PFO or Icecap 250w HQI pendant?

[kpatrick]

I am looking at purchasing 3 pendants for my 125g DT. I have used PFO pendants in the past with the Icecap ballast and was very pleased. However I see a lot of good reviews for the Icecap Pendants also. Which would you get?
I have found the following prices on different websites and the PFO is a lot cheaper when you consider the cost of purchasing 3 of the pendants.
1. PFO 250w HQI pendant for $96
2. Icecap 250w HQI pendant for $149

 

[stanlalee]

any reason you are limited to those two? Lumenmax 3 or Lumanbright 3 are superior to both those for the same price as the ice caps. if you arent going to get the best and you were happy with the PFO I dont see why your considering $150 ice cap. save $150 and get the PFO.

 

[kpatrick]

I am not limited to this two options. Why do you feel Lumenmax are superior to these two brands? I prefer to go with the best so if there is a better option then those listed in the poll then I am all for hearing about them.
Which ballast do you recommend for the Lumenmax pendant?

 

[stanlalee]

lumenmax have always been in the top two or three. its basically sunlight supply's horticultural design downsized. As for ballast I would chose a blue wave HQI (if you want a true HQI) or galaxy electronic but ONLY because the lumenmax come with cords and are plug and play with those ( I also like the concept of sticking with one brand. doesn't hurt I had all sunlight supply set up before). otherwise an HQI ballast is an HQI ballast in different boxes. I've never had a electronic ballast except the sunpod but I'm pretty sure I like the output and whiter burning of HQI ballast better (I dont like the humming noise).
its just an all around more advanced design then the other two
Lumenmax

Ice cap

 

[kpatrick]

Thanks for the info! Add in some Phoenix 14k bulbs and this should be a pretty good setup

 

[kpatrick]

Is there a mogul reflector and ballast that you would recommend that would be equal to the lumenmax pendant and galaxy ballast listed below? I will be using the Phoenix 14k bulb.
Looks like several people believe the mogul are just as good as the double ended so if I can get a comparable mogal setup it may be time to price them both out and weigh the options.

 

[stanlalee]

lumenmax 2 is the same reflector design for mogul socket bulbs (lumenmax 3 is the double ended version). there really isn't that much difference between SE and DE. I prefer SE (no required sheilding to absorb light, to me better coverage unless your using fancy reflectors) but if you are considering using pheonix long term I'd probably stay with DE since mogul pheonix 250w bulbs are nearly $100 each and double ended are only $60 each. you can use the same ballast to fire either type of bulb and both styles of reflectors cost the same as well.
lumanmax for mogul bulbs