Dirt Genius DGLS2 2-Foot Early Start Up T5 Grow Light System Seed Plants Kit

I'm a container gardener and a beginner with orchids. I don't have flat after flat of seedlings to put under grow lights, much less the room. I have a single flat to start indoors. I don't have dozens of orchids. I have about eight. So, I thought the 2-foot width of the DGLS2 would be just right.It arrived today, I assembled it and set it up over my seedlings.Good points:(1) It _is_ the perfect size. It's also very sturdy, with tight-fitting joints to a solid iron frame.(2) The frame's wide stance (about 20") give it plenty of stability, even when the lamp is at the top of the frame.(3) The pull-cord system for adjusting the lamp height is simple and easy to use.(4) The light itself was safely packaged, pulls a low voltage, and appears bright enough to give my seedlings and orchids that shot of blue-white light they need.(5) The lamp's six-foot power cord is heavy-gauge and has a rocker switch for easy access without having to touch the actual lamp.Not-so-good points:(1) The tolerances between the plastic joints and the iron tubes was a bit off, and the fit was way too tight. But, with a bit of sandpaper and some DIY patience, I was easily able to sand the joints down so that they fit but were still snug. (Much better than if they'd been too loose.)(2) The lamp, when set down low over the seedling flat doesn't illuminate the flat evenly enough. My workaround is to keep it a little higher than I'd otherwise wish, as that is still dumping plenty of light on the seedlings.(3) I would have liked a little clamp to keep the power cord steady along the vertical upright when the lamp is pulled up higher.Overall, this is a simple, sturdy product with well-made components and any problems with it are minor. On a cost-benefit basis, I find it extremely good value.

This is a great little system at a very good price. It was my first experience with planting seeds using a grow light. This was very easy and I'll use it every Spring to get my plants started.

I was very excited to grow some herbs using this grow light and it came earlier than planned which was great. When I started to put it together I realized the directions weren't as clear as to which part is the leg and which is the leg extension even though there are only a few steps to put it together. Also, the directions say to "slide" the pieces in, but it wasn't that easy. After struggling to put the pieces in all the way and even asking my husband to help me push in the pieces, I realized I had put the wrong pieces together because of the unclear directions. After realizing my mistake, I struggled with my husband to try to pull the pieces apart for about 10 minutes and then we just gave up and decided to return it. I was very disappointed because I couldn't even fully test the products out. If I had a second chance I would know how to do it.

I only gave this product 3 stars for one main reason.... It's not easy to put together. It seems as though it should be, but I found myself requiring a rubber mallet to get the frame put together. And God forbid you jam a part in wrong.... Virtually impossible to correct your mistake. This product worked well, but I came away from the assembly feeling like a total moron. At first I thought it was me, but a few other reviews said they same things.

This item arrived today, ... put it together while I watched the news. The steel is of good quality and it came very well packed. The fittings are a hard plastic, ... almost a 'bake-lite' hardness. It was pretty apparent where each part went (but watch the bottom, there is a grooved side to all fittings that meet the floor), ... and the good thing was, I actually needed a rubber mallet to put the connecters together. BETTER TO FIT TIGHT THAN LOOSE. The frame went together well (with the mallet) and it appears to be very sturdy, better than others I've checked on. The footings are long enough on each side to keep the full unit from tipping. It would actually take the proverbial "bull in a China Shop" to accomplish this.The light itself was my surprise, ... though rated at 6500, I had a concern on it's diameter, ... which appears to be perhaps half an inch or just a few millimeters greater. As a past owner of fish tanks, ... up to 65 gallon fresh and salt, ... I expected the bulb size to be something I was used to. The reflector works, ... it is a reflector after all and though it indeed reflects the light, the use of this system will need to be just above the seedlings. The actual connectors to this unit are however the size of the bulb, ... may pose a problem finding a replacement, ... but I should be good for 10,000 hours.The take up system (to lower or heighten the light unit) is a heavy boot lace type of cording. It should work fine as it enables one to slant the unit so certain ends of a standard 72 plant cell unit will receive more light if needed, and can easily be changed if needed.The power cord is a standard 3 prong ground, and the cord fits into a fitting within the light hood. That also fits securely and comes with an actual on and off switch and the cord is long enough to allow access to outlets within a 5 to 6 foot area.Overall: I give this a 4 out of 5, ... simply because of the bulb size, and my introduction to the unit. But for the price, one can't beat the solid structure, the style and the ease of putting it together, as well as the operation. I'd really be hard pressed to find a better unit for the price, ... but if you do, ... let me know. I won't hold my breath however. Construction wise and the ease of set up certainly deserves a "5", ... even with the need of a rubber mallet. The frame is strong, well made, and the connectors are better than most I've seen on anything needing a connector of these types,(including screen houses and tents). "VMINNOVATIONS" has been excellent to deal with, ... (this is my second item purchased through them via Amazon). I'd suggest you think twice going anywhere else.

I received my "Genius Kick Start Kit" yesterday. The set-up required a rubber mallet (the parts fit snugly) for assembly but it was very user friendly. Assembly time was less than 15 min. & it is very sturdy. I plugged it in & all is well. I am very pleased with this product & believe that it is very reasonably priced! No complaints whatsoever. A Happy Winter Gardener

The product is what it is. Very basic to put together, with the help of a bang here and a bang there. I did sand down the connector pieces and it made it very easy to fit. They need to remake the parts to fit a bit better, other than that it's a good product.