Apollo leds vs Evolution leds......................

pmrossetti · Sep 25, 2011

Let's figure out which is the one to go for.

I'm thinking with AI now 399 how can either compete?

AI uses Cree and has great programs. these bargain lights don't seem like a bargain anymore, do they?

reefkoi · Sep 26, 2011

Depends how you look at it, my lights are dimmable now and are avail in 150 watts for $399 so that's double the wattage of an ai so half the cost per watt right? Still seems like a bargain to me

but yeah I'd love to hear what everyone's thoughts are. I certainly don't offer a fancy LCD controller, mine simply dim up or down with a simple knob on top of the light is all. We do have double the warranty at 2 years as well

swannyson7 · Sep 26, 2011

I still think the bargain lights qualify as a bargain. The biggest complaint I see about the AIs is that they don't have that great of a spread, so more units are required to cover a tank. Despite the claimed 24" square coverage by AI, most people say that is a pretty big overstatement unless they're hung so far off the tank that your PAR suffers. The bargain lights have more wattage, so even if you have to suspend them high off the tank, you'll likely get higher par towards the bottoms of the tank. Each has their pros and cons, and it's certainly not a simple argument for either side.

pmrossetti · Sep 27, 2011

Apollo now offers corrosion resistant black aluminum housing, large heatsink, if one led goes out others will continue to light, built in moonlights, 3 rocker switches, adjustabe hanging kit. 60 degree optics for 250par at 24" under water hung at 8" above water. 3 watt Bridglux leds driven at 2watts each for long life.

Dimmable model in a few weeks. Yes, I do my research.

OK, Chris, it's all yours, tell us how Evoluton stacks up.

reefkoi · Sep 27, 2011

well I already have dimmable leds on mine, same 2w bridgelux leds, mine are a mix of 2 shades blue and 14,000K white

120 degree optics for optimal spread, new black rubber coated hanging hardware, sleek custom EVO black powder coated housing, not the generic black box everyone else uses, 2 year warranty and 4 models, 50w $219 100w $309 150w $399 200w $499.

I have no idea what apollos dimmable pricing is for those sizes, I've seen a couple different led units with the same Apollo name so not sure exactly which ones we are talking about here? there are some from bill @ reef led lights and some direct from China w that name......

gar732 · Sep 27, 2011

Chris, your fixtures use 3w leds ran at 2w or they are 2w leds and if so what are they ran at?

pmrossetti · Sep 27, 2011

Talking about the newest model in aluminum. since you asked.............

Apollo Reef LED | Lighting Your Reef

like your 2 shades of blue, but the 120degree optics requires they be very close to the water, no? like 6"?

reefkoi · Sep 27, 2011

pmrossetti said:
Talking about the newest model in aluminum. since you asked.............

Apollo Reef LED | Lighting Your Reef

like your 2 shades of blue, but the 120degree optics requires they be very close to the water, no? like 6"?

I run mine 18"-20" above all of my frag systems.....

reefkoi · Sep 27, 2011

gar732 said:
Chris, your fixtures use 3w leds ran at 2w or they are 2w leds and if so what are they ran at?

They are 2w ran at 2w

pmrossetti · Sep 27, 2011

frag systems are very shallow. with 120 degree optics on 2watt leds the par at a reglar tank depth will suffer. spread is good, but par not so good.. the Apollo with 60degree optics gets 250 par or more at 25". Yours can't be near that. But we need less of yours to cover a shallow area, yes.

I know your service is good. So is Reefledlights.
Your 2 year warantee is good, but we want reliable product too. don't want to be sending stuff in for repairs.

sreefer · Sep 27, 2011

I'm really learning a lot about LED's in this thread. Keep it going guys.

reefkoi · Sep 28, 2011

pmrossetti said:
frag systems are very shallow. with 120 degree optics on 2watt leds the par at a reglar tank depth will suffer. spread is good, but par not so good.. the Apollo with 60degree optics gets 250 par or more at 25". Yours can't be near that. But we need less of yours to cover a shallow area, yes.

I know your service is good. So is Reefledlights.
Your 2 year warantee is good, but we want reliable product too. don't want to be sending stuff in for repairs.

all of my corals are housed and grown at 100-150 PAR, I'm not sure why we need 250 on the sandbed? and photoinhibiting 600-800 higher up?

reefkoi · Sep 28, 2011

pmrossetti said:
frag systems are very shallow. with 120 degree optics on 2watt leds the par at a reglar tank depth will suffer. spread is good, but par not so good.. the Apollo with 60degree optics gets 250 par or more at 25". Yours can't be near that. But we need less of yours to cover a shallow area, yes.

I know your service is good. So is Reefledlights.
Your 2 year warantee is good, but we want reliable product too. don't want to be sending stuff in for repairs.

How long have the Apollos been on the market? I searched reef central and came up with hours and hours of posts from actual owners of evolution leds, nothing but great comments, I didn't find mush at all on Apollos and I think they are fairly new and unproven for 2 year reliability aren't they?

reid429 · Sep 28, 2011

Wow sounds like the dude is a spokesperson for apollo. You just wanted to compare and see if anyone else had them but it looks like you are naive and only defend the Apollo system

cdness · Sep 28, 2011

I an getting a Evolution fixture (used) to evaluate my jump to LEDs. The reason I went with it is reliability, price, and forum reviews of the actual product. When I read the title of this I said to myself "Apollo LEDs, what's that" and I have been researching for awhile on LEDs. I like the fact that the Evos use efficient yet affordable LEDs. I also hear less talk about bleaching with them too...

_sludgefactory · Sep 28, 2011

I was originally thinking appollo myself but there isnt anything in watt range, its 110 or nothing. I dont feel that 110 is enough and im not going to spend double when for $30 more i can get an evo that is 50 wats more. Im sold on Evo now, too bad im broke. lol

reefkoi · Sep 28, 2011

Thanks guys

I am only throwing out my reasons for the features in the evo design as the questions are coming in, hope nobody takes it as me bashing apollo or anything I'm just explaining why mine are designed the way they are

)

I will say I take the feedback from potential buyers and other led makers and constantly work to keep evolution at the head of the budget minded leds out there!!

Chris

_sludgefactory · Sep 28, 2011

Now as far as the dimmer goes, that will give me the ability to adjust my color right? Right now I have a 14000 coralvue bulb and I like the color of it so I dont want to be too blue.

Irishguy · Sep 28, 2011

I got a chance to put my hands on KOi's new lights....they are awesome, if ur worried about them being to blue, the dimmers on them let u fine tune the look to what u want and dial it in just right.......