Phantom/quantum/solistek?!?!?!?!?...

Hi RIU crew, I'm in the market (finally) for a new lighting systems. I wanted to if with a 600 watt ballast with and air cooled hood. I think I'm leaning towards the quantum but the phantom and solis tek are very intriguing. I have a few questions here,
1- does anyone have any info or a chart or something on which types bulbs are compatible with certain types ballast?
2- does anyone have any info on ballast they use and like, not if u have used one type but if I have tried a few of these??
3- if the three I mentioned are not ones u like yourself, what do you use, nex gen, galaxy, Apollo, I power, lumatek. (The last three I mentioned are pretty much out of the question)!!
4- I'm open to mag ballast and not only dig but someone would have to convince the hell out of me that they aren't as loud and hot as most say!!

Some say fans are bad in ballast since the suck in dust and shit!! So I started to lean towards the phantom. But I got to thinking why in the hell is anyone growing in a place with suck dust

I really want to avoid any mishaps with the ballast bulb combo as all know it's expensive. I got one hot at this. I have no problem spending the cash but I jut want it to be right. I have a little over month to figure it out!! Please crew ideas!! I'll toss some pics up if I get some responses (3 reg sub cool jillybean, 1 Jordan of the islands gods lemon skunk, purple cheese auto and transiberian auto)

I'll bite. I run a couple lumatek 600W adjustable with super lumens. Never messed with the super lumens, just run as straight 600. I use digilux bulbs, HPS and MH together in a 8" dual raptor hood.https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/801965-mh-hps-combo-rotational-grow.html I know the lumateks get a bad rap, but I honestly haven't had an issue with them at all. They are a little warm to the touch, but nothing alarming. 117 is what my infrared tells me it is on contact. My room stays mid-70's tops while lights are on.

But in all honesty, if I were in the market for a new ballast, I'd be getting a baddass ballast. Looking into the science behind why they designed it the way that they do, I feel it is the superior ballast currently available.

FWIW.

I have an adjust-a-watt by soldigital 250-660w, it's roughly in the same price range as the lumatek and stays really cool all the time.
Like SunJ I don't bother with the overdrive feature, I'm happy with it anyway.

I like the Lumitek...and hortilux bulbs. I wouldn't go back to a mag ballast...ever. Too hot/noisy

Lumatek (model w/o fan)

Super Hortilux

I use SolisTek digital(has a 5 yr. Warranty) w/eye hortilux. Excellent replacement for the 1000 watt virtual sun I was using. Can use 400, 600, 1000 watt bulbs. My next grow I'm going to use 600 watt bulb. Can dim and boost. They call it overdrive. The remote is a cool feature. Has several preset modes. 12/12 18/6 19/5 20/4 21/3 etc... so many features. Because of the efficiency of the ballast it extends the life of bulbs. To many more to list.

I have a Phantom it works good.
I also have a bunch a Lumateks they work just as good.

IMO- Don't buy a ballast that needs a fan to cool it.
You shouldn't need a fan in your ballast.
I see bad engineering when they need to add a fan to a ballast.
The Ballast is running to hot to begin with or they wouldn't need a fan to cool the Ballast.

Good Luck on Your Grow.

Fan is a weak link. Ask any computer service tech. Dust builds up, balance is thrown off, bearing fails and fan stops.

Ive used many different digital ballast but i prefer Nanolux for my 600's i run Digilux MH's in them.

I'm sorry, this is just too impressive not to look at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nrln4VOqg

Def going to try baddass next time I'm in the market.

galaxies 4-600's for years without a problem.

U know I noticed a little info on the adv n bad ass ballast wasn't sure if this was to new technology to buy, if the bugs weren't fished out yet. Any opinions on 4/6 or 1000 watt I know it's not so good to use 1000s on residential electricity since it's not 240v it runs on a shit ton of hertz. But you guys say lumatek is worth my time to look into they are just so cheap online I feel it's a get what u pay for kind f thing no??

Lumateks aren't the cheapest, but they were what I decided to go with and have been happy with their performance. Had one issue with my plugs mating to the hood, but hydro store carried the adapter. I read all the horror stories of lumateks only after I'd already ordered mine and was worried. Year later they are still performing as promised and show no signs of giving out.... crossing fingers...

But when they do... The baddass is based on solid science. I know a thing or two about electronics and radiation, and light is another form of radiation. If you got the dough, I highly suggest baddass. All will soon follow this model when more thorough testing is completed. Definitely going to have something like this when my Luma's give out!

As promised here's some pics it usually won't do more than one at a time sorry here's the jilly beans

I fimed one and am lst/super cropping 2 of them

Those were the 2 autos View attachment 3013575The fimed one

Again any ideas on lighting is much appreciated wanna make the most of this 2nd round!!