What are the good brands of digi ballasts these days?

[nachoconqueso]

I'm looking for one used off craigslist. I have a Quantum and it has run great for the past 4 years. Who else is making quality stuff?

 

[Scottish Research]

I'm happy with my Lumatek.


R.Fortune

 

[overbudjet]

Running 8 Quantum 600 Love them.

 

[nachoconqueso]

Yeah I totally found an almost new 1k quantum for $150. Not too bad of a deal.

 

[flyer81]

Man, I wish I had your guys luck. I have a Quantum 1000 brick sitting on my shelf right now. 1st ballast Ive ever blown.

 

[DJXXPLATINUM]

YOU CAN GET A QUANTUM DIGITAL VARIABLE OUTPUT BALLAST AND BULB FOR $225 NEW...EBAY..DJ

 

[SooperSmurph]

EFusions have never caused me an issue, dozens installed and no problems, easier to service than a lot of others, and cheaper than average ($150 new, out the door).

 

[Endur]

I've been rocking Solis Tek, 1000 lamp for two years...No Problems.
Also Like Lumatek.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

I wouldn't buy another lumatek ever again, my last 1k died withing a year and a half of using it and the retailer didn't return my emails for return. Fuck them.

Lumatek is one of the most complained about ballasts there is.

 

[anon0988]

I have a few ipower ballasts, they're nice. I bought it after reading reviews and it seems everyone is pretty happy. You'll get some that crap out early for no reason just the same as any other brand, but as long as you go through a reputable reseller, you should be fine on warranty claims.

 

[nachoconqueso]

Solis Tek is suppose to be the higher output one. I wish I would have gotten that one, but whatever. For the most part people have good luck with quantums. They aren't perfect though.

In the end I'll take a barely used 1k quantum for $150 any day of the week.

 

[Pomodoro]

Ive burned out every brand of digi out there. feck 'em. I replaced all an went back to old school mag ballasts. way better and half the price.

 

[Snype]

I wouldn't buy another lumatek ever again, my last 1k died withing a year and a half of using it and the retailer didn't return my emails for return. Fuck them.

Lumatek is one of the most complained about ballasts there is.

I have well over 10 Lumateks. Been using the brand for over 5 years. Never had one problem. I love them!

 

[nachoconqueso]

I have well over 10 Lumateks. Been using the brand for over 5 years. Never had one problem. I love them!

but do you accept that many people have had problems with them? I couldn't ever see myself buying one based on the higher than normal posts about lumateks breaking down.

 

[Snype]

but do you accept that many people have had problems with them? I couldn't ever see myself buying one based on the higher than normal posts about lumateks breaking down.

Sometimes the internet is not the truth. Maybe some are real maybe they didnt want to include all the information. If someone bought a ballast on craigslist or ebay and said it broke, i wouldnt take it seriously. If Lumateks are so bad how come me and my crew with a total of over 30 Lumateks have never had a problem? Do we take better care our ballasts? If they were so bad, we would have had at least 1 failure but we havent. If one does fail, I will be sure to let you know.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

I have well over 10 Lumateks. Been using the brand for over 5 years. Never had one problem. I love them!

I had 3 but still wont buy another one. Like I said they are one of the most complained about ballasts brands there is. I think there is better out there. I like my Phantom better, it has better features then the lumateks.

I wont give any more money to a brand that fails me so quickly. It was a $400 expense I would have been quite happy to avoid.

 

[Snype]

I had 3 but still wont buy another one. Like I said they are one of the most complained about ballasts brands there is. I think there is better out there. I like my Phantom better, it has better features then the lumateks.

I wont give any more money to a brand that fails me so quickly. It was a $400 expense I would have been quite happy to avoid.

Thats crazy that you pay $400 for them. I get them for less than 250.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

It was 300 and something when I bought it a few years ago plus shipping so close to 4 if you round up Then I had to buy a new one.

I like the phantom better anyways.

 

[Snype]

It was 300 and something when I bought it a few years ago plus shipping so close to 4 if you round up Then I had to buy a new one.

I like the phantom better anyways.

I will buy a phantom and try it out! Thanks!

 

[Snow Crash]

YOU CAN GET A QUANTUM DIGITAL VARIABLE OUTPUT BALLAST AND BULB FOR $225 NEW...EBAY..DJ

Boo boo on Ebay

Quantum Digital Ballast 1000w - $159.95

CAP Digilux 1000w HPS - $68.95

Total: $228.90

You could swap the Premo Digilux (same MFG) for a discounted CAP bulb though.

CAP Maxlume 1000w HPS - $33.95

Total: $193.90 (Probably one of the cheapest 1000w digital combos from a reputable brand)

But having said that... CAP/Quantum/R&M (all the same company) are going down in flames right now. I just sold 60 Quantums the other day and that basically killed our inventory and I don't know when or if we'll see more of them. I don't recommend it just because of the future of the company being somewhat uncertain at this time.

Solis Tek is suppose to be the higher output one. I wish I would have gotten that one, but whatever. For the most part people have good luck with quantums. They aren't perfect though.

In the end I'll take a barely used 1k quantum for $150 any day of the week.

Solis Tek's are really the creme de la creme right now. Japanese components, all the features you could possibly hope for, and if you understand the science of digital lighting their ballast with the bulb has the lowest harmonic distortion of anything on the market. Yes, they are a few more dollars up front but I think you'll see that $20 - $30 extra over a LumaTek come back in better efficiency and features.

One of the biggest advantages to Solis Tek is that they dim to 600w and 400w, rather than 75% and 50%. This means you can run specifically a 600w or 400w bulb in the ballast and have the exact spectrum and luminosity of those bulbs rather than a 1000w bulb dimmed to less than desirable operation, changing both the spectrum and lifespan of the bulbs.

The $349.95 MSRP on the ballasts is a bit extreme...

Solis Tek 1000/600/400w - $244.30

Solis Tek 1000w HPS - $99.99

Total: $344.29