200+ for a red light? These are low power LEDs, not weaponized laser diodes. If you want a "deep" red LED then go to any hydroponic/grower supply store.
Of course there’s a redlightman.com, but I am a bit surprised at the cost of these things. Is there something special about these “therapy lights” that a guy with a soldering iron and a handful of cheap 670nm LEDs wouldn’t be getting? I mean, the price of these finished products compared to my perception of the component costs is rather astounding.
This is the absurd reality anyone interested in led growing faces. And the saddest part is the uneducated fall for the many led scams out there. Many will advertise as 1000watts but then when you read the fine print they will say equivalent to 1000w. Or another good one they will name the model of the light “1000w LED Light” 1000w being the model of the light not the wattage. On top of it all many of these cheap lights are being sold for much more then they are truly worth to anyone. There are some reputable sellers who actually advertise the actual wattage used by lights but then you are really paying a premium. Like you said tho the reality is if you can solder these are easy to make. And if you live in the US you are really sitting pretty because all the parts are so cheap compared to me in Canada where I have to ship every part from the US. For about $600-$800US you can make a light that retails for closer to $2k.
