Philips 315w CDM Elite (CMH)

[Beta Test Team]

I don't think there is a consensus, besides that either one will work really well assuming the same PPF is used. I feel 942 is the better choice (mainly for the UV-B and UV-A, as well as greater blue range), but others think 930 is the better choice (mainly for greater output in 675-700 nm range).

 

[flat9]

Any reports on what people are seeing GPW wise on high yielding strains (i.e., those for which getting 1 gpw w/ HPS + coco or hydro is doable)?

 

[Gloomshade]

My extensive research after replacing my 4 LEDs with 4 sun system 315s is - i still suck at growing, only now i can see it better.

So many variables in a grow room. I could see the improvement in vigour and growth from LEDs, but you would have to be pretty damn dialled in and then change nothing but the lights to try to make a comparison.

My last harvest was 4 ounces 1 plant. Comparative yield to what I was getting, no 'vast' improvement... But the plant had bulk deficiencies and problems pretty much all through flower...None of those anything to do with the lights.

 

[timmur]

Growers House has Greenbeams!

Growers House has Greenbeams!

Follow the link:
Greenbeams fixture

It's pricey, but Cycloptics no longer offers it direct to consumers. An email from them indicates,

Due to a corporate mandate from Philips, we cannot sell or market directly to the cannabis market. In order to maintain our status with Philips, we cannot consult directly with customers in this market. I can provide a third party resource that has a lot of experience with our products, and I am sure they could answer your questions. I apologize for the run around on this, the mandate from Philips is a very recent development, and has us jumping through hoops at this point. Thanks.

I don't think they work with any other vendors at this point, but I could be wrong. I've looked and haven't found any.

 

[Beta Test Team]

Wow, that really sucks timmur. Sad news for growers wanting a few GB. That price at growers house is more than $130 than it cost when Cycloptics was selling directly (a 75% price increase). Growerhouse sucks in terms of pricing, what a rip off.

Even last week Cycloptics was selling just the reflector for $275, but now I see they're no longer even doing that.

I guess it makes sense for Cycloptics, because I don't think they were selling many GB to smaller growers (those who want only a few units).

There are a few reasons I don't like Growerhouse, mainly due to their erroneous claims about their luminaire "studies," about their flawed methods and measurements, also about their totally flawed claims about spectra (take for example their claims about the Greenpower vs. 942 on that webpage, based on debunked claim about HPS ['red'] is for flowering).

I think I'm going to send Philips an email or ten about their BS rule. This makes me not even want to use Philips products anymore...too bad there's nothing comparable that's non-Philips.

 

[homebrew420]

We switched our entire garden over to the NS-500 from Sustainable Growth Technology, though about the same price as the Sunsystem LEC these are far better in getting the light to where we all want it. Using all Philips components and not the high frequency Welthink, the higher frequency tends to burn the lamp faster, leading to shorter life span of the lamp. This in turn lowers cost of operation, making less efficient. We are going to purchase a Sunsystems LEC, and a gavita to run side by side in 4x4 trays same res ect. We are convinced that the design and material will far outperform the LEC and w/w give the Gavita a run for its money
check them out at sustainablegt.com

Peace

 

[theLumberjack]

home brew, how much did you pay??

 

[theLumberjack]

also, i thought the verticle orientation was better than horizontal for bulbs. am i wrong? have you started your side by side yet?

 

[Beta Test Team]

Lamp orientation depends upon the reflector design, generally vertically orientated lamps with optimized reflectors have higher efficiency in terms of photon reflection (that's why car headlamps are vertical as it relates to direction, and not horizontal). So for best uniformity of radiation, vertical lamp in a properly deigned reflector is better, a'la Greenbeams.

But other factors come into play when choosing a luminaire than just uniformity and points of reflection within the reflector.

About NS-500 reflector, there's no way it's 97% efficient in terms of photons leaving the aperture that were emitted from the lamp. But it is likely they're using 97% reflective surface, which peaks at 97% at some waveband, not over the whole PAR range. Also, if they're using the Greenpower lamp (and it looks like they are), it doesn't have a PPF/watt ratio of 1.95, it's closer to 1.91.

 

[tenthirty]

I think I'm going to send Philips an email or ten about their BS rule. This makes me not even want to use Philips products anymore...too bad there's nothing comparable that's non-Philips.

google cxb3070

 

[Jhhnn]

It's hard to say, but I suspect that Philips is just responding to a conservative turn in dutch politics. They don't want to be seen as promoting cannabis cultivation & they can demand that their distributors create the same image. Distributors must use intermediaries in providing to the cannabis cultivation market which just raises prices for end consumers in that tiny segment of Philips sales. Providing the best marijuana grow lights isn't part of their marketing strategy, so outfits like Cycloptics can either comply or lose their distributorship & the price advantage that comes with it.

Sux for Cycloptics, but it is what it is.

 

[Avinash.miles]

imo arranging the 315's vertically in the hoods makes the lights footprint smaller, and helps sell more, simple as that, fancy hood costs more. typical grow/hydro store bullshit
the bulbs put out a globe of lite, would be REALLY effective with NO hood, hung vertically bare bulb style down in the canopy

 

[RoostaPhish]

Yes those SGT lights look very nice. I really like the daisy chain feature and the horizontal positioning of the bulb. Something I may look into if I get to hear more feedback, I have limited outlets on my power center and the daisy chain could really allow for more fixtures without wiring. Like 10-12 lights instead of 4.

 

[rives]

Vertical lamps are used in the vast majority of industrial fixtures (almost everything except specialty fixtures for side-lighting, etc). I think that this is due to the symmetry of the light being cast within the fixture, and the ability to uniformly distribute the pattern that the fixture casts, as BTT alluded to above.

 

[Relentless]

ive heard good things about these.. very interested in results

 

[Beta Test Team]

It's hard to say, but I suspect that Philips is just responding to a conservative turn in dutch politics. They don't want to be seen as promoting cannabis cultivation & they can demand that their distributors create the same image. Distributors must use intermediaries in providing to the cannabis cultivation market which just raises prices for end consumers in that tiny segment of Philips sales. Providing the best marijuana grow lights isn't part of their marketing strategy, so outfits like Cycloptics can either comply or lose their distributorship & the price advantage that comes with it.

Sux for Cycloptics, but it is what it is.

Yea, they seem to have gotten worse of late, you may have a good point about the Dutch law. Philips has been like this for some time, they've been Cannabis shy for years now, but seem to have taken a turn for the worse.

Also, indoor horticulture is likey a small fraction of their sales, and of those, Cannabis industry sales are likely even smaller by a large degree.

That said, a well written and articulate e-mail won't hurt. If the US ever legalized on a Federal level I suspect Philips will change its tune real fast. I wonder how Philips deal with legal medical Cannabis industry in country like Canada.

 

[theLumberjack]

i just did much better on 2 315's then i ever have done on 2 600's......

 

[Beta Test Team]

imo arranging the 315's vertically in the hoods makes the lights footprint smaller, and helps sell more, simple as that, fancy hood costs more. typical grow/hydro store bullshit
the bulbs put out a globe of lite, would be REALLY effective with NO hood, hung vertically bare bulb style down in the canopy

This isn't really how it works out when the reflector is well designed. While I would agree OG Vertical reflector is pretty lame and not well designed, I wouldn't say the same about Greenbeams. See what rives wrote, as he seems to do a better job than I with the explanation.

Though I fear we're getting off topic so I'll shut up, sorry rives.

 

[Beta Test Team]

google cxb3070

Sorry, I should have written I was referring to HID. Specifically about a good CMH option other than Philips.

 

[Ericos]

Been a sec since I've been around,

I've been doing my own reading up on eye hortilux's cera arc series(CMH) and there smartballast. I'll be dropping in bare there 150w cera arc NR bulbs.

All has been damn great for me with cmh flower rooms!!!

May be an alternative to Phillips if someone wanted to give there gearing a shot?