Have we gone too far LED bells and whistles????

gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Has anyone else seen this product info??
Why are some of the others’ premium lighting designed with cheap plastic housings, less than desired overall led power, outrageous electric consumption, and not even including the required accessories such as hanging gear – yet still unreasonably pricey? We have worked hard to understand it, and we simply cannot agree!
Reef Tech Marine, Inc. (RTM) has executed extensive plans to provide the newly designed product and benefits of premier lighting within the reach of all avid reef fans!
RTM is proud to present the “Poseidon”:
*With 8 LED color options, each having their own control; the color combinations are endless.
*We utilize 7 Cree colors to give your tank that show look, and to top it off we went with HPL UV LEDs to ensure your display looks spectacular.
*Pre-built software scenarios are provided with the initial product to get you up and running right away. However, the easy to use intuitive software also makes controlling the lamps a simple task.
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*Future compatibility with most popular controllers.
*Special effects packages so well designed only Poseidon himself would know the difference. Just hit go, and let the show begin with choreographed thunderstorm effects that include audio. All new moving clouds with rainy day and approaching storm settings… Wind effects and rain drops on the sand… Seasonal lighting based on a geographic location… Night time viewing scenarios providing a unique look at your beautiful tank. All of this and more in the all new Poseidon!
Keep your eyes on this page as additional info will be released regularly until the countdown ends. We will be releasing preorder information by the end of this week, including all details on where to purchase our lamps. Supplies for the preorder are limited and will include special gifts from the RTM Team. All preorders will ship when the countdown reaches zero.
Oh yes, we almost forgot to mention. Our 215 Watt Poseidon lighting is priced at just $999.00 USD.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I can remember a time not so long ago where vho was all the rage. Lol. As time progresses, so does our technology. If it makes our aquariums more efficient, more natural and more aesthetically pleaseing to me, then i am all for it.
However, can people have the tendancy to take things too far? Absolutely. How far do you think you will go to have a beautiful simulated natural reef?
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
My thing is that the light unit described has some crazy features. Do we really need thunderstorms with wind and rain drops to the sand??
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I have a controller that i can do the whole thunderstorm thing on my tank if i want to and have leds.
I dont think i would like that unit because it is built in and doesnt have the oPtion of connectin it to vortech controllers to ramp up the water flow durin a thunderstorm. So,..... Lol. Not enough options/features for me. :)
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Funny......That's what the thread kinda touched on.....The outrageous price tag of units, and you don't get all the equipment to get up and running.....Do a little searching and you'll find the Radions aren't as user friendly as far as programming as you might think......These units have to be hooked to a computer to tweak....That is a fact and is being discussed elsewhere on the internet.....
Gemmy makes a very good point with features......Rain drops......pointless IMHO......any real benefit to thunderstorms.....Who knows, but as Seth pointed out he has a top of the line controller in his hands that could simulate all that.....
As a side note, I'd save my money and look really close at the new AI fixtures coming out.......I'll spend my money on a proven company with a decent price tag......I'm not a EcoTech fan by any means......
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickross23 http:///t/391868/have-we-gone-too-far-led-bells-and-whistles#post_3477170
Get the radions!
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
LED's are the next big thing for sure. I agree with Gemmy, I don't think that all the extras are needed. It seems to be getting out of control. Are they cool, YES, but are they needed, NO. With that being said, If you got the $$ and you want the options, go for it.
Here is what I want. I want an LED setup that has dim-able drivers, good color combinations, and can be worked on (LED's replaced or change out lenses). All for a decent price. I think that the price tags out there now are outrageous!!!
Companies like the one above try to jam extra features into the lights and charge more money. Really, a grand for a light fixture. That is insane. So, for a six foot tank you would need at least three. $3000.00 on lights is more then most teenagers pay for a used car.
I really hope there is some decent competition in the industry to drive the prices down. I have seen over on the Trader web site that they have a version of reef capable LED's. Maybe that is the start of prices moving in the right direction.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Im going to stick with halides and t5s for the time being. In the next five years, hopefully the prices will come down more. Then i will try my hand at em'
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/391868/have-we-gone-too-far-led-bells-and-whistles#post_3477386
LED's are the next big thing for sure. I agree with Gemmy, I don't think that all the extras are needed. It seems to be getting out of control. Are they cool, YES, but are they needed, NO. With that being said, If you got the $$ and you want the options, go for it.
Here is what I want. I want an LED setup that has dim-able drivers, good color combinations, and can be worked on (LED's replaced or change out lenses). All for a decent price. I think that the price tags out there now are outrageous!!!
Companies like the one above try to jam extra features into the lights and charge more money. Really, a grand for a light fixture. That is insane. So, for a six foot tank you would need at least three. $3000.00 on lights is more then most teenagers pay for a used car.
I really hope there is some decent competition in the industry to drive the prices down. I have seen over on the Trader web site that they have a version of reef capable LED's. Maybe that is the start of prices moving in the right direction.
Sweatervest not arguing, and understand and agree with your point, but you have or I have no valid proof that some of the extras aren't needed.....The hobby is constantly evolving, and who's to say that the cloud cover or lighting storms aren't beneficial.........
Agree dim able drivers should be tops on most lists......As far as good color combinations, again new technology and constantly evolving, but as time goes we can all see and witness that the "companies" are somewhat "catering" to our "wants"......We could get 10 people to view the same tank lit by LEDs, and I doubt very seriously all 10 of us would agree on the color or it being to are liking......That is why your seeing some of the higher tech units featuring 7 or 8 different LEDS......to cater to "our" taste and all this does come with a price tag......$750.00 I don't think so as well, and especially since it doesn't include a hanging kit and what not.....Also the controlling of the above mentioned fixture isn't user friendly to a degree from what I've been reading........
The companies are jamming anything down our throats....We have a free choice as to which fixtures we all buy......Again I can't justify the price Eco is charging by any means.....Not a fan, but they again are "catering" to what we are clam mering about.........
Again as I mentioned either here or another thread there are tons of options....The biggest option is DIY.....You said that a big "issue" is being able to work and fix the fixture if needed at a reasonable price......I'm quite sure if something were to go wrong with 1 of these high tech units, and out of warranty, that you'd be inclined to rip it apart. At least with a DIY fixture you'd know exactly where to start looking and what your going to encounter.....Again anytime you start building fixtures with multi chips they are going to be "salty" price wise right now.....Given time I'm sure the components will come down in price, but again you might be bound to purchasing particular parts from the manufacturer.....
If you look at the AI fixtures that haven't come down I'm quite sure they will still be cheaper than the Radion's and tighten the competition up quite a bit......
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't look to manufacturers going out of there way to make fixtures more easy for hobbyists to work on. Why do that when they can just have you come to them for help so that they can sell you components that are specifically built for their units? Nor would I expect to see any fixtures that are using the latest and greatest components and features come down in prices either. The market is already flooded with cheaper alternatives that can and do work (though aren't built to last). Improvements in LED efficiency are continually being made so unless you want to go with yesterdays technology or cheap import stuff then it pretty much is what it is IMO. No body wants to make affordable units that are easy to work on that have programmable capabilities because there's no money to be made for what most people want or don't want to pay.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/391868/have-we-gone-too-far-led-bells-and-whistles#post_3477446
Sweatervest not arguing, and understand and agree with your point, but you have or I have no valid proof that some of the extras aren't needed.....The hobby is constantly evolving, and who's to say that the cloud cover or lighting storms aren't beneficial.........
Agree dim able drivers should be tops on most lists......As far as good color combinations, again new technology and constantly evolving, but as time goes we can all see and witness that the "companies" are somewhat "catering" to our "wants"......We could get 10 people to view the same tank lit by LEDs, and I doubt very seriously all 10 of us would agree on the color or it being to are liking......That is why your seeing some of the higher tech units featuring 7 or 8 different LEDS......to cater to "our" taste and all this does come with a price tag......$750.00 I don't think so as well, and especially since it doesn't include a hanging kit and what not.....Also the controlling of the above mentioned fixture isn't user friendly to a degree from what I've been reading........
The companies are jamming anything down our throats....We have a free choice as to which fixtures we all buy......Again I can't justify the price Eco is charging by any means.....Not a fan, but they again are "catering" to what we are clam mering about.........
Again as I mentioned either here or another thread there are tons of options....The biggest option is DIY.....You said that a big "issue" is being able to work and fix the fixture if needed at a reasonable price......I'm quite sure if something were to go wrong with 1 of these high tech units, and out of warranty, that you'd be inclined to rip it apart. At least with a DIY fixture you'd know exactly where to start looking and what your going to encounter.....Again anytime you start building fixtures with multi chips they are going to be "salty" price wise right now.....Given time I'm sure the components will come down in price, but again you might be bound to purchasing particular parts from the manufacturer.....
If you look at the AI fixtures that haven't come down I'm quite sure they will still be cheaper than the Radion's and tighten the competition up quite a bit......
I hear you buddy!!!
I just get annoyed knowing that to get all the things I want in an LED setup you either gotta build it yourself ( I think a LED DIY is above my pay grade) or spend an arm and a leg. And to tell you the truth. I get very annoyed that most of these units are being sold with the intent of needing multiple units to cover most tanks. What size tank would one Radion fit?? And the AI unit?
I know that Meowzer's kid just put those import fixtures over his tank. I wonder if he is liking those??
Corey, I agree with you too. Maybe the cheapo units have some value. Heck even if you have to replace every few years. Still might be cheaper then getting 3-4 Radions.
I do like this discussion though!!
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
The cheap fixtures may be the way to go for some. But again they lack the options that most people want as far as color and dimming goes. But there are so many available options now that you could easily find a way to suppliment some more color into the mix. If I could find an affordable way to do it Id love to throw together some fixtures together that people could select thier own color types and amounts that they could fix themselves. But to be honest the eco techs and radions are not overly dificult to repair. Your just locked in to their design and have to replace a whole puck instead of one individual led like the maxpec fixtures that Krista has. Hers should be pretty easy to replace as well. But there again your locked into specific made product components from that manufacturer. If it wasnt for the programability of those high en units then they wouldnt cost so much. I'll be happy to not have the lightning storm simulations but I absolutely want the ramp up and ramp down times for sunrise and sunset. But in order to have that the controller has to be programable. And at that point in time adding simulations into the mix is nothing more than uploading the programming codes into the mix because the hardware is already there.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
It is just a toy, for a spectacle. for those guys who pay builders to put tanks in their gazillion dollar houses.
I have a friend who says he can build a quality led fixture for around 300 bucks for a 6 foot tank. I havent gone over to look at one yet, but I think he really can do it...
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by stdreb27 http:///t/391868/have-we-gone-too-far-led-bells-and-whistles#post_3477799
It is just a toy, for a spectacle. for those guys who pay builders to put tanks in their gazillion dollar houses.
I have a friend who says he can build a quality led fixture for around 300 bucks for a 6 foot tank. I havent gone over to look at one yet, but I think he really can do it...
It's not out of the realm of possibility at all. Just depends on what you want vs what you need or can justify spending. Are you running a tank currently stdreb I thought you said you got out a while back?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
To a degree I find it rather hard to believe it can be done for under $300.00......What type LEDs and drivers are we talking......
 
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