When you guys say QB I know it stands for quantum board I'm just not sure what actual product you're suggesting I use. I guess I just don't have the vocabulary to talk DIY lighting. I've no real interest in DIY setups either. It's worth it to me to pay someone else for that.
So you got a bunch of links - heres the important thing to remember about all of these. They are basically the same thing, 2 simple components, in various configurations.
Theres a board with LEDs and a heat sink on it. Then there is a power supply, or driver.
Aside from the connectors and hanging hardware which is included 99.9% of the time and not worth thinking about — that’s it.
Mars, Gavita, HLG, Meijiu, Spider Farmer, all just package these boards and drivers into kits. What varies is the quality of the chips and drivers. Pick a reputable company that sells Samsung LM301h chips on the board and Meanwell drivers, and you are getting the most stable, current LED tech at the best price point, imo.
Hey Bob. I was just checking out the HLG 650 which looks to be 4x 160W QBs spread out over a frame. The total size of the thing is about 26" x 21". Would that be able to hit the edges of the tent that could be up to 18 in away? The reason I like the setups I've mentioned above are because of the huge form factor of the Gavita or the ability of the long and narrow Mars' to spread out over the tent. I'm not sure 630w is going to outperform 900w. The HLG runs about $1100 too so I'm really not saving anything but am giving up a lot of wattage. Is there something about the QB technology that I don't know?
Not Bob, but that’s the reason I didn’t go HLG. I prefer having the boards on separate heat sinks so I can space them appropriately In the tent. HLG is also pretty high priced. It’s debatable (and well debated, so none of it here I hope) as to why and they are certainly a wonderful company to work with. They are the first to introduce QBs to the market.
Went with Meijiu and got same chips, drivers, and board config I wanted. I can move individual panels anywhere in he tent.