- Thread starter
- #121
As I get nearer to closing out my second grow in my 2x4 tent under the pair of @ViparSpectra XS 1500 Pro lights I feel it's time to provide you guys with a more detailed and honest assessment of the performance of the two lights.
I want to start with the negative or less then desirable issues I found with these lights. First as was mentioned very early on in the post was the dimming knob. You do not have free and total range with the dimmer it has built in steps that only allow you to run at the settings of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Nothing in between so while maybe no a deal breaker it is inconvenient because in order to hit levels between the 4 steps you must raise or lower either the lights or the plants.
And my only other complaint was that one of the lights was fractionally brighter then the other one. This did not present a problem as the plants ran independently of each other. The intensity difference is quite small but I noticed it with my Lux meter when taking measurements. Light height on both lights identical and distance from light to canopy being identical there was a slight difference.
Now for the good!!
I only had to do one grow cycle to meet my obligation with Viparspectra but the lights remain in my 2x4 tent. And those of you who know me are aware that I would not be running these lights for another grow if I were not really pleased with their performance.
I would like mention the light coverage with the XS 1500 fixtures as it's as good as or better then other lights I have used in this tent. And their new for 2024 model features their new High Photon Density lenses which are said to create the highest par and deepest light penetration.
Viparspectra offers a generous 3 year warranty on the lights I've looked at one their site.
I worried that two of these lights would be too hot in the small tent but the aluminum heatsinks did a good job dissipating the heat. And the new 2024 models have a newer larger heatsink which is a nice upgrade.
I personally would love to see every grow light manufacturer off the option of keeping the driver outside of the tent. I figure the money they save not paying an employee to mount the driver to the board and wire it up would offset the cost of the extra 4ft of electric cord needed to move the drivers outside.
The weight of the lights is manageable and once they're hung you're done lifting them. I like extra aluminum to dissipate heat and am okay with the added weight.
These two lights will be in my 2x4 tent for my upcoming grow unless Viparspectra wants to send me an XS4000 which I think would be amazing in the 2x4. Regardless my next grow in that tent will be under Viparspectra lights.
I want to start with the negative or less then desirable issues I found with these lights. First as was mentioned very early on in the post was the dimming knob. You do not have free and total range with the dimmer it has built in steps that only allow you to run at the settings of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Nothing in between so while maybe no a deal breaker it is inconvenient because in order to hit levels between the 4 steps you must raise or lower either the lights or the plants.
And my only other complaint was that one of the lights was fractionally brighter then the other one. This did not present a problem as the plants ran independently of each other. The intensity difference is quite small but I noticed it with my Lux meter when taking measurements. Light height on both lights identical and distance from light to canopy being identical there was a slight difference.
Now for the good!!
I only had to do one grow cycle to meet my obligation with Viparspectra but the lights remain in my 2x4 tent. And those of you who know me are aware that I would not be running these lights for another grow if I were not really pleased with their performance.
I would like mention the light coverage with the XS 1500 fixtures as it's as good as or better then other lights I have used in this tent. And their new for 2024 model features their new High Photon Density lenses which are said to create the highest par and deepest light penetration.
Viparspectra offers a generous 3 year warranty on the lights I've looked at one their site.
I worried that two of these lights would be too hot in the small tent but the aluminum heatsinks did a good job dissipating the heat. And the new 2024 models have a newer larger heatsink which is a nice upgrade.
I personally would love to see every grow light manufacturer off the option of keeping the driver outside of the tent. I figure the money they save not paying an employee to mount the driver to the board and wire it up would offset the cost of the extra 4ft of electric cord needed to move the drivers outside.
The weight of the lights is manageable and once they're hung you're done lifting them. I like extra aluminum to dissipate heat and am okay with the added weight.
These two lights will be in my 2x4 tent for my upcoming grow unless Viparspectra wants to send me an XS4000 which I think would be amazing in the 2x4. Regardless my next grow in that tent will be under Viparspectra lights.
