Radion G5 Rant. $900?

[atoll]

How many will go out and buy the latest and greatest light believing it's the last piece of better equipment that will be the key they have been searching for to give them the success they have failed to get so far or have been so disappointed when the teal problem lies with them not the equipment.

 

[infinite0180]

I sold my four Radions and went to an ATI SunPower, and I couldn't be happier. T5 bulbs don't change, and I don't feel the need to get the latest and greatest. To go along with the mentions of iPhone in this thread, I already do that with iPhone because I am an iOS developer, so I need the newest devices as well as the oldest, still supported, devices to test apps with.

Hahah i saw your last build man... some would have said that was “overkill”

 

[acer]

Maybe its just me, but with spreading the LED's out ( no longer in pucks), arent the G5's more like other LEDs fixtures like SB light, Reefbreeder, etc. etc. - or am I missing something?

 

[bobby.w.hodges]

My g2 and g3 radions still work just fine.

 

[Isaac Alves]

But now the consistently proven and tested, G4s are a good deal. BRS already sold out on the G4s with free diffusers. And they work great with APEX.

I‘d prefer being a gen behind. There’s going to be hiccups and issues that will need firmware updates. I’m still unsure what the information is saying about integration with APEX. Not to mention, Mobius has some UX issues. So, early adopters who pay premiums are the initial Betta testers. These things need to be out in the wild for at least a year or more to get the bugs worked out, especially with Mobius — and compatibility with APEX or a definite break from APEX. These new lights are supposedly rebuilt from the ground up, so a lot needs in field mass usage before getting a proven track record.

Also, the form factor is significantly more in line with other manufacturers — I see this as a significant opp for third party’s to get into the game with similar LEDs and heat sink form factors. Also, the fact that they’ve diluted the product portfolio with the Blue line is odd and might cause some friction with consumers.

Just random thoughts.

 

[nickkohrn]

Hahah i saw your last build man... some would have said that was “overkill”

Oh, it was overkill, but it absolutely reduced shadowing. However, the issue of hotspots remained. Now, I don't have to worry about hotspots or differences in spectrum; I simply need to raise or lower corals for more or less PAR—that's it.

 

[atoll]

Maybe its just me, but with spreading the LED's out ( no longer in pucks), arent the G5's more like other LEDs fixtures like SB light, Reefbreeder, etc. etc. - or am I missing something?

Not sure what the size of the G5 is compared to the outgoing G4 but they look about the same size and the LEDs are spread length wise if so then they will be very similar I would think. Not heard anything about shading as yet but I may have missed that.

 

[AquaholicAquariums]

I just hope the kids buying Jordan shoes don’t think they will play like mike just by wearing them! On my 8x4 running some black boxes and bought colonies instead

 

[Sdot]

Personally speaking there are a number of different ways of looking at it. None are particularly right, none particularly wrong. However, if Ecotech want people to trade up is the G5 offering a big enough upgrade to encourage them to do so. Sure some will be tempted the question is will there be enough. I suggest it will sell OK but there is a lot of competition out there and it's growing. Here in the UK many have turned their back on Radions in favour of Orphek's. EG. I have just swapped out my 3 x XR30s for 2 x Atlantic's on my 5' d-d tank which not only work out cheaper but give me better spread with less shading. The G5 is of course a better light than a G3 or G4 but it will still have the same old issue of shading if slightly less.
They say something is only worth what another is willing to pay, well we will see how sales go and the truth of the pudding etc or is it a case of you pays your money and takes your pick. I went for secondhand Orphek's as I can't afford these fancy prices but I could just as easily have gone for Evergrows.

I actually went to the orpheks lights as well.

 

[atoll]

I actually went to the orpheks lights as well.

Mine have been on a week and I can see an improvement only LPS and SPS. Perhaps it due to the fact my G3s are about 5 years old and my Orpheks are less than 2 years old.

 

[jlts21]

I have been seriously considering ditching my AP700's and getting the G5's (have my 700's up for sale, but if they don't sell then they don't sell), but after seeing all these people ditching the G3's and G4's for Orpheks I may end up going that route. Time to do some research!

*EDIT* Anybody that has experience going from Radions or Kessils to the Orpheks send me a PM and share your thoughts please!

 

[Juniorh2r]

I actually went to the orpheks lights as well.

That would be my move orphek lights and there not bad at all from what I've seen

 

[Sdot]

I have been seriously considering ditching my AP700's and getting the G5's (have my 700's up for sale, but if they don't sell then they don't sell), but after seeing all these people ditching the G3's and G4's for Orpheks I may end up going that route. Time to do some research!

*EDIT* Anybody that has experience going from Radions or Kessils to the Orpheks send me a PM and share your thoughts please!

For my new build i went with the orpheks. I currently have G4 XR30's on my current aquarium. Everyone that uses orpheks talk about how well they grow coral... i cant wait to start using them. I went with them because of coverage and spectrum... they have one of the widest spectrum of any reef light.

 

[ReefHomieJon]

Is it really that high of a price, people pay 1000.00 or more for the new iPhone and I know people who buy the new iPhone every year when they come out with The latest and greatest.

Some have good experiences with a manufacturer and continue to purchase the newest light. People turn their hobby into a business and write off the experience of the lights.

U only need 1 iPhone tho. People be needing 2-4 lights lol

 

[jlts21]

For my new build i went with the orpheks. I currently have G4 XR30's on my current aquarium. Everyone that uses orpheks talk about how well they grow coral... i cant wait to start using them. I went with them because of coverage and spectrum... they have one of the widest spectrum of any reef light.

Could I get away with 2 of the compact orpheks on a 6' 180g? The recommended spread is 30"x24" with the max at 39"x27" If I had to go with 3 I might as well spend the $2,200 for 2 of the full size orpheks instead of $2,300 for 3 of the compacts

 

[Sdot]

Could I get away with 2 of the compact orpheks on a 6' 180g? The recommended spread is 30"x24" with the max at 39"x27" If I had to go with 3 I might as well spend the $2,200 for 2 of the full size orpheks instead of $2,300 for 3 of the compacts

I was in a similar situation on my 240 gallon display. It really depends on what you want to grow. My tank will be sps dominant and took the advice from BRS. I ultimately with with four v4 g2's mounted perpendicular. Otherwise i would supplement the orphek light bars which work well. i would get the full size...its going to give you the best possible upgrade path. I would start with 2 now and get a third later.

Bulk Reef Supply A minimum of 3 fixtures would be best for an SPS tank of that size. You may even want to experiment with running them front to back given the 30.5" width of the tank. In which case, 4 may be a better option for the best coverage

 

[jlts21]

I was in a similar situation on my 240 gallon display. It really depends on what you want to grow. My tank will be sps dominant and took the advice from BRS. I ultimately with with four v4 g2's mounted perpendicular. Otherwise i would supplement the orphek light bars which work well. i would get the full size...its going to give you the best possible upgrade path. I would start with 2 now and get a third later.

Bulk Reef Supply A minimum of 3 fixtures would be best for an SPS tank of that size. You may even want to experiment with running them front to back given the 30.5" width of the tank. In which case, 4 may be a better option for the best coverage

Okay, I would be good with one for my 4' 120 but when I finish the build on the 180 I would definitely need 2, just wasn't sure if the compacts would suffice. 2 mounted parallel would work but 3 perpendicular would be tough since the 180 is acrylic and has a top (two large openings splitting the center) so the center light may have to be turned up in order to have the same light penetration to the bottom. Okay I'm done derailing this thread lol

 

[Devisissy]

Oh wait I forgot the best thing ever! This 90 needed a light. I got a free 48" 6 bulb Tek fixture.

 

[Aardvark1134]

Sorry but I am not putting 8 of them over my tank when 3 orpheks will do it better heck I'd sooner do 2 sets of 8 T5s

 

[Jon Fishman]

My g2 and g3 radions still work just fine.

I decided to get 4 G3’s used at less than the price of 2 G4’s new...... I will run them and ramp them up to 100% if I have to....... they are in Hybrid fixtures and my corals are doing great.

Better than my black boxes? Hard to say. I like the controllability and the slim look/fit in hybrid fixture etc.

When it is time for new lights hopefully I will be shopping for used G6’s with G8’s already out..... I don’t see why these lights wouldn’t last me a long time

$900 is a lot for light perhaps..... and if you’re in the market for lights, you have options. I don’t see the point of those who “just bought G4’s” being upset...... did you think Ecotech was going to stop making lights?

And the comparison to iPhones is quite flawed........ unlike the iPhone, no matter how many new lights Ecotech puts out, the previous models don’t magically start performing poorly, or stop working....