Disappointed. Need some good unbiased advice

[GreenBean]

I would look into an Atreum ARA 41, 4 bar kit for a 3x4 area. I have their 3 bar kit in my 2x4 and love it. Light spread is perfectly even. Takes about 10 minutes to wire up. Even for someone like me who’s never done it. Within your budget. Samsung and Cree diodes. I use mine as separate bars, meaning I don't have the light rail you can attach the bars to. This allows me to adjust the individual bar heights as needed, if I wish.

They’re based in Seattle and have stellar service. If you search around on google, there’s a 10% off code floating around. So impressed with the lights that I’m planning on upgrading my 8x4 to a couple of their 5 or 6 bar kits when I can. Priced competitively with the Amazon lights and domestic support, that actually responds quickly. Great warranty as well.

https://atreumlighting.com/collecti...ra-41-led-light-bar-kit-4-ft-with-480w-driver

 

[Sour D]

I’ve emailed them and asked for a refund. Hopefully they don’t give me the run around. Just never had a warm and fuzzy about this light. Back to the drawing board. Everyone is still tight lipped on opinions for an alternative. Thoughts on the Mars FC-E 4800? Or would the FC-E 3000 make more sense for a 4x4ish space, Is there much difference between the FC and FC-E models other than the type of diodes?

I bought Viparspectra xs2000 and was impressed with it and the price- enough that I just bought another. You'd need 2 for 4x4. Nice thing about multiple lights, if you end up with some plants taller than others, you can adjust the height

 

[Sleepy T]

I would look into an Atreum ARA 41, 4 bar kit for a 3x4 area. I have their 3 bar kit in my 2x4 and love it. Light spread is perfectly even. Takes about 10 minutes to wire up. Even for someone like me who’s never done it. Within your budget. Samsung and Cree diodes. I use mine as separate bars, meaning I don't have the light rail you can attach the bars to. This allows me to adjust the individual bar heights as needed, if I wish.

They’re based in Seattle and have stellar service. If you search around on google, there’s a 10% off code floating around. So impressed with the lights that I’m planning on upgrading my 8x4 to a couple of their 5 or 6 bar kits when I can. Priced competitively with the Amazon lights and domestic support, that actually responds quickly. Great warranty as well.

https://atreumlighting.com/collecti...ra-41-led-light-bar-kit-4-ft-with-480w-driver

Looks like a nice set of bars. Almost seems a bit too long for my space. I will have to take some measurements. I would have to rig up a rack if some sort, but they look like they would cover the space easily. Thanks

 

[Sleepy T]

I bought Viparspectra xs2000 and was impressed with it and the price- enough that I just bought another. You'd need 2 for 4x4. Nice thing about multiple lights, if you end up with some plants taller than others, you can adjust the height

I like the idea of 2 lamps, definitely makes the setup more versatile. I’m still learning a lot about lights. How do the viparspectra do wrt flowering? Looks like the 600-700nm spectrum isn’t asstrong g as in some others? Also, the par output seems like too much for autos?I know you can dim/adjust, so that is nice too…

Decisions decisions. Here I am a week later and after a couple of emails and phone conversations KindLED still can’t seem to set the bong down long enough tosend Me a shipping address and confirmation of a refund. Getting a little antzy…

 

[Sour D]

I like the idea of 2 lamps, definitely makes the setup more versatile. I’m still learning a lot about lights. How do the viparspectra do wrt flowering? Looks like the 600-700nm spectrum isn’t asstrong g as in some others? Also, the par output seems like too much for autos?I know you can dim/adjust, so that is nice too…

Decisions decisions. Here I am a week later and after a couple of emails and phone conversations KindLED still can’t seem to set the bong down long enough tosend Me a shipping address and confirmation of a refund. Getting a little antzy…

I'm not that much into the minutiae of these things and haven't had em long. I can say they are well built, less heat than the 2 lights it replaced and the girls in flower noticeably perked up with praying leaves.
As a small home grower, I'm not interested in spending wads of cash on an item meant to last 3-5 years when I know the technology will be updated in a year---kind of like computers. If they made them so I could install an upgrade kit, I'd prolly think differently. As far as the antsy---never hurry, never wurry

 

[GreenBean]

Looks like a nice set of bars. Almost seems a bit too long for my space. I will have to take some measurements. I would have to rig up a rack if some sort, but they look like they would cover the space easily. Thanks

They’re pretty much exactly 4’ long. If you have a dimension that is 4’ in either direction, they will fit perfectly with about 1/2” of space on either side of a bar. Depending on where you mount the meanwell and how high you are mounting them, you may need a 6’ extension from the driver to the light, which is about $10. I’d recommend contacting Atreum and getting some input. They answer quickly. I messaged them once on a weekend figuring they’d get back to me on Monday. They responded within about 10 minutes. I didn’t even realize till later that not only was it the weekend, but it was Sunday, and Father’s Day. And they still responded.

For whatever reason, they fly under the radar despite pretty much only great reviews, from what I’ve seen. Although their little Hydra for a 2x2 space is getting them some good attention.

 

[Sleepy T]

They’re pretty much exactly 4’ long. If you have a dimension that is 4’ in either direction, they will fit perfectly with about 1/2” of space on either side of a bar. Depending on where you mount the meanwell and how high you are mounting them, you may need a 6’ extension from the driver to the light, which is about $10. I’d recommend contacting Atreum and getting some input. They answer quickly. I messaged them once on a weekend figuring they’d get back to me on Monday. They responded within about 10 minutes. I didn’t even realize till later that not only was it the weekend, but it was Sunday, and Father’s Day. And they still responded.

For whatever reason, they fly under the radar despite pretty much only great reviews, from what I’ve seen. Although their little Hydra for a 2x2 space is getting them some good attention.

What do you use on those for a rack or do you simply hand them? Was browsing at some of the 2020 T Slot. Still not sure if these things are a bit too big for my space. Im in a bout a 4x5 closet with one entry door for accessibility to the plants. When the light is low it would be a challenge to get to them for watering feeding, etc. if they were rack mounted. I suppose I could put each of the grow bags in a dolly for easy transport and moving around. I suppose I wouldn’t necessarily need 4 lights for earlier stages of growth either.

 

[GreenBean]

What do you use on those for a rack or do you simply hand them? Was browsing at some of the 2020 T Slot. Still not sure if these things are a bit too big for my space. Im in a bout a 4x5 closet with one entry door for accessibility to the plants. When the light is low it would be a challenge to get to them for watering feeding, etc. if they were rack mounted. I suppose I could put each of the brow bags in a solely for easy transport and moving around.

They’re meant to either be simply hung with the included ratchet straps individually, or they sell a bar/frame kit for it that you can mount the bars to, like a ChilLED- for lack of a better description.

They’ve been out of stock on the frames for a bit due to the whole pandemic supply chain issues. At first I really wanted the frame, but I’m really enjoying the options of having each individual bar being adjustable to any given situation. If I think the back of the tent could use a bit more intensity, I can drop the back bar down a couple inches, etc..

I’m using them in a 4x2 gorilla grow shorty without the height extension, so we’re talking about a 4’ 11” tall tent. With an AC 6” exhaust and carbon filter above the lights. Running a couple Fastbuds right now, and the light is about 18” above the canopy of the one in flower. No issues with watering, due to the height. The light is dimmable though, so you always have the option of raising it.

I might recommend contacting them to explain your setup to get info on what might work best for you. Maybe you need to hang them higher and might need a larger driver?

They’re super responsive to customer feedback. They used to only offer a 2 bar kit for a 4x2 area. I contacted them and said - Hey, I think that a 3 bar kit would be a great addition/option for a 4x2 area. They contacted me back and agreed. Put together a 3 bar kit, and added it to their site.

 

[Sleepy T]

I'm not that much into the minutiae of these things and haven't had em long. I can say they are well built, less heat than the 2 lights it replaced and the girls in flower noticeably perked up with praying leaves.
As a small home grower, I'm not interested in spending wads of cash on an item meant to last 3-5 years when I know the technology will be updated in a year---kind of like computers. If they made them so I could install an upgrade kit, I'd prolly think differently. As far as the antsy---never hurry, never wurry

After much debate, I went with (2) Viparspectra XS2000s. They should be here ina few days. I know they are from China, not too crazy about that. But they seem to be reputable. The size, output, and price seem to be right where I need to be right now. Any feedback on how they are performing? What % of intensity and heights are you using for various stages of development? I’m sure the product will have (hopefully) have some detailed info.on this…

On another note..my experience with KindLED was nothing short of horrendous. While there seemed to be some decent people. I got the run around for 3 weeks, and finally after a month, they received my lamp. Still haven’t received a refund.

Hope to be planting in the next couple weeks.

 

[Sour D]

After much debate, I went with (2) Viparspectra XS2000s. They should be here ina few days. I know they are from China, not too crazy about that. But they seem to be reputable. The size, output, and price seem to be right where I need to be right now. Any feedback on how they are performing? What % of intensity and heights are you using for various stages of development? I’m sure the product will have (hopefully) have some detailed info.on this…

On another note..my experience with KindLED was nothing short of horrendous. While there seemed to be some decent people. I got the run around for 3 weeks, and finally after a month, they received my lamp. Still haven’t received a refund.

Hope to be planting in the next couple weeks.

I haven't had them long enough to play around with them. They are well made and quite heavy for units in the price range. Seem to give better coverage than the 2 units I changed em out for and run a bit cooler.