Are either of these HPS systems worth even using (for the money)?

[cigarettes42]

I've been told by friends that if you're not paying $1 per watt for your light, your light sucks. Anyone have an opinion on this?

not really. a 1000watt setup would be ridiculous if it were a grand. prices for lumatek ballast with hood and cord, hortilux bulb: 600watt = around $400, 1000w = around $500. they run cool and quiet and more electricity efficient than traditional magnetic ballasts and put out more lumens with a soft start so it is better on bulb life