**ULTIMATE LED TEST** *GLH Spectra 290* VS *Blackstar 500* VS *Hydro Grow LED 336X*

[organicbynature]

So basically, what he's saying is that the 290 is outputting more than the Sun at about 15 inches from the canopy (PAR 2000 micromoles).

This may not be the case. I don't have the time right now to really delve into this, but some googling makes me question this assumption. It looks like photo-inhibition (which I think is the process that results from high light stress) is a fairly constant process that works against photosynthesis. It only becomes a problem when it goes beyond the plant's ability to repair itself. It looks like other factors play a role (such as heat, which LEDs don't produce a lot of but which is abundant when the sun is putting out 2000 micromoles on a clear, summer day). Also, it looks like different spectrums may play different roles in this, with UVB being a potential culprit.

Some questions:

Since it is a sun-loving species, an MJ plant can presumably make good use of 2000 micromoles of sunlight in outdoor conditions, but how is its maximum light capacity affected by indoor conditions? eg. does oxygen/CO2 content affect this? temperature? other biotic factors?

Is it possible that the Spectra panels are not producing too much light overall, but rather too much in certain spectrums?

I don't know much about this but am now somewhat inclined to learn more. Is anyone else familiar with the intricacies of photo-inhibition?

 

[Kaptain Kron]

Not really sure about that one but he has the older 290 panel the v2 with psu that is more power I wouldn't say it needs to be dialed back I would say the industry needs to decide if it's going to rate on watts drawn or total watts of the chip set multiplied by number of chips spectra was doing it watt for watt the old way now they are raring like blackstar number of chipsets times the 3 in this case since 3w chips bein used

 

[SunnyD]

looking good.. can we get some pics with the lights off to really see them?

 

[organicbynature]

Not really sure about that one but he has the older 290 panel the v2 with psu that is more power I wouldn't say it needs to be dialed back I would say the industry needs to decide if it's going to rate on watts drawn or total watts of the chip set multiplied by number of chips spectra was doing it watt for watt the old way now they are raring like blackstar number of chipsets times the 3 in this case since 3w chips bein used

So he has a panel that is known and admitted to not function well, at least without being far from the canopy (it looks like 3 to 4 feet is recommended). We already know that this light is not expected to produce well, and it looks to everyone like it's losing this comparison. Since these new power supplies have just started getting out to people, we don't know how the panel works running at a lower draw. It seems to me that would be more helpful information than seeing how it produces in its known-to-be-disfunctional state.

I do understand the skepticism behind improving results through lower wattage, but seeing is believing, right?

Just my two cents! I'm subbed to this grow on two different sites, regardless.

 

[JackBeNimble]

looking good.. can we get some pics with the lights off to really see them?

Amen! So hard to tell a plants health under these LED's. I always kick my LED's off when I'm checkin on plants or happen to be taking pics

 

[Kaptain Kron]

Sure we do Irish tested em both 24 -20 inches is fine for v2 panel

So he has a panel that is known and admitted to not function well, at least without being far from the canopy (it looks like 3 to 4 feet is recommended). We already know that this light is not expected to produce well, and it looks to everyone like it's losing this comparison. Since these new power supplies have just started getting out to people, we don't know how the panel works running at a lower draw. It seems to me that would be more helpful information than seeing how it produces in its known-to-be-disfunctional state.

I do understand the skepticism behind improving results through lower wattage, but seeing is believing, right?

Just my two cents! I'm subbed to this grow on two different sites, regardless.

 

[Kaptain Kron]

And it's not dysfunctional lol where did u get that idea mikes only sendin out power supplys because people are dumb and want their LEDs close when really further is better for better spectrum mixing i was calling like specifically askin him to send me a v2 power supply instead when i had the money to get one still don't have the money and now I wouldn't bother anyways blackstar proved itself in a side by side glh is proving to be more hype

 

[organicbynature]

And it's not dysfunctional lol where did u get that idea mikes only sendin out power supplys because people are dumb and want their LEDs close when really further is better for better spectrum mixing i was calling like specifically askin him to send me a v2 power supply instead when i had the money to get one still don't have the money and now I wouldn't bother anyways blackstar proved itself in a side by side glh is proving to be more hype

So what do you think is the big difference between these lights? Spectrum?

Do you think there is a functional difference in quality between 2010 and 2011 Spectras?

 

[Kaptain Kron]

The difference as I understand between v2 and 3 is psu only Irish could tell u for sure glh don't like to share info lol

 

[hippy132]

The difference as I understand between v2 and 3 is psu only Irish could tell u for sure glh don't like to share info lol

Not sure, but pretty sure I am running V2 Spectra 180's and they are 12-15 inches from tops, not sure I ever saw burn as Irish might indicate ( not sure), into week 3 of flowering and with six plants unders two 180's , still not sure what height is best , so bought another spectra 290 w new ps, we will see. So far, my biggest learning has been start with large clones to get large plants if you have the room.

 

[PSUAGRO.]

Damn I wish i could afford the blackstar 900 now.......
My little girls would turn into monsters.........Their alive!!!!muhaaaaa.

 

[Kaptain Kron]

Might be because ur not on the 290 not sure if the power thing was that model only or not

Not sure, but pretty sure I am running V2 Spectra 180's and they are 12-15 inches from tops, not sure I ever saw burn as Irish might indicate ( not sure), into week 3 of flowering and with six plants unders two 180's , still not sure what height is best , so bought another spectra 290 w new ps, we will see. So far, my biggest learning has been start with large clones to get large plants if you have the room.

 

[WeJuana]

@SunnyD/@JackbeNimble - I could kick off the lights, but then it would be dark. I have no regular lighting in the room, only the LEDs and a green 13W CFL which barely puts out light.

I am no expert on the versions or these GLH lights, but I am running a Spectra 290, not sure which version.

 

[coolj]

@SunnyD/@JackbeNimble - I could kick off the lights, but then it would be dark. I have no regular lighting in the room, only the LEDs and a green 13W CFL which barely puts out light.

I am no expert on the versions or these GLH lights, but I am running a Spectra 290, not sure which version.

Hey bro how do u like the blackstar 900? how is the coverage area and the room temps with that light?

 

[WeJuana]

Hey bro how do u like the blackstar 900? how is the coverage area and the room temps with that light?

Love it! I have it in the mother tent and I just lowered the light 2 days ago, as I didnt want to burn the new plants.. so now I will really be able to tell what it can do.

 

[Endur0xX]

hey WeJuana, have you ever looked into Haight Solid State LED's ? they use 6w leds, this company is new to me but has been around, what do you know about their grow lightS?


Is it me or these could be coming from the exact same place in China : http://www.hydrogrowled.com/Penetrator-84X-PRO-LED-Grow-Light-P84.aspx http://www.feroledlighting.com/fero-180-4g-led-grow-light/

yet one sold for more than double ( even though it's a slightly better light ) what is going on?

 

[WeJuana]

hey WeJuana, have you ever looked into Haight Solid State LED's ? they use 6w leds, this company is new to me but has been around, what do you know about their grow lightS?


Is it me or these could be coming from the exact same place in China : http://www.hydrogrowled.com/Penetrator-84X-PRO-LED-Grow-Light-P84.aspx http://www.feroledlighting.com/fero-180-4g-led-grow-light/

yet one sold for more than double ( even though it's a slightly better light ) what is going on?

I have heard about them, but I haven't done any research on them yet.

As for the second statement, I have no idea. They appear similar in packaging, but then again so do the Spectra and Blackstar at face value. It all depends on functionality which I have no room to judge on, as I have no experience with Fero LEDs plus I have not fully completed a harvest with the first run of plants on these current lights.

 

[WeJuana]

Spectra:

W/ Flash

Blackstar:

W/ Flash:

Penetrator:

W/ Flash:

 

[karr]

Did you ever establish what height you are putting each light at? The stationary 55in thing caught me a while back, just curious if it has been revised.


If i were comparing nutrients, i would follow the directions on the bottle, wouldn't you?

 

[WeJuana]

Did you ever establish what height you are putting each light at? The stationary 55in thing caught me a while back, just curious if it has been revised.


If i were comparing nutrients, i would follow the directions on the bottle, wouldn't you?

Definitely, but the theory works better with bottles of nutrients, and not a perpetual grow.

As is, the lights are all within 24" of the top canopy which is in the suggested range of all of the lights to my understanding. (12-24"). Eventually I will be entering plants into the tents taller than the ones now which will require the lights to be at this height. For that reason I chose to control the height variable by keeping all the lights at the same distance of 55" for the time being. Later I may take the lights down to the closest of the suggested range, but in my opinion if one is growing a 4x4 space, its about maximizing the footprint of the light to cover the growing area evenly, rather than hover close and be much brighter and intense on those directly underneath.