To contactor or not is the question???

Hi all . Was wondering what ppls views on using contactors? I was told you should use at all times when using hps with a timer but i've seen from other's recent posts that some ppl think they are pants...... ???? I have a 400w dual spec hps its ballast is white not sure if that makes a difference should i use a contactor?

funny u ask that i have the same question was gona post .iv got the compact 400w hps. i reckon wel need a timer, as im sure a while back in my mates tent they started to fook up n that was only a 250 hps he had in .

its splits the power load over two sockets, reducing the heat build up that can fry-out timers, sometimes they help. i use one most of the time