k-readings?

[d-man]

so my brother and I have an argument on lights and their k-ratings he says that -readings are on a good way to measure light and light out put I understand that its a temp reading and not a light reading but I think that when your comparing the same lights t5's to t5's and mh to mh this should be consistent on how it looks, he's saying that a 6,500k t5 form one company might not look the same as a 6,500k t5 form a diffrent company. I understand that if you where comparing t5's to mh's than it would be diffrent and that lumins has to do more with watts than k-temps but should'ent the same k-temps form the same gas put out the same color?

 

[wangotango]

It really depends on the brand of bulb. 14k Ushios are a lot whiter than 14k Phoenix, so there really isn't a consistancy.
-Justin

 

[d-man]

so what do you use to tell what the color is?

 

[reefforbrains]

Just go to the bidding site and buy a light meter. One bulb to another will have vastly different outputs with the same label numbers.
Output from bulb to bulb is different, from brand to brand and K rating to K rating. In a perfect world the actual color you see form any given bulb with the particular K rating should be spot on. Delivery method and intensity via catalyst is irrelevent (MH vs PC vs T5 ect )In this fantasy world your brother would be spot on.
If that were the case then the price of a XM would NOT be so rediculous. Each maker calls different colors completly different color ratings. Further splitting the hairs, Each company's different bulb styles are different from one another also.