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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 181 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
119 of 121 found the following review helpful:
Hydrofarm GTV4 4 Foot-Wide Green Thumb Grow Light System Jan 08, 2008
By Guppee
Just received and assembled this product today. I'm not sure why others have posted about poor quality and flimsy construction of this product. I am very satisfied with the construction and sturdiness. This product is exactly what I expected for the price, product description, and pictures.
I did notice that there are 3 very similar hydrofarm 4 foot grow systems listed on amazon, with a $15 price-range difference. This is the most expensive of the three. The only difference I can tell from the written description is that this product is described as having a premium light fixture. The pictures look the same. One of the other 4 foot hydrofarm systems received a few positive reviews.
Assembly required a philips head screwdriver, pair of pliers, and about 5 minutes of my time. One screw is used to connect each of the two vertical supports to the base cross-bars. Due to the shape and construction of the parts, this fit is tight and secure. Then each of the vertical side bars slips into the top piece (metal button is pressed and then releases into a hole on the top piece). Then you attach the light fixture itself, by hooking nylon string with s hooks attached to the top to either end of the light fixture. Pliers are used to close s hooks. The light is raised and lowered with the nylon string, very similar to a heavy venetian blind. It would be nice if the nylon string were a tad thicker, but it is sufficient for the job.
Overall, I am very happy with this product and would recommend it.
68 of 69 found the following review helpful:
 Nice bargain for the money! Oct 08, 2007
By D. Steinmetz
"dwsteinme"
I have some mixed feelings about this product, even though I'm about to order a second one. First, and the only downside to this light, the overall construction is rather cheap. The frame is rather flimsy...Hydrofarm put all their know-how into the most important part: The light itself. But be forewarned the frame is a bit wobbly. Since a grow light sits stationary most of the time, it's not a serious issue. The two biggest plus points for this product.. the price and the fact that it works. I grow exotics and palms in zone 7 and have to overwinter them inside, and my Hydrofarm light has kept them going for 2 years straight. Unless you have the extra bucks $$$ to invest in the HP sodium or metal halide lights (as well as the increased energy usage) it would be hard to beat this bargain.
42 of 42 found the following review helpful:
 Simple, light weight, easy to adjust light Feb 09, 2008
By Velvet Marmoset
I have had this light set-up for a few years now, and still love it. The original fluorescent fixture conked out after 2 or 3 years' use, but a $10 shoplight fixture from a hardware store replaced it seamlessly. The stand is very light, and slightly aggravating to put together the first time, but it does the job beautifully. It is the easiest to adjust of all lighting systems I've used, allowing one-handed movement of the light up or down, making it great for seed starting. The one-handed-ness is made possible via some coiled metal strips within the cross-bar that create tension on the two strings or chains that connect to the sides of the light fixture. If you have to remove the fluorescent fixture for bulb replacement or storage, I recommend that you hook the two strings or chains to one another to avoid having to reassemble the tensioning mechanism, which can be annoying.
This, plus a few heat mats and a small fan on a timer are all I've needed to start and grow thousands of strong seedlings in my tiny apartment, populating the neighborhood with flowers and veges for years now!
102 of 115 found the following review helpful:
 Build your own and save $$$ Jun 16, 2005
By Subie09Leg
"Subie"
This is my initial impression of the grow light system: like many other products on the market, this seems to have fallen prey to "make it as cheap as possible and charge too much for it". Luckily, Amazon's price is better than others'. The unit does what it should but the supporting materials are lightweight and flimsy - in desperate need of an upgrade. It feels like one twist of the support pieces and the frame would collapse. For this price the unit should be of a higher standard of materials and build quality. I've found this problem with many things these days.
The unit is easy enough to assemble. My unit was pinched at one of the mounting joints so I had to reshape a bit with pliers before the pieces would connect.
The height adjustment is a nice feature but the "feather-touch" claim is an exaggeration. Though not difficult to adjust, this description certainly doesn't apply to this mechanism. It's more like raising and lowering a heavy, moody mini-blind.
Overall, I think that the unit will perform as expected but something sturdier could be assembled from parts acquired at a hardware store. Though it would probably more rudimentary (unless a comparable adjustment feature were finagled), it could be done for a lot less money.
22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
A Real Treat for Your Plants Dec 14, 2010
By cb2k21
I don't usually leave reviews, but the questionable negative comments about this product urged me to write my first. I purchased this light for my five African Violets. First, I'd like to commend Amazon for its low price and incredibly fast shipping; the product was at least $20-$25 more at other sites, and I received it within two days. Assembling the light took under five minutes and was a breeze. The instructions, if needed, are very clear and easy to follow. I'm not sure why people say that the light assembly is flimsy. I think they must not be tightening the screws that attach the feet; if the screws are loose, the fixture will be too. If anything, its light weight is a plus, for it allows you to move it from room to room with ease if you want to. Adjusting and locking the height of the light is also very simple; its just like tightening the waist band of a winter jacket. After only 12 hours of resting under the fixture, my Violets are standing up much straighter and look healthier and happier. The whole system has added a beautiful cheerfulness to our home --- a brightness that my poor African Violets just couldn't seem ever to find in the winter months in a very grey Chicago!
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