480 or 600w bar led for a 4'x4'?

farmingfisherman

Well-Known Member
Not a rep. Just like seeing prices coming down on bar lights.

 

lakesidegrower

Well-Known Member
im also looking for a 600W+ light- is the standard not better than the LM301B at this point? I run 301H which I like, but didn't samsung just come out with a new horticulture diode?? Its been a year since i've been into this, and already I feel miles behind the tech
 

Milky Weed

Well-Known Member
im also looking for a 600W+ light- is the standard not better than the LM301B at this point? I run 301H which I like, but didn't samsung just come out with a new horticulture diode?? Its been a year since i've been into this, and already I feel miles behind the tech
LED’s are starting to plateau out efficiency wise, don’t stress too much about it. if you get a LED now in theory it should last you atleast 5 years.
 

Noodles42

Member
I promise I don’t work for them

other people mentioned discount codes but I don’t know for this exact light. I liked my ez 8 I got from them. you could get this and just turn it down. Outside of USA price is silly though.
Do you happen to remember if their shipping is discreet?

I don't see anything about it on the sight.

The CCFC code works for this light too, dropping the price below $540 with free shipping.
Screenshot_20211219-151826_DuckDuckGo.jpg
 

Milky Weed

Well-Known Member
Do you happen to remember if their shipping is discreet?

I don't see anything about it on the sight.

The CCFC code works for this light too, dropping the price below $540 with free shipping.
View attachment 5049936
They had a blurb somewhere that you just have to contact them to let them know you want discreet shipping. There newer model lights should come in discreet packaging, the regular fold 8 and ez-8 you have to ask if I remember right.
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member

I've got their FD6500 and it kicks. Been in constant use since May and not a single issue. Prices are right too.
 

XtraGood

Well-Known Member
I'm trying to find something around $600 if that helps
You can build a Bridgelux 4' strip build with 18 4' strips and 2 HLG-320-42's for about $370 plus shipping, wires, maybe some wagos, and angle aluminum, so about $420-450 for everything. 640+Watts and everything runs cool enough to touch&hold when maxed out, except the faces of the leds themselves.
 

Bucsfan80

Well-Known Member
These are being advertised in my area. Price seems fair but don't know anyone who is using it.

You can build a Bridgelux 4' strip build with 18 4' strips and 2 HLG-320-42's for about $370 plus shipping, wires, maybe some wagos, and angle aluminum, so about $420-450 for everything. 640+Watts and everything runs cool enough to touch&hold when maxed out, except the faces of the leds themselves.
I'd like to build my own light but no nothing about electronics. Is it something that could be done not knowing electronics?
 

Buddernugs

Well-Known Member
Don’t trust par maps with numbers that display in patterns……if every corner is the same exact number it’s a bullshit map,and used to creat increased profits…..not trying to be a dick…..it’s just a reality that 99% of light company’s are scummy like that…..kinda like FPS in the archery and gun world type scummy behavior….
 

Buddernugs

Well-Known Member
I don’t even think about buying a light that wasn’t tested by this guy….he goes into so much detail that he literally checks with the jewelers loop every diode ….out of thousands !……one by one ……to make sure that they are the real diods and not fakes…..
 

bk78

Well-Known Member
Don’t trust par maps with numbers that display in patterns……if every corner is the same exact number it’s a bullshit map,and used to creat increased profits…..not trying to be a dick…..it’s just a reality that 99% of light company’s are scummy like that…..kinda like FPS in the archery and gun world type scummy behavior….
You also say to stay away from any 6 bar light, so I guess the ChilLed x6 is garbo then?
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Don’t trust par maps with numbers that display in patterns……if every corner is the same exact number it’s a bullshit map,and used to creat increased profits…..not trying to be a dick…..it’s just a reality that 99% of light company’s are scummy like that…..kinda like FPS in the archery and gun world type scummy behavior….
I totally agree. Proven by a quantum PAR meter under multiple brands and shapes/types. Why I strongly recommend a meter. Helps with plant placement for optimal growth.
 

Buddernugs

Well-Known Member
You also say to stay away from any 6 bar light, so I guess the ChilLed x6 is garbo then?
Chill craft gets a pass because they have 4 rows of diodes on each bar, however theirs only 1770 total diodes in that specific light. At 600 watts that is a lot of juice for that amount of chips….. so it’s not going to last as long as other lights with the same power but more diodes….some haveing over 3000 total diodes…. I’ve seen their par maps on their sight as wel as independent testing. For me, it doesn’t fit my guild lines because it struggles to light up all 4 corners with 600-650ppfd and the center under 1000ppfd
 

Buddernugs

Well-Known Member
I totally agree. Proven by a quantum PAR meter under multiple brands and shapes/types. Why I strongly recommend a meter. Helps with plant placement for optimal growth.
He’s doing 2 test now….first with the normal appoge quantum meter 400-700nm range…then he uses the new E-par appoge meter and makes a 2nd. Map but in the 400-750 range which includes far red…
 

firemarshall22

Active Member
I’d stay away from any light your going to use in a 4x4 space that has less than 8 bars…..for two reasons …..reason number one as far as even light coverage and even par throughout the canopy, it’s going to be absolute trash that’s probably why they don’t have a par map listed….. reason number 2 is. Less bars mean last diode‘s which means you’re gonna cook the shit out of those diode‘s faster than you would if there were two more bars….just my 2c
I don't agree with this at all. Yes, you MAY get more diodes with 8 bar lights, it depends on the model and the maker. But even with more diodes, if the wattage is the same with 8 bars as with 6 bars, you actually lose light penetration the 8 bars. Yeah, the par map of the 8 bar might look good at 12inches but who cares if everything below 18/24 inches is popcorn because the penetration sucks - too much power spread over too many bars equals less penetration, even with more LEDs. The 6 bar light gives better coverage vertically than the 8 bar. The very top nugs are important but I care just as much about the next 1-2 feet of lower buds.
Also, the difference in horizontal Par coverage between 6 and 8 bars is practically nothing so the extra money to build 8 bars isn't really worth it all. I know, I've tried myself and was extremely disappointed.

I used to build DIY LEDs before the market got cheap enough for me to buy complete lights for cheaper. I've tried all kinds of scenarios, always used Samsung chips and quality drivers. Used to cost me approximately $1 per watt for quality Samsung strips and Meanwell drivers to make essentially the same thing we buy now (just my frames were terribly ugly lol). Now I buy lights for .75 cents per watt and don't have to build them or worry about replacing anything myself if something goes wrong during the warranty :)

In my opinion -
6 bars for 450-700w watt lights
8 bars for 700+ watt lights

As far as cooking the shit out of diodes... I agree if the number of LEDs is under 1000 for a 600ish watt light. Example.. Grower's Choice only used 1320 LEDs (and Osram for that matter lol) for 680 watts in their 680 ROI light... and their light didn't cook the shit out of the diodes. Their lights last at least 3 years. Samsung LEDs will also last longer, so my 2 cents is as long as a 6 bar light is using more than 1500 or so quality LEDs, you are in a good spot. The last 6 bar lights I bought have 2000 Samsung lm301b chips, I feel pretty confident I will get at least 5 years out of these bad boys and for as cheap as they were, I'm super happy, especially not having to build them lol!!
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
I don't agree with this at all. Yes, you MAY get more diodes with 8 bar lights, it depends on the model and the maker. But even with more diodes, if the wattage is the same with 8 bars as with 6 bars, you actually lose light penetration the 8 bars. Yeah, the par map of the 8 bar might look good at 12inches but who cares if everything below 18/24 inches is popcorn because the penetration sucks - too much power spread over too many bars equals less penetration, even with more LEDs. The 6 bar light gives better coverage vertically than the 8 bar. The very top nugs are important but I care just as much about the next 1-2 feet of lower buds.
Also, the difference in horizontal Par coverage between 6 and 8 bars is practically nothing so the extra money to build 8 bars isn't really worth it all. I know, I've tried myself and was extremely disappointed.

I used to build DIY LEDs before the market got cheap enough for me to buy complete lights for cheaper. I've tried all kinds of scenarios, always used Samsung chips and quality drivers. Used to cost me approximately $1 per watt for quality Samsung strips and Meanwell drivers to make essentially the same thing we buy now (just my frames were terribly ugly lol). Now I buy lights for .75 cents per watt and don't have to build them or worry about replacing anything myself if something goes wrong during the warranty :)

In my opinion -
6 bars for 450-700w watt lights
8 bars for 700+ watt lights

As far as cooking the shit out of diodes... I agree if the number of LEDs is under 1000 for a 600ish watt light. Example.. Grower's Choice only used 1320 LEDs (and Osram for that matter lol) for 680 watts in their 680 ROI light... and their light didn't cook the shit out of the diodes. Their lights last at least 3 years. Samsung LEDs will also last longer, so my 2 cents is as long as a 6 bar light is using more than 1500 or so quality LEDs, you are in a good spot. The last 6 bar lights I bought have 2000 Samsung lm301b chips, I feel pretty confident I will get at least 5 years out of these bad boys and for as cheap as they were, I'm super happy, especially not having to build them lol!!
I have a 6 bar Phlizon 640 watts. 2500+ Samsung diodes. A few dollars over $500 delivered. This thing kicks. I appreciate your knowledge and sharing it. I'll be using that criteria when I buy a second light.
 

firemarshall22

Active Member
I just did a simple 10 minute research on Medic Grow Lights. I contacted and asked..

What diodes do you use?
Answer: Samsung LM301D.

What drivers do you use?
Answer: We make our own.


So they use the cheaper Samsung diodes, like a lot of companies unfortunately. These lm301D are at least 10% less efficient than standard lm301B chips. I know because I've literally tried the difference a couple years ago. The lm301B are worth the extra price, hands down.
I assume this company buys cheaper Samsung chips so they can advertise that they use many more of them in their lights. Makes sense but kind of ehh.
They also say they make their own drivers, which to me, sounds code for they buy some no name brand driver and then tell you they make their own. If they make their own driver, I'd like to see the specs on them, but unfortunately that wasn't available.

That one light they have with the electronic contoller thing changing spectrums seems badass but I wouldn't gamble 5 years on that thing working, and if/when it does go down, you need a whole new light.
When I look for lights, I always make sure everything is detachable, so if 1 thing goes wrong, I don't have to ship in a whole new light. For instance, detachable bars, frame, driver, outside DC cords are epic.

I actually looked in detail at Medic Grow, looks good but the devil is in the details especially the components ;)
 

firemarshall22

Active Member
LED’s are starting to plateau out efficiency wise, don’t stress too much about it. if you get a LED now in theory it should last you atleast 5 years.

1000% agree!!

Just check out the details and you should be good. Not like 5 years ago when 90% of LEDs were so terrible.

Detail check list:
Quality Components (LEDs, Drivers, Frames/Heatsinks)
Par Maps
Warranty
USA company
 
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