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Gavita Pro DE Vs Solis tek DE

equiqed

Member
Any opinions? I like the solis tek bulbs for different stages of growth and the 10 k finisher sounds like a great idea but does it beat the famous gavita pro?
 

catalyte

Active member
Veteran
im also interested in which would put out more PAR.

i doubt solis tek will beat Gavita, imho.
 
No they do not. Solis Tek has turned into a company that doesn't really know what it wants to be anymore. Their DE series are a flat out joke as well as their line of bulbs for different stages nonsense. Solis Tek is just trying to get on any bandwagon they can. They make a good digi ballast and that is pretty much all they have going for them.
 
"gavita pro" and the pro plus (Double Ended) are made by Philips. They have the highest PPF per watt of any bulb. (As an aside i would argue that that is a misleading metric, but whatever). This is a well know and studied bulb with well known and understood performance. it is truly best of breed.


Solis Tek is a complete unknown. Although user BetaTestTeam has been looking to get his hands on one to test.
 

Zen Medz

Member
Gonna start another thread but thought I'd chime in with some quick specs for 1k bulbs. I've been researching 1k options, moving up from two 6oo's and I'm finding and hearing all kinds of stuff, mostly half truths.

Here are some specs about par, average life hours and costs for bulbs that I found pretty quickly. For the record Hortilux does not list par for their bulbs on their website that I could find. I've included links below.

Ushio Super HPS SE: 1,810 par, 24,000 avg life hrs, $70
Ushio Super HPS DE: 1,950/2100, 10,000, $140
Phillips/Gavita HPS DE: 1,850/2100, 10,000, $120

Quick observations are that the double ended bulbs have a slightly higher par output, little bit less blue and more red, and an average life that is half of a single ended hps bulb. Double ended bulbs might work great for large scale operations or greenhouses with 440 volt connections but for the average grower I think the standard single ended bulbs are still a great option. When you factor in costs involved with changing out reflectors, bulbs, wiring and possibly ballasts it doesn't pencil out. Am I missing something? Any thoughts?

http://www.ushio.com/products/horticulture/hiluxgro.php
http://www.lighting.philips.com/mai...pressure-sodium/horti/928196305116_EU/product
http://growershouse.com/gavita-master-plus-gpt-el-400v-electronic-lamp


Rivercat
 
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Yes, you are hung up on PAR readings and your preconceived price points. You need to look at the total spectrum and that is where the Gavita DE's are supreme. I have never seen a SE bulb last anywhere close to the advertised bulb life claims and would have to swap out bulbs every 6 months because of deterioration. Also the reflectors for SE bulbs degrade quickly as well and you cannot change that aluminium out of any hoods. Again, this is where the Gavita rules supreme. Mine gives me top to bottom rock hard nugs and I grow trees because the light penetration is beyond anything a SE bulb/hood can do.
 
Gonna start another thread but thought I'd chime in with some quick specs for 1k bulbs. I've been researching 1k options, moving up from two 6oo's and I'm finding and hearing all kinds of stuff, mostly half truths.

Here are some specs about par, average life hours and costs for bulbs that I found pretty quickly. For the record Hortilux does not list par for their bulbs on their website that I could find. I've included links below.

Ushio Super HPS SE: 1,810 par, 24,000 avg life hrs, $70
Ushio Super HPS DE: 1,950/2100, 10,000, $140
Phillips/Gavita HPS DE: 1,850/2100, 10,000, $120

Quick observations are that the double ended bulbs have a slightly higher par output, little bit less blue and more red, and an average life that is half of a single ended hps bulb. Double ended bulbs might work great for large scale operations or greenhouses with 440 volt connections but for the average grower I think the standard single ended bulbs are still a great option. When you factor in costs involved with changing out reflectors, bulbs, wiring and possibly ballasts it doesn't pencil out. Am I missing something? Any thoughts?

http://www.ushio.com/products/horticulture/hiluxgro.php
http://www.lighting.philips.com/mai...pressure-sodium/horti/928196305116_EU/product
http://growershouse.com/gavita-master-plus-gpt-el-400v-electronic-lamp


Rivercat
IMHO;
Philips is telling the truth. The rest lie.
The Philips bulbs are used and studied all over the world. also the gavita bulb is the philips bulb.
 
N

noyd666

had both , gavita hands down the winner, solis tek dead an buried long ago.
 

Zen Medz

Member
Doktor, Do you have a better way to compare bulbs beyond the par and the comparison of orange/red levels to blue levels? The graphs of some of the DE bulbs seem shifted more to the red/orange spectrum. I'm up for paying for good technology and equipment. I'm a craft gardener and want the best medicine I can get. Glad to hear the DE bulbs are working for you. How do they compare to regular SE 1k hps bulbs? How would a top of the line Ushio or Horti compare to the better DE bulbs? Yield difference, terpenes improvement, THC, CBD's? Thanks.
 
Yes I have a better way, I did a side by side and the Gavita provided me with hard nugs top to bottom. And I am not talking about larf, I mean hard bud all the way to the bottom. I never achieved that with SE bulbs vert or horizontal. Quality, frosty goodness. That was all it took for me to take down every lamp I had after that. All of my SE equipment has been sold on Craigslist. THAT is how they compare to my Gavitas. I could go on about these things, and I understand not wanting to pull the trigger unless you were getting the best info you can. Hands down Zen, this is what you will be wanting in you garden.
 

whiteberrieS

TerrorBloodyTerror
Veteran
Gonna start another thread but thought I'd chime in with some quick specs for 1k bulbs. I've been researching 1k options, moving up from two 6oo's and I'm finding and hearing all kinds of stuff, mostly half truths.

Here are some specs about par, average life hours and costs for bulbs that I found pretty quickly. For the record Hortilux does not list par for their bulbs on their website that I could find. I've included links below.

Ushio Super HPS SE: 1,810 par, 24,000 avg life hrs, $70
Ushio Super HPS DE: 1,950/2100, 10,000, $140
Phillips/Gavita HPS DE: 1,850/2100, 10,000, $120

Quick observations are that the double ended bulbs have a slightly higher par output, little bit less blue and more red, and an average life that is half of a single ended hps bulb. Double ended bulbs might work great for large scale operations or greenhouses with 440 volt connections but for the average grower I think the standard single ended bulbs are still a great option. When you factor in costs involved with changing out reflectors, bulbs, wiring and possibly ballasts it doesn't pencil out. Am I missing something? Any thoughts?

http://www.ushio.com/products/horticulture/hiluxgro.php
http://www.lighting.philips.com/mai...pressure-sodium/horti/928196305116_EU/product
http://growershouse.com/gavita-master-plus-gpt-el-400v-electronic-lamp


Rivercat

Less blue ended it for me, I'm sticking w/ my SolisTek & SuperHPS - looks like outside in the tent. Single ended of course, trade the blue for more PAR (like I know wtf that mean, science man!) no way! Looks like outside in the 4x4! No more Mars! Never that! Bitches! 5:53 in the AM! Too early yet! Lol!

edit: I know what photosynthetically active radiation is, the words, just aint going for more of that over the outside in a tent.
 

Zen Medz

Member
Yes I have a better way, I did a side by side and the Gavita provided me with hard nugs top to bottom. And I am not talking about larf, I mean hard bud all the way to the bottom. I never achieved that with SE bulbs vert or horizontal. Quality, frosty goodness. That was all it took for me to take down every lamp I had after that. All of my SE equipment has been sold on Craigslist. THAT is how they compare to my Gavitas. I could go on about these things, and I understand not wanting to pull the trigger unless you were getting the best info you can. Hands down Zen, this is what you will be wanting in you garden.

Not trying to jack this thread just thought it'd be nice to get some more information about the DE bulbs for the community here. The DE bulbs have my attention and I am looking to upgrade to 1k's I'm just not sold on them yet.

How did you do your side by side, how many plants? How far did you place your DE bulb compared to the SE above the canopy? Were both bulbs new, what brands? I'd be real intersted in seeing a vert compared to a DE bulb. I checked your profile and didn't see any journals.

When you look at the lumen and par numbers there's about a 15% increase with DE bulbs. I know par isn't the best measurement for some people but it's at least a decent measurement. If the DE bulbs are pushing 15% more par watts I can understand a 15% yield increase and some other improvements. I've read quite a few posts on multiple forums claiming 20-40% yield increases and I'm just not seeing how that's possible.

I've read that some people suggest keeping the DE bulbs higher above the canopy than regular bulbs, I've heard 3 feet. If I compared the par watts with a 1k DE bulb 3 feet up and SE bulb 2 feet up the SE bulb would have much more par watts hitting the plants. If I was growing larger scale I would be fine with having my lights 3-5 feet above the canopy so I could maximize light spread. This is a situation where DE bulbs could make sense and that's probably why greenhouses and some commercial growers like them. For small scale grow ops I don't see a clear advantage.

Not knocking DE's just trying to figure out if there worth the investment. Sounds like they work well for people and they're a decent option. I might hedge my bet and buy a digital 1k ballast that is compatible with DE bulbs just to give me that option down the road. Happy growing.
 
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billyboat

Member
Not trying to jack this thread just thought it'd be nice to get some more information about the DE bulbs for the community here. The DE bulbs have my attention and I am looking to upgrade to 1k's I'm just not sold on them yet.

How did you do your side by side, how many plants? How far did you place your DE bulb compared to the SE above the canopy? Were both bulbs new, what brands? I'd be real intersted in seeing a vert compared to a DE bulb. I checked your profile and didn't see any journals.

When you look at the lumen and par numbers there's about a 15% increase with DE bulbs. I know par isn't the best measurement for some people but it's at least a decent measurement. If the DE bulbs are pushing 15% more par watts I can understand a 15% yield increase and some other improvements. I've read quite a few posts on multiple forums claiming 20-40% yield increases and I'm just not seeing how that's possible.

I've read that some people suggest keeping the DE bulbs higher above the canopy than regular bulbs, I've heard 3 feet. If I compared the par watts with a 1k DE bulb 3 feet up and SE bulb 2 feet up the SE bulb would have much more par watts hitting the plants. If I was growing larger scale I would be fine with having my lights 3-5 feet above the canopy so I could maximize light spread. This is a situation where DE bulbs could make sense and that's probably why greenhouses and some commercial growers like them. For small scale grow ops I don't see a clear advantage.

Not knocking DE's just trying to figure out if there worth the investment. Sounds like they work well for people and they're a decent option. I might hedge my bet and buy a digital 1k ballast that is compatible with DE bulbs just to give me that option down the road. Happy growing.

There is no comparison to what a SE 1k puts out to the DE setups.
I have my DE's 5.5' on center and have 5 covering a 30' row of plants in the same area that would take 7 SE bulbs. My room went from 28 SE 1k's down to 20 DE's covering the same area. I have them 4' off the canopy as you will get bleaching if you aren't careful and some strains don't like being close to them. Par is what we see, not the plants....
 

Ranger

Member
Not trying to jack this thread just thought it'd be nice to get some more information about the DE bulbs for the community here. The DE bulbs have my attention and I am looking to upgrade to 1k's I'm just not sold on them yet.

How did you do your side by side, how many plants? How far did you place your DE bulb compared to the SE above the canopy? Were both bulbs new, what brands? I'd be real intersted in seeing a vert compared to a DE bulb. I checked your profile and didn't see any journals.

When you look at the lumen and par numbers there's about a 15% increase with DE bulbs. I know par isn't the best measurement for some people but it's at least a decent measurement. If the DE bulbs are pushing 15% more par watts I can understand a 15% yield increase and some other improvements. I've read quite a few posts on multiple forums claiming 20-40% yield increases and I'm just not seeing how that's possible.

I've read that some people suggest keeping the DE bulbs higher above the canopy than regular bulbs, I've heard 3 feet. If I compared the par watts with a 1k DE bulb 3 feet up and SE bulb 2 feet up the SE bulb would have much more par watts hitting the plants. If I was growing larger scale I would be fine with having my lights 3-5 feet above the canopy so I could maximize light spread. This is a situation where DE bulbs could make sense and that's probably why greenhouses and some commercial growers like them. For small scale grow ops I don't see a clear advantage.

Not knocking DE's just trying to figure out if there worth the investment. Sounds like they work well for people and they're a decent option. I might hedge my bet and buy a digital 1k ballast that is compatible with DE bulbs just to give me that option down the road. Happy growing.

it's measured in micro mols per meter squared per second and that's the only true way to measure yes. you can then use that number to figure out Day Light Integral or DLI which is equally important if not more.

personal opinion is the difference is minute between SE and DE spectrum being equal, comparative to all else required for plant physiology.
 

Zen Medz

Member
There is no comparison to what a SE 1k puts out to the DE setups.
I have my DE's 5.5' on center and have 5 covering a 30' row of plants in the same area that would take 7 SE bulbs. My room went from 28 SE 1k's down to 20 DE's covering the same area. I have them 4' off the canopy as you will get bleaching if you aren't careful and some strains don't like being close to them. Par is what we see, not the plants....

billy, Sounds like DE bulbs are a good fit for your set up. I'm considering two lights over a 4x8 table and it seems like DE 1k bulbs would be overkill. The par watts and light penetration I could get with a standard SE 1k bulb 2 feet above my plants would be more than enough. For the record, PAR is for plants, lumens are for humans.

http://www.gavita-holland.com/index.php/item/lumens-are-for-humans.html
 

billyboat

Member
billy, Sounds like DE bulbs are a good fit for your set up. I'm considering two lights over a 4x8 table and it seems like DE 1k bulbs would be overkill. The par watts and light penetration I could get with a standard SE 1k bulb 2 feet above my plants would be more than enough. For the record, PAR is for plants, lumens are for humans.

http://www.gavita-holland.com/index.php/item/lumens-are-for-humans.html

I would do two Gavita 750's over a 4x8 table and you would crush it.
 

DrFever

Active member
Veteran
WTF like comparing apples to oranges there is a reason the industry is moving in the DE bulbs direction and that is more par value and efficiency Period as well as longer bulb life
Which in turn is savings in your pocket right ???
In my opinion Gavita spent lots of money to where there at people like Solis tech is only trying to get into that market

I run Gavita presently and also making a new room that will opticlimate 6000 pro 3 series climate control that will be used in conjunction with 10 Dimlux 600's
which i think is head to head with Gavita so if your planning to upgrade i would think these 2 units would or shold be your choice for the best on the market

http://www.care4air.com/en/dimlux-expert-series-1000w-de-el-uhf-full-fixture.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mk9wUP_A5c
 

queequeg152

Active member
Veteran
WTF like comparing apples to oranges there is a reason the industry is moving in the DE bulbs direction and that is more par value and efficiency Period as well as longer bulb life
Which in turn is savings in your pocket right ???
In my opinion Gavita spent lots of money to where there at people like Solis tech is only trying to get into that market

I run Gavita presently and also making a new room that will opticlimate 6000 pro 3 series climate control that will be used in conjunction with 10 Dimlux 600's
which i think is head to head with Gavita so if your planning to upgrade i would think these 2 units would or shold be your choice for the best on the market

http://www.care4air.com/en/dimlux-expert-series-1000w-de-el-uhf-full-fixture.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mk9wUP_A5c

far as i can tell that opticlimate thing is just a package geothermal heat pump...running on tap water.
you might do your wallet a favor and look into a reg. 3 ton unit from carrier or train or whomever you prefer... should be like 3-4k.

package units will not require a charge of refiregerant fwiw... they come precharged, just need to crack open the service valves

i think daikin is selling inverter package units now, but im not sure if those ever made it to the US.

these things are rated partially based on the water temp you have available btw.
 

queequeg152

Active member
Veteran
You could use the optimlimate on a closed loop on a chiller and not waste any tap water.

how do you propose to scrub off the heat in said loop?

big ass radiator and a fan? you might as well just buy a split ac system then. it would be more efficient.

the whole reason geothermal systems can reach these high seer numbers is due to the fact that you can, in theory at least, reach these lovely stable-ish deltas across the condenser heat exchanger.

you will not reach these seer numbers with tap water, unless this tap water is infact well water. in this case, you will get good performance, however you will have to consider the efficiency of the well pump also.
 

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