175 watt SE Magnetic ballast BEST bulb??

[ifirefight]

I know...Sanjays site.... I have had the Hamilton 10k for a while..good growth,not too crazy about the color. I have it supplemented with 320 watts of super actinic VHO. Just wondered if anybody uses M57 ballast and 175 SE bulb....what they are using. Thanks

 

[coraljunky]

I like using Xm or Hamilton on my 175 se. But I use a higher k rating then you, not sure if thats what your looking to compare. Or 10k vs 10k.

 

[stanlalee]

If you dont like the hamilton you probably wont be satisfied with the color of any of the top performers on the M57 (Ushio 10k, AB 13k, Iwasaki 15k and Hamilton 10k all put out relatively the same PAR on an advance M57 ballast per sanjay testing). All at best only have the slightest hint of blue. The Ushio is a pulse start bulb and the AB is recommended for pulse start ballast even though the bulb is an actual probe start bulb so those two could potentially have firing problems on an M57. I ran the AB 175w bulb and was satisfied with the color but I dont like much blue tint.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
http:///forum/post/2710916
I like using Xm or Hamilton on my 175 se. But I use a higher k rating then you, not sure if thats what your looking to compare. Or 10k vs 10k.
Yeah,I was considering a 14k just for pure esthetic reasons...How does the higher K look?
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2710970
If you dont like the hamilton you probably wont be satisfied with the color of any of the top performers on the M57 (Ushio 10k, AB 13k, Iwasaki 15k and Hamilton 10k all put out relatively the same PAR on an advance M57 ballast per sanjay testing). All at best only have the slightest hint of blue. The Ushio is a pulse start bulb and the AB is recommended for pulse start ballast even though the bulb is an actual probe start bulb so those two could potentially have firing problems on an M57. I ran the AB 175w bulb and was satisfied with the color but I dont like much blue tint.
I saw that about the Ushio and AB... I was looking for a little more blue.. I was thinking about the hamilton 14k....but the par is in the toilet.

 

[gatorwpb]

I thought the Iwasaki 15k is supposed to be the best 175 by far. What Ive read its like a freak with PAR, but maybe that with a different ballast?

Google "Par buster iwasaki"

 

[coraljunky]

The hamilton 14k is alot bluer than I expected it to be. I'll probably try someone with a 12k next.

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by GatorWPB
http:///forum/post/2711736
I thought the Iwasaki 15k is supposed to be the best 175 by far.
its a monster on an E-ballast, on magnetic its right up there with the best just not head and shoulders over like on an e ballast. not very blue either.

 

[ifirefight]

Thanks for the info guys... I may switch over to the electronic ballast and try a different bulb down the road. GATORWPB...I did not know that about the Iwaski 15k ...I will look into that. thanks.

 

[scubanoah]

i run the xm 15k right now and the color is great. dont know about the par though. very blue

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/2711843
its a monster on an E-ballast, on magnetic its right up there with the best just not head and shoulders over like on an e ballast. not very blue either.
Thanks guys,after reading up on this,it seems like the Iwaski will be my next bulb. I will probably upgrade to the electronic ballast also.