GTO where you at?
We have been using and testing these 315w CMH bulbs for about 8 months and although we offer every piece of equipment for your facility, these take the cake (right next to water cooled HVAC of course). As an experienced cultivator it has been very easy to see the superior results of this lamp compared to conventional HIDs. The test results with a quality par meter, a spectrometer, a uva and uvb reader are also greater then HPS, MH or even LEDs.
These bulbs operate off of a low frequency electronic ballast. High frequency ballast can crack the ceramic disk in the bulb. Philips produces only one bulb that is designed for horticulture. There are many bulbs that resemble this bulb but the elite agro is the only one with the proper color spectrum and UVA. The other bulbs do not even come close to comparing and if you are to use the wrong bulb you WILL be turned off of using these lamps.
Tests on the other wattage CMHs do not compare either. According to our par reader, only digital 1000w ballasts put out more par (although there are LEDs that can compare as far are par goes). It is all about light spread though and we know that we can achieve better spread of light with multi points. That being said, two of these will out perform one 1000w digital without a problem.
There are many companies out there selling any bulb they can find and it is hurting the reputation of this bulb. For example, the infamous 860w CMH (also referred to as the 900w CMH). This lamps output is almost entirely in the green spectrum, useless for horticulture. These are just all commercial lighting bulbs, including all the other 315w. Philips has developed a bulb strictly for horticulture and this multi billion dollar company proclaims that in the description of their bulb.
http://www.usa.ecat.lighting.philip...cdm-t-elite-med-wattage-agro/928601172201_na/ Product #415216
So, back to GTO's closet. His final weight was 260g. As we see, there was a lot more space for him to work with and he will be putting 4 plants that are near the size of this plant in the same space. So he harvested over .82 grams per watt. That is over 1.84 lbs per 1000w. No CO2 and many sqft of canopy not being used. Not bad for a first grow, can't wait to see what he pulls from his closet this time.
We have run many side by sides on commercial levels with incredible results. With both HPS, MH and many LEDs. Both yield and resin content are much higher with these 315w lamps. Every commercial or residential grower that we have introduced to these lights falsl in love with them. We are so sure that these are the best lighting systems that we are currently working out a money back guarantee for commercial facilities that are already up and running but looking for a better option over HPS.
We just got the hood we designed UL listed and we should have them within the month. Our whole package including hood, bulb, ballast, adapter, and a 240v 8" (120v available) cord is only $350! We are currently selling a package without the hood for $280. Ballast has a two year warranty and bulb has a one year warranty.
