Hi! I'm brand new here and have been lurking for a while trying to research my first auto grow (Zama Express and Double Grape) in my 4x4. I've been looking at lights for way too long, but think I'm down to either the HLG 260W XL V2 R-spec, MARS 2000/Spider 2000 OR possibly this 480w assembled kit from (I assume) China.
amazon.com/Spectrum-Samsung-epistar-RED660nm-meanwell/dp/B083KJ9SL5/
The "brand" is "GANAIHQGROWING" and the "vendor" is "LEDLIGHTINGVENDOR". Just typing this out, I think I've answered my own question, but I wanted to pose the question here if someone more experienced could spot red flags with this or even possibly had a positive experience buying one of these. It seems like a good fit for my 4x4, HLG driver, samsung diodes, but I'm so new to this I'm afraid I'm missing something obvious.
Any thoughts/recommendations or insight is appreciated!
No par charts or anything is a red flag for me usually. Lm301h diodes are technically the 301b and I doubt they are top bin at that. UV is incredibly inefficient in LEDs still with very few manufacturers making anything of quality within 2.0+umols. It has Epistar reds, there are much better, but I'm not familiar with CREE.
You're picks are under sized but you also already have some lights.
https://growlightsaustralia.com/product/double-high-light-heat-sink-driver/
Either the 350 or the 450. They are designed to be driven hard or soft. Two of them will cover a 3x3 and if you like them, two more would fill the tent. They have a discount code and sale running currently. I'd grab the UV lights as the red boards are better paired with lights that are deficient in red. Very good lights imo. Discount code is Forum
Second best choice imo would be building your own lights. Samsung Photoboost, Bridgelux EB2 gen 3 though I believe they are exactly 4ft which might not work in a 4x4. Gen2 are 44 inches rather than 48 and slightly less efficient but cheap if you can find 3000k.
You could do QB96s or their, Horticulture Lighting Group that is, 4 pack boards would work great though you would need 3 packs to completely fill a 4x4. They are simple to assemble and if you wanted to add supplemental strips later it would be easy. They have UV but I think CutterAU has superior UV in their 2ft strips. HLG also carriers 630, 660, and 730nm strips.
I don't know your budget so Timber LED, Autocobs, and a few others might break the bank but there is Kingbrite/Meiju. The first choice is just a value at 94cri at 3000k with quality heat sinking. DIY is great on the budget but you don't get a professional look unless spend a lot more. Strips don't come with heatsinks so it cost more to frame them. The quantum boards packs are a good choice and easy to assemble while HLG gives you links for all the parts.
For around $200 per pack and driver you could get between 480-640w in that 4x4.
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/quantum-boards/products/qb144-v2-quantum-boards
$125 for 4 boards+57-77 per driver= 182-202
Could do any of the 3 packs then add on supplemental colors later depending on your goals. If you look their sheet, 75w is max per board, run the efficiency higher with a 185w driver and 3 sets of boards.
125 for boards + 46 for driver = $171 and that gets you higher efficiency at 555 watts if you ran three sets. A lot you could do with HLG
If you're willing to budget around $500, the light you linked is near that, could squeeze more value out of HLG DIY or my first pick.
Oooooooooohhhhhhh I forgot!!!! Running them softer means no heat sinks. Frame them up with some aluminum channel then run 3 rows of 4 at 555w.
