Thoughts on the California Lightworks Solarflare 200?

[hush]

I am thinking about going LED in my 2x2 tent (DR60). After a bit of research, it is starting to look like I've narrowed it down to the Solarflare 200. I can't find too many reviews on this one, although I've found numerous positive reviews on its big brother, the Solarstorm. Also, the company itself seems to get positive reviews.

But I am brand spankin new to the LED scene. I know next to nothing about them, other than I replaced my under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen with some, lol. Oh yeah, also my aquarium has a LED moonlight. other than that, I am a noob to LEDs.

I want to be able to use a full-spectrum LED panel throughout all stages of my plants growth. I currently use a 400w MH/HPS, which works beautifully for me, and I'm not trying to increase my yield or anything like that. I just want to finally experiment with LEDs and hopefully save a couple hundred watts in electricity, that's all.

 

[Mikenite69]

Good luck with LEDs I find they are a pain in the arse and veg plants really slow compared to h.i.d units.

Benefits of LEDs nice tight internodes, short stocky plants, and tons saved on electric and exhausting heat. Oh ya plus some super duper frosty nuggets.

Down fall constant needs of cal/mg takes time to get used to and if it's ever cold or really cold in your grow area plants suffer from the lack of radiant heat. Good luck.

 

[hush]

I'm sure there's a learning curve, and I'm expecting that. I'll still have my primary garden running a 1000w HID. But on my small, supplemental garden, I want to finally experiment with LEDs. If I screw up hardcore, it's no big deal because the large garden supplies my wife and me with all the meds we need.

 

[FunkBomb]

It looks like a good unit and has a good warranty. I've been looking around and there are a lot of companies with lights now - Advanced LED, Growblu, California Lightworks, Lumigrow, Area 51, Illumitex, and many more. For a 2x2 area I'm sure that light will do fine.

-Funk

 

[Mikenite69]

I would personally get the lumigrow if you can fork out the money for one. I was just at my friends hydro shop the other day and was highly impressed with the newest lumigrow the pro 325 was covering a 4x4 table with no issues very impressive light coverage from a small unit.

Also the fans didn't sound like a helicopter taking off while it was running. I am so impressed with the lumigrow that I am selling off all my led panels to buy either the es330 or the new pro325 or the pro650. I really want the pro650 but will settle for any of them. Plus they have a really good warranty on there lights.

 

[unregistered190]

The LED market will get more competitive quickly, the technology is moving fast.....I figure in another year or so I will give them real consideration.

 

[stoned-trout]

me too^^^^^^^^^^.sometimes waiting pays off

 

[Highlighter]

I bought a Solar Flare Bloom Booster a yr. ago. Out of the box, 1/2 the diodes weren't working. The company was great about shipping me out a new one, but it still took 2 wks.
Those two wks were wk 4 & 5 of flower, so that sucked, as it's strictly for bloom.
I put it away late summer til halloween, plugged it in and only 1/2 (the reds) came on.
I've been using it, but now am about to send it back.
I felt really good about buying american-made, it was a better unit than the other 2 LED's I have when it worked (those 5w are so much brighter), but the hassle of having it malfunction twice would keep me from buying a 2nd unit from CLW.
Guess that's why they upgraded w/ those new drivers.

 

[Resu]

Anyone tried their new solar flare 220w?

 

[hush]

I did. I mean, I am. I just started up my first grow with it:

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=288502

 

[Resu]

I did. I mean, I am. I just started up my first grow with it:

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=288502

Nice setup! Gonna follow your grow closely.

 

[az2000]

Down fall constant needs of cal/mg

FWIW: My calmag deficiencies stopped when I started using calcium sulfate (egg shells dissolved in white vinegar) during transition to flower. See

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg0422555019136.html#GWCPostBody5
http://gilcarandang.com/recipes/calphos/

 

[az2000]

After a bit of research, it is starting to look like I've narrowed it down to the Solarflare 200.

IMO, you can do a lot better for the money Cali Lightworks charges for their lights. They don't publish their spectrum/ratio. It's basically a lot of "secret sauce" hype that you're buying into.

Owners of CLW lights get good results. But, if someone's motivated to invest that much in a light they're probably motivated to provide similar care for their plant. I.e., it may not be the light. And, owners of cheapo Chinese imports get good results too.

Thus, you can do better with a company that's more transparent about what they're asking you to buy, doesn't inflate their PAR numbers with "adjusted" measurements, less expensive, etc.

I'd recommend Area51 RW or XGS. Lifetime warranty, ability to upgrade LED modules as technology evolves. Maybe Grow Northern's new light (supposed to be available any day now) using their Rebel Spectrum.

 

[hush]

They were too expensive. The CLW is already borderline too expensive. All LEDs are too expensive actually, except for the Chinese ones. The A51 ones are definitely too expensive. When everyone decides to bring their prices down to realistic levels, I'll give them a chance. Until then, CLW is the only one that just barely makes it into the not expensive category.