Over the past year, there has been an increasing number of vertical style LED grow lights that have hit the internet as LED grows at companies compete for the vertical commercial rail market and
the expanding population of home growers looking to evenly light the grow rooms intensity. So you might be wondering what makes a Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 stand out in the sea of lights. This review will show that the Grower’s Choice excels in light output. It’s competitively efficient. It uses high quality, name-brand diodes, has an ideal full spectrum high uniformity and is priced under $900. It also comes with temperature sensors RJ11 cables and a power adapter.
Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 LED Grow Light Review
Before we get into the main part of the review, let’s see how to use the controller. It’s really easy. There are a few different functions like HID dimming and light cycle. The one here is really easy and you could set your cycle by pressing these buttons and adjusting the time. It also has LED dibbing, which you can set at any percentage. I recommend above 15%. You can turn this on-off or select auto. You can also adjust the temperature, can auto-dim them at a certain temperature, or select the shutdown temperature. It also has a sunrise and sunset effect, so you can set those. It has a configuration button which you can set the date-time, so on and so forth. So, it’s pretty straightforward and easy.
Light Specifications
The Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 LED Grow Light is a vertical grow fixture, but it can be used in a horizontal application including open rooms and tents too and that is why I wanted too review it. It contains eight passively tooled low profile bars across a foldable frame. The foldable frame is a boon because it reduces shipping and storage size by half. The Grower’s Choice is ready to plug and play out of the box after you hang it up. The unit measures 42.4 by 42 by 2.4 inches and it weighs 30 pounds. It is designed to replace a light intensity of more than a 1000 watt hid grow light based on its power readings. Top bin Osram 120 degree diodes are used across the entire fixture powered by highly efficient drivers. The diodes and PCBs are conformally coated to protect them from excess water.
The fixture is rated IP 65 for dust and moisture. Expect about 54,000 hours until the fixture reaches 90% of its original light output. This LED emits 1,700 micromoles per second of light with an efficacy of 2.5 micromoles per joule. The fixture is manually and remotely dimmable. If you don’t use a controller for the fixture, you can dim the fixture from 100% to a set 80% 60% or 40% intensity. With the grower’s choice controller or most other controllers, you have more control and options over the set intensities. The Grower’s Choice is rated for 110 volts to 277 volts AC and draws an advertised wattage of 680 Watts at the wall. However, at 120 volts the fixer pulled 710 Watts from the wall and a 6.0 amp’s at full intensity. Expect about 2.94 amps at 240 volts at full intensity. Also measured were 540 Watts and 4.6 amps at 80%, 385 Watts and 3.2 amps at 60% intensity, and 265 Watts and 2.2 AMS at 40% intensity.
Color Spectrum
These different settings are ideal for lowering the intensity during vegetative growth. When you use that full power, you will save around 40% in energy and HVAC requirements over traditional HID lighting while maintaining the same or more light output. There’s a three-year warranty on this fixture which shows me that this company stands behind its product. This unit is ETL approved and CE certified for commercial grows. There are three different wavelengths or spectrums that make up the Grower’s Choice. warm white, cool white and six 60 nanometer deep red. The spectrum is fixed and can only be dimmed. There is no UVA in the fixture but there is far-red or IRR as it’s commonly known, which is naturally present in white light diodes. Grower’s Choice uses its GC 3K full phase spectrum in this fixture. It’s a full spectrum fixture and it’ll take the plants from seed to harvest. The spectrum is a little heavier in blue than some other full-cycle lights on the market, which is actually ideal for increase in quality during flowering.
The added six 60 nanometer deep red is ideal for speeding up photosynthesis, can assist in increasing yields and helps boost the efficiency of the fixture based off of the high light output of this fixture. The vegetative footprint is an easy six foot by six foot area. The fixture will flower a solid four by four area, and may be used in up to a five by five space, but expect less light per square foot based on the PAR readings. I would not hang this light closer than about 12 inches from the canopy at full intensity for flowering for most growers. It is advertised for as close as six-inches, but as you will see, the PAR readings are quite good at a height of 12 inches. I recommend hanging this light at six to 10 inches but only if you have your temperatures, humidity, and CO2 dialed in and know your plants can handle the higher intensities.
PAR Readings for the Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 LED Grow Light Review
Let’s check out the PAR readings for this light in a four by four gorilla grow tent. As a disclaimer, you’re going to see the highest PAR readings in a 10 or with an array of fixtures in an open area versus a single light in an open area. The first reading is going to be at two feet above the bottom of the tent. It’s registering 950 PPFD right in the center, the back edge 760 PPFD and the corner about 670 PPFT. So at this height, we’re getting the most uniform coverage, however, the lowest intensity. Conversely, you can also flower at this intensity. When reviewing the PAR readings around the entire tent, you get a fairly even footprint with the Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 LED Grow Light.
The next reading is going to be at 18 inches. We’re hitting well over a thousand PPFD at about 1,130 in the center, at the edge around 800 PPDT and in the corner, it’s at the lowest point around 670 PPFD. Across most of the footprint, we’re getting just under a thousand PPFD, which is very good for flowering.
The final reading is going to be at 12 inches above the bottom of the tent. At 12 inches in the center, we’re getting about 1,350 PPFD, which is really quite high, at the back it drops to about 800 PPFD and into the corner, it is around 600-615 PPFD. So notice this is at least uniform coverage and it to have the highest intensities across most of the footprint. So again, when the PAR meter is moved around the area, it looks like most of the readings are at above a thousand PPFD, which is excellent for flowering. I wouldn’t use this light closer than 12 inches unless your plants can really take it. I would say that this is a perfect hanging height.
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Check out this awesome light right HERE
Conclusion: Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 LED Grow Light
At the time of this review, the MSRP on the Grower’s Choice ROI-E680 LED Grow Light is under $900 CDN as of March 2020 plus you get free shipping. Free shipping is also available in the lower 48 States with no additional tax. Grower’s Choice is headquartered in Canada; however, stock is located in the USA for USA based customers. I really enjoyed reviewing this light and think it’s really hard to beat the top end Osram diodes 1700PPF 2.5 micromoles per Joule dimmability and uniformity with a price point below$1,000 overall, I’d move this light to near the top of my led grow light list for “best bang for your buck”.
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Hello,
Valuable post ever! Never thought like this thing will be exist LED grow light wow! But egarly wants to know is it possible to get in Asia site countries ? I’m going through your full review which makes me clear that Canada, USA is easier to deliver but also stuck my eyes into free shipping word so, I thought if it is possible to deliver in Bangladesh I’ll be happier. Your article enrich my knowledge just brief whole things in good way.
Great review! Thanks for sharing keep it up.
There are many LED grow lights that are made in China. Some are better quality than others. If you use my review as a guide to looking at lights from your local Amazon dealer, you will know what to look for. Also, check out my other LED reviews at
https://myindoorgrowsystems.com/best-led-grow-lights-for-2020/
You may be able to find one of these that are made in China. Good luck!
your article was very informative regarding the EH500 LED Grow Light.
Thank you for clarifying what the height of the lighting needs to be at, event though the manufacturer states it can be closer.
I want to grow my plants not burn them.
These look like pretty intense lights.
Thank you for your detailed review on these grow lights. Well appreciated.
You nailed the point about not having them too close. I would never try to hand them that close to my plants!
I have a vegetable garden in size of a square that is only a few feet wide and length. I like with this light it has various customization of day and night sunlight to keep the garden growing and healthy. I also like that it has controls that you can control on your own as well. I can see the price of this being high, but if it works then it’s worth it.
Yes, I agree that the price is on the high side but it is a very high-quality unit. You almost never see grow lights with a three-year guarantee so to me this means that it is a very well made unit that the company stands behind. For cheap LEDs, you can usually expect a one year guarantee.
Awesome. This is my first time seeing something as awesome as this. The pictures and your layout is great. You nail this from beginning to end. would love to have this. It saves on energy, especially for growing plants. Love the way you wrote it – explaining from each picture. Awesome job. keep up the great work. thanks
I’m so glad that you liked it! There are so many lights out there that its hard to know which one to buy.
This post is the best post on Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light. Here you have discussed in detail about the Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light. We need light in our lives and for our indoor plants. Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light is the biggest solution. I think Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light should be used by everyone with a lot of plants to feed their families. I know Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light is the best now. The most important part of growing plants and having a good light is the most important. You have distinguished the Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light very nicely. The Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light are fully described here. The benefits are very well understood. I learned everything in this article about them. I’m so impressed
Finally, I would like to share this post on my social media so everyone can know better about the Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light
Thanks for sharing this article with us
Thank you so much for your glowing comments. I do hope that your friends enjoy the article as much as you did!
What are low profile bars across a foldable frame?
The foldable frame is very adjustable because it decreases shipping and another good thing is it has been designed to replace a light intensity of the of more than a 1000 watt hid grow light based on its power readings. Several engineering methods have been pointed to configure the Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light.
I am not much well known but support this innovation.
The website deserves thanks.
Best of luck
Some (if not most) LED lights are quite thick so when it says “low profile bars” it means that the bars are quite thin so that the entire thing can be folded in half – which would be impossible if the bars were the normal 2 inches thick. Thank you for your thanks!
Hi DARLENE THOMPSON,
I am so interested in your post about the indoor system. I really like this Arden Lighting Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Ligh. But right now I live in a motel and don’t have enough money to buy it yet. I wish I can save money within a few years. If I have to wait till I buy a house and have enough money to order one of these lights, I don’t think I will get the same price and free shipping anymore. However, I have my sister who live in the United States; I will ask her if she’s interested in this light too. Anyway, thanks for sharing the review and your post which educated people. Before, I don’t know how to use this light. After reading your post, I gain more knowledge and know-how to use this light and how useful it is. May your business grow successfully, and your life full with both happiness and healthiness.
Sincerely,
Paw
Thank you so much Paw. I’m sorry that you don’t have enough room at this time to grow your own food as that really makes a difference in your costs and over-all nutrition. I do hope that your housing improves soon. Also, if this is your first LED light, you may want to buy one of the cheaper ones to at least give it a try! Something is better than nothing!
First of all, I want to say that you have a great site here. I like it a lot! I haven’t grown anything yet indoors, but my parents are skilled in gardening and I remember them talking about indoor growing. I think they would be interested in learning more about this light. Your article is very detailed and contains pretty much everything I need to know about this light. Thanks!
My parents gardened, too, but we live too far north to be able to garden in the winter. So, if we want fresh food in the winter, we have to grow it ourselves and that is what this web site is dedicated to! I hope your parents enjoy this article, too!
Hi Darlene, thank you for an informative review on the Arden Lighting Tech Emerald Hammer EH500 LED Grow Light. Whilst I don’t grow plants indoors as there’s lots of sunshine where I am, I still thought this is a great idea. It does make me think about the amount of effort to get light to the plants and make me that little bit more appreciative of the sunlight I get here. Anyway, I am digressing from the point here. You mentioned that the set here can be had for less than $900 and that’s a good price… but in your opinion, if I am starting fresh, how much would it cost to have an initial setup.. and what other things would I need?
Frankly, if you were setting up for your first time and wasn’t sure if you were going to continue, then there are quite a few LED lights for less than $200 on Amazon. Check the specs and compare them to this one and get the best you can. You would also need a method of growing. You can check out the rest of my articles on my web site as to what type of system you want to go with and each states what you will need.
Stay tuned for my next article on CFL (Ceramic Metal Halide) lights!
I do like facts and figures when it come to equipment. You need all of the information when it comes to making a purchase of this type. Let’s face it, it’s not a cheap option, so you want to make sure you’ve made a truly informed decision. I would say you have provided that.
Now, unless my calculations have gone askew, so to speak, I reckon that this unit will only drop it’s light efficiency after just over six years. By anyone’s standards that’s impressive. You could grow an awful lot in that time and as an investment in your business, it adds up to a sound one. As you have said, it may be slightly in the higher price bracket but the value for money ratio is a good one.
You are absolutely correct in saying that only dropping in light efficiency after six years is excellent. Hence, why the higher price. Lower priced models need to replaced, on average, every two years.
Thank you so much for your comments.
Firstly I want to give you thanks for this type of post or article cause I was looking for this type of information. I am working on a project based on LED. So I need some information about that and I need some LEDs of different types. As I am a beginner of my project I know a few about LED. After reading your posts I learned so many things about LED. It will be very helpful for me and my team member. Now I will share your ideas with my team members.
Thanks again.
Wow! I’m so glad this came at such a timely manner for you. All the best on your project!