How do you like your Radion LED's?

[thewackyreefer]

REALLY close to pulling the trigger on a pair of Radion fixtures to replace my AI Sol Blues...

I've seen a couple threads talking about the fixtures but none dedicated to feedback from users running the fixture over their setup.

Let's try to keep this clean and keep questions about coverage, etc. to the other threads that are out there.


So for owners, what do you like about the fixture? Anything you don't like? Do you find the fixtures easy to program for the look you're going for with your setup? Do you consider the fixture to be worth the price?

 

[Cubbies]

I don't know if I'm allowed to post a link to another forum. But here's a full kind of review on them. The Official EcoTech Radion XR30W LED Thread - ChicagoReefs - Where the Ocean meets the Windy City

 

[wrasseluver]

I have mine for 3 weeks and love them. I had a DIY LEDs before and the radion is much easier to program. It's worth every penny in my book. I don't know about any other fixture but a DIY 36 LEDs build cost $460 in parts and had to buy a few extras which added another $100. To add the lenses for the led would be another $30.The DIY was 3 colors and they were independently controlled. To add the red and green it would be another $80 and to control it you can add $175 for RKL or $450 for apex. So in all I would say its better to go with the radion. This is just my opinion.

 

[wrasseluver]

Forgot to add you also get a warranty with the radion and you do have wires every where if you go DIY. I had a friend that got the maxspect and likes them but he said the programing was alittle pain in the butt.

 

[Laird]

I have mine for 3 weeks and love them. I had a DIY LEDs before and the radion is much easier to program. It's worth every penny in my book. I don't know about any other fixture but a DIY 36 LEDs build cost $460 in parts and had to buy a few extras which added another $100. To add the lenses for the led would be another $30.The DIY was 3 colors and they were independently controlled. To add the red and green it would be another $80 and to control it you can add $175 for RKL or $450 for apex. So in all I would say its better to go with the radion. This is just my opinion.

Great to know, thank you.

My big question for me has been how have the people with quality DIYs have liked to switch. Just like you I put a lot of money into my DIY, my two fixtures cost over $500 each when it was all said and done.
Would you mind giving a more detailed break down of your DIY like how many LEDs, what kind, how they were arranged. And also how many Radions you have to replace them.

I have 72 Cree XPGs and XREs spread you really widely over my entire tank and even then they are almost not enough for what I like. Everyone says I could replace them with just two radions but I'm worried that I'll have to many dark spots in the tank.

The wires everywhere is also a huge problem for me. Currently my tank has a canopy so they are hidden but I've been wanting to upgrade to a Rimless for awhile now but can't do it because my fixture would look so horrible.

Wrassluver, do you have any pics of your tank with the DIY and now the Radions?

 

[wrasseluver]

This is what I bought that cost $460

1 Drilled and Tapped 4.25" x 23" Heat Sink for 36 LEDs

3 Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable driver

24 Solderless Connector for CREE XP-E LEDs

12 CREE XP-E Blue 3W LED on star

12 CREE XP-E Royal Blue 3W LED on star

12 CREE XP-G R5 Cool White 3W LED on Star

3 3-Prong Power Cord

12 Solderless Connector for CREE XP-G LEDs

1 Thermal Grease (5g)

I also had to buy extra wires ,cords, zip ties, wire nuts, and RJ45 cables.

I don't have a picture of the fixture anymore but I may have a few picture of the tank with the DIY. I would say the biggest change in color with a DIY over the radion is the color orange and pink pop more with the radion.

 

[STL]

I've got 3 Radions over a 180g tank that was built last November. Prior to this, I've had T5s over a 55g and metal halide over a 20g. Here's my mini-review!

Pros:
Very easy to program from a Windows PC (or Mac running Parallels/VMWare with Windows)
- Software is a little confusing at first, but once you understand the control points/graph it's easy!
- Live preview as you edit the control points, and not just one color channel
- 30 second or 2 minute quick play through your entire day so you can see the transitions
- All three lights can be wirelessly grouped, only need to program one
Smooth transitions between colors and intensities - no more lights on/lights off like T5 or MH
Controls Vortech's in/out of night mode
No salt creep/salt attraction yet (7" off the water, in canopy, 2 full months)
Overall very quiet - fans make a little noise when the lights are at full power (my trio together are similar to a PS3 that's been on a while)
Amazing night caustics
Full control over the appearance and intensity of the light - not stuck with a particular color temperature
Can dial a little red into the evening mode to pop corals that don't fluoresce
Software updates add nice features to the programming tool and the light controller

Cons:
Price tag
USB port placement is odd, I ended up siliconing in a semi-permanent cable (in-canopy install)
Disco ball caustics during the day - the individual LEDs refract individually
Touch control placement on top is bad, fortunately rarely need to use these
Mounting can be a challenge - WWC made a custom rail mount for my setup
Limited control over the Vortechs - seems to be just in/out of night mode so far
Need a PC to program them - if you can't program them, you're missing out on too many features to justify the cost

A few more points...
I've tried "natural" mode and didn't care for it
I had a scare this weekend - found the tank dark mid-day.. forgot I'd programmed random clouds
I'm seeing good coral growth - all the corals seem to be enjoying this light

Overall, I'm exceedingly pleased with these lights. The built-in controller is powerful and very easy to program. They're quiet, flexible, run cool, and are energy efficient. They were very expensive, but I have no regrets - this aquarium build was about doing it right so as to not be replacing gear in the foreseeable future.

Check out my build thread in the large aquariums forum for photos of the mount and the USB cable mod.

--Shawn

 

[oki_reefer]

Ordered mine last friday. can wait. i have been watching the write up's and the ability to share custom programs. let me know if there is an interest there.

 

[gael85]

have mine since 2 weeks and love them !!!

 

[argi]

I have 2 over a 120 and have been very happy. Coverage is good. Like mentioned the programming once understood is fairly simple. I went from MH to T5 to the Radion's over my 120 and so far I have to say I like the Radion's the best followed closely by the MH with T5's coming in last.

 

[Catra2030]

I have 3 set up over my 125, I've had them for about a month or so and I have zero complaints, I live them. Switched from t5's and initially was going to go with a ati unit but went led instead. Coverage is fantastic, programming is easy once you play around with it for a bit. I had some technical questions, ecotech customer service was more than willing to help and very informative. I made a light fixture out of ez-tube for my units, cheap and simple, no screws, they can easily be adjusted from side to side as needed.

Most importantly, corals look great, they look healthy and I'm pleased. Is the price tag justifiable?...is anything in this hobby truly justifiably? If you're serious about the hobby then yes, if you're look for a high quality lighting system that you plan to use for years on end then yes!