I'm not looking for 5k spectrum. I'm saying what I'm looking for in a led setup is going to run me $5000. I know that led work just as well as hid. I'm just saying there lifespan is not yet proven. I don't know anyone that has 50k hours on one yet do you? 2.5lb off 15 year old magnetic ballasts is pretty decent as they lose efficiency over the years. I'm not bashing led lights, I'm just saying cost wise for my needs is out of reach for me atm.
At some point I will pull the trigger on them. But I don't feel like it's gospel. Especially if your just getting your feet wet again, and can pickup old hid lights for peanuts to get up and running. If I can get a 1kwatt light setup for 100bux used vs paying 1200 for a hlg550v2 rspec, even if I have to buy a bulb is not that bad.
How long does a bulb last you?
What fixtures are you buying that requires 5000$?
Basically add up your bulbs over the 15 years, add up x2 or x3 for the power you're using over the 15 years, add that to your unit cost, add that to the cost of cooling it down over 15 years.
Nobody's had an led grow light for 15 years cause they havent been around that long. Specially since they became viable. LED fixtures have only been viable for the last year or two.
You are comparing oranges to apples.
These fixtures come with a 3 year warranty, and yes they are honored.
Even if I only get 3 years out of my quantum board, it's way cheaper than HID in every way.