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Hwmpunk
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I must admit, I'm impressed with the stats on this Vivosun fixture. They claim a low frequency 50-60hz, square wave ballast, same as the reputable brands. Vega aluminum 98% reflective hood, same as the best ones out. And a three year warranty with responsive customer service. All this, for $229. With a pair of philips 315w bulbs you're talking $360.
I am eyeing this and the solis tek 630w controllable fixture. They are a legit brand and I've personally seen their 630w killing it in a pheno hunt room. They are on a super discount right now, $350 with their own brand bulbs. Their reflector, like most out, is German aluminum which is usually 95% reflective but might be 98% nowadays.
Here I'm thinking it's a no brainer for the controllable solis but the lady at hydro builder said they have been getting relatively more ballast returns on that brand than the rest. Plus, they don't come with option for philips bulbs which produce 10% more par. Don't forget cmh bulb loses 10% in a year so a year old philips still runs like a clone type bulb.
So that is the dilemma. Vivosun seems hard to hate right now, only fault being no daisy chain option. I've seen reviews of their cmh claiming they're running just as well as another sun system in the room. If solis tek offered their set without forcing their bulbs I'd 100% chance returning their ballast because like vivosun they're warrantied for three years and are reputable to boot.
The million dollar question is, does vivosun ballast compare enough to the good ones, so that it can throw out higher par than solis tek ballast with in house weaker bulbs.
Thanks for the insight
I am eyeing this and the solis tek 630w controllable fixture. They are a legit brand and I've personally seen their 630w killing it in a pheno hunt room. They are on a super discount right now, $350 with their own brand bulbs. Their reflector, like most out, is German aluminum which is usually 95% reflective but might be 98% nowadays.
Here I'm thinking it's a no brainer for the controllable solis but the lady at hydro builder said they have been getting relatively more ballast returns on that brand than the rest. Plus, they don't come with option for philips bulbs which produce 10% more par. Don't forget cmh bulb loses 10% in a year so a year old philips still runs like a clone type bulb.
So that is the dilemma. Vivosun seems hard to hate right now, only fault being no daisy chain option. I've seen reviews of their cmh claiming they're running just as well as another sun system in the room. If solis tek offered their set without forcing their bulbs I'd 100% chance returning their ballast because like vivosun they're warrantied for three years and are reputable to boot.
The million dollar question is, does vivosun ballast compare enough to the good ones, so that it can throw out higher par than solis tek ballast with in house weaker bulbs.
Thanks for the insight
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