Sp250 or hlg260v1?

Sup dogs, had a question. I have a closet grow I'm starting, and am ready to purchase a light. I am stuck between two choices. I realize that the hlg260v1 kit is probably better than the mars sp250 and cheaper by $30, but the mars seems like it will fit my 4x2 closet better. If it is slightly worse than the hlg ill get by, because ill need to add more lights as I get rolling. I guess my question is, can the mars compete with the 260 at all? Or is the hlg leaps and bounds better? Only can afford one for now.

Thanks homies

Yellowboatyellowboat said:

Sup dogs, had a question. I have a closet grow I'm starting, and am ready to purchase a light. I am stuck between two choices. I realize that the hlg260v1 kit is probably better than the mars sp250 and cheaper by $30, but the mars seems like it will fit my 4x2 closet better. If it is slightly worse than the hlg ill get by, because ill need to add more lights as I get rolling. I guess my question is, can the mars compete with the 260 at all? Or is the hlg leaps and bounds better? Only can afford one for now.

Thanks homies

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Don't quote me on this but I think I read that the Mars diodes are really cheap quality, which could easily mean a much shorter lifespan.

Consider that the HLG boards will supposedly last 8-10 years (theres ppl on here with 4/5 year old boards without a single chip failing) vs reports of Mars much higher failure rate.

HLG 260V1 kit. Proven winner. Designed for 2x4. Guaranteed top quality components. Guaranteed world class customer service.
That Mars has a 196W power draw. Absolutely no chance it produces more useable light than the 260 V1 kit.

Edit: one listing has the Mars at 196W, another says 230W, I'm sure it's decent, but the QB setup is a cut above.

HLG, for sure. As other posters have pointed out, you'll get higher quality components and more power, as well as great customer service from a respected company. If you're concerned about form-factor and light spread, you could piece together your own build on HLG's site, using the Slate 2 Triple heatsink (instead of the double that the kit includes) and put your boards at the ends. Or you could get two Slate 2 Singles and position them precisely where you want them. Lots of options!

Sweet. Thanks dudes. I was sure the hlg was better. Its just hard to find info on mars that isnt from mars themselves or people in their contests haha.

I have been eyeballing the v1 260 kit for awhile. Was going to grab a kingbrite but I like not having corona virus

Don’t sleep on the spider farmers im still fairy new to leds but they use the Samsung diodes I’m going to be running 2 sf2ks in a 4x4

Biased because I went HLG (exact same model you’re considering in a 2x4x6 closet tent) but inclined to agree with others from what I have experienced. Their customer service is top notch. The light itself is a beast, and I thoroughly enjoyed that Hallelujah moment when I almost blinded myself plugging the thing in for the first time. They’re very up front about the components In their product, too. Top notch.

One has shifty customer service and bottom bin diodes and the other has excellent customer service and top bin diodes.


easy answer is HLG

Thanks for all the help dudes. Im new to growing. I've read through all the hlg threads I can and knew they were better quality, just didn't know if the mars could compete in that space. Ima go with the hlg. I know I'm in the wrong section for this, but can any of y'all recommend an inline/filter combo or separate for my room? Much appreciated!

Yellowboatyellowboat said:

Thanks for all the help dudes. Im new to growing. I've read through all the hlg threads I can and knew they were better quality, just didn't know if the mars could compete in that space. Ima go with the hlg. I know I'm in the wrong section for this, but can any of y'all recommend an inline/filter combo or separate for my room? Much appreciated!

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I highly recommend the AC infinity cloud line series. They have a regular model with a simple fan speed adjust and a temperature control model that gives you the ability to set temp/humidity thresholds for the fan to engage. The controller has been very helpful for me starting out since there are a lot of things about my environment that I just haven't learned yet. Better yet, it has no trouble creating a proper vaccum for me with passive intake and the 2nd speed setting, and I can't hear it running through the tent + closet door.

In general, I would recommend that you get something that can pull more CFM than you will need -- without going to max speeds. An inline filter will decrease the efficiency of your fan, so you will want to size accordingly. There are some really good threads here that walk through the math.

I bought a Vivosun filter becuase my grow is relatively small and I oversized my exhaust fan. Can't really speak to its effectiveness since I haven't installed it yet. I was willing to take the risk though, as the difference in cost between that and a Phresh filter was pretty huge.

I second the AC Infinity Cloudline. I got the T4 with the digital controller. I also got a bunch of smaller usb computer fans from them that can be linked together and you can add a controller for too.

They also have a new inline filter Ive been meaning to pick up. I dont really care about smell since im legal but I think by summertime I am going to need it.

I will also add I had an issue with my original purchase that they sorted out immediately and are super helpful over email.

Fck to mars bro hlg is the king

I have two mars hydro sp250 in a 2x8 closet space and they kill for veg. I also have two electric sky 300 v2s in a 4x4 I use for bloom. I don’t know what the hlg looks like but the sp250 for is great for 2x4. The light fixture is about 40in. And they offer 1 year warranty. Hlg better components for sure with Samsung diodes. But mars has come a long way.

Another random thought for you, OP. While I had looked at measurements for carbon filters, I didn't realize how stinking huge they are. Mine's something like 18" and about 17 lbs. As you're planning your grow space and air flow, be sure to take this into account! I had to change a lot around once mine arrived. Just didn't realize.

Thanks for all the help bros! Appreciate it. Im learning more and more everyday here! So i went with the hlg v1 260 kit. Its assembled and working like a champ in my closet. I had one more question. I hooked up the driver on top of the heatsink like the install video I watched. I know people say to put it outside of your grow space, but my closet is open, so I just have it bolted up top on the heatsink. I understand that it'll get hot up there. My question is, how hot dies the driver have to be for it to be an issue. My closet has stayed at 74-75 degrees, but the driver is hot to the touch. Not burn your hand hot, but definitely hot.is this ok? Thanks for the help again.

That temp is great , you want the driver there if those are your temps.

Another dumb question haha. My v1 kit came with the xlg 240 m ab driver. It has a dimmer switch. I have it turned all the way up right now. Plants love it, but is that bad for longevity? It can only run at a max of 240 watts right? Should I run it at say 75%? Temps are still around 75. Driver gets pretty hot, heatsink gets warm. I take it that they are working perfectly, just being paranoid lol.

I would take the driver off and attach it to the wall in your grow space. That’s how I have mine on the sp250’s. But I did this to extend life on these mediocre diodes. With hlg I don’t think you have to worry about that. And if your plants can take up the light I would leave it all the way up. But if that’s just your veg light and you have another light for flower I would turn it down. Peace

Sleez said:

I would take the driver off and attach it to the wall in your grow space. That’s how I have mine on the sp250’s. But I did this to extend life on these mediocre diodes. With hlg I don’t think you have to worry about that. And if your plants can take up the light I would leave it all the way up. But if that’s just your veg light and you have another light for flower I would turn it down. Peace

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Thanks doggy. Im super new, and this is my first indoor. So it's my only light. I started off some seeds my buddy gave me under two cfl. Fucked up ph on the first 7, planted another 7, and they first batch got saved somehow lol. So i have 14 going under it and they love it lol. Hopefully I get 7 fems. 7 might be too many for that little of lighting, but im not worried about yield as I'm just trying to learn. Trying to do what my buddy recommends, but he hasn't used LED, so i have been lurking here. Love this place.

14 might be a lil too much lol. I have 9 in my 4x4. But if you’re just trying to learn I guess it don’t matter. As long as you have enough air circulation you should be fine. Just remember they grow bigger and faster when you flip into flower. So space may be a concern. And also wit led you want temps in 78-82 range. On your first run I would veg for just a month or less like 3 weeks. This way you could figure out your males and females and also you won’t be pressed for space.