Looking to upgrade my current lights in my 4x4. I’m currently running 2 viparspectra pro2500. Before I make a big purchase I was hoping you guys would weight in on what you all think.
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You just missed all the 420 sales 
Budget?
Looking for one light/multi?
Any power restrictions? outlet/breakers etc.
Might as well add, I’m using a 650w hlg in my 4x4 and I love it. HLG/Mammoth are my top picks.
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For realllllllll
I got a HLG 350r diablo refurbished at 329$delivered during the sale 
Im in a 4x2 though.
It was between them and MigroGrows. I like transparency alot.
@Ibegeekdup
Check “MigroGrows Led Reviews,” or “best led light, MigroGrows.” Copy and paste those as the search terms.
Hes a vendor, but he tests and reviews lights with a cool breakdown of ownership costs, and projected values
Plus he does real PAR maps
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It’s all about how much money you want to spend but personally don’t think it’s necessary to dump tons of cheddar on a grow light…been using cheap Amazon ones for years with good results. Tons of options with a 4x4 mars hydro, hlg, Migro, spider farmer, vipar, etc…i prefer Amazon bc you can basically try them out and send back if not a good fit. My bar light is for 3x3 so next size up would work and in the 250-400 range depending upon bridgelux v Samsung diodes
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I’d like to keep it under $400. I honestly don’t know it’s got its own fuse since it’s been moved upstairs. Not sure the power restrictions. Would like it to be one light and now two. I’m planning for the next year. I’m the kind of person that has to spend stupid time researching brand and reviews and then find people who’ve used them. So this is the start to a process. Thank you I’ll be looking into it. Is HLG a brand?
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Yah, Horticulture Lighting Group
They are american company so a little more $ but great customer service, etc.
@Headies12green mentioned most of the brands that are most popular.
You need to read about PAR as thats how they judge coverage of the light.
Evrry company will have a different par map on each different light.
The china brands arent bad at all, and in fact, i use amazon brands like he said to do veg. The cheaper the better for veg lights for LED. Veg period has almost NEVER been a problem for LED lighting.
Used to be a great thread on rollitup for amazon deals. Could find 150w for like 85$, but i digress
I have a Mars Hydro FCE 4800 going on its third year of use and I really really like it. I had their TSW 3000 before that and it was also really good.
I still kinda want to switch back to a CMH fixture for winter grows for more heat. LED fixtures are efficient almost to a fault if you grow somewhere that gets really cold in the winter
Save dough and get lights at less than 1 dollar per watt like chinese made Amazon fixtures. 2 cycles in upgrade to HLG. I have 2 HLG lights and if you buy refurbished its pretty close to $1 a watt.
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Do you ever get light burn? I find that the FCE series is a little too intense with unusable light spectrum, like my DLI will be in range, but I’m still getting light burn. Could be a me thing, could be a cultivar thing as well. I do like Mars Hydro especially for the price point, but I don’t trust any of their apps or anything software related.
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Thank you guys. I’ll keep this in mind when researching. Has anyone made their own lights? I seen a couple YouTube videos of people doing it but I can’t believe it would be much cheaper.
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Theres a thread about it on here. Seems simple and less expensive.
@Skewter generally speaking no, not very often, and I do keep my light lowered to the canopy like within 8" of the tallest tops to get more heat to the plant. I have had one or two very sensitive plants experience bleached upper tips under this light
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How’s your DIY skills?
I also dig my HLG. Also run a 7 year old Mammoth LED 10 bar, and those are fantastic too. That suckers been running on 12/12 nonstop, and never gave me any issues
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I’d say it would be hard to beat the ac infinity bar lights. They give great coverage and have amazing efficiency. I’ve had hlg in the past and though great lights, cost a lot more for no more light.
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My SF4000 has been going strong for years.
She fits the bill too. 
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Bought this light 8-20-2024 and it’s still in the box . Haven’t even opened it yet. Still using a 100w Viparspectra. Next set up I will break it out and give it a try.
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This page has a toooon of good scientific comparisons for many of the major brands. You can also find some good comparisons and analysis on youtube. Migro and growlightdepot are two channels i remember off the top of my head.
I have a viparspectra ks3000 for veg, also use to me my flower light. Definitely happy with all the lights ive gotten from them. In my opinion, they seem to be the best cheaper tier company that i am familiar with.
Im also running an HLG650R (maybe 750R?) for flower. its a good quality light but personally dont think id go far red again. It seems to make some plants stretch like crazy although i am definitely getting better lower development on all my plants. Could be the light, could be me, just two things ive noticed.
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Try Medic Grow as well. Delivery is in the price, 5 year warranty, decent PPFD format etc. I have a 4x4 and run a Medic Grow Fold 8 760 watt Commercial Grade, it never went above 80% my past grow. $329 delivered on a BF special, but they run some specials always. They have other models as well.
I am not dissappointed in this light, though it will generate some warmth, so it was great over the winter to assist in warmth. I won’t use it in the summer, too hot where I am at. It does fill almost every inch of that 48 x 48 inside, leaves maybe an inch to spare. 
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