Apollo horticulture vs. ipower 400w?

[Bluegrassgrower]

anybody with experience with either of these? is one better than the other?

 

[Bluegrassgrower]

nobody at all?

 

[Metasynth]

I used an Apollo hps bulb, 400w, and it worked out quite well. Just used the bulb though, not their ballast.

 

[puffnpaint]

i have a 600 watt ipower and haven`t had any issues yet. only been runnin it since august though so take it for what it`s worth.

 

[Xrangex]

*BUMP*

I'm ordering a 400w mh/hps lamp tomorrow and am stumped on whether I should go with the Apollo Horticulture 400w WING reflector kit for or the iPower 400w COOLTUBE reflector kit..

I havent seen any grows using Apollo or the iPower lights, so i'm wondering if anyone else has experience with either.

400w Apollo - wing reflector- http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-Dimmable-Reflector-Accessories/dp/B004YXDHX6/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2

400w iPower - cooltube reflector- http://www.hpsgrowlightstore.com/hps1510/best-grow-light-systems/400-watt-grow-light-sets/ipower-grow-light-400w-hps-mh-dimmable-cool-tube-reflector-set.html


I'm leaning towards iPower cause i've always wanted a cooltube, since its a closet grow i'd like to keep things cool. They both come with timers and ratchets, both mh/hps and come with the bulbs. They're around the same price, but i'm wondering if sacrificing the cooltube for apollo ballast/bulbs would be worth it? Or is iPower a good brand? lol

 

[Rancho Cucamonga]

I use Lumatek, wouldn't use any other type of ballast. But I have heard that both, more so the Ipower, have RF issues.

 

[ruffrider]

I'm currently in the market for a new 600w light and I power is the brand I've been looking at as well. Haven't seen any grows on here with em but the amazon feedback seems good so I don't see why they wouldn't be any good. Any input from this community would be excellent

 

[themullisk]

ive used the ipower 400 watt mh/hps for over 2 years now and it works great just change the bulb every year or so

 

[Xrangex]

ive used the ipower 400 watt mh/hps for over 2 years now and it works great just change the bulb every year or so

That's what I like to hear!
Did you get it from amazon or hpsgrowlightstore.com?

 

[Xrangex]

I use Lumatek, wouldn't use any other type of ballast. But I have heard that both, more so the Ipower, have RF issues.

What do you mean by RF issues?

 

[Rancho Cucamonga]

I'm currently in the market for a new 600w light and I power is the brand I've been looking at as well. Haven't seen any grows on here with em but the amazon feedback seems good so I don't see why they wouldn't be any good. Any input from this community would be excellent

Almost never, ever, go by Amazon reviews. They are not moderated and you don't have to provide proof that you bought item off amazon in order to leave a review there. If going by reviews look for "verified purchase" under the review title but still be wary as there are many who will leave a good review even if they have yet to truly use a product for any amount of time. About 90% of amazon reviews are made within a week or two of buying the product, hardly enough time to review a product that should last 5-10 years.

 

[Rancho Cucamonga]

Radio Frequency. Cheaper ballasts tend not to have good rf insulation, which can cause it to interfere with any system or device that recieves a radio signal. Anything form tvs, pcs, remotes, radios, cbs, security systems, audio systems, ect. ect.
If it has the 5 year warranty like the Lumatek's I use then go for it if it's all you can afford, but don't be surprised if it blows bulbs and if the worst happens and the ballast goes out if they will honor the warranty.
I have yet for a Lumatek to fail after 3 years of constant use, but I do use Digilux bulbs and have had a few go bad before the 1 year guaranteed warranty is up and every time that has happened I send them a picture of my bulb through email after I remove the connector(they request this) and fill out the warranty form online and I have a new Digilux bulb at my doorstep in less then 10 days. I have done this at 2 months, and once at 11 months, no hassles.
My point, get the warranty info and make sure they will honor it before you buy.

 

[MrKringle]

I got the 400w cool tube ipower, did the am test and yep.. RF issues. Only did it cus someone has a stories bout cable company knocking on his door looking for whatever. FAA looking for signals cus ham radio operators get fucked up signals from 8am-8pm. Some shit IDont know.

 

[JimmyHamilton21]

I have an LEDWHOLESALERS 400 system with a cool tube I got on amazon that has been running for at least a year or two now, only blew one bulb, which i replaced with an apollo hps. I am now looking at a apollo 600hps setup with a large cool tube hood that will work well in my room. Think I am going to go with apollo and give it a shot. I am low on cash and a $500 lumitek setup is just not an option right now when you can get this on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EW026Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2WRS4X4C0GMOQ

 

[Lo Budget]

I got the Apollo 600w kit from amazon few months ago. Has a dimmable digital ballast, timer, ratchet hangers & both (mh & hps) bulbs. Didn't need a cool tube since I'm in a basement, so I just got the wing hood package. A cool tube reflector isn't much more when you buy a kit but they are pricey afterthoughts. I think I paid around $157USD. Everything seems to be decent quality, I've been pretty happy so far. Sure beats the T12 40W 48" florescent & a couple of clip-on reflector 'grow light' incandescents I was using. 3yr warranty on the ballast & a year on the bulbs I think.

 

[Dannysayo]

Yea I was thinking of getting that 400watt Apollo from Amazon also

 

[JimmyHamilton21]

I ordered the 600 Apollo kit that included an hps bulb only and a 30x25x7 hood with 6inch cool tube. Cost $170. They had the one with both bulbs and a timer for $30 more but I already have a 400 with my and hps if I need it. Will start a thread on it and if I have any issues will post as time goes by.

 

[Dannoo93]

I have one of the ipower400watt digital dimmable it ahorted out and stopped working after 3 months sent it in a week later i had a new one been runnin 18 hours a day ...so i happy with it and the customef service

 

[immaculus]

I have an ipower 600w digital ballast right behind my bedroom tv and sat receiver. No RF interference to mention.

 

[DemonTrich]

basement grow, veg and flower tents 4x4x7, appollo 600w cool tube XL hood's, and dimmable digital ballasts. 1 month in veg 18/6 and i love it. no issues. heard the appollo is a little better than the ipower brand, so i went with that recomendation. just wish i went with the 1000 lights.