of course there will always be people who prefer cree, i would have got cree myself but i cant afford to spend the $1400 on proper cree lighting, if you are on a budget like me (just bought my first house 8 months ago) than there is nothing wrong with these. im actually now running these at 20% due to algae and still everything is happy, still bright. but at 100% light shock makes things not so happy. there a proven light. so i was happy to get it.