i didn't like the 300w vipar's at all... thought they sucked n gave em away - just bought a 300w marshydro to test out for side lighting - should get it in a few days...
Mars said their new ts600 can replace old mars300. maybe you should have a look.
i got a ts600 about 2weeks ago - its being used as side lighting - by eye, as thats all i have, it appears much brighter then the vipar 300w that i gave to a friend, who thought they were useless , n he gave em back to me-