I'm using a 1000w SolarMax Dual Arc in a new grow right now. I picked it up for $169 online with free shipping. I usually get Hortilux for $114 locally so it's another 55 beans but not totally silly for something that I'll use for at least 5 shows... $11 more per show... I've been out of the hobby for a few years so I'm a little fuzzy on comparisons but the girls I have in the bloom closet right now are very happy. I'm on day 10 of 12/12 and they're just starting to really kick into flower mode. Years ago in past grows I did some comparisons of using only HPS vs HPS + MH when I was growing in a larger space and I definitely liked what I saw. The buds grown with both the HPS and MH had an edge of quality over buds of the same strain and conditions with HPS alone. I'll post some updates as I get more into flowering.

I have a 2x4x8 bloom closet with a Quantum 1000w dimmable digital ballast firing the SolarMax in a cool tube with a reflector. The Quantum works great with this bulb and I haven't heard about Quantum having any of the same bulb issues as the Lumateks have. I was going to get a Lumatek until I heard about all the bulb issues as well as many people having their power cord melt down. The Quantum works very smooth and the dimmable feature has come in handy. I put it at 50% when I first put the new girls into the bloom room as I veg under fluoros. A few days later I ramped up the wattage to 75% and few nights ago I boosted it up to 100%. My ventilation is still keeping temps in the mid 70's.

I also have a 6 bulb, 4 ft T5 fixture with 4 bloom and 2 grow spectrum bulbs mounted to the back wall for side fill and a 2 bulb T12 UVB Med therapy lamp fixture for a little added stress so the girls get some extra sun screen on... :stoned: I don't like to leave anything up to chance... Anything I can do to give the girls a little more goo.

Peace!