Description
Rated Power
25 Watt
25 Watt
25 Watt
25 Watt
25 Watt
Spectrum
Sunlight Full Spectrum
Sunlight Full Spectrum
Sunlight Full Spectrum
Sunlight Full Spectrum
Sunlight Full Spectrum
Inline On/Off Switch
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Daisy Chain Function
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Coverage
2x1.2 ft at 16"
2x1.2 ft at 16"
2x1.2 ft at 16"
2x1.2 ft at 16"
2x1.2 ft at 16"
Installation
Clip On Any Flat or Pole
Stand On Desk
Stand On Desk
Stand On Desk
Stand on Floor
Net Weight
666g
965g
965g
965g
1050g
Product Size
210*410*130mm
600*210*130mm
600*210*130mm
600*210*130mm
1700*650*650mm
I can say that the advertised specs are very inaccurate, and there are not 4 modes of operation: only two - ON and OFF. The PAR levels are stated with the wrong parameters and the numbers are fiction.
That said, I was surprized to find the performance was more than TWICE AS BRIGHT as advertized. I have attached pictures of the light with a spectrometer distanced exactly 12 inches from the surface of the LED panel, centered.
PPFD was 160. Candlepower 970, PAR 3500, Kelvin Temperature around 3700K, Lux 10,450.
At 18 inches PPFD was 87, PAR 1900, illuminance 525cp/5600ux.
At six inches PPFD was 540, PAR 11800, illuminance 3250cp or 35000 lux.
PPFD of 160 is well within the good growth range for most houseplants. The spectrograph shows the red and IR (or far red) peaks at 660nm and 730nm and blue at 455nm but no ultraviolet (nothing below 400nm) (My spectrometer's range of detection is 350nm to 800nm). All in all, these are good numbers. I am going to buy a few more, but probably the floor stand model for plants that have their own stands.
My review for the floor stand model:
This lamp is bright. 5 stars. Altho the numbers on both the advertisement and the spec sheet that comes with it are fictitious, the lamp is bright enough to actually grow plants. At exactly 12 inches from the LEDs, centered, I measured PPFD 173 umol/m²/s, PAR 3790 uW/cm², 1044 FootCandles or 11,250 lux. That includes some small amount of ambient room lighting (with the lamp off PPFD 2.3 umol, PAR 75 uW, 12fc or 125 lux). The spectogram shows a blue peak at 455 nm, red peaks at 662nm and 735nm, no ultraviolet (nothing below 400nm), Kelvin Temperature equivalent abt 3700K (very natural looking). In fact the spectrum looks very much like the picture on the included spec sheet. These values are just what most house plants need to be happy.
At 18 inches PPFD 80, PAR 1800, 5250 lux. At 2 feet PPFD 40, 2500 lux. Distance from the light makes a big difference. (Out of curiosity I found you can reach direct sunlight levels only at about a half-inch from the LEDs, so you are unlikely to burn your plants.)
As for the construction - First, both the lamp head and the stand are extremely light weight. The stand is not strong, but it doesn't need to be. I could wish it would stand up straighter and those big knobs weren't so ugly, but with a little fussing it is acceptable. The whole system is designed to be shipped in a small box with little weight - which I am sure is important in keeping the cost down. Be sure to get some zip ties or Velcro straps if you want to dress the power cable nicely.
The lamp head even comes with hooks and a wire assembly to hang it, if you prefer.
The lamp, when first plugged in, Sparks, if you forget to turn the switch off first; which, combined with its extremely light weight, causes me to suspect it uses capacitors to reduce the voltage for the LEDs (an inexpensive method I have seen on some LED lights - cheaper and lighter weight than a transformer), which electrically has certain disadvantages. Sure enough, wattage measurements revealed a power factor of only 0.64. The lamp draws ⅓Amp, almost exactly 25 watts but about 39 VA (VoltAmps). Electrical engineers will know what I mean. For home use, this isn't really an issue (and won't affect your power bill).
All in all, this is a decent growlight. It easily qualifies for the rather ambiguous "bright indirect lighting" that most house plants require and all will tolerate. Decent spectrum, and bright enuf at a distance of one foot - not much different from commercial levels. Many house-plants will thrive with a lot less and would do ok at 2 or 3 feet.