250w HQI vs 400w

[Danks]

I was curious to see what everyone would pick between a 250w HQI Icecap or the 400w series. I did a search of course and I know that everyone would choose the 400w if they had the money. However, is it really worth the money it cost extra? Is the brightness truely increased? After searching the forums I found major mixed answers. Anyone?

Thank you.

 

[will1384]

I have a 250w HQI Icecap - its all you need in a dark room
for a image about 5-6 foot square - I have had it up to 8
foot square - I comes down to how well you use the light
reflector, condenser, placement of optics

If you want some thing like 14 foot wide and in a well
lit room, then get a 400w or more - I can have a light
on in my room and see the enough to watch it with
my 250w at 6x6 foot square - the image is washed out
but watchable - I am using a florescent shop light with
2 40w tubes for my room - the light is 9 foot from the screen


If you have the money to spend on the light bill and
for the lamp - then get it

 

[mhelin]

I'd like to get a little bit more light. I use now a 250W MH with a regular inductive ballast. Would an electronic ballast give more light than the inductive one or just extend the lamp/bulp life? Is there any way to make an adjustable ballast so that you could use just take 300W power of a 400W bulp?


This study claims that electronic ballasts have 10% better efficiency than magnetic ones, does it mean also that you will get 10% more light? Maybe you just save in electric bills.

Dimmable ballast here.

Same here.