I am going to upgrade my lights! When, when I can LOL came across these used by a company “PACIFIC LIGHTS CONCEPTS” Moder # CXP 420 AND CXP250 375.00/275.00 respectively. Are these any good? Comproable to the HLG brand? Any info is appreciated greatly. Money is real tight and looking for something I can afford and will still be worth the effort. Thanks.
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if you have any mechanical/electric skills,i would build one…a top of the line light that blows most commercial units out of the water…[quote=“dbrn32, post:1, topic:13186, full:true”]
Hi everyone!
Just thought I’d start a new thread for us to further the diy light discussion. I don’t sell lights, lighting components, or work in the lighting industry. I have worked professionally with a few of the components, but in the green energy field. I got involved with led grow lights repairing/modifying basic amazon lights a few years back. Since, I’ve kind of become a local 420 friendly electrical support guy. I have access to a handful of different grow rooms utilizing different lights I have built or assisted building. That being said, I’m no expert and definitely don’t have working knowledge of every manufacturer or component out there.
Let’s try to keep this fun and informative. It’s not about bashing on budget lights or different types of lights. In fact this doesn’t even have to be limited to led tech. If you’ve custom made a cfl reflector and want to share, post it up! No question will be to basic, and no stone unturned. So please ask, or offer up the info you have. I’m going to tag the people I know have shown interest, but feel free to add anyone. I thought I read that a couple of the members were working on a retail light, and I definitely don’t want to interfere with that. If you guys are out there reading, please feel free to add or abstain if it’s in your best interest.
@ktreez420 @Countryboyjvd1971 @bob31 @Myfriendis410 @MAXHeadRoom
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the thread is called ‘‘lets talk diy lights’’ @dbrn32 is the man,when it comes to this subject,but there are several other knowledgeable folks here as well… @Aolelon @MattyBear @MAXHeadRoom and many more…
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@dbrn32 is the lighting guru. Hopefully he’ll see the tag and pop in.
PLC makes good lights but you are paying for their design and assembly. If you are at all handy I recommend building your own. STAY AWAY FROM AMAZON LED LIGHTS. For the most part they are junk.
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Plc is good stuff. You can probably do something similar cheaper if you don’t mind sourcing parts and assembling yourself. If you don’t want to do that, light you’re looking at is inline with higher end stuff.
And I definitely agree with the others, stay away from standard amazon blurple lights.
How “used” are they? @$375 the cxp420 is only $100 off the new price… pic doesn’t even make them anymore. Not that the technology is out of date, but there are better (efficiency & spectrum) cobs out there.
Drinkslinger they are said to be 10 months old and " supposed to be 1/2 retail (according to seller)" so was just wondering if they are “real” good lights or just another brand trying to make money. Their site seems to be selling 500/1000.00 lights. Price wise simular to HLG just trying to evaluate their value and quality in comparison.
I can’t seem to find the source for pricing again. Perhaps I misread something. $375 may indeed be half price (which is what used lights should be). I actually can’t find too much about them.
I’m sure the plc lights are very good; certainly miles ahead of amazon blurples.
Technology races forward, so 2 year old models that were cutting edge are replaced with more efficient better spectrum units.
Yaa that’s my concern, for that money I can get a 100+ w hlg new and I would just 2 maybe 3 at most to get me where I would like to be. And the cost between them just isn’t enough too take a chance on used. At a under 100.00 maybe! I think I will be patient and save or sell some audio gear I have and fund it that way. Anyone into "high end audio? LOL!
As the man said
If you have basic skills diy lights are the way to go.
I just bought 2 288v2 qb’s w/heat sink slate from hlg, sourced a driver, and assembled the whole thing in under and hour. That’s about 240w for about $250. 
I built my 104w eb light strip unit for about $105. It’s comparable to the hlg 100qb. DIY with bridgelux eb strips
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That appears to be the way to go as I have the requisite skills. What would be good for a 2x4x5 tent 23 plants
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23 plants in a 2x4x5’?
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OOPS that’s 2/3 plants LOL
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What kind of budget do you have to work with?
Ha. I was trying to picture cramming all those plants into that little tent.
It shouldn’t be too hard or expensive to light that sized tent. I see dbrn32 has you covered.
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I will be ordering 1 light at a time probably. So I’ll have to do some pricing around. Budget will be “what it costs” will just break it up in 2/3 purchases.
Ok. I was going to suggest 4 of the qb 120’s on an hlg-240h-c2100a driver. But that would be one large light and no way to really break up cost any.
I would follow this and build 2-3 of them total.
My thinking was multiple smaller as opposed to one bigger light might be more versital as for placement in the tent, but for sure allows me to buy as I can. Piece by pice so to speak.
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Not a bad way to look at it. Four of those qb 120’s would physically cover half of square footage too, so not really a downside to that either.
While we are there… can 3/4 boards run from one driver or better to have all separate drivers?