I've spoken with a factory rep, seems like he was a little short on time, but nice enough. I'm still on the fence on whether to buy their 48" 6 x 54W w/Remote fixture. I would have them add fans (+$30) and brackets for hanging (+$10), and let them keep their junky bulbs (-$20). Just the fact that a good 54w T5 bulb averages about $22 online should tell you that six bulbs costing $20 total must be really really really bad. The fixture uses Workhorse ballasts that do have a good rep. They aren't overdriven (like Icecap fixtures) so they won't put out as much heat, but will lack in Par/intensity.
I posted a
thread recently asking much the same.
I've searched high and low and yet to find anyone with firsthand experience that didn't like the Catalina fixtures. The couple that do have them like them.
Bottom line, it's a $200+ dollar risk.
