Thinking about Mars Hydro

[Blowdout2269]

golfnrl - Damn, you got a Scorpion...that's serious equipment right there! The 350R seems like a great light. Great for my space also. But it's only producing 330w, and the cost of competing lights that would produce 350-650 watts. Same five year warranty though.

EDIT: Weird how different HLG lights carry different warranties...

[Blowdout2269]

Has anyone ever purchased from ledgrowlghtsdepot.com?

[HobbitGDF]

My lights so far are

mars hydro ts1000
Electric sky v300
HLG 550 v2 Rspec (refurb)
HLG 30w UVa
Viparspectra xs1500 (just bought)

I have the HLGs in one 4x4
&
The ES300, TS1000, & XS1500 in the other 4x4

My favorite light out of all of these are the electric sky v300. They going out of business and not selling them any longer. Got some earthdust one last time also. Great stuff.
HLG is just so expensive but they have the LM301H diodes and all the rest have the Lm301B
Electric sky is custom wide band full spectrum (don't know what diodes)
just got the Viparspectra so I haven't used it yet. I'm going to turn it on in later veg.

all of those lights are great.. I try and do my research before pulling the trigger on a light..

I only had ES300 & Mh-ts1000 in the 4x4 and needed better coverage. I am poor so instead of getting light to replace TS1000 I just got one to go next to it. I chose viparspectra xs1500 because of the lm301b & meanwell driver. It's price was great for 150w. I was thinking about AC infinity because it has lm301h diodes but only 100w driver. So I went with more watts for better price
this is what I did.
Just sharing my opinion and story.

[HobbitGDF]

Here's lights


Favorite is Electric Sky v300

[changeofpace2014]

Ok, I've been planning a light upgrade for some time.
I was leaning towards a ES300 or SP3000. But seeing as The Green Sunshine Company is no longer manufacturing, I guess Mars Hydro is where I'll take my money, lol.
My largest space is 3×5', so about perfect for the SP3000. But even better for a SP6500. You can't have to much light, right? And considering that an ES300 is roughly the same price as a SP6500, yet 320 watts shy, I'm definitely thinking the latter.
I would prefer a light with very little maintenance(i.e. adjusting strength/height frequently).
I know alot of you here use Mars Hydro lights. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about the experience you've had. I'm a poor decision maker. So sway me either way!

Side note: Why do certain sites appear to be selling the SP6500 at about $200 less than Mars-Hydro or Amazon?
Knock off/scams?

Recently purchased a TSW 3000 from amazon. Found a link at the bottom of there product page for a like new return..Nice discount, no tax, no shipping fees...Good Deal - I kept checking my amazon invoice to see when they would tag on tax or fees.. I like the dimming option, I do not like all the cable length on top, however the remote ballast is there if needed. It does run HOT...At full power you can not put your hand on top, mine is tucked to floor joist so I had to fabricate two heat sinks with thermal compound across each end... It draws 2 amps at 75% and few fans running (checked that with amp meter).

The plants like this light, I had to move the light up to 20" @ 75% seems to be the ideal height..You will have to look at the FAQ to find the recommended power level and height recommendations. So far So Good..I will run two very different lights side by side and compare the outcome.. One observation is the mars has white light and my DIY cobb fixture is using 3000 and 3500 kelvin 50w cobbs, these are definitely in the red but did not produce unwanted stretching.. Bottom line Mars is great value for the $..you could not build one for that now.

[Blowdout2269]

HobbitGDF - Yes, ES300 was initially my first choice. Though they seem to be somewhat difficult to find with the recent announcement from The Green Sunshine Co.
I also agree with doing extensive research before pulling the trigger on a purchase such as this. Well anything really. That's just how I am. Thank you for your input and pictures! Very helpful.

changeofpace2014 - Thank you for the comments. Currently things like heat, cord length, and removable ballasts aren't really a considerable issue in my case. I use a section of a spare basement bedroom for my hobby, though I do have the full room at my disposal. I also live in a dry mountainous climate and grow through the winter. I'm always running fans across the ballasts/boards, and if anything, it helps manage my temperatures, lol. I'll be doing some additional research on the fixture that you've mentioned. Much appreciated.

[golfnrl]

HobbitGDF - I also agree with doing extensive research before pulling the trigger on a purchase such as this. Well anything really. That's just how I am.

me too! Although I don't always go way down into the weeds. Maybe it depends on our definition of 'extensive'. IDK, but I never buy anything blind.

[Blowdout2269]

OldManGrower - Thanks for the comment. I've also thought about this. I'd probably just cram in a few more autos under it and train accordingly.

[Blowdout2269]

Is anyone using a ViparSpactra XS4000?

[changeofpace2014]

If you are growing with limited height maybe consider a fixture with out a reflector, the light spread is tight if you only have 3 ft or less..I have two fixtures but the diy cobb fixture spreads the light out more because the fixture is larger...the mars would cover the same if I could raise it..just a after thought.

[Blowdout2269]

Well, at first I was leaning towards Mars Hydro SP3000 or 6500, then I went off in the grass(pun intended), and have been researching HLG 350R, Spider Farmer SF4000, finally landing at ViparSpectra XS4000.
My largest flowering space atm is 5×3'. I really like the SF, but I fear that I'd have to add one of my 100w Maxisun boards on each end and wasting some light in the front/back. Though useful for a larger space in the future, not really nessicary right now. Overall, the best mixed spectrum, PPFD coverage for this space, and bang for your buck seems to land on Viparspectra.
Going2fast mentioned a great grow light guide on this site earlier - https://www.cocoforcannabis.com/ - unfortunately they have not done a test of the SF4000.
Yes, I'm fully down the rabbit hole right now, lol. Thoughts?

[changeofpace2014]

You are One mouse click away from your new light....

[Blowdout2269]

Done pulled the trigger last night. SF4000 it is!

[Going2fast]

Never used spider farmer but everyone that has one likes it. Did you get a good cyber Monday discount?

[Blowdout2269]

Oh yeah. $380 instead of 500.