yup, the diodes themselves are totally different than the blackstar each one on the par 38 look like individual tiny circuit boards where the blackstar has led's that look like i have seen in other fixtures. this is my first attempt w/leds so i guess i dont really know but the par 38's definitely didn't look like i expected or perform like i would expect for as bright as they are i know leds cannot be judged for their intensity by looking at them. im just talking about penetration and shading ,they did very well at that. so it makes total sense that they are emitting a different type of light that is not as usable for photosythesis.(similar to trying to use a halogen bulb for growing) while my girls remained very green and did grow a little their growth was, was very stretched, leaf deformation and all in all less overall growth vs. the low output t5's. i could see how maybe the par 38's might be good for clones,since clones don't require that intense of a light. so you could possibly cover an entire 18 gallon aerocloner w/just one par 38,@ only 8 watts of consumed energy, which would be awesome however i am concerned that this differance in light could stunt or worse make my babies go hermi.it would be nice if 660nm would chime back in here he claims to have had some success w/them,and under his advice i bought them. i figure down the line i will try a test of the par 38's vs a compact flourescent for clones only however right now i only have one stinkbud aerocloner and i need every gd. lady i can get.
btw,if you guys have never used stinkbuds aerocloner you are missing out. this thing is the shit.
i will keep u posted
joe