BloomBox First Impressions

Sonora;2840450 said:

So my first impressions of the BloomBox:

* The build quality of the box itself (e.g., the metal container) is pretty solid. Well machined aluminum. Snug fit. Powder coat is pretty tight. Well crafted. 8 out of 10.
* Unfortunately, that's about the only thing I have positive comments on.
* Customer service at BCNL is poor. I can't stress this enough - when I called them, they acted like I was interrupting something important. Comments were borderline offensive, at times. This is a huge selling point for them on their website, but I'm not seeing it. Customer Service: 3 out 10.
* Hydroponics build quality: lame. The beg area is complete garbage. It's basically an ice chest with two customized lids (clone and 3" pots) with a pump. Nothing you or I couldn't put together in an hour. Changing nute solution is a train wreck - there's no way to do it without flooding your work area. The flower system is a little better, but even there it's pretty poor. Drip emitters don't quite fit on on their connectors, and the pump used is the kind of pump you can buy for $30 at a fish store. Overall, just really disappointing when it comes to the hydroponics grow system. 4/10.
* Lighting: Again, pretty mediocre. The type of lights you can buy at a discount hydro shop, but you pay premium prices for it. 5/10
* "Sinew" - one thing I've noticed - the little things that bring the box together SUCK. The wheels and casters are ultra cheap. The screws used to connect panels are soft metal, screws you couldn't even find at Home Depot they're so cheap. I've already completely stripped and ruined 2 screws with my pretty low-powered electric drill. You can't use an electric drill to take panels on and off - you have to use a hand driver, or else you'll ruin the cheap ass chinese screws they've used. Fit and finish: 2/10
* Nutes: They use Future harvest nutes, but rebranded as their own. Above average, but not great. Overall: 7/10.

Overall first impressions: 4/10.

I went into this with the assumption a new BloomBox was basically targeting new growers who didn't know any better, and as of today I stand by that opinion. I think a new grower would be better off buying a tent, and using hempy buckets to get started growing. The BCNL BloomBox seems to me to be a marketing-powered device, rather than standing on it's own quality. Even at a second-hand discount, I'm, disappointed I bought it.

Click to expand...