Vertex seems to be the exception as they just seem to be making pads to be added to the current fixture. Color led pads and now a UV pad

Yeah I like the vertex better than both to be honest cause it's a fixture, the module stuff to me doesn't come close to looks when you need more than one. I also like the Reeftechs but this threads about sols and Radions. I didn't know about the UV pad though, that's cool.

profilux will only need a $30 cable to control AI Sol. and Vortech module is $200.

If you already have a Profilux, then AI may be a good choice. I have 3 modules over my 210 right now, and it's enough for sps and lps. and it's half the price of the Radion.

will that cable work with a profilux 2?

Yes

got a full tank shot with that config? How high are the lights off the water?

So that I am clear. For Radion, you don't need to buy a separate controller but for Sol you do. Am I correct?
My tank is 5x2x2. Somebody already told me that I would need 3 Sols to cover my tank. Does that mean I need 3 Radions as well if I choose Radion or would 2 be sufficient?

Radions have controller built in, sols do not and require the purchase of one or they work will most aquarium controllers. You would need at least 2 Radions for the tank, 2 would be about the same as 3 sols.

What I would like is to hear from people running the AI, utilizing 1 unit per 2sq ft, and whether they feel it's enough, or not. Since PAR is apparently far greater on these than the Radion, then raising them higher allows for great spread, while maintaining decent PAR. Right?

The way I look at it is this, Radions basically don't use optics while sols do hence the reason why radions get better spread but less par. In terms of power they are pretty close:

Radions:
24W Blue
30W R-Blue
40W White

Sol Blue:
24W Blue
24W R-Blue
24W White

The major difference is the Radion has more white but, while this will come down to personal preference, most run LEDs at about a 2 blue/rb to 1 white ratio. So the extra white on the Radions are not really much of an advantage.

So that said in a real life example the two are pretty much matched in power and in theory lifting the sols higher should produce similar spread and par as the Radion, especially if all the optics are switched to 70 degrees.