What do the experts think of this: http://www.grownorthern.com/lighting/holographic-series-1-led-grow-light.html . A 75w (actual) light for $350 GBP ($530 USD). It has some interesting features I haven't seen on other lights. And, they're not like the usual high-priced "secret sauce" lights, these guys provide a lot of info about what's under the hood.
Excerpts from the product page:
Holographic diffuser: http://www.grownorthern.com/holographic-optics
Rebel LEDs used: http://www.grownorthern.com/gn-rebel
Nuventix cooling: http://www.grownorthern.com/nuventix-synjet
Xitanium driver: http://www.grownorthern.com/xitanium-driver
WAGO interconnect: http://www.grownorthern.com/wago-interconnect
Holographic Series overview: http://www.grownorthern.com/holographic-series
Background:
GrowNorthern was an overpriced rebranded Chinese import when it was nothing more than a rebranded Apollo with custom spectrum. They broke out of that category when they released a "Rebel Upgrade Module" containing Phillips Luxeon LEDs. They published exact details about the LEDs and spectrum.
About 9 months ago they discontinued their rebranded Apollo model and expected to release this new light within a month. They went 9 months without any lights to sell. I just noticed this new light has finally come to market. They've definitely broken out of the rebranded category with a lot of custom design.
GN had (has?) a large following on autoflower.net. It may be geared more toward shorter plants(?). They claim their 75w light is equivalent to a 250w HID. That's so preposterous that it's unflattering.
Excerpts from the product page:
The new grow light uses the acclaimed high performance Philips Rebel LEDs along with specialized infrared LED's from LEDengine,
The LED module and cooling solution are powered by a 2015 Philips Xitanium Digital driver. The new Digital drivers combines intelligent data handling and smooth, precise drive. Unlike traditional AC/DC led drivers, digital drivers can diagnose, adjust and automate the entire LED system. So for example your grow rooms ambient temperature is rising beyond a safe limit, the driver will dim the LED's so the light stays on but the LED module and driver stay protected from overheating.
Traditional cooling fans make way for the Nuventix Synjet, a revolutionary active cooling solution that produces turbulent jets of air across the heatsink. Using a frictionless oscillating magnetic diaphragm the Synjet delivers near silent cooling and a 200,000 hour lifespan.
The Holographic series was named after the innovative new optical system .... includes a specially engineered micro structure optic (a Holographic Diffuser) which maintains light in the beam angle whilst producing a highly homogeneous spread of light. The optical system can be quickly and easily interchanged allowing you to adjust the beam angle to deliver the correct light intensity or spread requirement at any height restriction.
More detailed info:The LED module and cooling solution are powered by a 2015 Philips Xitanium Digital driver. The new Digital drivers combines intelligent data handling and smooth, precise drive. Unlike traditional AC/DC led drivers, digital drivers can diagnose, adjust and automate the entire LED system. So for example your grow rooms ambient temperature is rising beyond a safe limit, the driver will dim the LED's so the light stays on but the LED module and driver stay protected from overheating.
Traditional cooling fans make way for the Nuventix Synjet, a revolutionary active cooling solution that produces turbulent jets of air across the heatsink. Using a frictionless oscillating magnetic diaphragm the Synjet delivers near silent cooling and a 200,000 hour lifespan.
The Holographic series was named after the innovative new optical system .... includes a specially engineered micro structure optic (a Holographic Diffuser) which maintains light in the beam angle whilst producing a highly homogeneous spread of light. The optical system can be quickly and easily interchanged allowing you to adjust the beam angle to deliver the correct light intensity or spread requirement at any height restriction.
Holographic diffuser: http://www.grownorthern.com/holographic-optics
Rebel LEDs used: http://www.grownorthern.com/gn-rebel
Nuventix cooling: http://www.grownorthern.com/nuventix-synjet
Xitanium driver: http://www.grownorthern.com/xitanium-driver
WAGO interconnect: http://www.grownorthern.com/wago-interconnect
Holographic Series overview: http://www.grownorthern.com/holographic-series
GrowNorthern was an overpriced rebranded Chinese import when it was nothing more than a rebranded Apollo with custom spectrum. They broke out of that category when they released a "Rebel Upgrade Module" containing Phillips Luxeon LEDs. They published exact details about the LEDs and spectrum.
About 9 months ago they discontinued their rebranded Apollo model and expected to release this new light within a month. They went 9 months without any lights to sell. I just noticed this new light has finally come to market. They've definitely broken out of the rebranded category with a lot of custom design.
GN had (has?) a large following on autoflower.net. It may be geared more toward shorter plants(?). They claim their 75w light is equivalent to a 250w HID. That's so preposterous that it's unflattering.