Best LED light search 2013

Hey guys this would be my first post of many on this great forum.
I too am looking for a great LED grow light so I thank you all for this interesting topic
My decision is between the
Solar Storm 800w & Diamond Series XML - 10W CREE XML
Now when I do the math between the 2 I realize that the
Solar Storm run 160 x 5w LED's creating an 800w Output were as the
Diamond Series XML - 10W CREE XML run 144 x 3w and 10 x 10w LED's only creating an output of 532w
Could someone please confirm my understanding of the two lights as I am relatively new to the grow world, it just seems to me that the Solar storm trumps over the Diamond Series by quite a fair bit... any help would be greatly appreciated thanks guys keep up it up!
Brent

 

I'm loving my solar storm!!!!! I had a warranty issue and they cross shipped me another with almost no questions at all. Fantastic product, fantastic company, I love mine! You're welcome to check out my journal if you want to, I'd start at the back and not bother with the first half  

 

Hey WaxPayne what were your top priorities when choosing the solar storm?
My original choice was the solar, but then I passed by your topic thread and saw the
Diamond Series lol now I'm all in the air with my thoughts, think I should go with my
instincts... mmm I just hope the solar is all that it is described on that colorful website...
I do love the design and easy functionality.
 
mrsmichigan apart from the great service and reliability, how is the LED it's self? are you
producing some beautiful fruits? It's a bummer that you had problems with your light... and
needed to exchange it. That never goes down well lol. So please Michigan I would love to
hear a little more from you in regards to the actual light and not the company that would be
greatly appreciated.

 

I have the little brother the Solar Flare and its producing some nice flowers. I hope to upgrade to the Storm when I have more room.

 

My light had a faulty solder somewhere that thy knew about and it wasn't an issue at all for me.

This is the only light I've used for flower. I'm new, had a rough start and am now off and running. I need to tune my soil a bit and will do better but super impressed so far. I looked at a lot of led grows before I pulled tr trigger on my storm. I wanted 400-600w traditional lighting and from what I see I'm in line with a new grower and traditional lighting. I have no heat issues, I dot swap bulbs, it's reliable and sturdy and I love it. Happy to answer anything else.

 

It's all the same journal but I spent 8 months waterin with softened water until I realized it. The results weren't pretty. Just use the things get interesting link or go to the end and skip back a dozen or so. I'm still figuring it out. Each plant has produced equal or usually more than the last.

 

I have seen the diamond series in action and its an impressive light. I think the performance of this light is mainly due to the cree xml diodes that it uses. 

 

I read that the main enemy to LED's is heat and when you go over 3W it increases heat and shortens lifespan and even decreases output! Any truth to that you think? Maybe just without built in fans?

 

More that 3watt leds are perfectly fine. First everyone was using 1w then 3 then 5 and they will keep upgrading. What i keep saying is that leds are a relatively new technology and has not reached its true potential just yet. Until it does constant updates will be made to lights and judging from measurements and criticism the best possible combination will be found. Until now though the only reason why companies do not use more wattage on their leds are the cost i think. Of course i am not an expert in anything and these are my own opinions which i am glad to change if someone can present me with some facts. I am planning to build a small led light with 1-2 20 watt leds and observe what their potential is.  

 

Lgledsolutions.com

Check out the Mars II series. I have a thread up now showing my results & setup using two Mars II 700w (420w actual). The most important LED tip for someone shopping for LEDs for the first time is to pay attention to the actual wattage. Not the output. A California SolarFlare 800w has 800w output but its actual power draw is prob around 450w. From all my research & readings, the best way to calculate the potential yield that an LED can produce is by looking at its actual draw. An efficient LED like California Works, Advanced, or Mars II can produce 1 gram per 1 actual watt. For instance the Advanced 600w has an actual power draw of 557w so it can ideally do 557 grams (ideally). Thats why you see LEDs advertised as 'comparable to 1000w hps'. A 1000w hps setup on average runs at about 0.5grams per watt. Meaning it puts out like 500 grams on average. Compare this to an 800w LED (500w actual). The LED is only using 500w of power to produce the 500 grams; the hps setup needs 1000w. 2x the power draw. 2x the cost on your electric bill.

And the Mars II 700 (420w actual) cost me $380 shipped. Compare this to the BlackDog 450 which costs $1200. I have lots more info & examples in my thread 'complete LED setup'. Check it out

http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-medical-marijuana-growing/1229301-complete-led-setup.html

 

I've got pictures of the 400W SS in action right here (pretty detailed for about 3 months).
 
I would say that it's a pretty good light. It's very well built and you can tell they put in quality parts. I've used it for a entire cycle and the light does not underdeliver. No noticeable energy bill spike either.

 

Can anyone tell me if these LEDs are good i am a U.K grower and fancy switching to LED my tent size is 1.2M x 1.2M x 2M i will be growing 6 Holy Grail Kush in coco with some supercropping how many of these units would i need for this grow.
 
http://www.grownorthern.co.uk/index.php/online-store/ms-0006
 
Grownorthern Ms0006

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Rating: Not Rated Yet<div>Price: <div>New Price: £249.99
Standard Price: £329.99
You Save: £80.00

 

Manufacturer: Manufacturer
</div></div></div>Description
 
Equally equipped for both the Vegetative and Flowering stages of plant development.
FREE UK DELIVERY
<strong>Diffused spectra per module:</strong>
[SIZE=9pt]([/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Deep Red 6pcs[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Red 5pcs[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt],[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Blue 2pcs pcs[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Warm white 1pcs[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt], Infrared 1pc[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt])[/SIZE]
Specification: 90pcs x 3w chip
15pcs x 3w LED Per Module
Epistar 630nm, 660nm, 740nm & Bridgelux 460nm, 2700k
Primary optic 120 degree, Secondary removable optic 90 degree
Isolated power drive
Intelligent monitoring system


Parameters:
Input Voltage: AC 85-264v
Output Voltage: DC 35-45v
Input Frequency: 50/60hz
Power Consumption: Cold start -180w (Max- 270 watts)
Working Environment: 20-40 C
Dimensions: 283*283*85(mm)
Weight: 6.0kgs
What makes our Modular series so good?
Classic 3w- The best of
The modular series uses the same high quality Epistar chips for red, deep red and infrared as our classic 3w series. These are currently the highest performing red, far red and infra red spectra chips available. Apart from these chips the entire design and components are new.

Modular- A light for the future
Each 15 x 3 watt LED engine can be individually repaired, replaced or upgraded by the user (we will be releasing unique modules using the latest LED technology over the next 5 years so your units can be updated with current developments in LED technology & horticulture. This gives us the classic ballast & lamp format for making the units reusable if there are faults after the 3 year warranty period

Plant Growth- The best we have seen
One of the best aspects of the new units is the vast improvement to the photon flux density per targeted cm2. Our secondary focusing optics produce a much greater light intensity equally over a more precise area. We have already seen a vast improvement in flowering growth in our prototype testing and now our new units for 2012 are being passed over to the best growers in the UK. We are sponsoring prize growers this year with our Modular and HP5w series. Grow journals will be available on this site early in the new year.

GrowNorthern- Unique
Our new Pulse Frequency research & software allows us to maintain the same constant rate of photosynthesis produced by our by constant current drivers but with the benefits of limiting by duty cycle rather than by current. The LED's are Pulsed at a very high resolution and then the pulse width is adjusted to find a sweet spot between the rate of carbon fluxing, power consumption & the LEDs performance. Lifespan & lumen maintenance of each chip is lengthened as they reach an equilibrium temperature at 10-15 C lower than the classic series and they are not being constantly over driven.
The new drivers are designed by Grownorthern. They are isolated power drives that use transformers, drivers and complex integrated circuits to protect the LEDs and the user from the mains. The output voltage is below 45 volts per module making our Modular series some of the safest LED grow lights available. Our integrated circuit is linked to a built in monitoring system and micro controllers to adjust the LEDs performance. Individual indication LEDs show the user that the system is running correctly
GrowNorthen Warranty -3 Year
When your buying a product that is built to last along time and includes an extensive warranty, you want to be sure that the company will last as long as the product. We are one of the longest running and most established UK LED grow light specialists and we're here to stay. We have the experience and product knowledge to isolate and fix faults quickly and permanently.
Quality engineering and manufacturing
Our modular series only uses top spec components. The high quality chips and drivers are complimented by smart thermal and process engineering.

Custom- Everything's modular
With diffrent casing, front shield and vent fascias available, along with a variety of secondary optics and LED modules to be released, these lights can be much further customized internally & externally.
For more information on the best coverage, hanging heights and general use of the Modular LED grow lights please contact Grownorthern directly to ensure you get the optimum spec for your requirements. Our UK contact details are ava

 

Bump

 

 
Check this out. For real.

 

Thx DrT

 

I havent heard anything about blackstar...are they out of business? I wanted to get one of the 135 w UFOs for a small dr40 secret jardin tent. What are the best UFos out there in 2013? the 120w at advancedledlight is like 370$ + shipping. is there anything comparable but a little less harsh on the wallet?

 

Hey guys, I am very inclined to follow the AdvancedLED lights. I subscribe to their newsletter. They have the AWESOME Diamond Series. But...better yet, here's what I just found (a NEWLY created LED light called the Arc Series -- from the SAME company! http://kck.st/1d5wim9  Apparently they are creating this. If you look at the page, you can see the pictures of the difference in grow quality. 

 

I also have spent the better part of the last couple years researching LED lighting. California works, Solar Storm, Magnum+2&G2's, Black Dog, Diamond Series, UFO. And I have nothing bad to say about any of them. But in the last 6months, my partner and I have spent close to $4,000 on 2 of the best lights we've ever come across. Granted, we haven't ran them for years, to truly see their life-expectency and warranty actions. But after growing w/only HID's, and switching to the Pro650, by Lumigrow, there was no question that these are the wave of the future and any other ligths just the same. The Pro650 uses 650Watts/8.5amps, but puts out the equivalent of 2 1,000watt HID's. I saw the results and am watching them again. No more leggy, stretching plants. Only squatty, dense and phenominally structured and jam-packed with all the good stuff! Make the investment of a lifetime!!