Not sure why Trilby O'Farrell "Truth please" is having trouble with their unit, but mine moves up and down just dandy. It helps to support the light fixture with my other hand when I pull the string to adjust the height, but it locks just like a window blind. Maybe Trilby O'Farrell should contact the manufacturer and see if there is a problem with that particular unit. Just an idea. Sam.

I purchased this grow light system to start seedlings in a flat, and also hopefully to be able to grow herbs during the winter. Given the moderate pricing, I was pleasantly surprised that (when put together) it is very sturdy and well designed. It took less than 10 minutes to put together, using only a phillips head screwdriver. Although I will admit that -- to make sure the sides went into the top crossbar securely -- I used my large indoor rock that I keep for pounding things. The instructions recommend a rubber mallet, but the rock's more fun. A hammer would work, too, if used gently. The instructions were fairly clear, as long as you compared them to the photos.

There are some extra clips included for some kind of permanent attachment. The instructions for those didn't make sense to me, and the hooks that go with the height adjustment cord were simple to install (they just clip on) & all that I needed, so I've ignored the others.

I don't know why Trilby O'Farrell "Truth please" felt there was no height adjustment for the lamp -- the cord is pre-strung and raises and lowers the light as expected. Perhaps he received a different product. However I do agree with Marshall Simmons regarding the shipping packaging . . . there is none! I ordered this product along with a seedling heating mat. The heating mat, which is flat and all one piece, came enclosed in an oversized cardboard shipping box. This product, which has many parts and a fragile bulb enclosed, was sent as is in its shelf box, with no extra taping at the ends to keep them closed. One end was torn open, and I'm very surprised that nothing fell out. I actually took photos just in case, before opening it to check. But -- by some miracle -- everything was intact & working.

At its highest adjustment, the distance from tabletop to light fixture is about 19". The light fixture lowers almost all the way down. So, while not tall enough on its own for very tall houseplants, for anyone looking to start seedlings or give light to houseplants that are moderately sized, this is an excellent product for the price.

I ordered the JSV2 2' grow light jump start system and it arrived pretty quickly and set up was a breeze. All you really need is a screw driver and common sense. I put it together in about 10 minutes and the pully system for the light comes already assembled and works great.

It also comes with a 24 watt T5 6400k High output fluorescent bulb which is already installed upon arrival. The 6400k bulb is a very efficient low heat bulb which is designed to promote overall growth in the plant. Because it is a low heat emitting bulb you can place the light source a couple inches from the plants to prevent the loss of light.

This is not a complex system, it is simple and efficient. For the price it would be hard to find a package which comes with a stand, a reflective fixture, a good bulb, easy adjustment, and easy assembly. It is a good first step into the grow light world which is vast and and many times confusing. I also found that it isn't really that flimsy. The product isn't industrial grade but the light fixture is sturdy and so is the stand if you put it together correctly.

I will be growing venus fly traps when they arrive and I have researched grow light systems quite a bit. This system will only cost me $1.50 cents to run per month. The calculation can be done by taking the 24 Watts and dividing it by 1000 to get KW. Then multiply that number by how much the electric company charges per Kilowatt hour. That is the price it will cost to power the light for one hour. Then multiply that number for one hour by however many hours you will run it during the day. Then just multiply the cost of one day by 30 days and you have how much it will cost you to run the system for a month.

For example here is mine 24W/1000 = .024
.024 x .1484 (cost per kWh) = .0035616 cents per hour (less than 1 cent an hour). .0035616 x 14 hours = .0498624 dollars per day (about 5 cents). .0498624 x 30 = 1.50 per month. So my light run for 14 hours will cost one dollar and fifty cents per month. This is assuming that the light runs at 24 Watts per hour.

When I was shopping for grow lights online I found a very helpful website that includes a much better description on the Jump Start grow light and has a lot of technical and very helpful information on plant lighting. littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/lights2.shtml#jsfixture.

The website has a grow lighting guide and also contains the calculation above. It was by far the most helpful website when considering this purchase. It includes a good bit of information about the T5 6400k bulb and the Jump Start from HydroFarm.