Lighting ideas for a 4x4 tent

[DogterB]

The penny pincher in me keeps considering keeping my 2x 96 QB Elites and just adding lights. Do you know by chance how far off are the Elites from the other HLG fixtures (Phontontek one as well) that have been mentioned performance wise?

I hear ya, I’m a broke med student myself so I know all about penny pinching. Most of what I have was either thrifted/salvaged, given to me, or bought at the absolute lowest price I could lol. Performance isn’t a big deal to me, I just grow for personal use and gifting, so as long as it works it works. All I know is that these little 96s pack a lot of wallop in a little package. The only reason I went with the 350R is that I got a great deal, it was cheaper than getting 2 more 96s and drivers. To me, chasing performance is futile. Every few months the next “best” thing comes out. As soon as you buy something, it’s already well on it’s way to being “obsolete”

 

[>Potato]

I have seen them in Europe. High end stuff
https://cre.science/en/shop/ they sell modular systems you add strips they build frames they go into as well as complete packages
and
https://invisiblesunled.co.uk/ they sell quantum boards with evo chips

Philzon is a cheap Amazon brand here is their storefront in china

Shop4639094 Store - Amazing prodcuts with exclusive discounts on AliExpress

Discover the wide range of from AliExpress Top Seller Shop4639094 Store.Enjoy ✓Free Shipping Worldwide! ✓Limited Time Sale ✓Easy Return.

www.aliexpress.com

and Amazon (I haven't found a mention of Evo chips)

Phlizon

indoor grow light

www.amazon.com

if they are releasing a 640w light with evo chips for 300 dollar this is gonna be the time for me to switch

 

[>Potato]

I hear ya, I’m a broke med student myself so I know all about penny pinching. Most of what I have was either thrifted/salvaged, given to me, or bought at the absolute lowest price I could lol. Performance isn’t a big deal to me, I just grow for personal use and gifting, so as long as it works it works. All I know is that these little 96s pack a lot of wallop in a little package. The only reason I went with the 350R is that I got a great deal, it was cheaper than getting 2 more 96s and drivers. To me, chasing performance is futile. Every few months the next “best” thing comes out. As soon as you buy something, it’s already well on it’s way to being “obsolete”

this is an amazing light if you don't care about evo and the newest

Groplanner

It's modular, cheap and kicks butt 756 diodes on a 150w light for 69 bucks with dimmer or 109 with wifi controller you can daisy chain and clip into each other them with screws/plugs depending on the area needed

 

[St. Tom]

Hey everyone I currently have a 2x4 tent and run 2x HLG 96 QB Elites. I’m looking to upgrade the size of my tent and I’m wanting some advice on lights. As of now I’m leaning toward trying to sell my old tent and light fixture but if I can get away with possibly keeping my current light fixture and adding more lights I’d consider that as well. Im trying to stay under $1000 for the lighting. The reason I’m budgeting so high is because I want to get the absolute most I can out of a 4x4 grow space and maximize my harvests. Feel free to leave your guys’ opinions or to ask questions. Thanks in advance everybody.

I've run sanlight led lights over the next 3 to 4 years and expensive I admit but you get the gold standard with them in running 2 x 140 evo series now in a 4x4 and I couldn't be happier https://www.sanlight.com/en/product-series/sanlight-evo-2/

 

[Drownomatic]

For some reason the 150 is a better deal that the bigger units.

These are a really good deal.

The Mars Hydro FC 8000 is under 1K USD, and the Scorpion Diablo are some of the lights I am considering for a similar new space.

One of my issues is low height. A wide panel will give a good spread while still very close to the canopy.

 

[Les @HLG]

The Diablo boards are all the same size. The Blackbird does not use the Diablo board. it is a completely new board using a new mid power LED I believe. The chip count is different also, I believe its 200 per board. I'll see if they have released the specs of the board yet. they have been holding back the specs lately to keep the copycats to a minimum when the come out with something new.
So you can't really compare the Blackbird to any of the other lights, it's totally new.

I'll ask if we can price match, I'll know tomorrow, If not, check on the website for their list of approved resellers before you buy on amazon. Don't want to see you get a situation with some shady dealer, and the rep of that link you sent me isn't the best... I'll know tomorrow.

Thanks Les for the response! I have been quite happy with my HLG lights so far and when I started looking for a new light I went to your website first. The Blackbird caught my eye at first but after doing a little more research I have a few questions for you. First and foremost I've seen this fixture on multiple sites for $699 (Example-https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QV4M21P/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3OJY9E0ZY1FCH&psc=1) much cheaper than the $850 your company is charging on their website. If I were to buy my next light fixture from your company would you match and beat that price? Also, I saw in the description of the fixture that it uses 6x 200 Quantum Boards. Those boards have the 648 Diablo's if I'm not mistaken but when you compare the pictures on your website the HLG 200 Diablo appear to be bigger and have more diodes than the Blackbid's supposed Diablo boards. Lastly, if you could explain a little as to why the 600R and 650R are better/more expensive than the Blackbird I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for helping me with my light search.

 

[Les @HLG]

Samsung based lights have been stomping HPS since the LM561C, in output, spectrum, and efficiency. The new chip is icing on the cake! The problem with waiting is you'll always be waiting for the latest and greatest, when you can have a great light right now. My 6 year old QB 304 lights with the LM561C chips I'd put up against any HPS or CMH light on the market. I've only upgraded my lights because of the efficiency gains in 6 years.

The new generation diode (LM301H EVO) has already made everything you might have in your grow room obsolete (to my great pleasure as HPS grower). They are developed specifically for plants (have different emission frequency of the photon pump) not like the previous (yeah even LM301H) that were general but energy efficient light diodes. I will wait to switch until they become mainstream.

 

[Les @HLG]

it may be that the Blackbird is using that chip. I'll be checking. No, I don't believe for a second its enough of a difference to be waiting on. I suspect they'll be a bit pricier too.

I was leaning toward this light in the beginning but now I'm starting to rethink my decision. With what @>Potato said about Samsung's newest diode I think it would be best to wait for fixtures to come out with the newest technology. With that said does anyone know if the new EVO diodes are that much better than what is provided on fixtures that are available now? Also, I see this fixture uses diodes that aren't Samsung so maybe these might be on par or close to the new EVO diodes. Amazing light none the less!

 

[>Potato]

Samsung based lights have been stomping HPS since the LM561C, in output, spectrum, and efficiency. The new chip is icing on the cake! The problem with waiting is you'll always be waiting for the latest and greatest, when you can have a great light right now. My 6 year old QB 304 lights with the LM561C chips I'd put up against any HPS or CMH light on the market. I've only upgraded my lights because of the efficiency gains in 6 years.

I have a bit of a special situation with lots of old hardware free electricity and no need for big harvest since i don't smoke (my friends do) or sell it anymore. I grow because i like to watch it grow and smell it and you make new friends real easy with that dank smell on your clothes lol.

 

[>Potato]

I've run sanlight led lights over the next 3 to 4 years and expensive I admit but you get the gold standard with them in running 2 x 140 evo series now in a 4x4 and I couldn't be happier https://www.sanlight.com/en/product-series/sanlight-evo-2/

I am glad you brought those up.