What 600W bulbs to upgrade to

[bonecarver_OG]

ive been using sylvania very darn long time - i think i finally understod there is new and better designs out there - and i would like to hear some input from you.

i mainly only use my 600's for flowering..

a few bulbs im looking at;

Master Son Tia Plus

Master Son Tia Green power

but in my confused stoned little world i found out the more expensive of the two puts out less lumens than the sylvanias i have been using.

so anyone got this bulb thing under control and can recomnend some neat bulbs ?? or explain in what way wich is better hehe

 

[B00st3d]

I been using the solarmax for a few years and occasionally hortilux. I used the Agro Sun red's a while back and got the biggest bushes I have ever seen too. I like them all and havent noticed too much of a difference except for with the agrosun reds. Right now Im using solarmax cuz agrosuns werent available local to me. Im also using the solarmax metal halide 600 conversion bulbs and I must say they are fantastic.

 

[ogenko]

except for with the agrosun reds

i got an 600 agrosun red from thegardendepot for 60$ plus shipping
its very noticably brighter than my eye hortilux which doesnt have too many hours on it.
i got an ushio bulb for a great price too which the guy there, Blake, recommended
havent tried that one yet

 

[querkle]

laugh if u want but i went from a hort bulb to a ge yes general electric bulb and got better results

 

[thecarguy]

I would recommend the Ushio for digital ballasts. I like GE Lucalox or Son-Ts otherwise.

 

[Snagglepuss]

im dying to try the 600 Ushio Growlux bulb,made in germany,boasts an inhanced red spectrum,its my next purchase..cept its 100 bux ...someday soon i hope...

 

[bonecarver_OG]

never heard of the ushio growlux looks like a very interesting option

 

[B00st3d]

most of it is all marketing crap. Dont buy in to all the hype. Hortilux is one of those companies that hypes their bulbs and the guys at the dro shop try and hype horitlux also but most of them all provide bout the same results. Im sure the Ushio is the same kinda hype. I however have set up side by side several different bulbs with the same cuts and found very little if any difference at all. I used the solarmax and hortilux in the same room side by side and no difference and the solarmax is cheaper, thats a no brainer.

 

[BigTex]

You failed to mention if you are using hps, but I'll assume you do. You need to go invest ( small investment) in a good light meter. I recomend NO LESS than 800 footcandles. I use sylvania same as you cause you get the most bang for your buck. That other stuff is made just for growing and may have some slight differences in the light spectrum but actual light output is no greater. Get a light meter and just carry it with you when you are light shopping and see for yourself. I know my shit cause I'm an electrician and a lighting specialist!

Just say gro Country Corn Freak

 

[thecarguy]

I can verify that, if used with digital ballasts, the upgrade from standard HPS to Ushio ($20) pays for itself in my 8 x 600watt system, in terms of yield and quality. As in, even though 8 lights cost 160 dollars more, they produce more than 160 dollars worth of weed, extra.

Additionally, they are the only bulb I have never had fail in a digital ballast. So they're worth every penny to me.

 

[BeeBee]

In coil-and-core ballasts, I've always liked any standard HPS made in Europe. Nowadays, that means GE, Sylvania, Philips, etc. Designations like (Philips) Son-t PIA, GE PSL, Osram Plantastar, etc., never made any difference. My favorites were the Osram Nav-t that once were available in roll-up corrugated tubes, made in Belgium, if I recall properly. But I think it was just the packaging that I liked.
I've had bad results with Hortilux and any bulb made in China.
A friend of mine has 12 Solarmax in coil-and-core ballasts, and three have failed in three months.

PS--How about calling non-digital ballasts "heavy metal" ballasts?