Tang all People look at the leds chips only .... Look at Lenses too they make a Big Part of Penetration output. They have Proper Lenses in their New Models and also owe Copyrights on this Type of Lens Technology. I saw the 300w Panel in action at a Friends House and he replaced his 1000w Hps with that Baby. Got same sized densed Nugs as runnin his 1000watter Hps in the same Room. He also told me normaly he always cutted the bottom stuff away cause it was only Popcorn and now its solid dense Buds there.
I agree optics will make a difference but an Bridgelux chip with a 90 degree optic now matter how efficient won't match a top bin Osram or Philips with the same light spread. I appreciate your excitement over your friends grow (would love to see pics) But saying they have the best canopy penetration of any other panel on the market is very misleading and IMO untrue,saying they have great penetration from what you have witnessed is much more accurate.