Comparison of TOP LED lights from Lumatek: ZEUS PRO vs. ZEUS PRO 2.9

A leader in the development and manufacture of grow LED lights, the renowned British brand Lumatek recently enriched the market with hot new full-spectrum fixtures for 2021. Today we will focus on the differences within the unrivalled ZEUS range. Many customers were already fans of the original version.

With the arrival of the brand-new ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9 many growers ask us how the newcomer differs from the previous version (2.7). So what is new, what is the difference? Is it worth paying a little extra for the additional power and is it worthwhile to upgrade the original version?

• The design and main parameters remain the same as in the previous version. After all, they are quite unique compared to competing products.
• If we had to sum up the main difference between the models above in one word, it would be a four-letter word: BARS. The manufacturer devoted significant effort to developing each LED bar to maximize its efficiency, which was achieved mainly thanks to the following pair of changes:
  • The protective cover from the original model has been replaced by the protective CLEAR GLUE technology. In the new model the original cover is therefore substituted with a special protective silicone coating, ensuring safety during electrical conduction and a significantly more efficient way of transmitting light with lower heat emissions.
  • Lumatek increased the electrical efficiency of the PCB (printed circuit board, a basic component of electronics) by using higher-quality LEDs that are hard to match on the grow light market at this price point. The new diodes are characterized by overall higher efficiency and even better color rendering, partly due to a proportionally larger share of red in the light. Thanks to these red diodes with higher electrical and photon flux efficiency than typically shown by white “full-spectrum” diodes, the manufacturer was able to raise total efficacy up to 2.9 μmol/s/J while remaining within the appropriate wavelength range necessary to ensure effective photosynthesis and healthy growth.

• For connoisseurs we have PAR maps (see below) directly from the manufacturer, providing a fairly accurate visual comparison of both versions of these exceptional LED lights. Maps for both lights are based on the same growing environment (mylar reflective growboxes 1.2 m at full power and hung 18 inches from the black grid). PAR

• In short, the difference in PPF (total light output) between the two models is around 10% in favor of the new 2.9 model.
• It is also worth noting that independent tests by growers around the world confirm the values declared by the manufacturer. Lumatek is truly one of the honest exceptions in this respect and the figures quoted for its products, unlike some other manufacturers, do not resemble pre-election promises. For this honesty combined with a lead in technology, Lumatek is always our number one choice when selecting grow LED lights.

Is it worth paying extra for the LED lamp's additional power?

• If you are looking for a large, ultra-efficient light (we mean the genuine 2.9 micromoles per joule) with a reasonable price tag, you simply will not find a more advantageous unit than the ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9.
• If you need to achieve this level of efficacy in an LED fixture with higher power and equivalent total light output, it will also depend on the current ambient temperature, air exchange capacity, kWh costs and, last but not least, whether you are looking at it from the perspective of return on the whole investment.
• For owners of the 2.7, who were initially attracted by the high efficiency and feel they are already maximising the use of those values, the extra photons will certainly be welcome.
• From a price-performance ratio point of view, just look at the difference between price and PPF in these fixtures.
• The question of whether it is worth upgrading from the 2.7 to 2.9 is not clear-cut, but you can get the answer easily. Just consider how much you are utilising the potential of one or more existing 2.7 fixtures. For current owners of the ZEUS 600W PRO 2.7 the extra yield, expressed by approximately a 10% increase in light from the upgraded fixtures, only pays off if their current light is already fully maximised. That means you are already using the 2.7's potential to the fullest, but you would benefit from even greater power.

In any case and per watt, the new LED lamp ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9 produces approximately 10% more light than the previous version — that is simply an undeniable fact. Now it just depends on how appealing this is to you for achieving higher yields and better harvest quality. The robust new model also has a clearly improved construction including a more efficient and durable solution for the upper LED housing. The removable remote control is also a welcome feature. If you would like to ask us anything, we are here for you at the usual address info@higarden.cz.

We also recommend these products:

• BioNova Starter pack AutoFlower Supermix (1 990 Kč): a comprehensive and discounted nutrient kit of basic fertilizers for cultivating autoflowering plant varieties (autoflower).
• LED lighting for a growbox by Lumatek (from 6 990 Kč): the best investment in lighting for your new growbox.
• Prima Klima carbon filters (from 949 Kč): uncompromising quality and a great price.

What to read next?

• Reverse osmosis (RO)
• Dutch Mammoth in a new coat: taller and better!
• Ornamental, hanging and smart flower pots