As a general rule of thumb, local grow shops are gonna' have higher overhead costs to make up for than online sources. Sure, some will charge whatever they can get away with despite lower operating costs. But local stores more likely represent another middle man who has to make their cut in the fiscal food chain.
is this light over priced?
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Brick Top
New Member
And it is not like every hydro store sells the very best of everything, even though the employees or owner will claim it is. Some will pick brands that will allow them to tack on the highest amount of markup and still allow them to remain fairly competitive price-wise.
Brick Top
New Member
It's like many businesses, they will have a loss leader, something they make squat on to make everything they sell appear inexpensive. Compare the prices and quality and name brands of their 600-watt light systems to HTGS.
This is the only one that is less expensive than the Digital Greenhouse at HTGS.
[h=1]Prowing 600w HPS System[/h]
$267.85 $184.85
Dimensions: 20 in.long x 15 1/2 in. wide x 4 1/4 in. tall. The Prowing refector offers a pebbled aluminum reflective material allows for great coverage and diffusion. The socket mogul, junction box and lamp cord are built in and pre-wired into the reflector. A sturdy galvanized steel spine give the reflecter rigidity. Hanging hardware is included. This unit can not hold glass and is not air coolable. Comes standard with:
(1) ProWing Reflector
(1) 600w HPS ProBox Ballast
(1) 600w Ultrasun HPS Bulb
[h=3]Specifications[/h] [h=2]Prowing 600w HPS System[/h] Reflector manufactured by Sol Power Lighting.
Standard Ballast manufactured by Sol Power Lighting
120 volt , 6.0 Amp , 60 Hz, 600 watt
Reflector dimensions: 20 Long x 15½ Wide x 4¼ Tall
Features a built-in-socket and pre-wired 15ft lamp cord
KidneyStoner420
Well-Known Member
Way overpriced. I bought my 250w on eBay for $118 shipped. Came with a switchable ballast, both mh and hps bulbs, batwing hood, hangers, and a timer.
Gastanker
Well-Known Member
Huh? So HTGs basic 1kW package comes with a generic bulb, maxwing, and 1kW non dimmable digital greenhouse for $319 http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Digital-Greenhouse-1000-watt-HPS-Grow-Light.asp
Urban sunshine (which isn't the cheapest) has a 1kW dimmable lumatek, generic bulb, and prowing relector for $336 with free shipping (same end price but a dimmable ballast that is higher quality). http://www.urbansunshine.com/prowing-1000-watt-Electronic-system
Personally I would encourage any shopper to buy from several dealers. Considering you can't opt out of the bulb from HTG for a discount I would recommend people put their own packages together. For $340 you can get a 1kW dimmable lumatek and close the equivalent of a raptor hood - considering you'll likely upgrade the bulb anyways I'd take that over a cheap ballast, a really cheap hood, and a cheap bulb for the same price.
un named
Active Member
man i love it when i make a thread and i forget about it lol. but thanks to all of you for the replys i wish i got here earlyer since i doubt you guys will look at the thread again haha.
yer AUD is australian dolla. i have got a bit of a dilema i think i have to order from inside australia since where i live South australia has a law that grow lights are illegal so i have heard, i will have to put a thread out about that lol. im looking for just a normal mh light with a ballast since i already have a 400 watt hps. i remember reading a thread that i can not find but he was explaining how his ballast was interfereing with his internet and other electical stuff what ballast was that was it the electic or digital? thanks
yer AUD is australian dolla. i have got a bit of a dilema i think i have to order from inside australia since where i live South australia has a law that grow lights are illegal so i have heard, i will have to put a thread out about that lol. im looking for just a normal mh light with a ballast since i already have a 400 watt hps. i remember reading a thread that i can not find but he was explaining how his ballast was interfereing with his internet and other electical stuff what ballast was that was it the electic or digital? thanks
Chadness
Member
hey man, Hydro lights are not illegal in aussie, but when you buy one from a store they do look at you sideways.
I've bought 5 of them over here in WA. No problems.
In the land down under you are looking at between $320 and $375 for a basic 600 watt system. they are expensive but with a small populations such as aussie what can ya do.
Most lights on ebay will ship from china so be careful.
Good luck
Chadness
Member
Did some research on this and it seems that the hydro stores over in SA need to be registered with the police.
If someone purchases a light equal to or greater than 400w over the counter then the store must sight I.d and report the sale to the police.
This also applies to carbon filters.
LOL Can someone say "archaic and draconian"?
If you want i can send ya one its all cool.
here is a link to a news article about it http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2008/jul/25/australia_grow_lights_now_illega
un named
Active Member
+rep thanks for the link.....if it comes to it that would be nice. but where did you read you need i.d when purchasing a 400watt or higher because it seems on that site that you carnt buy them at all in sotres in sa. but if thats the case i only need a 250 watt mh so i should be fine if they ask for a reason what you rekon of this excuse ''I have got ducks that lay fertile eggs and a mh light give off enough heat and cost cheaper then a incubater'' i have no idea how much incubaters are but still I DO HAVE DUCKS 
Chadness
Member
Lol homemade incubator sounds like a good idea.
You could also say that you are selectively breeding chillies so they can't be cross-pollinated by any other chillies as well.
I read the 400watts and over on another forum which was discussing the matter and i'm not sure if i'm able to post the link here so i didn't.
Anyways i also read that stores just over the border in victoria are experiencing growth in sales in excess of 80%
To find more info google hydro lights south australia. you will find the same info i did.
Hope this helps at all.
You could also say that you are selectively breeding chillies so they can't be cross-pollinated by any other chillies as well.
I read the 400watts and over on another forum which was discussing the matter and i'm not sure if i'm able to post the link here so i didn't.
Anyways i also read that stores just over the border in victoria are experiencing growth in sales in excess of 80%
To find more info google hydro lights south australia. you will find the same info i did.
Hope this helps at all.
Chadness
Member
Here is some more reading for you which describes the 400 watts and over
http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/hydroponics.jsp
This act was brought into effect in 2010.
Can't find anything else to condradict it so it wust still be in effect.
Lol looks like i'm not moving to SA anytime soon.
I thought WA was a nanny state.
http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/hydroponics.jsp
This act was brought into effect in 2010.
Can't find anything else to condradict it so it wust still be in effect.
Lol looks like i'm not moving to SA anytime soon.
I thought WA was a nanny state.
WaxxyNuggets
Active Member
Use the Mh excuse for lights over your aquarium. The blue light spectrum encourages the growth of your favorite aquatic plant species.
KidneyStoner420
Well-Known Member
This is the exact light setup I bought a few weeks ago
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250W-Digital-Ballast-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-System-/370565911702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5647731496
The seller responds to messages very quickly. So, ask if they will ship overseas.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250W-Digital-Ballast-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-System-/370565911702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5647731496
The seller responds to messages very quickly. So, ask if they will ship overseas.