EcoTech Radion LED - Research, opinions and speculation

mike31154 · #1 09-11-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

I think what the hobby really needs is a fixture with the high-quality diodes and the basic finish of all the cheaper chinese fixtures. Toss in dimming and skip the rest. I'm thinking if Ecotech can sell this unit for $825 for people with no canopy then we could potentially see other units with high quality components without (imo) useless features and finish. I don't see Ecotech ever doing this though.

Based on my own research that fixture has yet be be made by anyone. It'd be a huge seller I think. It's do-able within the DIY realm I suppose but I'd like to see prebuilt units of this nature.

Check out the Orphek PR-156 series. Fairly straightforward with LEDs specifically designed to provide PUR spectrum. No dimmer but comes with 2 built in programable timers to provide dawn/dusk effect through array switching.

EDIT: After perusing the Captive Aquatics blog article on the Radion, found this link at the bottom of the page. Orphek PR-156 review, he likes it.

http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/cap...ht-review.html

lastlight · #2 09-11-2011, 04:51 PM

Yeah I had mentioned the Orphek when that Radion review came out. It smelled like an Orphek advertisement the way the review was worded and the specific aspects of the fixture they decided to tear apart (which the Orphek apparently excels at). The site seems a touch biased in my opinion.

I like the Orphek based on what I've read but it's still too expensive!

I guess it's a double kick to the nuts for large tank guys. You need complete coverage and when you're dealing with larger footprints it sucks a wallet dry.

I'm more convinced all the time that if I do make the cross over it will have to be DIY. Fixtures with seemingly good components all come with extras to demand a high price tag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Check out the Orphek PR-156 series. Fairly straightforward with LEDs specifically designed to provide PUR spectrum. No dimmer but comes with 2 built in programable timers to provide dawn/dusk effect through array switching.

EDIT: After perusing the Captive Aquatics blog article on the Radion, found this link at the bottom of the page. Orphek PR-156 review, he likes it.

http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/cap...ht-review.html

fishytime · #3 09-11-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

I'm more convinced all the time that if I do make the cross over it will have to be DIY. Fixtures with seemingly good components all come with extras to demand a high price tag.

What about the club Brett?

lastlight · #4 09-11-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

What about the club Brett?

I was forced to start the club Doug. I want out like most =)

I've been catching up on Macna coverage over at the RB website. Seems AI is sorta doing what I was talking about: lower price fixture by sacrificing a bit of finish but still using top quality diodes =) Reminds me a lot of what ATI did with the sunpower.

The plot thickens!

viperfish · #5 09-11-2011, 05:50 PM

I think Vertex has the best all in one package with the Illumina but the price tag is enough to give a guy a heart attack! I would love to have one but I would need to save enough for the fixture and a divorce! I love Vertex products but they need to work on how they promote and support their products. When I bought my Illumilux fixtures there was no instructions in the box and nothing on the website, there are clips and little rubber inserts that I have no idea where they go. When I bought the fixtures I had Red Coral order the hanging kit for me as well. I already have it installed but when I try to pull it up on the Vertex website it says "coming soon".

mseepman · #6 09-12-2011, 03:11 AM

Okay so I got to play with all these technologies this weekend at MACNA...the Ecotech was very impressive...though they chose not to put it over a real reef...just an empty tank with their pumps. Given that there are at least a dozen LED fixtures down here...I think they needed to show it off better so that we could see the spectrum. The Orpek light probably looked the best over coral at the whole show and it lacks many of the features the others have...but the blend was just better. The Maxspects are really nice...spread is similar to Radion and they are cheaper. Build quality was also very impressive.
AI has a new light (as yet unnamed) which uses the XML whites...thus the huge drop in pricing on the current AI Sol. The new AI interface was wicked cool on the new lights.
Although the Vertex is a nice fixture...they too chose not to display it with a reef...just an empty tank.
Although I hate to say this...Coralife was showing off a new LED fixture that really made the reef look good. To be released in the next couple months...pricing unknown. They use red LED's as well.
My last comment would be that Sanjay did a very impressive review of LED fixtures and he was not as impressed with the Vertex and Ecotech as he was with some of the other fixtures, especially with their PAR. He did end the discussion with a statement about how he still prefers MH to LED because it doesn't rely on the manufacturers doing their research as much as it just dumps light everywhere leaving less guess work as to whether the light is covering everything.

mike31154 · #7 09-12-2011, 03:58 AM

Thanks for the first hand info Mark, nothing like being there & seeing all the technology in person. Interesting perspective from Mr. Dr.? Sanjay. I've been on the verge of going LED for some time now but keep sitting on the fence, watching all the DIY builds and ever increasing number of new entrants to the fixture game. Interesting to see the initial hype with Crees and now more fixture providers starting to design their own LEDs (Orphek) and/or using other manufacturers more in tune with marine livestock requirements as far as spectrum, rather than pure lumens per watt hype.

The plot thickens and competition is getting intense. I think I'll wait just a little longer......

albert_dao · #8 09-12-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

My last comment would be that Sanjay did a very impressive review of LED fixtures and he was not as impressed with the Vertex and Ecotech as he was with some of the other fixtures, especially with their PAR. He did end the discussion with a statement about how he still prefers MH to LED because it doesn't rely on the manufacturers doing their research as much as it just dumps light everywhere leaving less guess work as to whether the light is covering everything.

Wow, Sanjay actually did WORK? lol