MrDank007
Well-Known Member
I thought the more expensive ones had "enhanced" color spectrums or more "usable" light. Marketing or a reasonable difference in grow quality?
Is it worth buying an expensive light bulb??
- Thread starter WolfScott
- Start date
I thought the more expensive ones had "enhanced" color spectrums or more "usable" light. Marketing or a reasonable difference in grow quality?
woodsmaneh!
Well-Known Member
The bulbs have a one year warranty that I buy, if they degrade in lumens I'll bring it have it replaced under warranty. Every 6 months every bulb gets replaced no matter what, though, and usually I offload em on Craigslist or eBay. People still pay 80% of what I paid for the bulb new for a used one.
I keep hearing all these side by side studies and tests. Does anyone actually have a link to one to SEE one of these studies?
I'm thinkin they dont exist.....
Your bulb will never be brighter than that moment, all bulbs start to lose intensity as soon as they are turned on and continue to do so for the rest of their life. When they say the bulb has a 50000 hr life most don't understand that it means 1/2 the bulbs will still be running after 50000hr. You should replace your bulbs every year to get the best results.
Great plan kitty selling them.
I don't know of any studys, I'm speaking from personal expearence on the increased yield. I'm a bit obsessive about growing and love technology so the 2 go together real well. I have a 20 to 400x USB microscope, Brix Meter, C02 meter, soil tester, all my stuff is computer controlled and everything is monitored. When I make a change if the yield goes up it stays, if not I take it out. I make only small changes to my soil now.
Thats what I like about here we all can learn for each other. Happy New year....
Brick Top
New Member
The bulbs have a one year warranty that I buy, if they degrade in lumens I'll bring it have it replaced under warranty. Every 6 months every bulb gets replaced no matter what, though, and usually I offload em on Craigslist or eBay. People still pay 80% of what I paid for the bulb new for a used one.
I keep hearing all these side by side studies and tests. Does anyone actually have a link to one to SEE one of these studies?
I'm thinkin they dont exist.....
What is the CRI of the bulbs you use and what is the CRI of the bulbs you will not pay the extra for? The difference to plants is like using regular (lower octane) gasoline in a vehicle designed for premium (higher octane) gasoline.
Brick Top
New Member
Some have an "additional 30% of blue light" in their HPS bulb and others make other claims but what growers need to add to their list of priorities for picking bulbs is the CRI of the bulb. Kelvin temperature and lumens are not the only things of importance.
MrDank007
Well-Known Member
What is your opinion on what the CRI should be?
wyteberrywidow
Global
The bulbs have a one year warranty that I buy, if they degrade in lumens I'll bring it have it replaced under warranty. Every 6 months every bulb gets replaced no matter what, though, and usually I offload em on Craigslist or eBay. People still pay 80% of what I paid for the bulb new for a used one.
I keep hearing all these side by side studies and tests. Does anyone actually have a link to one to SEE one of these studies?
I'm thinkin they dont exist.....
So what do you say when you return them?
Im sure they wont just replace it because you said it lost lumens over 6 month or do they?
I might have to that then sounds like a easy way to get a new bulb every 6 months for free
Brick Top
New Member
I keep hearing all these side by side studies and tests. Does anyone actually have a link to one to SEE one of these studies?
I'm thinkin they dont exist.....
This is only a test between two higher dollar HPS bulbs but check out the video and see what differences can be found ... and then consider if there might possibly be an ever more significant difference between them and cheap bulbs.
http://www.strainguide.org/grow-lig...-hps-vs-digilux-hps-1000w-product-review-test
Brick Top
New Member
Higher is better. If you go to any site that sells bulbs that shows CRI ratings you will find that the bigger name higher dollar bulbs have a higher CRI rating.The higher the CRI rating, the closer the light is to natural sunlight. A higher CRI rating means a broader more full, more complete, more natural spectrum of light for your plants.
PlusRite 1000-watt HPS. Price $27.12 each. CRI. 22
Eye Lighting 1000-watt HPS Price $76.81 each. CRI 26
Prices used from 1000 bulbs site .. the same bulbs may be less or more expensive elsewhere. The site was used because some sites that sell bulbs do not bother to mention CRI ratings.
Also .. they do differ if you are talking about MH or HPS bulbs or ones with dual filaments.
wyteberrywidow
Global
Thanks for that info..So im guessing the difference of 4 is a big difference in cri
wiseguy316
Well-Known Member
with the enhanced spectrum (useable light with less lumens) if the more expensive bulb produced 7 grams more on one harvest it paid for itself. I'll take that bet every time.
Brick Top
New Member
I have never seen a scale that shows how much of an increase there is between a CRI of 22 and 23 and 24 etc. but the difference does in part go to show you why higher dollar bulbs are higher dollar, because they do provide better broader spectrum lighting.
Another reason is they are more sturdily built, the filaments can withstand more of the vibration they undergo in use and also more that comes from the occasional accidental bumping of reflective light hoods that shakes bulb filaments.
I cannot say if all the differences combined add up to being fully worth the difference in price, but if someone wants the most they can get from their plants, then that alone is all the validation they should need for paying the extra, unless of course paying the extra is enough that it will leave them short of cash needed for necessities of life. Then I can see purchasing inexpensive bulbs. But if the money is there and the only reason to not spend it is because someone just doesn't want to spend it, it is a mistake to not spend it.
mee too I think i will try the eye super HPS bulb
researchkitty
Well-Known Member
IF it does. Does it? IF so, show PROOF! I wanna see the same everything same mother for the clones same nutrients and just different bulbs............... Maybe I should just do that lol....... I mean I have 14 1000w lights so trying one with this shouldnt be too terrible. Only thing that sucks is it will take 3 months to test anything like this for veg ----> flower time
Mountainfarmer
Well-Known Member
Exactly...My local grow shop want $119.00 for the eye hortliux, I get mine online for 64.99 each if I buy the case.
Mountainfarmer
Well-Known Member
singles are still only $70
Yea that is what I saw for the 400 watt eye super hps bulb (on line) At my local shop the same bulb is over $100 LOL
Mountainfarmer
Well-Known Member
i'm talking 1000 watters
wyteberrywidow
Global
IF it does. Does it? IF so, show PROOF! I wanna see the same everything same mother for the clones same nutrients and just different bulbs............... Maybe I should just do that lol....... I mean I have 14 1000w lights so trying one with this shouldnt be too terrible. Only thing that sucks is it will take 3 months to test anything like this for veg ----> flower time
sounds like my type of kitty...lol
woodsmaneh!
Well-Known Member
OK so let me think about this... lets say a better bulb gives you a 5% increase in yield. ( it will give you more but I believe in setting the target low) Kitty is pulling down 900g per light 1000w. An increase of 5% would give you 945g under a better light. Thats an extra 45g per light x 14 = 630g =$1,100.00 per cycle @ 6 cycles = 3780g extra a year = 8 1/2 pounds more for 560$ more spent on lights. So you got to buy a new light to check it out for yourself... let me see is it worth it???? If it works for you you get 25 grand more a year and if it don't you spent 40 extra dollars.
