HLG vs BCBlondes vs RapidLED

maple sloth

maple sloth

Well-Known Member
Hey RIU led experts. I'm in the market for a new light. I'm not a DIY guy and I'd like a prebuilt from within Canada so I've narrowed my options down to the 3 listed in the title which are all available in Canada but I am unsure which will fit my situation best. HLG 550 v2, BCBlondes Gamechanger or RapidLED Chilled Logic Pucks now that they have a .ca website.

HLG 550 uses 480w covers a 4.5 x 4.5 area and costs $1350 cad
BCBlones Gamechanger 680 uses 680 watts covers a 5 x 5 area and costs $1339 cad
2x Chilled Logic 2x4 uses 630 watts covers a 4 x 4 area and costs $1300 cad

a few other things I have taken into consideration for this purchase.

a) HLG recently had a driver issue from what I've read where there was a meanwell recall? I definitely don't want to buy a light that will need to be sent back. Also if I chose HLG do I want the R spec or not?

b) I'm struggling to find any grow journals/users or even anyone using a BCblonde hashtag on instagram other than BCBlonde himself. Also there seems to be a lack of transparency on exactly what diodes are used. "Top Bin Samsung Led Diodes". This is a major red flag but it seems like it has the largest footprint and most features out of any of these lights. Anyone have any input on this company?

c)and last the Chilled Logic pucks. IDK I can't seem to find anything to worry about here.

After typing this all out it seems like RapidLED might be my best bet but I'm completely new to LED so I'd like some second and third opinions from the experts.
 
coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
All three are legit companies.

I wouldn't have issue trusting any of them or their products.
I haven't heard of the hlg driver recall but my v1 kit had a driver fail and they sent me a new one even though I was out of warranty and half way across the world.

BCblondes and HLG you can get hold of on here direct. That goes a long way with me.
BCblondes diodes are 301b same as HLGs.
 
maple sloth

maple sloth

Well-Known Member
coreywebster said:
All three are legit companies.

I wouldn't have issue trusting any of them or their products.
I haven't heard of the hlg driver recall but my v1 kit had a driver fail and they sent me a new one even though I was out of warranty and half way across the world.

BCblondes and HLG you can get hold of on here direct. That goes a long way with me.
BCblondes diodes are 301b same as HLGs.
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Thanks for your input. That's good to know they take care of their customers. This is one of my concerns as it's a pretty big $$ purchase for me. If I'm not mistaken the driver recall was very recent on one of the latest batches of the V2.

f series said:
If bcb is legit I choose them. If not hlg never rapid. Build your own. For 1300 cad, you can make a few lights, with drivers
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Can you elaborate why you say never rapid?
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
maple sloth said:
I want to order something from within Canada for delivery speed and potential RMA, stuff like that. LOL I'm not ordering a light from down under.
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Shipping is remarkably well priced from what I've heard. The amount of money saved off the bulk of the light will easily cover shipping. You'll pay more for any one of the other company's mentioned previously in Canada. Also, Mark ( @welight ) at Cutter is on these forums frequently and their Customer Service is quite good.
 
diggs99

diggs99

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
Shipping is remarkably well priced from what I've heard. The amount of money saved off the bulk of the light will easily cover shipping. You'll pay more for any one of the other company's mentioned previously in Canada. Also, Mark ( @welight ) at Cutter is on these forums frequently and their Customer Service is quite good.
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Are they having delays with the lights/kits the same as they are with the strips? Or is that all taken care of and they are back on schedule?

OP, of the 3 you listed, it seems @BCBLondesLEDGrowLights is the best bang for buck. 680w from the wall and bigger coverage

Cant go wrong with either of the bunch.

Good luck
 
f series

f series

Well-Known Member
maple sloth said:
Thanks for your input. That's good to know they take care of their customers. This is one of my concerns as it's a pretty big $$ purchase for me. If I'm not mistaken the driver recall was very recent on one of the latest batches of the V2.



Can you elaborate why you say never rapid?
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No real reason, last I saw their prices were too high
 
HortiBloom

HortiBloom

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
Actually not a bad price bit who knows i f you're getting LM301b for sure
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Then all the other vendors who sell lm301b grow lights are in the same situation, it's really hard for people to tell without any equipment, it's not like cob who have models on the surface.
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
HortiBloom said:
Then all the other vendors who sell lm301b grow lights are in the same situation, it's really hard for people to tell without any equipment, it's not like cob who have models on the surface.
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So you're GUARANTEEING LM301B Samsung Diodes on your light. No exceptions?
 
TEKNIK

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member
Be careful importing products that have a patent on them. Customs can confiscate the product if they look too much like an item that is patented.
They may release it but it could be a long process if they catch it.
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
TEKNIK said:
Be careful importing products that have a patent on them. Customs can confiscate the product if they look too much like an item that is patented.
They may release it but it could be a long process if they catch it.
Click to expand...
Meh, fluency has a completely customs driver case. Is it even Meanwell?
I don't think itd happen
 
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