I think you might be over thinking this. Light companies aren't reinventing the wheel any time a new product comes out. They are all using the same selection of diodes from a handful of companies such as Samsung. They throw their own "special layout" onto a pcb, and slap a heatsink and driver on it. I don't even think they do their own board stuffing. The only innovation is when Samsung comes out with a new more efficient diode. I think the better question to ask is how well do the underside of leaves absorb light and how much benefit per $ you will get from it.
Things to consider:
- Diode type and population count
- Heatsink quality. How well it's going to be able to absorb the heat
- What driver are they using.
Yeah, I can easily understand where someone would think that I'm over thinking things, but I just can't overcome my upbringing and background.
While in the military, The environment that I worked in had a myriad of things that could kill you if you didn't operate them properly. Or I worked on and repaired vessels where lives depended on the work, not to mention the loss of multi-billion dollars pieces of equipment. One wrong thing done could conceivably bring down a submarine with loss of all life and equipment. In civilian life I was basically in the same dangerous environments, but I was the inspector. Everything had to conform to a either a Set engineering standard or comply with law. Again, safety being the main concern .
A leopard just can't change its spots!
For me, the IP66 compliance is very key. It satisfies my need for it to be safe. That also allows me to not have to make drastic changes In how I run the tent and grow the girls. I can foliar feed or IPM without a whole lot of worry or change things.
I've already taken all your points into consideration for this type of lighting. For this type of lighting, a Bar style is definitely the most efficient method of delivery. Given the size restraints, it has a good diode count and I like the spectrum. Optimally, it would be done with the new Evo diodes, but they are Samsung and Osram. It uses the aluminum body for its heat sink . The driver is integrated and really that's pretty much the only option with this light mainly being for commercial operations. I did see some that had separate drivers, but everything else was cheesy.
With that smooth REAL glass top it does offer ease of cleaning and there will be no clouding.
I already have one improvement to their light with the
home grower in mind. Given the dimensions of the light and the tent that most people will be using this in, the end electrical connections need to be a 90 degree. Even though the light fixture will easily fit in a 4X4, it will still be a pretty tight fit hooked up
electrically on both ends. A 90 degree connector on both the power supply and daisy chain connector will significantly reduce the stress that could be imposed upon that connection . That would entail them to Offer three different cords for the home grower...... the Daisy chain connector and both the dimmer and non dimmer power supply cords.
I have a few more questions to ask the guy before I make my final decision, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna purchase this. I'm also going to try to see if I can get this guy to make a presence here. We can always use more vendors here and this could be an avenue for him to get more into the home growing market............... Which is ever increasing with legalization.
I definitely appreciate your input and with your examples, we can all see that under Canopy lighting does work!
. I always think buyer beware. If it sounds too good then perhaps it is just making noise not sense. How much "better" would want to ladies to become? Have a good night Mr Brother.
craft-farmer.com
