Better bang from the SolarMax. Less heat from the t-5s. I like high blue for veg, but replacement cost for the t-5 lamps is a lot lower.

In a perfect world, where I had all kinds of a/c I didn't pay for, I'd go w/ the halide. W/ no a/c, in the summer, t-5's might be more practical.

Isn't that bulb designed for use in a HPS ballast?

Not sure that you need the conversion feature of the digi- you could go magnetic, spend like 25-30% less.

The digi's are, IMHO, worth the cash- just wanted you to know you had the option.