i have had experience with both. i had a 1000w econocool and damn that thing put up a lot of heat. about 92-105 degrees. I now have a cool tube after returning the econo. I love the cooltube. Its save a lot of space compared to the econo. The econo reflector are the same size. The cooltube IMO is good and never regreted it. I'm about to get another 400w cooltube for the hell of it to see if i can pull over 1 1/2 lb with 5 plant. The only difference i think would be the space it takes up and the light that are being reflected down.