[BudMan30]

Hey everyone budman here. I'm looking for info on led lights compared to HPS. If they have the power to outdo or equal to HPS? Also what brand would you recommend. Thanks everyone! Because the last thing I want to happen is for me to spend alot of $ on them to just be dissapointed.

Hi BudMan. It depends. Many are able to get 1g/watt using good LEDs, sometimes more. Most grows I've seen are around .75g/watt and some less which is about on par with HID lighting. The variation in quality from the major vendors is a big problem LED shoppers face, so rather than invest in something that may or may not work well, HPS is easier, has a proven track record and is much, much cheaper. There's no simple answer for which panel to buy, unfortunately. I'm sure someone can recommend a few good places to start though.

If you buy enough LED lamps you can come close to the best HPS bulbs, but the price of admission is quite high. I remember knna saying that you'd need 700w of high quality LEDs to equal a 1000w HPS, and that's assuming you build it yourself with good attention to thermal design and current. That would cost upwards of $2500.

[grow_right]

so far my diamond series 200w led is doing as good as my 400w hps. of course there are more issues with hps, and i was allowing high watts per square foot with hps, therefore creating more issues. always had heat issues. with the led's, no heat issues, and the plants REALLY enjoy the led spectrum. my 200w led is used in a 2x2 cabinet.

[siddhartha]

Hey BudMan,
I just finished my first side by side with led vs HPS. I used a black dog platinumXL vs a 1000 hortilux. The Led had superior resin, smell and taste. The yield was identical. just over 1.5 lbs per light. the led had a smaller foot print with the led having 3.5 x 3.5 vs the HPS having 4 x 4. I am pretty impressed. I ordered a plant cam and plan on doing a journal for this next cycle.
Sidd

[rives]

Take a look at the numerous links in GP73LPC's sig for lot's of good information that directly applies to your questions.

[siddhartha]

This is a Sour D grown under that platinum XL



Another Sour D pic



and two little OG ghost under that same light





totally yield was about 1.5 lbs dried over a 3.5 x 3.5 area with a 18 day veg

Sidd

How much it set you back?

Over 2 grand. But you can't argue with the results.

A 1000w HID setup costs ten times less. You have to weigh the differences.

[VerdantGreen]

LED is better, IF you are prepared to spend the money. i agree with KNNA that the actual LED watts used need to be at least 70% of the actual HPS watts you would use (keep in mind HPS uses more than their rating). in order for the yields to match up.

quality is a little better with LED imo

VG

[LuciferianSahdu]

not to get off track but im just wondering if a shit ton of pl-l's might be a great wa to go? ive got my method of growing down but with changing seasons changing lights if avoidable would be nice, heat and all being to much alot the tiime with hps.