Lighting How well can each model COB perform?

[orrganic]

Hey everyone i've been planning diy for a while now, but its hard to know your covering every aspect of your performance needs before each purchase and i know there are a lot of others feeling the same. Im taking comfort in the notion of "slow and steady wins the race" :smoking:

So im hoping this thread can act as a display board of results/performance from each model COB regardless of brand or date of manufacture. for example i'm looking at either,

x10 Cree CXA 1507 or,
x10 Cree CXA 2530 with a price difference of 80 or 90 $

It would be great if someone had photos of a run done with the older 1507's (if they've even been used) so i could gauge weather it might be worth starting smaller to learn with then to upgrade.

Any input is welcome and thanks in advanced!

 

[densemob]

subbed! Hope this thread takes off as I'm just recently very keen on diy cob stuff

 

[BigSm0]

I haven't seen any grows with the 1507's but I do know the 2530's were used often until the 3070's came out. Then on to the 3590's but I do have to say Cree is dropping prices rapidly and a lot of newer chips are coming out. Actually I spoke to the regional manager today from cdi about a plan I have going on and he told me to hold off on any orders for 2-3 days to see what happens with citizen cob prices before I drop any major money. But that leads me to the next thing is citizen cobs are priced a lot better than Cree and efficiency per chip that matches and beats Cree. For instance the price of a 2530 cob vs a 50% efficient citi and only cost around 11-13 dollars per cob. To hit 50% efficiency in the 2530's they need to be driven down to 300ma where the 1212's can be driven much harder. If I can help please feel free.

 

[mjau]

I have 4x2530 3000k with dimmable driver from 350 to 700mA, mostly they are at 350 only last week or two I dim it to around 450-550mA. Planning on buying 1212 citis and replace 2530 with 3 1212 ones.

 

[BigSm0]

I have 4x2530 3000k with dimmable driver from 350 to 700mA, mostly they are at 350 only last week or two I dim it to around 450-550mA. Planning on buying 1212 citis and replace 2530 with 3 1212 ones.

That's great. I think the reflector adapter and Angelina are the same from the 2530 and 1212 so if you have those you can save a few bucks.

 

[mjau]

Not using reflectors or holders, its small tent 1'x1'x2'. I guess 3x1212 at 600ma will rock in there

 

[BigSm0]

How will you keep the cobs attached to the heat sink? Thermal adhesive?

 

[orrganic]

I haven't seen any grows with the 1507's but I do know the 2530's were used often until the 3070's came out. Then on to the 3590's but I do have to say Cree is dropping prices rapidly and a lot of newer chips are coming out. Actually I spoke to the regional manager today from cdi about a plan I have going on and he told me to hold off on any orders for 2-3 days to see what happens with citizen cob prices before I drop any major money. But that leads me to the next thing is citizen cobs are priced a lot better than Cree and efficiency per chip that matches and beats Cree. For instance the price of a 2530 cob vs a 50% efficient citi and only cost around 11-13 dollars per cob. To hit 50% efficiency in the 2530's they need to be driven down to 300ma where the 1212's can be driven much harder. If I can help please feel free.

Thats interesting you say that citizen is on par with cree iv'e looked a few times but got frustrated with lack of availability...
I'll have to shift my focus are there any prefered sources for citi gear?

 

[BigSm0]

When I said on par I meant as far as light output, wattages, size and efficiency. My favorite place to buy cobs is from a vendor here, northern grow lights. I usually receive my stuff in 3 days max. If they don't have what I want I them go to cobkits.com and lastly components Distributers or CDI. Cdi does have the largest selection of cobs and cob parts but they are also like a big box store in my eyes where the first two suggestions are small time guys who share the same passion. Also unless you know the part number Cdi is nearly impossible to decipher through. Luckily I have spent hours in their site so it has become easier but that's also why I didn't recommend them first.