Lighting LED RECOMENDATIONS

[Thegermling509]

I found 2x QB288 Quantum Boards (3000K) Amazon for 149.99 with 5-star reviews.

Those are the boards themselves, not the whole light.Yes DIY is far cheaper,but I know jack shit about wiring and what not. Too lazy to learn right now.

 

[lunarman]

If you havent heard of quantum boards yet, I suggest you look into them. They have better coverage over cobs, some are calling them cob killers. I dont know about that but I bought one QB for $479 (20% christmas discount) at Horticulture Lighting Group. They are basically a flat heat sink with rows of leds (no noisy fans or oversized heavy ass heat sinks). More efficient than cobs too. I don't have a grow with them, so ill let you know how it goes!

What do you mean by better coverage? Spectrum?

And COB killer in what way? COB's are like LED blurple killers. And QB's are COB killers?

 

[Thegermling509]

Even coverage, more diffuse. Compared to Cobs ( I have never owned a cob but I heard that its many many diodes for one chip, all compacted, unlike QB's that are spread over a big board). Qbs can come with lenses as well like cobs.
Spectrum- white light. Peaks in the blues and reds the usual shit. They have 3000k and 4000k boards so far. As for if its gonna kill the cob, need more time, I did say "some are calling them cob killers" but I am not one of those people because I have never owned a cob. Look up the "DIY with Quantum Boards" thread on Rollitup for specifics. QBs have been around but now some guys on Rollitup "Improved" them as of 2016, so its new old tech basically.

 

[BigSm0]

Nothing “kills” a cob. There is actually a thread here on Afn with a side by side. 5+- % efficiency can be had by dropping a light 1/2”. So to say something kills something else there should be strong efficiency increase, fully dialed in spectrum with multiple side by sides to prove this and a significant price difference. Since I keep up with the market I can tell you nothing new kills a cob. Some do better some do worse or some prefer one thing while others prefer another.

 

[KonopCh]

COBs are at best around 170 lumens per watt, strips are 200-210 lumens per watt. And cheaper too, because they don't need heatsink. Get some U or C channels of aluminium and you're good to go - with better coverage and efficiency.

 

[BigSm0]

COBs are at best around 170 lumens per watt, strips are 200-210 lumens per watt. And cheaper too, because they don't need heatsink. Get some U or C channels of aluminium and you're good to go - with better coverage and efficiency.

I can’t get into a cob vs board debate here. This higher lumen per watt is from the amount of green light.

 

[KonopCh]

Plants need green light. And you can get the same spectrum as is in COBs.
Tech goes on, bro... Fast!

 

[Marty McFly]

@MrBonez

I'm personally in the same dilemma, with a lot of amazing choices between PCB's, COB's, and still new hybrids of COB and "Blurples".

I guess it's also a matter of your grow style in deciding a light along with your budget? Do you plan on LST?

I do agree with @BigSm0 it's not worth a debate, find what works best for you essentially.

To answer your question As far as the QB's. Yes, you could get (2)Qb288 ~$150 and Hlg-240h driver ~$60. That'll cover your area. Or try (4) Qb120 with the same driver (You won't need heatsinks).

Whichever you choose Best of Luck, Light is but 1 piece of the puzzle. Your on a good path!

 

[BigSm0]

Plants need green light. And you can get the same spectrum as is in COBs.
Tech goes on, bro... Fast!

True but the higher lm/w is from the green so it’s not a fair debate.

 

[MrBonez]

Those are the boards themselves, not the whole light.Yes DIY is far cheaper,but I know jack shit about wiring and what not. Too lazy to learn right now.

lol agreed.! I have seen some DIY projects and they seem to be time-consuming and i just don't think i have the patients for it.! Anyways i've made my mind up and i'm going with the COB's