I have three HLG lights, and two are 260 FRs and one 350 R. I been noticing that the newest 260 has been slightly blinking. This morning I found that it was much dimmer than the other one, and after confirming this with a light meter and this driver was cooler than the other. I then pulled down the light and checked the input wiring connector, and found it OK. Next I checked the ohms through both dimmers, and found very close to each other.
I called HLG and talked to Cody, and give him what information I had. At first he thought it was the dimmer. But he asked me to do one more test. With the light on he wanted me to disconnect the dimmer and see what the result is. After disconnecting the dimmer it made no difference, and the flickering was still there. Called Cody back, and told him this result. He then determined that the driver is at fault. He asked me if I was comfortable replacing the driver, or do I want to sent the light in for HLG to repair. I told him that I was very comfortable replacing the driver. Cody said he would send out a new driver, and the needed wiring devices to spice in the new driver. Cody added that it would be OK to keep using the light as long as nothing is overheating. An hour later I received an email stating that the replacement parts have shipped via second day delivery.
A huge thank you to HLG and Cody. Their Customer Service is top notch. If anyone has doubts about their service I can now confirm the concerns are unfounded. It is so nice to have technical advice over the phone, without wasting days emailing back and forth. HLG gets it, that a grower needs their lights to operate, and can’t do without it for days or weeks for repairs.
Honestly, I am somewhat tired of the who makes the best light debate here. It seems like anyone who has ever bought a light has an opinion. But it occurred to me that with this experience, I can act like Sgt. Joe Friday and just report the facts.
I had a bad driver on an HLG 260 a couple of years ago. I called HLG and they sent me a replacement that arrived the very next day. Not many companies will do that. That level of consistent customer service should be praised.
When I bought my first 260 FR HLG dropped the price by $40 two days after my order. I emailed them and asked it is up with that? They issued my CC a $40 credit. Again kinda unheard these days!
Upgrading my light at some point in the near future and I gotta say HLG is looking like the way to go!!! Glad to see they back their products and take care of their customers!!!
HLG is a technology leader too. They were the first to put out lights with the Samsung LM301h diodes while others still had the LM301b model in their production. HLG has recently started putting out lights with the LM301h EVO diodes and no other is doing so. The EVO model is only marginally better and not with the price delta imho, but the fact that they are going with the latest technology is a good thing.
The best thing all of the good light manufacturers are doing is competing well and pushing the burple manufacturers out of the game.
Well, I finally received the new driver, and got the light fixed today. Thankfully the old driver was putting out some light. While HLG stepped up to the plate. The USPS service is terrible. The driver sit in the same TN Post Office for three days, without moving! My wife ordered a watch band for her Father’s golf watch three weeks before Xmas. She finally received it on Jan 10, after having Dicks to send it out a second time. She also got hit with a late charge on CC, after it took her payment 10 days in the mail recently. But at least all is good with the light now.