Radions

[sphelps]

Radions are 120W, Vegas are around 100W I think. Radions have higher white to blue ratio and Vegas allow the ability to choose how much of the total power you want to sacrifice for colored LEDs. I would conclude the Vega has more valuable power. Plus they'll probably work while the Radions are much more likely to fail. 2 new Vegas run around $1000 plus controller which you may or may not already have.

Also as far as a deal goes I've heard of people being able to purchase new Radions for $650. I'm also sure refurbished with warranty will also become available soon at an even greater discount.

[Cal_stir]

Got a response from seller, he says they work great but he likes his MH colour better so he is switching back.
Still on the fence.

[ensquire]

Let me know.

Originally Posted by Cal_stir

Got a response from seller, he says they work great but he likes his MH colour better so he is switching back.
Still on the fence.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Radions are 120W, Vegas are around 100W I think. Radions have higher white to blue ratio and Vegas allow the ability to choose how much of the total power you want to sacrifice for colored LEDs. I would conclude the Vega has more valuable power. Plus they'll probably work while the Radions are much more likely to fail. 2 new Vegas run around $1000 plus controller which you may or may not already have.

Also as far as a deal goes I've heard of people being able to purchase new Radions for $650. I'm also sure refurbished with warranty will also become available soon at an even greater discount.

My understanding also is that Radions use 135 degree optics, and Vegas use 80 degree optics. This means the Vegas can punch through tank depth much better than Radions, but Radions blend better. My recent research points that Radions are the better option for shallower tanks (24" and less) since they blend better, where the Vegas are the better option for tanks deeper than 24" because of their punch and also because the greater depth allows more blending with the narrower optics.

Since the optics are so different from one fixture to the other it is difficult to compare PAR readings without doing some math after you get the numbers.

AI has been talking about making different colored "power pucks" and wider optics, but they haven't released anything yet. Many people have also been complaining about the Vega using cool whites rather than neutral whites.

The Radions seem to be having lots of warranty issues, but everyone had said very good things about the customer service. I imagine that might be a different story if you don't have warranty.

I'm thinking I might wait for the next generation of LEDs to come out before I try them out. I think there are still some kinks to work out (Radions I'm looking at you) and some modifications to make (Vega I'm looking at you).

[subman]

I currently have 2 Radions on half and 2 Vega's on the other half of my 225. The radions appear to be much brighter and seem to penetrate as well if not better. That being said I am waiting for the wireless controller for it, I was really waiting for the director so I can do adjustments via my phone, iPad ect. but it seems to be a loooong ways away and will require an additional device as well (very disappointing). The other thing that I see is the disco effect is more prevalent on the vegas because of the way they are setup and the lenses. My hope is once I get the controller I can adjust things to perhaps close the gap between the two. I am planning on doing a full review/comparison once the controller arrives (its only a week and a half late lol)

For what it's worth I also have the Sol on my frag section and it is a great light for frags the growth is good but I believe the missing green and red LEDS make a huge difference in the appearance of livestock.

[Cal_stir]

Thanks for all the reply's, I decided not to buy because of the no warranty issue.
I passed the link on to Ensquire since he was the first to ask.

Cal

[Myka]

Originally Posted by subman

The other thing that I see is the disco effect is more prevalent on the vegas because of the way they are setup and the lenses.

How deep is your tank? I noticed the Vegas to be one of the disco-ey fixtures simply because of the narrow optics. Too busy and unnatural looking for my liking. I really dislike the Sols, the color is really unappealing to me. The Radions I think have a more appealing look.

I wish every brand would make user-switchable optics so each fixture could be adjusted according to the tank they are lighting. Makes sense to me.

[subman]

Originally Posted by Myka

How deep is your tank? I noticed the Vegas to be one of the disco-ey fixtures simply because of the narrow optics. Too busy and unnatural looking for my liking. I really dislike the Sols, the color is really unappealing to me. The Radions I think have a more appealing look.

I wish every brand would make user-switchable optics so each fixture could be adjusted according to the tank they are lighting. Makes sense to me.

My tank is 24" deep. I agree about the switchable optics as well so the Vega's puck idea sounds good. I have a pic (not a great one though) on my build thread if you want to see them side by side.
I'm curious to see what I can do once I have the controller.

Mike if you don't buy them pass that link on

[ensquire]

PM sent

Originally Posted by subman

My tank is 24" deep. I agree about the switchable optics as well so the Vega's puck idea sounds good. I have a pic (not a great one though) on my build thread if you want to see them side by side.
I'm curious to see what I can do once I have the controller.

Mike if you don't buy them pass that link on