Cheap LED Grow Light Reccomendations

Does anybody have any recommendations for cheap LED grow lights? I've found a number of sites, but they're always $1000 or something and I don't have that much money...

how much money are you willing to spend for your plants, how many plants, how big is the grow room, are you using other lights along with the LED? Blackstar is apparently the best bang for the buck in terms of price/performance.

A good led to get you started can run anywhere from $275-500. would be good for a 2x2 or so space. Check out the blackstar 240 (most affordable), progrows (mid price), or advanced leds (a little more but I use them and get great results. Of course theres others, check out the links in the sticky thread for some others to check out.

Theres all kinds of CHEAP LED grow lights out there. But they arent designed very well. Like puffenuff said, GOOD ones start around $275 for a low-end unit drawing a little over 100w. You get what you pay for with most LEDs on the market, with a few over-priced exceptions. Good luck in your search.

the two posts above pretty much hit it on the head. "Cheap" and "effective" led lighting never belong together. I have several 130-160w output panels (4 total) and would rather have several smaller units as opposed to one monster 500w plus panel. This allows me to tailor each panel for the specific height of the plant I'm growing. If you have a garden where you may have to say remove a male plant and start another or grow a mix of strains with some taller sativas and shorter indicas this option makes tons of sense.

With leds a smaller wattage panel does not mean less penetrating power. To explain - a 3w diode will only travel so far with so much power so if you have 500w of 3w diodes all stuck in the same panel you're flexibility is severly decreased. If you have the same 500ish watts split between four panels your options and applicability explode.

Also if you're looking at a blackstar you should just go ahead and order them straight from China - here is the link and you'll get a five year warranty as opposed to a 12 month warranty. You'll also pay less. That's all gotham is doing. Just for shits and giggles I contacted Shenzhen lighting to see how much 10 of the blackstar 180s cost. You can pick up a ten pack for 135 bucks a pop. Pretty interesting to see the mark up on these. Check it.

blackstar 240

http://led-star.en.alibaba.com/product/507363234-210516231/Popular_in_USA_Canada_Europe_80x3w_new_led_grow_light_5_years_warranty.html

blackstar 180

http://led-star.en.alibaba.com/product/513251626-210516231/2012_LS_5G_01_60x3w_high_power_3w_led_plant_grow_lights_for_tomatoe_lettuce_pepper_herb_rose_cannabssss.html

You can also custom build or just use the same specs gotham orders. Pretty interesting. I haven't yet pinned down the source but researching is part of my profession so I like to play and am pretty much sure that the PG series and Advance are probably made in China as well. Can't really blame Gotham, HH, or Advanced for this, we have our government to thank for that.

Wait so its 135 for the 180 watt system or for ten pack of 3 watt chps?

135 a pop for a blackstar 180w chipset panel (actual power draw 100w). Seriously the only difference between that and a blackstar 180 you'd get off gotham's website is the blackstar logo printed on it for American consumers. That and you'll only get a one year warranty as opposed to the five year warranty offered by Shenzhen. You do have to order at least 5, the $135 I was quoted was for a ten panel order. I was thinking about getting some and putting them on ebay since gotham is selling the "blackstar" 180 for about 225 bucks. Seemed like there might be an opportunity here for an entrepreneur to make at least 70 bucks a panel if they can flip them for 225 (considering its the same damn product). I thought about it but was too lazy and thought it would be too much of a hassle so I figured I might as well post it up for the greater knowledge of the RUI community.

If you could get a group buy I bet the price would drop even more.

very interesting stuff hoss! +rep

I was looking at htg supply they have something that looks just like the blackstrap 240 anyone ha any info on it?
Price is a little cheaper too
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2012-240w-LED-Hydro-Grow-light-Flowering-3W-LEDs-3-watt-Chip-UV-IR-/160686913271?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2569afb6f7

I would try it out but I have to wait until after holidays to pull the trigger.

i use HTG and they just came out with more LED models :+)
http://www.htgsupply.com/Category-LED-Grow-Lights.asp

I've bought t5,150 hps and 2x 400 wattS hps from them but yet to try a led from them. I've heard the other models they had were good for veg not so much flowering.. But I think they have the same unit the blackstar uses. I don't know but if no one has tried it by January then I will.

Don't order the hydr grow led. Those dudes are crooks!

Same LEDs. you can buy directly from China and they are half the price.

hoss12781 said:

135 a pop for a blackstar 180w chipset panel (actual power draw 100w). Seriously the only difference between that and a blackstar 180 you'd get off gotham's website is the blackstar logo printed on it for American consumers. That and you'll only get a one year warranty as opposed to the five year warranty offered by Shenzhen. You do have to order at least 5, the $135 I was quoted was for a ten panel order. I was thinking about getting some and putting them on ebay since gotham is selling the "blackstar" 180 for about 225 bucks. Seemed like there might be an opportunity here for an entrepreneur to make at least 70 bucks a panel if they can flip them for 225 (considering its the same damn product). I thought about it but was too lazy and thought it would be too much of a hassle so I figured I might as well post it up for the greater knowledge of the RUI community.

Click to expand...

Do you have to register as a business for the wholesale pricing?

no you don't, or at least I didn't. I work for a major research institution as a fundraiser and just put in my University and title in the inquiry. I realized I probably wasn't going to actually buy any since I already have my led set up dialed in so just sent them a quick email saying I was interested in pricing some units for our greenhouse. I think as long as you plan to order at least five of them you should be good.

Heres a quick build:

johny1212 said:

don't order the hydr grow led. Those dudes are crooks!

Click to expand...

never buy from them avoid avoid avoid

The only advice I have for you regarding cheap LEDs is dont waste your money on them. There is a reason why you are seeing expensive LEDs and the reason is they are the only ones that are worth buying.