asking them to kindly reply as I was at the time interested to hear what they had to say since I was in the market for LED lights they did not respond to 2 different emails and one voicemail. A week later I bought from Ben at hydro hut.
In fairness to Sean he may have been busy giving his lights an award from the Grow Boys Competition, which if you research is registered to Sean Stockmeyer. Amazing, the lights he sells won the grow award from the grow competition he started.
Everyone please understand I'm just tired to dealing with blackstar trolls on this site. I'm not affiliated with any led company period. I highly encourage everyone to do exhaustive research before buying an led light as there are many people out there to make a quick buck off folks who have not done the proper research. This is especially true on Ebay.