So I used a lux meter app that seems to be accurate with grain of salt. “light meter lm-3000.”
Tested current light strips again but much more comprehensive and then my new lights. I measure it by tip of finger and stack one or two more fingers which are like just under half inch each. Because buds are about 1-3 finger tips away stacked. Index finger, middle and ring finger stacked on one another.
Then measured 3” and 8” away as those were furthest away from light source. This light runs hot so I believe it is brighter. It runs shadey, needs a moment to warm up to be twice as bright as starting brightness.
No dimmer. The power supply I got with it is huge and doesnt connect well. Lights in connecting area stay lit for a few mins after unplugging (anyone know why? is it safe?) Overall kind of a elevated fire risk. But here were the readings from old light vs new.
Old light:
1 finger tip away - 13k lux or 250ppfd
2 finger tips away - 7500 lux or 140ppfd
3 finger tips away - 4k lux or 75ppfd
3” away - 3200 lux or 60ppfd
8” away - 2100 lux or 40ppfd
New light:
1 finger tip away - 85k lux or 1600ppfd
2 finger tips away - 40k lux or 760ppfd
3 finger tips away - 22k lux or 415ppfd
3” away - 5k lux or 95ppfd
8” away - 2k lux or 35ppfd
Let me know if any of this sounds wrong but it was the most comprehensive measure made with these strip lights considering buds will be within those ranges distance apart.
So far they visually and mathmatically appear to be brighter but hit the same at 3” to 8” away but old strip lights were measured during use so some ambient light from same strip light was possibly interfering with reading.