I got the Ipower 600 watt set-up on Ebay...with the glass-pane 6 inch reflector..not the cooltube..for 230 with no shipping..came in 2 days. Been running the light 24/7 with no problems other than ifyou turn it off, you have to let it stay off for about 5 mins for it to come back on. I started using the timer and the light went on and off without a hitch. I registered for their customer service warranty...the review of their warranty by others is OUTSTANDING. Lights are lights is what I've figured out.
I have a hydro store 2 blocks away, alot of the stuff is comparable price wise to online, but as far as HPS set ups and ballasts...TWICE as much as ordering. Maybe once you have a couple harvests and you can afford to go down there and blow smoke up each others asses with the snotty college kid that works there that doesn't know shit, and the owner who is usually there with a shit attitude as well... like there's a secret handshake or something. I got my Pro-mix for 45 bucks so I didnt have to order it, but I'll only be going to the hydro shop for emergencies due to their inflated mark-up.
Kinda like the head shop, pot smoking is cool now..so now the bong I got for 175 5 years ago, is 550. WTF..is glass that much more to make now, or is there just a market for it now. Exactly. My shit better never break, because Ill be smoking out of an apple before I ever by a bong for that much.