I need advise on new HPS bulb and supplemental lighting for under the canopy

I am ready to buy a HPS bulb but I am unsure which is the best 400 watt HPS bulb available. I bought a Digilux 400 Watt MH an have heard that they arent very good and also my local grow shop gets more returns with Digilux than any other light. I was thinking of going with the Hortilux but I really need the right advise on which one to get.

My Question: Which is the best 400 watt HPS bulb available. Hortilux?

I am also going to buy a digital Ph meter. This liqued meter is so lame. It is too difficult to get the mix exactly right. I waisted 5 gallons of feed/water because I went over on the Phup by what I thought was a small amount but it read super green (over . Not again. I'm going digital.

My Question: Which is the most accurate Ph meter out there? Is there a Ph meter and a ppm meter that are all in one and under $100 U.S. If not both in one, which is the best Ph meter to get. I have about $100U.S. to work with on the Ph meter..??

I heard that Alaska produces HUGE veggies like tomatoes and cabbage. Is that true for pot too?

Hortilux is a major brand name in lighting for growers. I have not heard that there are more problems with them than any other brand.
I treat them all alike. Only problem with the 400 or 1000 watt bulbs I use has been when setting up a timer. Turning high wattage bulbs on and off quickly will
"burn out" a bulb faster than anything. Go ahead and buy the bulbs you want and don't worry about bulb problems.

I don't even use my Ph meter any more. Once you have a history with he same nutes you won't need to test every time. But, sounds like you are growing in hydro?
If so then you will need to test and monitor the Ph levels in your resoivor. For $12 you can get a good digital meter on eBay.

Good luck, BigSteve.

PS -- In 2006 I started in hydro as that is how my mentor grew. Six months later I'd tosed the equipment and started growing in dirt and never looked back.
Now I got 3 rooms going in a perpetual grow.

In the 2000s I bought expensive bulbs for my 430 HPS. Money became a concern, so I had to do my annual switch out to a generic Sylvania 400 HPS bulb from Home Depot, $20. Over the next 12 months, I saw no yield difference. Bought another and again numbers were consistent. I've never spent $100 on a bulb again.