$750 Max on LED for 4x4 - What would you get?

SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
I'd love to DIY and have some ideas but it's another project I don't know when I'll get around to (mid getting licensed for commercial cannabis and starting my business).

The max budget I was setting aside for a DIY project was about $700.

Criteria
LED only - This is in my home office and I don't want to have to deal with excessive heat &/or ventilation noise.
Good for about 16 square feet (4x4)
Not actually 4' long (tent with negative pressure is like 44-45" where it's sucking in and I'd rather not actually have it touch.
Good brand, I love my Mars Hydro to date but if I buying and I've got a bit of a budget I'd like to move up.
Ideally 3000k or heavy supplemental reds - this is for my flowering tent. I only veg the last ~2 weeks in there normally (at most)

Thoughts so far:

HLG 600 RSPEC - currently on sale for 721 (I checked, can't double up and use the RIU10 coupon as well)
Migro Array 4 (x2) - approx 650 for two with the added red Osram
Looked at the Timber Cypress but they're too wide for my 4x4 slightly and I'd really rather not upsize my tent at this point. I'm already running out of home office space.
 
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SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
NOTE: THIS IS NOT FOR MY COMMERCIAL OP

This is a light for my personal stash that I'll keep growing even when I have my commercial op off the ground
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
still_smoked said:
Just bought the HLG 600 for 721$ which is in my 2.5x5. Though this light

my baby autos are loving it!

they’re having a special this month
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That's what I'm looking at and I'll have the $ one day before the sale ends. My only worry is the suggested spacing - 28-36" above the canopy is a LOT of headspace for my tent....

On the plus side, the 600 is rated to flower a 5x5 so I'll probably have it around 75-80% anyways (I'm assuming at that much of a power reduction I can try and keep it closer).
 
still_smoked

still_smoked

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
That's what I'm looking at and I'll have the $ one day before the sale ends. My only worry is the suggested spacing - 28-36" above the canopy is a LOT of headspace for my tent....

On the plus side, the 600 is rated to flower a 5x5 so I'll probably have it around 75-80% anyways (I'm assuming at that much of a power reduction I can try and keep it closer).
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Nice! It was this or the timbers.

I currently have mine about 40” and a little less then minimum power.

not sure how it’ll go later but we’ll see. But was thinking the same thing. My light is kind of on the big side for my tent. But with the extra power and ability to dim I figured I can cut back or power up when needed.
 
still_smoked

still_smoked

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
Agreed, my original thought was either going to be doing a DIY or another Mars Hydro and run them both.... but I really want something better at this point.
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I heard the DIY are the same as the pre built and plus you get to save some money from labor.

i did consider the 3500 by mars but found mixed reviews. So I ended up just going with HLG as I felt I was getting what I was paying for.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
still_smoked said:
Nice! It was this or the timbers.

I currently have mine about 40” and a little less then minimum power.

not sure how it’ll go later but we’ll see. But was thinking the same thing. My light is kind of on the big side for my tent. But with the extra power and ability to dim I figured I can cut back or power up when needed.
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That's my thought...and I'd like to move to a dedicated grow room/larger tent in the next year or so and this will handle now AND later without another upgrade.

@PadawanWarrior is gonna love that I'm debating on converting to HLG lol
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
still_smoked said:
I heard the DIY are the same as the pre built and plus you get to save some money from labor.

i did consider the 3500 by mars but found mixed reviews. So I ended up just going with HLG as I felt I was getting what I was paying for.
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Oh I meant pure strip build DIY not their DIY lights... and actually with the sale their DIY kit is more than a pre-built at the moment lol
 
X

Xsan

Well-Known Member
Just to start the battle, Meijiu a8 is 750 shipped to midwest us for the 301H bulbs. I am in a similar boat as you and trying to decide between the 600r and the meijiu a8. the a8 is a strip style which helps with the headroom issue(im in a tent to so I have the same concern). Dimensions are 44x44 They also claim it is 650w vs the hlg 600. They use a 600 watt MW HLG driver so it confuses me how it is a 650w light but there are a few folks on here running them and have verified the 650. The downside of course is you are buying off alibaba and will be dealing with china in a warranty situation. Meijiu seems to have a good reputation across most sites with the exception of a few instances but IMO that can be said about most companies. HLG is a forum sponsor which I do appreciate so it is a plus for them as well.

I have also seen some people reccomend running 2 or 3 smaller lights so you can adjust as needed and you would also not be completely rickied if something went wrong with one of them

You will notice a lot of people on here say HLG or don't bother. There are a fair amount of Timber users and a fair amount using the alibaba lights as well. I dont see too many fans of the Mars hydro or the Viparspectra but it seems to be based on the old blurple style lights and false claims about performance. Kingbrite is another alibaba company that is getting good reviews.

I am new to this as well so take what I mentioned with a grain of salt but I am sure some of the experts or more experienced folks will chime in
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Xsan said:
Just to start the battle, Meijiu a8 is 750 shipped to midwest us for the 301H bulbs. I am in a similar boat as you and trying to decide between the 600r and the meijiu a8. the a8 is a strip style which helps with the headroom issue(im in a tent to so I have the same concern). Dimensions are 44x44 They also claim it is 650w vs the hlg 600. They use a 600 watt MW HLG driver so it confuses me how it is a 650w light but there are a few folks on here running them and have verified the 650. The downside of course is you are buying off alibaba and will be dealing with china in a warranty situation. Meijiu seems to have a good reputation across most sites with the exception of a few instances but IMO that can be said about most companies. HLG is a forum sponsor which I do appreciate so it is a plus for them as well.

I have also seen some people reccomend running 2 or 3 smaller lights so you can adjust as needed and you would also not be completely rickied if something went wrong with one of them

You will notice a lot of people on here say HLG or don't bother. There are a fair amount of Timber users and a fair amount using the alibaba lights as well. I dont see too many fans of the Mars hydro or the Viparspectra but it seems to be based on the old blurple style lights and false claims about performance. Kingbrite is another alibaba company that is getting good reviews.

I am new to this as well so take what I mentioned with a grain of salt but I am sure some of the experts or more experienced folks will chime in
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That's a fair statement on Mars Hydro (can verify) - the newer ones are getting better but ~650 for the FC4800 (480 watt) or ~720 for the HLG 600 RSPEC (for the sale that ends Saturday)... there's no way I'd give my money to Mars again lol

EDIT: Just wanted to note- I would love a strip style light that I could run closer except the ones for a 4x4 are made with the 44.1" strips... so with any negative pressure your tent is gonna touch your lights. I REALLY don't like the sound of that.
 
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Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
Glad to see people supporting HLG. I had a small issue with a dimming screw on my driver and after talking to their customer service they sent me an entirely new driver with no hassle. After such a good service experience I would recommend not only for the great product but also, their customer service is great. It feels good to support a good USA business with a good reputation
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Nizza said:
Glad to see people supporting HLG. I had a small issue with a dimming screw on my driver and after talking to their customer service they sent me an entirely new driver with no hassle. After such a good service experience I would recommend not only for the great product but also, their customer service is great. It feels good to support a good USA business with a good reputation
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Customer service stories like this have been a huge part of my considerations. Did you get to keep the old driver by any chance? LOL
 
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