HLG Customer Service NOT Helpful with Choosing the Right Light for Me

Indoor Growing Lighting
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After several pressing suggestions, it seems like everyone here is incredibly loyal to HLG lighting. Totally respectable, i did some of my own research and they definitely seem to be quality products.

I reached out to HLG to get some more information about acquiring the proper light for my specific setup. I provided all the specs that I thought were needed/necessary and mentioned that if any more information was needed, I would be happy to provide. This was a over a week ago, and I have yet to receive a response.

I am looking to acquire a proper lighting setup by the end of the year, preferably before Christmas even. Is there any chance some of you can help me figure out which one of their lights would be the best for my specific setup? Here is info regarding setup….

Tent is 6ft tall x 4ft wide x 3ft deep, basically big enough for 1-2 good sized plants, or a few smaller ones.
Lights i currently use are not that great. Good enough for veg stage for 1-2 plants but not much else.

I would like to acquire a light that will but sufficient for my current setup as is, AS WELL AS my next setup, which would be a tent one size larger. Basically I would like a light that is sufficient enough for the entire grow cycle of 3-4 incredibly light hungry plants.

There is another caveat….

It really needs to be energy efficient. My current lights, being left on 24/7, cost about as much as leaving a tv on 24/7. Something comparable to that would be ideal….

A few of the HLG items I had been looking at were the HLG Blackbird, the HLG 650R, and the HLG Scorpion Rspec Far Red…. Can anyone articulate all of the major differences between these? Other than the obvious physical size measurements, even tho those could be the determining factor as well…

Also, I live in the Midwest USA, and I have no clue what options i am supposed to choose for Power Cord, there are like 5 options, and 2 of them are for EU and UK so i know it isn’t those….

If you need any more information regarding my setup, please let me know!

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@dbrn32 can certainly steer you in right direction

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@dbrn32 is very knowledgeable about lights and HLG products.

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Also… I remember someone saying something negative about AC INFINITY lighting…. Don’t they use the same Samsung 301b diodes as HLG? I guess i want to know what’s so bad about those lights? They were something i was considering going with as a “band-aid” until I can afford something better….

If anyone can elaborate on this as well, it would be great!!! THANK YOU!!!

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Lol you typed too slowly

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Just call them. They are really friendly.
Who knows what happened to your message. But it probably was an oversight or some glitch in the email system.

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I sent them a message the other day with a question about a uvb supplement light, and also didn’t receive a response, but in the past they have been very good. Maybe a labor shortage like everyone else. But anyhow, if you’re planning on doing one or two plants, you probably won’t go wrong with the 350r. That’s what I use, and it’s done me very well in my tent that is 35” deep by 78” tall by 52” wide (Sun Hut brand).

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A couple of things to consider.
6’ is not very tall so the recommended height over the canopy is important. The lights using the Diablo Quantum Boards (eg 350R and Scorpion Diablo) have less clearance heights than the Blackbird or Scorpion Rspec.
If I could choose between two lights to cover the same or slightly more space or one larger light, I would choose two lights. Two provides more flexibility. Different plant heights, different strains, number of plants etc.

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Their website has pretty good snd from my experience pretty trustworthy spec charts for all of their lights but one thing I’d keep in mind is your 6’ head space. Pay attention to the distance from canopy. Some of their lights require up to 36" from canopy. After adding in pot height and clearance from top of tent you could wind up with space issues

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Call them and ask for Greg. I promise he can and will answer any questions you may have. Some general info in regard to your space is 40 to 50w per sq. Ft so for 12 sq you need about 600w and i would definitely recommend the 650 you mentioned. The plug is just the 120v and Greg can confirm that.

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I had a problem with the dimmer on a little 350r and they were slow at first. I was told theyre very short staffed. They did send me a new dimmer as soon as we communicated. Persistance can pay off. Also on their site you can find the specs to compare the different lights. If youre willing to put in the work and do some research the info is there.

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All of the data in regards to coverage and efficiency is posted under each fixture. But i can help you categorize eaxh fixture.

The hlg350r is big enough to cover the space, but would need some room from light to canopy to throw light to edges. The scorpion diablo and hlg-650r use same boards as 350r but 4 and 6 board models.

The blackbird is kind of it’s own light using a different board than others mentioned above. It’s less light output and less efficient than models using diablo boards, but also significantly cheaper on dollar per watt basis.

The scorpion r-spec uses oldest board of any of these. It has similar performance to blackbird but is physically larger in size. It probably won’t fit into the typical 4’x3’ tent.

You should be looking at following models.

350r. Probably best value for you but not most ideal to run close canopy.

Blackbird. Good light for you but performance is probably the least efficient of all your options.

Scorpion rspec/diablo won’t fit in 4x3 without tearing tent walls.

650r is biggest baddest light they make that will fit your tent. Its bigger light than you need, but could used at dimmed capacity which will run cooler and more efficient than posted specs. This light could also do a 5x5 if you wanted to expand later.

600r. Plenty big enough to do what you need and cheaper than blackbird but slightly less efficient.

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@dbrn32 is our light guy for the most part. What is your budget? We have the tent size so we are golden to assist. BUDGET is issue now. If needing base price or can spend for top end. A larger light than tent needs is way to go IMO. With dimmer can adjust to tent but if upgrade then already having the available horsepower is a good thing.

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Budget is rough, nearly everything on their website is currently out of my price range, even the refurbished ones. I was hoping to have all the info i need now so that way in about a month or so (or maybe during Black Friday/cyber Monday sales?) i will be ready to purchase the light i need. I really don’t think i can justify spending more than $800 after all taxes, fees, and shipping.

But i would know more about my available budget closer to that actual time frame….

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800.00 is a big light. We can definitely help get under that by a few hundred and high quality. If cant go bigger than need yet can hit it on the money for tent size. Even if going with 2 smaller vs. 1 big 1. Hopefully @dbrn32 will chime in with a DIY solution. @MeEasy is sponsored by some light makers. If he says it is good…IT IS. I run 550r boards and have no real suggestions on a brand or model atm.

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At the HLG website. The discount code of “DUDE”, will get you 20% off on lights anytime. The sales are typically 25% off. So it may be a difference of 5% if you wait.

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That would be excellent, I appreciate any and all assistance that can be provided… but i am curious if anyone can tell me anything about the AC INFINITY Ionboard S33…? Apparently it uses Samsung LM301b diodes and is only a fraction of the cost of some other lights….

I am assuming there is more to the story about this particular light? Can anyone provide more info?

I was considering getting this light as a cost-savings measure, but i want to know more info before i commit…

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The reviews from some i have heard use them are solid. Ac infinity is a great company with awesome products. 301b are so close in performance to the 301h it makes no impact really.

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The price they show is what you pay. I guess taxes are included. I’ve bought two lights from then and my card was charged the exact amount shown for the light. No shipping fees.

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I agree, I currently use a carbon filter/exhaust fan system from them that i love even more than my vivosun tent. When i was researching their products i found their lights and was considering making the investment with AC Infinity and continuing some loyalty

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