Bottom Shelf vs. Top shelf

Looking to purchase a ballast off Ebay,

they got this iPower 1000w with 2 bulbs
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/180877784621?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&var=480131408513&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT)

its like $200 bucks, free shipping. Obviously chinese, bottom shelf.

Or ...

Lumatek AC 1000 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lumatek-1000w-Air-Cooled-Dimmable-Digital-Ballast-LK1000AC-MH-HPS-Lighting-Lamp-/201140045705?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item2ed4e18789)

$175, top-shelf, NO BULBS.

Then purchase both MH and HPS from EyeHortilux, another 60-90 per bulb.

top shelf total comes out to roughly 325 give or take. 325 vs. 200.

will the lumatek and hortilux be MUCH of a difference from the ipower package?

damn, forgot about the light reflector. say $360 vs. $200

Funny because I have both but in 600 watters. I see no difference in the ballast since both were dimmable. The bulbs and reflectors are what makes a difference, but it's your money bro so you do what's best for you.

was just looking through this. ipower is not even mentioned, same with apollo. are these ballasts just chinese knockoffs?

cassinfo said:

Funny because I have both but in 600 watters. I see no difference in the ballast since both were dimmable. The bulbs and reflectors are what makes a difference, but it's your money bro so you do what's best for you.

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Have you had any experience with Lumatek to see that there wasn't much of a difference?

go with the luma, it's all i use. no probs.

What kinds of bulbs do you use for your Luma?

BuDz047 said:

Have you had any experience with Lumatek to see that there wasn't much of a difference?

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I have both. I purchased my ipower after my bulb to my lumatek died out. I saw the ipower setup on eBay for $150 which included everything and I was like damn this shit us cheap. I pay almost that much for the hortilux bulbs alone!! Placed my order and been using it till this day. Equipment does not make you a better grower, experience is the key in my opinion.

BuDz047 said:

What kinds of bulbs do you use for your Luma?

Click to expand...

any bulb that is o.k. to use with a digi ballast. what cass says is true. i just hate buying equip. more than once. i've had my first lumatek ballast for 6 yrs. still no prob. and, that's a great price for 1000 watts imo.

ah. now i understand, thanks guys