Cheap Gen 3 or Bite the bullet for Gen 4?

[Boardn365]

I know there has been the upgrade Gen 3 Radion to Gen 4 Radion but I am trying to decide between purchasing a XR30 Pro Gen 3 Radion for $200 or a XR30 Pro Gen 4 for $500.

My current tank is 60" long, 24" wide and 30" deep. I currently have 1 Gen 3 Xr30 pro. So will be adding the gen 4 or gen 3 to the other side of the tank.

Trying to decide if the gen 4 is worth the extra $300. I have read that the gen 4 is definitely a better light. Better spread, better spectrum, brighter, etc., but trying to decide if it is $300 better. The Gen 3 is just such a great deal.

 

[John08007]

I know there has been the upgrade Gen 3 Radion to Gen 4 Radion but I am trying to decide between purchasing a XR30 Pro Gen 3 Radion for $200 or a XR30 Pro Gen 4 for $500.

My current tank is 60" long, 24" wide and 30" deep. I currently have 1 Gen 3 Xr30 pro. So will be adding the gen 4 or gen 3 to the other side of the tank.

Trying to decide if the gen 4 is worth the extra $300. I have read that the gen 4 is definitely a better light. Better spread, better spectrum, brighter, etc., but trying to decide if it is $300 better. The Gen 3 is just such a great deal.

Im trying to decide between the 2 also, gen5 is no lomger an option because it doesnt connect to apex and seems to have a lot of probs with its app. Where did you see these two for sale?

 

[Boardn365]

Agree, I was originally considering gen 5 as well but just dont feel confident spending that much money when they are still having issues.

 

[Boardn365]

I found both from a local friend. Its where I got the first gen 3. The Gen 3 seems like a deal and the Gen 4 seems like I could get that same price in the future.

 

[John08007]

I have read rumors that neptune may be coming out with a light. Would love a definitive answer on that.

 

[sharpimage]

I would get the gen 3, so it matches your existing light. color, spectrum etc. The gen 4 for 500 is an ok price, but not great.

 

[92Miata]

$200 is a screaming good deal for a Gen3 XR30 - that's XR15 price range.

 

[Boardn365]

I would get the gen 3, so it matches your existing light. color, spectrum etc. The gen 4 for 500 is an ok price, but not great.

Would the difference to the eye be that drastic? I know it would be different but do you think I would be able to get over it.

 

[Boardn365]

$200 is a screaming good deal for a Gen3 XR30 - that's XR15 price range.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. In the grand scheme of it all I wouldn't have as much invested and maybe be able to go to gen 5 once all is figured out.

 

[sharpimage]

Would the difference to the eye be that drastic? I know it would be different but do you think I would be able to get over it.

I have no idea.

 

[ca1ore]

Would the difference to the eye be that drastic? I know it would be different but do you think I would be able to get over it.

No clue on whether you would be able to 'get over it' ….. fortunately your fish and corals will just fine. The only thing is that the Gen3 lights are pretty old at this point. Nobody can tell you for sure what the useful life is of these lights, other than a Gen3 is closer to the end than a Gen4.

 

[Boardn365]

No clue on whether you would be able to 'get over it' ….. fortunately your fish and corals will just fine. The only thing is that the Gen3 lights are pretty old at this point. Nobody can tell you for sure what the useful life is of these lights, other than a Gen3 is closer to the end than a Gen4.

Yeah that wasnt the right way to explain it. Not necessarily get over it but just wanted to know if anyone ever had them side by side and to know if the difference was really noticable. So based on not knowing the useful life would it maybe make sense then to plan for getting a gen 5 in the future? By getting the gen 3 I would save quite a bit and then be able to save for the gen 5. That way I am not getting a gen 4 that will be hitting its end before the gen 5.

 

[Dkeller_nc]

I have both Gen 3 and Gen 4 lights. As you noted, the spread from the Gen 4 lights with the diffuser is considerably more even and there's less "disco effect". Also as noted, particularly the all-important UV diodes in lights don't last forever, and the general rule of thumb is 3 years or so of continuous operation before the output starts to significantly fade.

If you have an Apex as I do, the consideration for the Gen 5 might be Apex connectivity. It's an odd decision for EcoTech, since refusing to give Neptune the API for the light so that it would work with the WXM module might be a deal breaker for many.

 

[mfinn]

Gen 3's were great, but they are getting pretty old.
I guess part of it depends on the build date of both.
But I'm gen 4 all the way

 

[John08007]

Havent noticed any posts on it but has anyone ever heard of replacing the led's in a radion? Cant be too hard to fig out what brand, volt, wattage they are.

 

[ca1ore]

That way I am not getting a gen 4 that will be hitting its end before the gen 5.

Gen4 was still sold until early this year, so a used one could be close to brand new or it could be 3 years old. There is really no way to know yet whether Gen5 outperforms Gen4. My guess, based on prior experience with changing lights, is that the difference is more about having the latest/greatest than actual performance improvmenets. But time will tell.

 

[Boardn365]

So general consensus is that the Gen 3 may not be as effective. So spending less may be counterproductive as it may not grow the corals as well possibly being end of it's useful life.