I have 3 Raptors AC 8" running 1,000w and two Daystar AC 6" running 600w (I have also ran 1000w in these).
Personally, I've found the raptors to be top notch over true 4'x4' tables. The Daystar AC 6" just couldn't cover the area like the raptor. And, as previously mentioned, the Daystar gives a hot spot in the middle, while the raptor provides a great spread. Get some Smart Grips and you'll be all set. Also, I cool everything with one 700 cfm max fan pulling (opposed to pushing) the air. I've found this to be the most effective way to cool and cheapest. Hope that helps.
Raptors, magnums and even the king cobra someone mentioned are all good choices in sealed vented hoods, because the shallow angle of the inside reflective material helps spread the light better and reduces the hotspot directly underneath the hood. That's what makes them better hoods, not weight, or simple size; it's the 'angle of incidence' advantage.
Props on using the max fan to pull the air through the hood- this works for any sealed and vented hoods. Pushing air heats it, and boy do the hoods get hot when you do it that way! The best place to mount the fan is as close to the exhaust from the room as possible, since everything downstream of it gets hot. If you can't manage that, then be sure you insulate the downstream ducting.
I also have some
adjust-a-wings and just can never use them because they heat my area up too much, especially in summer. I have a friend that runs three 600w
adjust-a-wings and has seen great success because they don't get as hot as the 1000s. If I didn't run tables, I would try these because you can cut some serious wattage and get huge coverage with the light spreaders.
If you have the large size
adjust-a-wings and you want to get rid of them, let me know. See if we can work out a deal.
To whoever posted about not using the light spreader, why is this? Does it cut the output like the 8% for glass figure or is it just overkill? Thanks for any response.
The super spreader is basically a light
shade, designed to allow the user to lower the adjust-a-wing down closer to the canopy without burning the plants directly underneath the hood. Trouble is, by using one you're giving up most of the advantage of having an adjust-a-wing in the first place!
Here's what a guy who worked in industrial lighting for a living has to say on the subject: