Led boards or bars?

@demps bars definitely seem to be superior based on the direction led makers are going.  They give better light spread for an even ppfd across the canopy.   

@demps I’m not a grower of trees like @Shonuff is but would agree with him on that, everyone seems to say bars get into the corners of the tent better than the boards do , sure if you have a good enough light though it’s just as good lol.

Boards tend to have a larger fall off around the edges and are more intense towards the centre of the board whereas the bars are specifically designed to evenly distribute the light across the footprint. I have and use both and if I was poked with a stick and forced to choose I would go the bar style over the boards. In saying that though it can come down to the diodes and the combination of ir, uv, etc as to which is more suited to your setup. A bar light will also take up a tad more real estate over a quantum board so consider that as well. 

That's some handy Information @bubblehok,

Thanks, I'll consider that for my next purchase. I've done research on the Migrow array lights but any other recommendations?

  @stonewolf, I just bought the SF-7000 it's a board compared to the SE-7000 that's a bar and I bought it because of the price. I got the most watts per $ compared to other similar lights. Plus the size, the bars are big and they jump up in size quickly and I have a 3x3 that I want to use with it. So that what made my decision. Plus be able to remote locate the drivers, the room stays a lot cooler. Diode count and IR, UV is what I use to compare. But this is what fits my application, good luck with your.  

@stonewolf I purchased the Spiderfarmer SE7000 last year and have done 2 runs under it in a 4x4 thus far and it is probably too much light in a 4x4, in the end I had to remove the driver from the tent to help bring heat down (this was middle of aussie summer so that had a hand in it too) but it well and truly did the job and probably more. I can solidly recommend the Spiderfarmer line and would recommend looking into the HLG fixtures as they are up there with the best in the business, I just couldn't give you an honest review of HLG yet as I personally haven't had the chance to run one, however the growers using HLG kit are very happy from all reports(they are also a sponsor so you can get a discount from them). I think it would really come down to the space you are trying to light and if you are wanting to incorporate C02 etc. These higher intensity bar lights really do need some C02 to take full advantage of the extra lumens and if you are just starting or wanting to keep things simple this can throw a spanner in the works, without C02 you would need to keep these commercial fixtures under about 80% in a tent environment or bad things can happen lol. Do you have an idea what space you will be putting one into? if looking at a 4x4 the SE5000 or SF7000 would be plenty of light, or if looking at HLG the blackbird would be more than enough for a 4x4. Have a chat with Shane from migro as he may have a few suggestions on a kit that would work for you also if the others don't suit your budget. Lights can get pricey very quickly and realistically you want to look at efficiency for the space you have, overall wattage isnt the be all and end all, one thing i will say is that some lights may claim they cover 6x6 or 5x5 etc however that is a veg footprint and more often than not they loose 1ftx1ft of footprint come flower, so make sure whatever you choose will light the space fully in flower and you wont have a problem

Thanks for the input guys seems as though in a 4x4 it's not going to be really much difference in the bars and boards so long as the diodes are of good quality 

Thanks for the info @woodi2. 

That's super helpful seeing I also have a 3x3 and will be now looking at said lights. Cheers

@Demps and @Stonewolf, one thing to remember is if your using a 3x3 and a big light or just a big light, is all the other items you'll need in your tent. Big lights put off heat and small tents get hot quickly and you can't have enough fans in your tent, and will they even fit in your tent with your light and plant and carbon filter and humidifier and whatever????

I was very interested in the SE-3000 or the SE-5000, both are bar style and have all the good stuff that you'll need. Just be careful trying to shove a big light in a small tent, it can be a big mistake and a costly one to fix. I've grown a 17oz auto with 300 watts before so you don't need a ton of power. Just a good light, good environment= good plant, it's that easy.

I like to start off with a smaller light that I can use later on as a germination light or veg light but has enough power to flower a couple of grows first. Then I have a better idea of what I need. Good luck my friends. 👍