PL vs Gavita & some misc. questions

[GRIMS]

How's it going ICMag family? Life for me got really hectic and I haven't grown anything in quite some time. That's all changing here very soon

PL vs. Gavita

I'm looking to set up a new spot and I've been doing some research on the best lighting options. These numbers aren't set in stone but as of right now I'm planning on 4kw for veg (with additional T5's)and then two bloom rooms with 5-6kw in each (still figuring out how many 630w LEC's to supplement with.) Height is not an issue so definitely going the DE route.Many months ago when I first started formulating this plan I was decided on Gavitas. Now that I've done some reading I'm almost CONVINCED that PL's are the way to go. What do you guys think?

Seems like the reflector is more advanced due to extensive research and planning by PL, the footprint is more uniform throughout compared to Gavitas. I guess the lumens are just distributed more evenly with the PL reflectors. PL also claims that the design of the ballast allows it to stay a bit cooler than its competitors. All of the ballasts have a level on them, which I think is so awesome and I'm not sure why all ballasts don't have them. Isn't hanging the light as close to perfectly level a huge deal when it comes to even footprint, lumen distribution and preventing hotspots? Another thing got got my attention is that PL lights are used in 65% of all big agriculture greenhouses. They're beyond proven, just not widely with cannabis..

So, why are people so Gavita crazy? I'm not knocking Gavita AT ALL! Some of the best weed I've smoked is grown under Gavitas and some of my favorite growers use and swear by them. I haven't used them (Or any DE) but I know they are great lights and they came out in support of the cannabis industry which also greatly helped with their popularity. I'm pretty sure PL wasn't too supportive of the cannabis industry until recently, now that its a little safer. Seeing Gavitas on display at all of the cups and events and seeing them in every single hydro store I think has people convinced they're the best of the best. Gavita's availability also helps them out, pretty much every hydro store has them on deck whereas with PL you usually have to jump through some hoops and make a few phone calls.

I'll walk into a hydro store and ask about PL's and I often get the answer "I think I've heard of those... but you want Gavitas." That being said, a few shops got some really smart gurus and I pick their brains about PL. They've pretty much all said "they're as good if not a notch better than Gavitas, they just aren't a hype beast."

Sorry for being so longwinded about this shit, I just wanted to hear from the IC guys what your take on all this stuff is.... I'll wrap it up.. My last few questions are:

What are your thoughts on the 630w LEC (CMH) fixtures?

Where are some good threads on indoor soil beds?

Could a 5 ton AC be enough for 12kw (DE)


Thanks in advance, guys.


GRIMS

 

[MJINC]

Can't answer your question on PL lights as I've never seen them in action but the 5 ton should be fine unless you're in an extremely hot area.

 

[Asslover]

All i know is my 4k watt DE room out produces my 4k watt standard hps room. By almost 2 pounds...

 

[bsgospel]

Both are bitchin' IMO. I ran a warehouse on 80,000w of the DE and I'm now doing 2200 lights of the PL (and another spot we just populated- we went back to the DE, 16,000w in one room, 32,000w in the other) I think I like the footprint on the DE quite a bit more. However, the PL have only just begun to dominate the space. We're only turning on 70 at a time to allow the A/C's to catch up, so the dark areas around it might be fooling my eyes. Our lux comparisons aren't really even because the PL warehouse is allowing longer veg/bigger plants/on tables- thus the lights are about 14 feet high. The DE's now are 8-11 feet high and we'll grow on the floor/slightly smaller plants.

Space and size of plants considered- I think I'd go DE even if they're heavier. I also like the hanging mechanism/eyelets better for pulleys/chains. The level would be nice but I bet you they incorporate that in future iterations...

 

[bsgospel]

Also, I'd split up the A/C between veg and flower and run them independently. I've run a good few shared systems and I don't like the cross contamination factor. It's just one more thing to consider when ruling out issues. I like a lot of small rooms and independent ducting, circuitry, etc.

 

[Limeygreen]

If I am not mistaken agrolux are a good choice too same ballasts but different name but cheaper.

 

[Floridian]

I have run neither of these so please excuse my ignorance, its just I'll be starting up again and muse choose new fixtures.Thanks GRIMM on letting me take advantage of your thread,I'm sure you are going to get many responses.My question is DE stands for double ended right?Are the PL the only one that comes DE?Does gavita not use DE fixtures?Thank you folks

 

[MJINC]

I have run neither of these so please excuse my ignorance, its just I'll be starting up again and muse choose new fixtures.Thanks GRIMM on letting me take advantage of your thread,I'm sure you are going to get many responses.My question is DE stands for double ended right?Are the PL the only one that comes DE?Does gavita not use DE fixtures?Thank you folks

If I'm not mistaken Gavita's 400W and 600W are single ended while their 750W and 1000W models are double ended.

 

[Floridian]

Thanks MJINC

 

[Muleskinner]

In the last 2 years I tried both the Gavita 600W HPS and the P.L. Light 600W HPS. They're both nice and use efficient 400v bulbs. But honestly, I like PL Light way better, in fact it's hard to believe they sell for the same price. Right away you notice that Gavita uses a flimsy-looking plastic shell around the base of the bulb, while PL has a beefy ceramic socket. Overall the PL was smaller and lighter, and the quality of the paint and case is much nicer, just higher quality parts and finish. The PL reflector is a better shape and they use anodized aluminum so you can clean it every year and it never goes downhill. It comes in a metal frame and it's more robust than Gavita's which is more like tinfoil and designed to be replaced every year or two.

The Gavita lamp will be easier to purchase, Grower's House will ship them immediately. To get PL Lights you have to go through a dealer which takes more time. Monster Gardens has some of them in stock, otherwise it's a horticultural supplier that has to order it for you. (It's worth it). I've used Griffin's and also Urban-Gro. Hummerts sells PL Light, also Hort America.

Also Gavita has more lamps that run on 120V, while all PL HPS runs on 240V only.

btw, I noticed this ad on ebay - two "store demo" supposedly unused PL NXT fixtures for less than half price, good way to save (I swear this is not me)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/P-L-Light-S...565664?hash=item33cb258460:g:XZYAAOSwax5YzWpB

 

[Medfinder]

How's it going ICMag family? Life for me got really hectic and I haven't grown anything in quite some time. That's all changing here very soon

PL vs. Gavita

I'm looking to set up a new spot and I've been doing some research on the best lighting options. These numbers aren't set in stone but as of right now I'm planning on 4kw for veg (with additional T5's)and then two bloom rooms with 5-6kw in each (still figuring out how many 630w LEC's to supplement with.) Height is not an issue so definitely going the DE route.Many months ago when I first started formulating this plan I was decided on Gavitas. Now that I've done some reading I'm almost CONVINCED that PL's are the way to go. What do you guys think?

Seems like the reflector is more advanced due to extensive research and planning by PL, the footprint is more uniform throughout compared to Gavitas. I guess the lumens are just distributed more evenly with the PL reflectors. PL also claims that the design of the ballast allows it to stay a bit cooler than its competitors. All of the ballasts have a level on them, which I think is so awesome and I'm not sure why all ballasts don't have them. Isn't hanging the light as close to perfectly level a huge deal when it comes to even footprint, lumen distribution and preventing hotspots? Another thing got got my attention is that PL lights are used in 65% of all big agriculture greenhouses. They're beyond proven, just not widely with cannabis..

So, why are people so Gavita crazy? I'm not knocking Gavita AT ALL! Some of the best weed I've smoked is grown under Gavitas and some of my favorite growers use and swear by them. I haven't used them (Or any DE) but I know they are great lights and they came out in support of the cannabis industry which also greatly helped with their popularity. I'm pretty sure PL wasn't too supportive of the cannabis industry until recently, now that its a little safer. Seeing Gavitas on display at all of the cups and events and seeing them in every single hydro store I think has people convinced they're the best of the best. Gavita's availability also helps them out, pretty much every hydro store has them on deck whereas with PL you usually have to jump through some hoops and make a few phone calls.

I'll walk into a hydro store and ask about PL's and I often get the answer "I think I've heard of those... but you want Gavitas." That being said, a few shops got some really smart gurus and I pick their brains about PL. They've pretty much all said "they're as good if not a notch better than Gavitas, they just aren't a hype beast."

Sorry for being so longwinded about this shit, I just wanted to hear from the IC guys what your take on all this stuff is.... I'll wrap it up.. My last few questions are:

What are your thoughts on the 630w LEC (CMH) fixtures?

Where are some good threads on indoor soil beds?

Could a 5 ton AC be enough for 12kw (DE)


Thanks in advance, guys.


GRIMS

was the hydro store this week... the guy had 24 used 630 watt 220 corded with bulb used at 200 bucks a fixture with used bulb.

like my hps 1000watt vertical in overdrive mode myself though.

 

[MikeGreat]

Very interesting thread as I am looking to buy over 100 units of one of these two systems…
I had a Pl dealer stop by my warehouse but I was not too convincing with her Ideas of how many lights I needed to achieve ultimate production.
I own several gravitas already for one of my small setups but I never seen a Pl in person as they are not kept in stock by Hydro Stores…