Led vs Cmh

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

Hello everyone,

I m having a bit hard time deciding my next lighting system, so i end up with 2 possibilities that r Cmh 315w or 4x cree cxb 3590=200w for a growbox of 3ftx3ft.
Both r under 500$, So what u guys think is best?

CobKits · Mar 27, 2017

do a little more research before you spend your money

you can find cmh for $300 if you look (try growershouse or shop around hydro stores- they'll almost always give discounts)

you can build a top-shelf 200W cob rig for $200 or less if youre at all handy

both are good rigs that will produce.

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

The thing is that i live in Europe, the prices here r much higher and the offers r very limited...for the Cmh i can get a kit with reflector/ballast/2 lamps for 420€ and for the cree i get at 429€ a diy kit.
I did a lot of research so i narrow it to this 2, so what would be better?

CobKits · Mar 27, 2017

what is that in US dollars? i can ship you a whole rig with heatsinks and driver for <$200 in parts and ~$80 shipping

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

Is around 460$.
The problem is that shipping from the US to Switzerland u pay a lot in fees, customs, taxes.
But what it would be your rig?Wich heatsinks, driver, etc..

CobKits · Mar 27, 2017

most cost effective is 4x50W luminus chips on 120mm heatsinks and a meanwell driver, ~$180-$200

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

with the cree cxb 3590?

CobKits · Mar 27, 2017

no i dont use them they are outdated/overpriced for new builds imo

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

what do u mean for outdated

CobKits · Mar 27, 2017

i mean they are a generation behind other manufacturers and the same chips they sell for $35 you can buy from another mfr for $15-$17

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

So in your opinion they arent the best led chips, or is because they r too expensive?

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

So in my case u would go more to cmh kit?

Rahz · Mar 27, 2017

They aren't the best anymore. They were but other manufacturers now produce chips that provide more light per watt AND cost less. CXB3590 had it's day and was the first cob to gain widespread acceptance but Cree hasn't updated in a meaningful way. They did announce an update recently but as far as I can tell the efficiency is the same as it was last year. Anyone else catch that press release?

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

Rahz said:
They aren't the best anymore. They were but other manufacturers now produce chips that provide more light per watt AND cost less. CXB3590 had it's day and was the first cob to gain widespread acceptance but Cree hasn't updated in a meaningful way. They did announce an update recently but as far as I can tell the efficiency is the same as it was last year. Anyone else catch that press release?

No i didnt catch it...So which ones r better in this moment?
And towards my original question, any thoughts?

CobKits · Mar 27, 2017

id still go cobs over cmh, but cmh is fine as well

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

CobKits said:
id still go cobs over cmh, but cmh is fine as well

My original thought is also the cobs for the energy saving, less heat, i prefer also the simplicity of the cobs frames..but will 200w cob performs as good as a 315 cmh?and it will be enough for 3ftx3ft tent?

puffenuff · Mar 27, 2017

Leandrobcool said:
My original thought is also the cobs for the energy saving, less heat, i prefer also the simplicity of the cobs frames..but will 200w cob performs as good as a 315 cmh?and it will be enough for 3ftx3ft tent?

My advice is to go with the cmh for your situation. 200w is not enough for a 3x3 space; the cmh will do a better job of producing in that size area

Rahz · Mar 27, 2017

Leandrobcool said:
No i didnt catch it...So which ones r better in this moment?
And towards my original question, any thoughts?

Well, Bridgelux Vero and Citi 1212/1812 are the best at the moment. 200 watts with high 50s efficiency will get you to around 600 PPFD, which would produce some nice results. If you want to get closer to 1000 PPFD in a 3x3' with 4 cobs consider running them at 70-75 watts. 4x Vero 29C powered by an HLG-320H-C1050B would do the trick. @CobKits may have some other suggestions.

Leandrobcool · Mar 27, 2017

Rahz said:
Well, Bridgelux Vero and Citi 1212/1812 are the best at the moment. 200 watts with high 50s efficiency will get you to around 600 PPFD, which would produce some nice results. If you want to get closer to 1000 PPFD in a 3x3' with 4 cobs consider running them at 70-75 watts. 4x Vero 29C powered by an HLG-320H-C1050B would do the trick. @CobKits may have some other suggestions.

Do u kno any online shops in Europe?
So lets say that the 200w would be good for a 2x2 and 300w for 3x3, right?

Rahz · Mar 27, 2017

200w would be extreme for a 2x2. 300w would be about right for a 3x3 but you could go with less and still get good results. I'm working on a 181w output LED lamp for a 2x2 tent. It will provide 1350 PPFD at full power. In a 3x3 it will provide 600 PPFD. Using 4 Vero 29 at 1.05 amps (280w) you will get about 870 PPFD which is really good. If you used 6 Vero 29 at .7 amps (270w) you will get about 920 PPFD.

600 PPFD PAR will provide you with about 75% of a plants photosynthetic potential. Close to 1000 will provide you with about 90% photosynthetic potential. For comparison a 1000w DE bulb will provide around 800 PPFD in a 5x5'.

You can check these links for LEDs and drivers. I haven't done any research myself on it but it should point you in the right direction.

http://www.meanwell.eu/distributors.aspx
http://www.bridgelux.com/where-buy#emea-(europe-middle-east-africa)

Led vs Cmh

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