It’s that time of year when we have more poser grow light mover products starting to appear on Amazon and eBay, although as of this writing Amazon has blocked them from selling over safety concerns. So, it is definitely buyer beware and know before you grow as we compare indoor grow systems. And, it’s important to know the side by side growing equipment bullet points. How do these different grow equipment products do? And, how do they do comparing LightRail light mover quality to the imitation products?
The side by side photo tells the story of the LightRail light mover difference. The LightRail light mover quality makes it the only choice for our grow light setup.
LightRail light movers use a powerful, instrument grade drive motor, USA made
First, the above side by side photo tells us the majority of what we need to know about these China made grow light system products. The LightRail light mover is on the right and the imitation grow light mover is on the left. No, the China made grow light mover on the left will not look like this when you see it online because we took the cover off. So, now both motors have their motors exposed, although LightRail light movers never need to cover their motors. The reason is obvious. Their growing equipment has nothing to hide. LightRail light movers use a powerful, instrument grade drive motor that’s made in the USA. And, that grow light system motor is unique in that it is made to function under continuous duty, and that’s year after year.
The photo tells the story
When we take the grow equipment cover off, what else do we see? What other grow light system details do we see for this grow equipment? What else can we see comparing LightRail light mover quality? For the poser light mover that we saw in person, we saw bare wires. And, those were right near the sharp edge of where the plastic cover would go back on. Oops. And, we did not see the name of this light mover. As one of Gualala Robotics’ chief technician said to us as we asked about those bare wires on the poser product, all of it right in front of us, he said the following. “It will break long before it burns.” So, I guess there’s the comfort?
Where might their service department be located?
For the longevity of the imitation grow light mover made in China, here is what we have found. Feedback in Europe tells us that half these indoor grow systems break right before the one year warranty, if there is a warranty, and half break right after. Oh, that’s awkward. And, if you are a store or the end customer, where do you go for help? Where might their service department be located? Comparing LightRail light mover quality has to include life expectancy and reputation of service.
LightRail light mover quality and product support counts
And, it includes brand, specifically the LightRail brand and what goes along with that. LightRail is the real deal, a workhorse of a grow light system and they have an in-house service department. That means, long after the two-year warranty, there is back up and support. And, as we look at support; the LightRail people even provide grow light system support for the up-front planning phase. And, they will give multiple options for grow room design to suit any indoor grow room setup. So, whether we have indoor grow tents, a greenhouse tent with Gavita gow lights, a basement grow room or even the largest grow warehouse, they can sketch it. So, product support counts and we think that is seriously important.
Imitator grow light movers often have no certifications
Comparing LightRail light mover quality to the poser grow light movers, here are other important growing equipment differences. LightRail, which is made in the USA, also uses a Hurst manufactured Motor, also made in the USA. For the imitator grow light mover, nobody can say where their motor is made other than somewhere in China. Plus, that grow light system detail can change often with different factory locations. Also to mention, LightRail light movers use a grounded plug and of course they would. They have the electrical certifications of C CSA US or CE and they are RoHS compliant. Yet, for the imitator grow light mover, they often have no certifications or they may have counterfeit certifications. And, we have yet to find a grounded plug.
Even for running temperature of the motors, here is what we found. The LightRail grow light systems run at an acceptable 82-107 degrees F (28-42 C). But, the poser grow light movers are being recorded at 170 degrees F (77 C). That’s disturbing. And, with flammable enclosures around the Motors, these are dangerous. It’s simply not worth the risk.
LightRail light movers are manufactured by Gualala Robotics
In the same category of brand details, LightRail light movers are manufactured by Gualala Robotics and have been in production since 1986. The imitator grow light movers, on the other hand, are often newly marketed. And, they can be shifting and changing names as they might try to stay under the radar of import quality and safety. But, for the LightRail brand, whether it’s a LightRail 3.5 Kit, a LightRail 4.0 Kit or a LightRail 4.20 Kit, the quality will be there.
Don’t be fooled by cheaply made imitations
Comparing LightRail light mover quality to the poser grow light systems can be summed up as “no comparison”. LightRail light movers are solidly built to get one job done and that is your success at growing. The knock-off grow light movers are built for a completely different purpose and that is to look like a LightRail. So, it is our job to report and to protect. Don’t be fooled by cheaply made imitations. Whether in a greenhouse or grow room, and whether for indoor farming or cannabis cultivation, LightRail light movers are the solid solution.There is only one LightRail. Keep it real.
