What's the deal with HTG and Lumatek?

I noticed HTG sells Lumatek ballast in a package on ebay but not on their web site? Any story hear because I want a different reflector to the one offered on ebay? HTG usually has the best deals on packages. They emailed me that they only sell them on ebay? Bootleg distributor? Story hear before proceeding because that is the ballast I am only seeking now and HTG appears to have good stealth and customer service after the sell... if you know what I mean? Curious before calling them???

Have you looked at these guys. I was just at there warehouse and everything looks legit. Huge warehouse full of ballasts, lights, shades. They seem to do a very high volume.
http://www.illumalights.com/

demonic1 said:

Have you looked at these guys. I was just at there warehouse and everything looks legit. Huge warehouse full of ballasts, lights, shades. They seem to do a very high volume.
http://www.illumalights.com/

Click to expand...

Wow nice link! I wish I had seen it 3 days ago!! I just ordered 2 more 600w systems from HTG. Got the shipping confirmation today and noticed the address they put in was wrong. Tried calling the shop all day long but nobody ever answered. I left two messages but nobody ever returned my call. I sent an email but nobody ever replied. If these show up at my neighbors house it's going to be a BIG F$%king problem! I know that htg are really good about over compensating ppl with free upgrades and deep discounts when they mess up, but they mess up too much. I'd rather just have my order correct on the first try and be able to get ahold of customer service when I call.

And, these illumalights folks appear to be selling the same exact systems for less! How are their shipping fees? Has anyone ever ordered from them?

As for the OP's question, HTG only sells Lumatek on ebay. I inquired. There is a company on ebay called msgsupply, and they have a lumatek 600w system with a sunleaves reflector for $300 shipped. It's a better deal than through HTG IMHO.

http://www.illumalights.com/

This company is Canadian. I don't want to deal with shipping into the usa or possible conversion dollars or returns. Nice idea but the company must be usa based for me. Thanks

From what I saw when I was at there warehouse, they mostly deal in the USA. The prices are listed in US dollars even in there warehouse. They had to convert it for me to tell me what it would cost for the items I wanted. I'm sure they're very experienced in dealing with the cross border thing. Basically the place is just a large warehouse. When I asked to see a 1000 watt ballast and see it run, they had to pull one off a full skid for me and the warehouse guy put it all together, the lights, the different shades and all. I'd say the area he pulled that ballast from had 20 skids full of the 1000 watt ballasts. They seemed like just a large company that deals mainly with mail order though. No showroom or anything. The equipment seemed ok to me and I'll probably get a digital ballast kit from them after i'm done with this grow.

They don't carry Lumatek. Best known company for digital. No fan in the ballast. To me another piece to breakdown in other ballast. My guess theirs is coolest of the bunch. I hope that is the money and research they can put into their product. This to me is the most important piece and potential most dangerous so I'll not go half way with anything else. good luck

They do have a fan in there ballasts. Only thing you can hear. As for the Lumatek name, that's all it is. I bet you, there's probably one one or two companies in the world that make these things, probably in the orient or somewhere and everyone just stamps there name on them and have the box design slightly changed. Sorry, I don't pay extra for a name. Usually the extra your paying for is just there marketing to convince you they're the best.

I dont want a fan in the ballast. the 2 best known digital gallast don't have fans. knock offs do.

judt to let you know that the Lumatek ballast is the most awesome thing I have ever seen in my life, except this one girl. She was HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sidharthas avatar.

well as an an elctrician once I can tell you that UL is better. Wait, I heard that on TV. I think as consumers we are probably crazy no to buy UL. Most grows are caught due to fire here. A lot of house fires. I dont want to be a statistic.

I am a crappy electrician, lol. But for me the choice was clear. I grow in an apt. I am medical. I cannot afford to have emi interference that a greenhouse can, nor even in my best months can i have standby ballasts on hand.

It was the emi that got me. Then it was the performance. Everyone said that going digital was not that big of a deal. But with this mag I had my power bills did not make sense. So itried out a 400 watt lumatek. The day I switched over I remember the brightness being so astounding it was like a put in a whole diferent bulb.. It is serious, no joke.

Lumatek is the only brand I see that has no emi interfernece. They were the only guys that make a big deal about it. It was in theor first models and they got rid of it with the blue and purple models. I trusted that. I am sure the other brands dont. But I have heard stories.

For a 600 I would go with mgs supply. If you want to save a 200 bucks wait on craigs list. I saw a perfect latest model for like 80 dollars. I was gonna sell mine for a 1000. Kept it.

Now I have two. A 400 and 600. I want that 1000 but this hobby has gotten my wallet enough. Sometimes I wonder if I should just stay on the pills and give up sleep. lol. Hobby has taken over excercise time I swear. So I want my ballast to be the best. QWuantum to me is soime mystery company. Lumatek sold me. LOl. I am not a salesman.

I just wrote a long post. it never made it. I was redirected. Lol. Go for U.L. House fire number 1 prob of grows in this area. Always on news. I was electrician, lol. Not the kind that can give advice. Lumatek good. I think a lot of digis are ok for greenhouses wear emi is no big deal. In apt I got to think this thru. I live the Lumatek. Every claim they make is true. Think about it, 30 percent brighter, it is obvious when I powered up. Lumeatek is a good reputable company. The box it comes in says it all. Blah, blah, blah a lot of crap but MGS supply for a lumatek right now is the best advice I can give.

Short of on craigs list I saw a brand new blue one for 80 bucks. I almost sold mine for 100 and it was new so I could buy a 1000. So good deals on rep stuff are out there.

I saw the HTG deals on Lumatek's as well. I know that Horizen Hydroponics stocks Lumatek's in their store fronts, as well as their online store. (hhydro.com) Ive seen imitations in the past, usually they are knock offs, with no warranties. Ive been shopping with Horizen for 13 yrs, never once had an issue. The staff I've talked with beat anyone hands down when it comes to knowledge. When it comes to fans and ballasts, my opinion is that... have you ever looked at your ceiling fan after a couple of months? Electronics aren't meant to be force fed dust. On that note, Lumatek has come out with a 1000w ballast with an internal fan, but the warranty on that ballast is only 3 yrs, not 5 yrs.