LED/Hybrid Fixtures..... Why?

[fishntyme1]

Why are they so darn expensive? Hell even the ATI T5HO fixtures alone are $600, then you still have the lamps to buy. Can't be that much better than a hydroponic T5HO fixture. And don't give me that crap about reflectors being better. 1-2% more isn't "better" in my opinion.

Seems like everything is LED now and I don't like it after years of using them. Yes they work. Yes they allow SPS to grow. Yes they are controllable (seems more novelty).

But they create shadows and SPS start to grow strange and with color only on top.

So I prefer to use T5HO. And would like to have some control over K*. Plus get the shimmer like halides. Even halides are making a way out of the industry. Have ran them before. Don't like the heat they produce.

Looks like a DIY project coming soon. LED T5HO or Halide T5HO

Any input or DIY projects with pics?

 

[incapearl]

I'm on board with you about the price. Unreal how expensive some of them can be. I'm still old school and running halides and T5s. I love the shimmer my halides give, more natural.

I think I have a build thread still on here with my halide/T5 structure. I put it on pulleys so it can be raised and lowered inside the canopy.

 

[Breadman03]

I don't know why they are so expensive, but think part of it is that there are two complete lighting systems there, just mounted on a single chassis.

 

[plantastic]

I have used a "hydroponics" t5 fixture for a tank. It works great! The two issue with it; not quite as compact as fixtures that are marketed to the aquarium trade, and wired so that when used on a timer, it is either all on or all off. I don't know if that is common with the majority of the hydroponics fixtures out there.

However, the price point is unbelievably lower. If I remember right, it was around 150$. It was a six bulb 6 x 54 watt HO fixture. Very well made. Good reflectors. It came delivered to my house and had 6 "grow light" bulbs with it, too.

Part of the issue with the ATI fixtures, if I remeber correctly, is that they are made in Germany, imported to Canada, and then to the United states.

Also, there is no compromise in the ATI fixture. It is not designed to come in at a predetermined price point. It is designed, built, and that is what it costs.