TLDR edit: I was looking for a new LED light. Decided to go with the Spider Farmer SE4500.
I have a 320 watt Timber 3vl cob grow light that I purchased in 2018. I use it in a 2x4 tent with the AC Infinity controller system. It works well and I have no complaints about the quality. It is only 40 watts per square foot which seems underpowered for flowering using the old guidelines with HID lighting. The old guideline was up to 60 watts per square foot. Timber was a high quality brand when it existed but it’s old now.
Versus. 
I see a hot Black Friday price ($259) for an entry level ViparSpectra P4000. It’s ideally designed for a 3x5 but it will fit in a 2x4. It uses less expensive LEDs (bridgelux?) and transformers, but it puts out 420 watts compared to the 320 watts. It also has a variety of different types of bulbs versus the cobs on my current unit. I consulted an artificial intelligence app to explain the differences and received this summary. However, I dont know if my grow would benefit from this new lamp. (https://a.co/d/2iISIIX)
For the lighting experts here, Is this a worthwhile investment in my grow, or is there very little difference expected in flowering? Has LED technology advanced enough to make this a worthwhile purchase? Is it worth an extra hundred dollars if I can upgrade to Meanwell drivers and LM301b Samsung diodes? Does this different light spectrum make any difference? I’m at a loss and would appreciate any help you can provide.
Thanks in advance for the guidance.
I have a 320 watt Timber 3vl cob grow light that I purchased in 2018. I use it in a 2x4 tent with the AC Infinity controller system. It works well and I have no complaints about the quality. It is only 40 watts per square foot which seems underpowered for flowering using the old guidelines with HID lighting. The old guideline was up to 60 watts per square foot. Timber was a high quality brand when it existed but it’s old now.
Versus. 
I see a hot Black Friday price ($259) for an entry level ViparSpectra P4000. It’s ideally designed for a 3x5 but it will fit in a 2x4. It uses less expensive LEDs (bridgelux?) and transformers, but it puts out 420 watts compared to the 320 watts. It also has a variety of different types of bulbs versus the cobs on my current unit. I consulted an artificial intelligence app to explain the differences and received this summary. However, I dont know if my grow would benefit from this new lamp. (https://a.co/d/2iISIIX)
For the lighting experts here, Is this a worthwhile investment in my grow, or is there very little difference expected in flowering? Has LED technology advanced enough to make this a worthwhile purchase? Is it worth an extra hundred dollars if I can upgrade to Meanwell drivers and LM301b Samsung diodes? Does this different light spectrum make any difference? I’m at a loss and would appreciate any help you can provide.
Thanks in advance for the guidance.
Last edited:
