Comparison of TOP LED Lights from Lumatek: ZEUS PRO vs. ZEUS PRO 2.9
The leader in the development and manufacture of grow LED lights, the renowned British brand Lumatek, recently enriched the market with hot new products for 2021 in the form of full-spectrum luminaires. Today we will focus on the differences within the unrivalled ZEUS range. Many customers had already sworn by the original version.
With the arrival of the brand-new ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9, many growers are asking us how the new product differs from the previous version (2.7). So what is new, and what is the difference? Is it worth paying a little extra for the additional output, and does it pay to upgrade the original version?
- The design and main parameters remain the same as in the previous version. After all, they are already quite unique compared with competing products.
- If we had to describe the main difference between the above models in one word, it would be a four-letter word: BARS. The manufacturer devoted considerable effort to developing each LED bar so as to maximise its efficiency, which it achieved mainly thanks to the following two changes:
- The protective cover from the original model has been replaced by CLEAR GLUE protective technology. In the new product, the original cover is therefore replaced by a special protective silicone coating, ensuring safety when conducting electric current as well as a significantly more efficient way of transmitting light with lower thermal emissions.
- Lumatek increased the electrical efficiency of the PCB (printed circuit board, a basic component of electronics) by using higher-quality LED diodes, which are unmatched on the grow light market in this price category. The new diodes are characterised by overall higher efficiency and even better colour rendering, among other things thanks to a proportionally larger share of red light. Thanks to these red diodes, with higher electrical and photon flux efficiency than white diodes with “full spectrum” commonly achieve, the manufacturer was able to increase the overall efficiency to 2.9 μmol/s/J, while remaining within the appropriate wavelength range necessary to ensure effective photosynthesis and healthy growth.
- For experts, we have the so-called PAR maps (see below) directly from the manufacturer, providing a fairly accurate visual comparison of both versions of these exceptional LED lights. The maps for both lights are based on the same growing environment (1.2 m mylar reflective grow boxes at full power and suspended 18 inches from the black grid).
- In short, the difference in PPF (total light output) between the two models is around 10% in favour of the new 2.9 version.
- It is also worth noting here that independent tests by growers from around the world confirm the values declared by the manufacturer. Lumatek is truly one of the honourable exceptions in this respect, and the values listed for its products do not resemble election promises by politicians, unlike those of some other manufacturers. For this honesty, combined with its technological lead, it is always our number one choice when it comes to selecting grow LED lights.
Is it worth paying extra for the additional output of an LED lamp?
- If you are looking for a large, ultra-efficient light (by which we mean a genuine 2.9 micromoles per joule) at a reasonable price, then you simply will not find a more advantageous device than the ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9.
- If you need to achieve this level of efficiency with a higher-power LED luminaire and equivalent total light output, it will also depend on the current ambient temperature, air exchange capacity, electricity costs per kWh and, last but not least, whether you view it from the perspective of the return on the entire investment.
- For owners of the 2.7, who were initially attracted by the high efficiency and feel that they are already maximising the use of these values, the extra photons will certainly come in handy.
- In terms of value for money, it is enough to look at the difference between the price and the PPF in these luminaires.
- There is no straightforward answer to whether it is worth upgrading from 2.7 to 2.9, but it can be easily determined. You only need to realise how much you are using the potential of one or more of your current 2.7 luminaires. For existing owners of the ZEUS 600W PRO 2.7, the extra yield, expressed as approximately a 10% increase in light from the improved luminaires, is only worthwhile if their current light is already maximised. That means you are already using the full potential of the 2.7, but you would still benefit from even greater output.
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 only depends on how appealing this is to you personally, so that you can achieve higher yields and better harvest quality. The robust new product also has a clearly better construction, including a more efficient and more durable solution for the top LED array. The removable remote control is also a welcome feature. If you would like to ask us anything, we are here for you at the well-known address info@higarden.cz.
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