HPS Apollo Horticulture 600 Watt Review
Gull Wing Hood Set
Main features
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Dimmable Electronic Fan Cooling Ballast; Acceptable input: 110v – 240v.
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Dimmable Option: 50%, 75% & 100%
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HPS Bulb: Lumen – 89,000 & 1 – MH Bulb: Lumen – 55,000
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Gull Wing Reflector: 19″x15″x4.5″ Made of German Aluminum
As we’ve stated before on this website, it’s common knowledge that 600 W are the most efficient HID lights. They’ll produce more lumens per watt than any other one and are thus the more cost effective you can get for your money.
New models are working with digital ballasts, which use even less power than their older magnetic equivalents and may be dimmable, allowing you to adjust the lower the power if needed.
Among entry level models two main brands are competing to offer affordable products: Apollo and iPower
The ballast
The ballast of this set has surprised us by its nice sturdy feel. It looks substantial, seems very long lasting and is made out of quality materials. Users report a long lasting efficiency, with no No RF interference which are a common concern with many of the cheaper units.
Long lasting efficiency, with no No RF interference
It’s very quiet, definitely quieter than other similar products in this price range and it has a moderate heat output. The heat is effectively scattered by smartly designed long, thin aluminium fins, and the unit itself remains at an acceptable temperature.
The dimmer works great and offers the same possibilities as the iPower.
The reflector
The set having such a great ballast, we had high expectations regarding to the reflector and I must say we’ve been deceived. The item definitely doesn’t measure up with the powering unit. Instead of a hard cover the set comes with a shoddy, very flexible flimsy aluminium sheet.
shoddy, very flexible flimsy aluminium sheet
It is on the other hand very easy to assemble and after peeling away the protective film from the reflective side a solid ceramic socket attaches easily with a pair of screws.
A low quality reflector that however does the job, and provide sufficient reflection through a bushy foliage but can be changed if an increased air cooling supply is needed at some point.
It can be swapped for a cool-tube or a ventilated hood, as the heat output of the bulb is high, like on every HID lamp and can create climatic problems during the summer heat, even if you use the dimmable feature.
Bulbs
The bulbs are pretty standard, nothing fancy about them, and they and will accommodate your plants during both veg and flowering periods.
Please note that it’s very important to check that you buy genuine new bulbs!
There is a nasty ongoing practice among internet lamp re-sellers who sometimes sell used bulbs.
As an HID bulb will only deliver its full efficiency during a limited period of time before starting to slowly decrease, some commercial growers resell their used bulbs in bulks to unscrupulous lamp re-sellers, who add them to their sets.
The overall impression is that of a quality product, except for the hood, and it has the advantage to come with a 3 year warranty on the ballast, and a 1 year warranty on the bulbs.
