Cheap bulbs, any good?

[SilentFeet]

There seems to be a fair difference between the price of HPS and MH bulbs sold on the net, some are almost twice the price as others.

Are the cheaper one's actually any worse, or is it a case they are all made of the same stuff and made the same way so there's no real difference?

It's hard to tell by looking at them, Sunmaster seems to be brighter than others but that's being subjective and not using an objective measuring device, so you can't tell for sure.

 

[_tessarecting]

If youre running single ended hortilux super hps is what you need they are the best

 

[Bobby Boucher]

I personally haven't found a need to ever upgrade my bulbs. I replace my $20 Apollos every 90 days and hit 1gpw. Maybe if I was trying to squeeze more lumens out of my lights I'd give hortilux a go.. but my apollos already throw out enough light to cause bleaching if I am not careful. Personally, I think the way you throw/reflect your light effects your yields 10 fold over which brand of hps you decide to use.

Not knocking pricey bulbs, just noting that I personally haven't ever felt the need to try them. A good reflector on the other hand.. most crucial.