Hi, I'm not a regular here - in fact I signed up just to post to this thread. ICmag is my old stomping ground. Anyway, I too was considering the quantum 1000w ballasts because of their dimmability, and when I typed Lumatek vs Quantum into google, this was the only thread I found on the first page (didnt need to look further once I read this one.)
I'm glad I did. I made me then run a search on the Lumatek dimmable ballasts, just released. I currently use six 600w lumatek's on adjust-a-wings (3600w), and I have been contemplating switching to three 1000w quantums or lumateks (3000w) due to the fact that a 1000w lamp on a large adjust-a-wing is recommended for covering a 5'x7.5' area. I grow soil/coco in pots that fit a 3'x6' tray - and replacing the two 600s that currently supply light to each tray with one 1000 is appealing to me. Infact, I would be using it to cover slightly less area than they recommend (which means more lumens per sq.ft.)
Back to the subject, sorry - wanted to give background. So the result of my 2nd search lead me to lumatek, and information about their new ballasts. One of the appeals of the dimmable ballasts was the ability to dim to 600w and save power consumption during that event (early veg under 600s - cutting down on power bill.)
This is what I read from lumatek about their ballasts:
Lumatek Electronic Ballasts
- More lumens generated per watt of electricity consumed - Lumatek ballasts have increased efficiency over magnetic ballasts. They lose fewer watts from the power supply to the lamp. This is a power factor of 95%+. The high frequency output results in low power loss
- Fast start-up - they reach full brightness quickly
- Completely silent
- Small compact design
- Produce less heat
- Cut-off circuitry - cut off when a short is detected. For ultimate safety
- Fully interchangeable - Lumatek ballasts can light both HPS and MH bulbs (excluding the 750W which is HPS only)
- NEW - A dimming knob has been added which will allow them to be set at 50/75/100% (only reduce the amount of light not the power usage).
So that was an immediate turn off. I then went to the quantum site to see if their ballasts change the power consumption when dimmed... answer in short - I dont believe they do either! This is all that they list about the Quantum 1000s:
Quantum 1000 Watt Dimmable Electronic Ballast
Run at 100%, 75% or 50% power
Strike both Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium Bulbs
Accepts 120v or 240v (Both cords included)
Allows 50 Hertz to 60 Hertz
Runs 15% cooler than other digital ballasts on the market
Has a Power Factor of 99.9%
The most stable output frequency of any ballast
Higher lumen output than magnetic ballasts
Light weight and care free
3 year no hassle warranty!
Why a Dimmer you ask?
You have a need for a new HID light for your indoor garden and are overwhelmed with the choices! Maybe your standing in your local Grow Shop or browsing one of the many indoor gardening online retailers and have seen too many ballasts with options youre not familiar with like a dimmer. You ask yourself Why do I need a dimmer on my HID grow lights? There are several uses for a dimming feature that save you both time and money!
Removing or Reducing Excessive Heat, especially on the unusually warm days has been a tricky task to deal with since the inception of indoor gardening! Never again will a 97 degree hot spree send chills down your spine or you in a crazy dash to the local hardware store to find an Air Conditioner only to find they are already out of stock! Simply dim down your Quantum Series Ballast and dramatically reduce heat output by as much as 50%!
Reducing lumen intensity and heat output from the bulb gives you instant control when necessary like while working in your grow area or those extra hot days! No longer a need to sweet under the intense heat or work with sunglasses on when around your garden!
Foliar feeding your plants has become an unbearable task of every grower that usually must be carried out with the execution of a Swiss watch. Your HID light puts out an immense amount of lumens to replicate the suns natural output. For this reason, Dimming allows for earlier foliar feeding (prior to the usual lights out practice) without the scare of burning your plants as you can rest assured you have reduced the lumen output to a safe, non burning level. Imagine the security and flexibility you will gain knowing you can apply your crucial foliar brew hours prior to lights out!
Hardening off cuttings and young plants for transplant has been a burden plaguing our passion for indoor gardening for years. Having to switch from fluorescent to low output HID lighting and then to high output HID lighting is a cumbersome and time consuming practice usually consisting of switching out both ballasts and bulbs or moving plants from one area to another. Imaging the convenience of being able to do this with just the twist of a knob. You can now introduce HID lighting in a gentler, stress free environment gradually increasing light intensity over the period of a few days reducing the risk of burn, wasted time and even worse, SHOCK!
Regulating light output to gain ultimate control of plant growth guarantees you a bumper harvest every time, you now have the ability to control light intensity in specific areas of your garden to allow for even plant growth throughout. No more days of asking yourself why you plants are all different sizes, garden looking like a roller coaster? Simply twist the knob and rest assured knowing you have the control!
So, I would really like to know - so I asked. Guess we'll see what they say. Either way, I suppose it's great to have the ability for all the reasons mentioned (even if it doesnt save you money while you have them dimmed.) If the quantum does not save power - then I would have to say that my initial instinct would be to go with the lumateks. They've been great for me.
Sorry so long.
. I hope my local hydro shop will honor the warranty?! The power cord from the ballast to the wall had visible damage where the power chord plugs into the ballast. Unless they give my a free one I will probably switch to Lumatek, or go back to magnetic. The dimming feature is really nice, but a $400 ballast should last for more than 6 months, right? Next time I am going to look for something that is not made in china. 
