Taking the LED plunge

[Chef Jeff]

Considering the LED plunge for my new build. Any input from you progressives would be greatly appreciated.

[porpoiseaquatics]

For the money....I like my eShine Systems LED. They are now up to their 4th generation. They use choice of Bridgelux or Cree bulbs. You have choice of optics. There's one size with dimmers and one with a solar simulator. There are a dozen of more configurations and not just a one-size-fits-all approach.

[Chef Jeff]

Originally Posted by porpoiseaquatics

For the money....I like my eShine Systems LED. They are now up to their 4th generation. They use choice of Bridgelux or Cree bulbs. You have choice of optics. There's one size with dimmers and one with a solar simulator. There are a dozen of more configurations and not just a one-size-fits-all approach.

Are you operating their Bridgelux or Cree?

[ShanePike]

What do you want from your lights? Low cost? SPS growth? Quietness? Dimmability? I studied LEDs for a month; there are a ton of different options based on what your priorities are.

[porpoiseaquatics]

Originally Posted by Chef Jeff

Are you operating their Bridgelux or Cree?

I currently have Bridgelux and about to order a Cree fixture.

[Chef Jeff]

Originally Posted by ShanePike

What do you want from your lights? Low cost? SPS growth? Quietness? Dimmability? I studied LEDs for a month; there are a ton of different options based on what your priorities are.

I would say cost is not a primary concern. Performance, as the new build will see a move towards SPS, would be probably be of paramount concern. The ability to expand, low noise, cool operation, and robust control in descending order of importance would be my other criteria.

I appreciate your input as my current work schedule precludes the due diligence to which I am accustomed.

Edit:

Originally Posted by porpoiseaquatics

I currently have Bridgelux and about to order a Cree fixture.

Significant price difference between the two. Do you imagine as significant an increase in performance or are other features more attractive to you?

[porpoiseaquatics]

The base features are exactly the same. Two noted differences are 1. Cree doe not make a UV bulb and 2. Cree has a higher Par output for the same 3watt bulb. Yes there is a price difference....for me it was about $100 more for 48 LEDs.

[Sewer Urchin]

Hey Chef,
(Why am hearing Stan's voice form Southpark) I researched the Eshines units for a while when crewdawg was doing his group buy. I liked what I saw and was thinking about doing the bridglux units because they can add the UV chips in them I may go that way in the future. I like the concept, don't know if it is there yet or not - time will tell.
Ultimately, I chose to go with some used Member Modified units (you do a search). They were not dimable so the person wanted to upgrade. For experimentation I didn't want to shell out a bunch of quid. I'm over in Blairsville, not to far south of you, if you want to take a look at these ,or ever need to split shipping on something : )

[Seth The Wine Guy]

Well, instead of cutting and pasting just my thoughts on the topic. Read the 4 pages of this recent thread. Won't take long but some very strong opinions on both sides. I zeroed in on one thing you said was most important. PERFORMANCE

If that's the case, I think it's a no brainer what direction you go.

[Skriz]

Originally Posted by Seth The Wine Guy

Well, instead of cutting and pasting just my thoughts on the topic. Read the 4 pages of this recent thread. Won't take long but some very strong opinions on both sides. I zeroed in on one thing you said was most important. PERFORMANCE

If that's the case, I think it's a no brainer what direction you go.

Yep. If performance and service is important to you, there's only one way to go.

[Chef Jeff]

Originally Posted by Seth The Wine Guy

Well, instead of cutting and pasting just my thoughts on the topic. Read the 4 pages of this recent thread. Won't take long but some very strong opinions on both sides. I zeroed in on one thing you said was most important. PERFORMANCE

If that's the case, I think it's a no brainer what direction you go.

Hmmm...Interesting food for thought. Thanks.