If I was buying pre built RN and trying to be the cheapskate I am I wouldn't have a problem trying one out - Lord knows I've wasted so much on blurples...
Just remember you STILL generally get what you pay for.
If you snag one come back and update everyone please!
I paid too much for individual Fluence Ray 66 lights (66 inches) ... at the time, I didn't know anything about PAR. Rays are meant for veg and, even with 6 bars over each 4x6 (720 watts), I'm only in the high yield PAR range for about 3" from the lights, so I have a roughly uniform distribution of medium yield PAR ... dammit. Back then, I was focused on the length, purported 150k light hour lifespan, color spectrum, and the perceived benefit of each 66" bar light having its own driver. 29 lights x >$320 per each light & driver (24 for bloom, 4 in veg + sun, and 1 extra). At least, I can repurpose them as veg room backups -- the sun does most of the work.
So, I'm trying to be smarter about my next light purchase. Philips recently acquired Fluence and discontinued the Ray 66.... Friday, I emailed Fluence, asking to buy ~10 backup drivers (@ ~$55 each), but they might not have any left. I've got one backup. Well, as soon as I'm short a driver, I'll have to buy new gear. All those light hours left and no way to buy additional drivers unless the shorter Rays use the same driver. Sucks.
Anyway, I'm hoping to buy 1 new light fixture at a time over the next few years if I'm paying ~$1100/Gavita 2400 or Fluence SpyderX Plus -- but at Med Grow's price point, I'd buy 4 at once. Med Grow's driver has to be >$55 per backup driver; but I'd like to buy a couple spare drivers, so I'm not waiting weeks for a replacement through the warranty. At ~$500 to $600 per light, it might make sense to buy an extra 1 or 2 to avoid downtime if a driver blows.
medicgrow.com
