Dude, are you still in business? My COB LED guy is moving on to another project. Looking for a solid lighting system for a 5 by 5. One of my Associates swears by Spectrum King, but I am very open. Looking to grow top tier produce.
Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights | Spectrum King LED
Hey Zoidberg13...
I am still in business. I am currently in transition. I am testing significantly more powerful COB platforms which outperform Spider and Blackdog. I have not been able to directly compare Spectrum King to my new systems, but I just visited their site and examined their current offerings.
I expect SK600 (their most powerful unit) may be effective, but they have omitted some information and exaggerated.
1) Omission: Their Coverage Area graphic provides PPFD numbers, but it does not specify if the measurements are peak/on-center or average/area readings.
2) Exaggeration: The SK600 may be powerful, but suggesting it can effectively cover 8ft x 8ft is a stretch. Essentially, they rely on primary lensing of 120 degrees. Although they do allude to a reduction in intensity as you move away from your target, they do not mention the fact light intensity rapidly falls off as you approach the limits/edges of coverage. So, if you're talking about special flowers, 120 degree primary lensing likely has an 'effective' coverage of about 90 degrees. The limits/edges of 8ft x 8ft coverage would be OK for tomatoes, but less so when talking about fancy buds... even during vegging.
Aside 1: If you pump gas, 1 SK600 at 3ft high (whether their data is peak or average) does not provide enough intensity to rationalize using gas. Perhaps at 2 to 2.5ft gas would be prudent, but you must also consider coverage is reduced as you move closer to your target.
Aside 2: I have been following a REAL university researcher who maintains test crops at an average of 700 PPFD at the canopy. 700 PPFD is his veg and flower intensity.
Let me know if I have helped and/or if you have more queries.