Plantmax bulbs

[statusquo]

Did a search and only found a couple threads that weren't very informative. I was just curious if anybody had any experience with these bulbs. http://www.dchydro.com/product/2847/600-HPS-Plantmax/

I can get single 600W HPS at the local lighting store by sunmaster for 59.80 which is a steal but 25 wouldn't be bad either

 

[FunkBomb]

I've used both 400 and 600w Plantmax bulbs and had no issues at all. You can get them for a low price at cheaphydroponics dot com.

-Funk

 

[stagehand099]

I'm on my second run with two of the 600's and have had no issues. Seem to be very good for the price.

 

[Cheeb]

I'm rocking four 1000w bulbs.. so far so good.. and the dirt cheap price allows me to change em EVERY grow.

High hopes for this practice as I'm bad at keeping track of my bulb's life. Chaning them every grow eliminates that problem for me.

 

[THCV]

garbage. blackened by the end of one cycle. compare build quality with hortis with your own eyes--you'll see why they suck, it's obvious.

 

[simon]

I picked up a pair of Plantmax 400HPS lamps on a lark, figuring I'd try them in the veg room. Both are significantly brighter than brand new Sylvania, GE, and Philips lamps I had in stock, as measured with a light meter. I'll be buying more and I'm very tempted to try the 600HPS lamps.

Simon

 

[statusquo]

THC if what you said is true there could still be hope. I believe its lack of cost could allow you to buy them much more frequently which would probably get more light to your plants in the long run because many people don't change their bulbs soon enough and the intensity greatly diminishes. I might be a little more motivated to change my bulbs if they were 25 dollars lol.

 

[THCV]

status quo: yeah, maybe. but considering the value of the crop, hortis aren't that pricey and light is one place it never makes sense to skimp, IMO. I wish i had taken pix, maybe someone else can post, but the build quality difference is clear as day. And if they are skimping on build, they probably skimp on gas or other key components that make for high-quality growing lights, not just adequate chinese streetlights--which is what Plantmax really are.

 

[statusquo]

Thanks for your input guys I think I might just by 2 plantmax and two of something else. This will be enough for one round + replacements (I plan on running two 600's).

 

[simon]

Thanks for your input guys I think I might just by 2 plantmax and two of something else. This will be enough for one round + replacements (I plan on running two 600's).

Please let us know how they compare.

FWIW, I run 5x600HPS (soon to be 6). Bulb-wise, I've found Sylvanias to be the most consistent with the highest output. GE's put out a little less light, but are also consistent and reliable. I've only tested one Hortilux lamp and it had the lowest output of any bulb I've used, save for 2 Chinese el-cheapos. The Hortilux 600HPS put out out 10-15% less light than the Sylvania and GE, respectively (measured with a light meter).

As I mentioned above, I've had very bad luck with Chinese bulbs. The two 600s that I tested - an Eiko and a PlusRite - were terrible. Their individual outputs was barely equivalent to a 400. That's partially why I'm so surprised by the Plantmax 400s. They're working out extremely well. Good luck.

Simon

 

[bloyd]

simon it would be good if you could keep us up to date on how it goes, i.e. compare light meter readings after a grow from your current readings. I have considered these bulbs even more so seeing the prices at the link.

 

[simon]

Still haven't had the time to dive into the 600HPS Plantmax lamps, but the 400s in my veg room are simply amazing. Subjectively speaking, as I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, this is the most compelling growth I've seen to date. Clones that normally take ~4 weeks are ready to Rock 'n Roll in 3 with shorter internodal distances and fan leaves bigger than my hands. I wouldn't have believed this, had I not witnessed the process with my own eyes. I have the Plantmax 400HPS lamps running with el-cheapo digital ballasts - 800w of veg for less than $200 - and this setup is extremely effective. The lamps made the most difference. Considering the 400 lamps can cost less than lunch...

Simon

 

[Iron_Lion]

Still haven't had the time to dive into the 600HPS Plantmax lamps, but the 400s in my veg room are simply amazing. Subjectively speaking, as I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, this is the most compelling growth I've seen to date. Clones that normally take ~4 weeks are ready to Rock 'n Roll in 3 with shorter internodal distances and fan leaves bigger than my hands. I wouldn't have believed this, had I not witnessed the process with my own eyes. I have the Plantmax 400HPS lamps running with el-cheapo digital ballasts - 800w of veg for less than $200 - and this setup is extremely effective. The lamps made the most difference. Considering the 400 lamps can cost less than lunch...

Simon

Great info, I am in the market for a new bulb and was going to ask you what you thought of the PM bulbs, theyre so cheap and Im on a tight budget this round. I used an Eiko 600 HPS last round because it came free with the ballast, I think it was a piece of shit. And need to get that thing out of the flowering room pronto.

 

[simon]

I used an Eiko 600 HPS last round because it came free with the ballast, I think it was a piece of shit.

Agreed. The Eiko 600HPS is a horrible lamp. Mine measured lower than a 400. These Plantmax 400HPS lamps, though, are killer. I haven't used them for flowering, but they're fantastic for veg.

Simon

 

[simon]

I've pulled the Plantmax lamps out of the veg room. Though they're responsible for the absolute quickest growth I've ever seen, I've also witnessed an unusually high percentage of mutated clones (in veg). Typically, I see a mutated clone every 2-3 years, maybe. In the last 3 months, ~30% of my clones have mutated. At first, I attributed it to genetics, but now I'm not so sure.

Simon

 

[someotherguy]

keep in mind that a lite meter measures light as seen
by the human eye, so just being bright isn't the whole
picture, you need to dig deeper and look at the spectral
graphs to see how much USABLE light is delivered.

btw, it's a basic rule of business that you get what you
pay for and if you have to pay $60.00 for a bulb with a
proven track record, why would you look to cheap out?

imagine the good bulb only yielded a 5% increase in yield,
wouldn't that more than pay the extra pennies for a
bulb you KNOW is quality?

just my 2cents

peace, SOG

 

[simon]

keep in mind that a lite meter measures light as seen
by the human eye, so just being bright isn't the whole
picture, you need to dig deeper and look at the spectral
graphs to see how much USABLE light is delivered.

btw, it's a basic rule of business that you get what you
pay for and if you have to pay $60.00 for a bulb with a
proven track record, why would you look to cheap out?

imagine the good bulb only yielded a 5% increase in yield,
wouldn't that more than pay the extra pennies for a
bulb you KNOW is quality?

just my 2cents

peace, SOG

I love it when people talk to us like we're idiots. Have you ever used Plantmax lamps? Doesn't sound like it. Thanks for the crucial advice, nonetheless.

Simon

 

[someotherguy]

I love it when people talk to us like we're idiots. Have you ever used Plantmax lamps? Doesn't sound like it. Thanks for the crucial advice, nonetheless.

Simon

no need to be a dick man, . . . and you're welcome.

this is supposed to be a community bro, you know,
where we ALL pitch in and try to help out.

that's what i attempted to do, being ignorant because
you don't think what i said has value only makes you
look ignorant.

peace, SOG

btw, nice way to welcome a new person to the 'community'.

 

[simon]

this is supposed to be a community bro, you know,
where we ALL pitch in and try to help out.

You weren't helping, having had no experience at all with the lamps under discussion. Worse, your so-called advice essentially consisted of hyperbolic cliches seemly geared to boost your self-esteem and your post count. If you'd like to contribute to the thread, great. Please do so a little more poignantly.

Simon

 

[someotherguy]

You weren't helping, having had no experience at all with the lamps under discussion. Worse, your so-called advice essentially consisted of hyperbolic cliches seemly geared to boost your self-esteem and your post count. If you'd like to contribute to the thread, great. Please do so a little more poignantly.

Simon

like i said, no need to be so condescending, why not
just ignore advice you find less than helpful?

you know, rather than create conflict?