HLG 600 R Spec & Mars Hydro FC4800 questions

SpideyManDan said:

This is literally the only time I would consider buying one, but even then the non removable driver is a fairly big no go for me. As per migro test, the more heat that the diodes are subjected too, the quicker the diodes become less efficient. The hlg board in the test, which was subjected to the highest amount of heat, actually showed higher levels of diode degradation after 6k hours then the other fixtures.
I'm on the prowl for a good board, but told many people jump on the hlg bandwagon. Hlg makes really expensive lights and they are simply pricing me out of buying one.

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The cool thing is the 20% off sale is site wide, so you could buy the DIY version for even less (around $610 with the sale), and put your driver wherever you like:

SpideyManDan said:

This is literally the only time I would consider buying one, but even then the non removable driver is a fairly big no go for me. As per migro test, the more heat that the diodes are subjected too, the quicker the diodes become less efficient. The hlg board in the test, which was subjected to the highest amount of heat, actually showed higher levels of diode degradation after 6k hours then the other fixtures.
I'm on the prowl for a good board, but told many people jump on the hlg bandwagon. Hlg makes really expensive lights and they are simply pricing me out of buying one.

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If you look at earlier in post hlg said you can remove the driver, However it is not recommended although they also claim that they will not void the warranty for removing the driver

I'm personally trying to stay in the 300 range. Like I get hlg is good but that shit is expensive. They use the best of the best, but I'm not trying to buy a bmw, I just want a nice toyota lol

PJ Diaz said:

If you reduce your profit margin from 20% to 15% but you sell twice as many units, you've made more money. This isn't rocket science, it's basic math.

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Exactly. That plus we use the higher volumes to leverage better pricing for components which goes directly to the end user. HLG has no investors outside the 2 founders. That being said we have a great following and feel our fans have invested thier trust in us which we value more than money. If you guys knew what I actually take home for a living you probably wouldn't look at us as more than lower middle class because that's where I fall. My wife works 40+ hrs per week with no compensation. "Our" salary is less than a teaching couple brings home in our community. So I in no way feel guilty for our pricing. It is structured to make sure we can pay a living wage while also making sure the mom and pop stores can make enough margins to keep the lights on as well. Call me nostalgic but I love family owned businesses that are basically the American dream personified.

Dreminen169 said:

If you look at earlier in post hlg said you can remove the driver, However it is not recommended although they also claim that they will not void the warranty for removing the driver

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Migro's test also had 3/4" thick Plexi in front of our panel which reduces heat dissipation by 40+ %... Add the absolute fact that PMMA(Plexi) actually loses transmission with time makes this test not only invalid but an outright biased test. Also the 8% light reduction through the then new Plexi equates to quite a bit more heat as well.The LEDs in the qb 288 are running at exactly the same drive current as the chilled puck.....

Stephenj37826 said:

Migro's test also had 3/4" thick Plexi in front of our panel which reduces heat dissipation by 40+ %... Add the absolute fact that PMMA(Plexi) actually loses transmission with time makes this test not only invalid but an outright biased test. Also the 8% light reduction through the then new Plexi equates to quite a bit more heat as well.The LEDs in the qb 288 are running at exactly the same drive current as the chilled puck.....

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Exactly. The test was performed by a company trying to sell their lights. Totally biased.

SpideyManDan said:

I'm personally trying to stay in the 300 range. Like I get hlg is good but that shit is expensive. They use the best of the best, but I'm not trying to buy a bmw, I just want a nice toyota lol

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Build one then...

SpideyManDan said:

I'm personally trying to stay in the 300 range. Like I get hlg is good but that shit is expensive. They use the best of the best, but I'm not trying to buy a bmw, I just want a nice toyota lol

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I don't think you can get a "Toyota-quality" 600watt LED fixture for $300.

The bottom line is every HLG owner I have asked loves their lights. Yes I spent more than I had too, I wanted to support local business, get a 3 year warranty, not ship across a border, not pay into the poor labor practices of some other countries and got a product that was UL/CSA certified to North American standards. That does not mean you cannot be totally happy with other lights. I know people here that love Meijiu, Kingbrite, Timber, Spider Farmer and even Mars. To them I say do what makes you happy. Just because we love our HLG lights does not take anything away from you loving your lights whatever they may be. Whatever you use, just enjoy and don't worry too much about what others are doing.

PadawanWarrior said:

Exactly. The test was performed by a company trying to sell their lights. Totally biased.

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Yeah, it's kind of like watching a study on why you should be flushing by the nute company selling you your flushing product. That guy should also learn how to hold that camera better, had a hard time staring up his nose for that short video.

Doug Dawson said:

Yeah, it's kind of like watching a study on why you should be flushing by the nute company selling you your flushing product. That guy should also learn how to hold that camera better, had a hard time staring up his nose for that short video.

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He's slow too. I could have said what he did in half the time. That guy was boring me to death.

Stephenj37826 said:

Migro's test also had 3/4" thick Plexi in front of our panel which reduces heat dissipation by 40+ %... Add the absolute fact that PMMA(Plexi) actually loses transmission with time makes this test not only invalid but an outright biased test. Also the 8% light reduction through the them new Plexi equates to quite a bit more heat as well.The LEDs in the qb 288 are running at exactly the same drive current as the chilled puck.....

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I had a feeling this was going to happen. My point wasn't to attack your product, hell I dont even know if you still sell that same board. My point, and only point, was to convey how important it is to cool your board down as much as possible. Heat is a killer to LED life span and efficiency.

PadawanWarrior said:

He's slow too. I could have said what he did in half the time. That guy was boring me to death.

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1.5 or 2x is an awesome feature.

Stephenj37826 said:

Migro's test also had 3/4" thick Plexi in front of our panel which reduces heat dissipation by 40+ %... Add the absolute fact that PMMA(Plexi) actually loses transmission with time makes this test not only invalid but an outright biased test. Also the 8% light reduction through the then new Plexi equates to quite a bit more heat as well.The LEDs in the qb 288 are running at exactly the same drive current as the chilled puck.....

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That's what I saw and why I questioned it

I know everyone touts all of the higher end LEDs around here, but yall got to remember not everyone has that much discretionary spending. For some, $250 to $700 on something not in the budget has to be well thought out and planned ahead of time.

I feel like maybe some of the members that have been around longer might have forgotten that. Oh and to preface any advise to use HID, this is 2020, the efficacy of those fixtures is horrible. Not to mention having to spend even more on trying to control the heat that they can put off. The chemicals and different shit that is in those bulbs which are toxic and etc etc. I could go on but I wont.

SpideyManDan said:

I know everyone touts all of the higher end LEDs around here, but yall got to remember not everyone has that much discretionary spending. For some, $250 to $700 on something not in the budget has to be well thought out and planned ahead of time.

I feel like maybe some of the members that have been around longer might have forgotten that. Oh and to preface any advise to use HID, this is 2020, the efficacy of those fixtures is horrible. Not to mention having to spend even more on trying to control the heat that they can put off. The chemicals and different shit that is in those bulbs which are toxic and etc etc. I could go on but I wont.

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The problem is that many who cannot afford them or are not willing to spend it tend to bash the products. On top of that they like to call said people who do fork out our hard earned cash stupid for doing it. From my perspective that is an issue. I started growing with crappy Amazon blurple lights. Had to save up for months to buy my HLG so it pisses me off when people call me down for it. I dont care if you grow with HLG, Timber, SpiderFarmer, Mars or build your own. People should be more open about the different products and acknowledge the pros and cons of each. One of they guys I conversation with regularly here grows with SF and Mars, I have nothing negative to say about him or his lights.

Doug Dawson said:

The problem is that many who cannot afford them or are not willing to spend it tend to bash the products. On top of that they like to call said people who do fork out our hard earned cash stupid for doing it. From my perspective that is an issue. I started growing with crappy Amazon blurple lights. Had to save up for months to buy my HLG so it pisses me off when people call me down for it. I dont care if you grow with HLG, Timber, SpiderFarmer, Mars or build your own. People should be more open about the different products and acknowledge the pros and cons of each. One of they guys I conversation with regularly here grows with SF and Mars, I have nothing negative to say about him or his lights.

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But what does Hydro know, he's just a kid, lol.

PadawanWarrior said:

But what does Hydro know, he's just a kid, lol.

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Lol, thats ok, I still respect him. Cool guy, cool grow.

Doug Dawson said:

Lol, thats ok, I still respect him. Cool guy, cool grow.

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I know, and he's not really a kid, lol.

Doug Dawson said:

The problem is that many who cannot afford them or are not willing to spend it tend to bash the products. On top of that they like to call said people who do fork out our hard earned cash stupid for doing it. From my perspective that is an issue. I started growing with crappy Amazon blurple lights. Had to save up for months to buy my HLG so it pisses me off when people call me down for it. I dont care if you grow with HLG, Timber, SpiderFarmer, Mars or build your own. People should be more open about the different products and acknowledge the pros and cons of each. One of they guys I conversation with regularly here grows with SF and Mars, I have nothing negative to say about him or his lights.

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agree 100%, I sold my HLG lights,in the process of re stocking with new lights (better spectrum and product), personal opinion only but not a fan of running companies down to make a sale, dont care how good people think they are we all have the same objective- grow good dak, buy the best light you can afford and one that suits your environment , look after it and it will produce the goods -