Any Thoughts On Best Brands Of Light Systems?

[Randy S]

I'm looking into lighting systems other then the fluorescent lights I currently use but when I go to the different websites I'm overwhelmed by all the choices in brands, ballasts, reflectors, etc. Any personal experiences with specific brands, types of reflectors & ballasts or complete ready-to-go systems would be greatly appreciated. With all the different brand names and price ranges it can make you crazy!

Thanks for your thoughts.

Randy

[Ross]

Hot lights or something like t5 florescent? Give us a bit more help with your needs. How big an area are you trying to light? Is heat an issue (is it OK for lighted area to get very warm?)

[Randy S]

Thanks for responding Ross. Sorry I confused the situation by not explaining a bit more. I already know what type of lighting I want. I’m getting Metal Halide as my primary light with a small HPS as a background filler. What I was trying to get feedback on was the number of different brands available. Are my fellow board members finding more reliability with certain brands? Are the remote ballasts working better? Are they having better success with certain types of reflector hoods? That’s the type of information I was asking about.

Thanks Again.

[Ross]

Randy, having used these "hot lights" in the past, I recommend the remote ballasts as that allows easier replacement of parts. When the ballast is integral with the light hood, if something fails it all gets replaced. Beyond that I have no recomendations on brand. John (a member here from Chicago) uses combo units with one HPS and one MH bulb in each unit (I think I have that right).

[Randy S]

Thanks, I'll look into how one of those units might fit my needs.

[jim blanford]

Hi.. Randy I guess it all depens on what you grow. My main light is a 800 watt combo 400 MH & 400 HPS on a light mover travels 9ft. It's Sun System from Sun Light Supply I've had it for years and it works great never a problem.

[Randy S]

Thanks Jim,

I'd searched for the dual light system last night after Ross mentioned it. I found the Sun Systems unit and it looks nice. I think that is the way I'm leaning at the moment.

Randy