California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED vs. Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530w LED
The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED and Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530w LED are both great lighting options for your grow room and here we are breaking down the details for you. We rate both light systems as highly effective choices and we have given them the awards of "most yield" and "best value" in our Top LED Grow Lights for 2021 blog. The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED costs $526. The Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530w LED has a lower price tag at $299, but can cost about 50 percent more to operate.
The table below compares the specifications of the two systems.
| California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 | Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530W | |
| Wattage (input power) | 400w | 530w |
| Voltage options | 100-240v | 85-265v |
| Efficiency umol/J [380-780nm] | 2.55+ | 2.58 |
| Total PPF intensity [380-780nm] | 900 | 730 |
| LED diodes | Chip on board (COB) 2.67A @120v | Double 5W Eplieds |
| Amps | 2.67A @120v | 2.15A @ 240v - 4.3A @ 120v |
| Mounting height | 18" from canopy for flowering, 24" from canopy for vegetative stage | 18" from canopy for flowering, 24" from canopy for vegetative |
| Coverage footprint veg | Up to 5' x 5' | Up to 6' x 6' |
| Coverage footprint flower | Up to 4' x 4' | Up to 5' x 5' |
| Length | 18" (45.7 cm) | 19" (48.3 cm) |
| Width | 8.5" (21.6 cm) | 8.5" (21.6 cm) |
| Height | 4" (10.2 cm) | 3" (7.6 cm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs | 12.4 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
| Controllable | No | No |
| DLC Listed for energy rebates? | No | No |
| Water resistance | No IP rating given | No IP rating given |
| UV and/or IR spectra? | No | Yes |
| Dimming | No | No |
| Cooling | Active | Passive |
The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED has the advantage of Chip on Board (COB) technology. COB allows for better PAR coverage from a single light. COB helps deliver light more consistently throughout the canopy, increasing your yield and quality. Prism Lighting Science Stealth offers a low-power, high-efficiency LED option. Customer reviews and GrowersHouse research confirm this LED option puts out true watts.
Both LEDs have claimed umol/J efficiency levels within close range: California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED about 2.55 and Prism Lighting Science Stealth 2.58, indicating both are strong performers in facilitating photosynthesis.
What Readers Say in Product ReviewsThe buzz among growers is that the California Light Works SolarXtreme 500 LED is a cost-friendly option for setting up a small grow space. Some report bigger, denser buds with the use of these LEDs. The following customer review also highlights that it's easy to install and easy to use:
"I have it in my tent and its working great … very simple just plug it in and its full on the light it makes is white, not purple or magenta. I'm using my solar storm 440 with it and it's starting to look a lot like Christmas in my GGT! Thanks to Growers House for the introductory deal on the lights... this light is like the Mustang or Camaro of led grow lights, American muscle at an affordable price."
The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED also has a positive reputation in the grower's world. A customer had this to say about the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED: "Really good customer service, really good lights!"
One customer wrote of the Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530w LED: "They seem to be good quality lights. They put out a little bit of heat but not near as much as HPS. I ended up buying 2 of these lights. I checked what each light pulls from the plug with a wattage meter and it came out to 339 watts. That's fine with me. We'll see how they do in the long run."
| California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 | Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530W | |
| Fixture cost | $526 | $299 |
| Adapter for controller | NA | NA |
| Controller | No | No |
| Cost to run per month $0.13 per kWh (US average)(12-16 hr./day ) | $18.72 (12-hr.) – $24.96 (16-hr.) @ 400w |
$28.08 (12-hr. – $37.44 (16-hr.) |
Discussion: The Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530w LED is an appealing option for a grower who wants a traditional LED system. For growers conscious of staying within a specific price range, it is almost half the cost of the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED. However, the Prism Lighting Science Stealth 530w LED costs more per month to operate. After a year of growing, you will end up spending the same amount of money buying either LED, so the long-term effect of lower cost consumption of California LightWorks SolarXtreme 500 LED represents a key savings if you plan to grow for more than one year.
How to save money on these LEDs?Saving money on these LEDs is easy when you use information found on our website and the expertise of the GrowersHouse customer service staff. Join the growers club to be added to our email list and get updates on our products, price matching, and promotions (scroll down this page and enter your email under the header "Let's Grow Together").
ControllersThe SolarXtreme 500 Series product manual explains that there is no controller manufactured for this series. Plug the LED directly into a timer and set according to the recommended growth stage lighting needs. There is no onboard power switch (on/off button), so you either set the timer or disconnect the power cord from the power source.
FAQQ: Why the big price difference between the two?
One reason for the price difference between the two systems is that California Light Works SolarXtreme 500 incorporates chip-on-board (COB) technology. This design eliminates the need for LED drivers and reflects the latest development in AC direct-drive technology.
Q: What other basic installation requirements and equipment do I need to consider for each LED?
Both LEDs come with a basic power cord, but 240v power cords are sold separately for the Prism Lighting Science LED. Consider adding a timer and Common Culture ratchet hangers for either light.
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