Aqua Illumination Bad Business or Just Business??

[fishntyme1]

I have an AI Sol Super Blue. I want to upgrade to a Fifty Two. I know in 2014 they had this kit for $300. I can't find any so I contacted AI to find out if they had any. They don't. Why?? I believe it's bc they just want to sell more of the FiftyTwo HD's.
At this point I am not happy with this and am considering buying a new unit from someone else and or going back to T5's

The following is the conversation:

Me: Looking to upgrade from Sol Super Blue to a Hydra fifty two. I have seen a video on how to, just need to find the kit. Are these available? Price?

AI: Thanks for contacting AI. Unfortunately we do not have the upgrade kit available at this time, from my understanding they may be available again next year. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Me: This kind of response leads me to believe that y'all are holding back product right now for upgrades to sell more of the 52hd's. From a business side this might sound good, makes more money that way. Or does it really? I don't need or like the 52HD but do like the 52. You would have an extra $300 right now but you don't and won't be getting $600 from me for the 52HD. So I see this as missed opportunity by AI.
On the consumer end it shows poor customer satisfaction and the ability to keep the products that once were promised in stock (or available). There are other companies in the same market that have upgrades available and will even install the upgrade for the consumer for free.
Take the $350 I paid for the Sol Super Blue and add the $300 for the 52 upgrade kit I am purchasing a 52HD plus some, just took a couple years. I even paid high dollar ($50) for a new power pack because the older ones couldn't hack a long life.

Waiting for a response...............

 

[Potatohead]

Or, the very likely scenario that they're out of them, and they won't be manufacturing any more for a while because they're busy building other stuff.

 

[fishntyme1]

If they make 52HD's then they must have parts for 52's. not much difference on the inside.

 

[dream54ing]

Not defending AI, but correct me if I'm wrong, the upgrade kits was to upgrade to a regular 52 (not the HD) Now that the HD model are out, the units will only be upgraded to a 52 and not to their latest unit, the 52HD. Business stand point, they probably feel they're not advancing their product if they continue making the same upgrade kits. Possible they are making an upgrade kit with all the HD features???

I'm pretty sure they are not holding anything back. I'm with you on their response, they could of gave you a better explanation.

 

[fishntyme1]

Ya could be, but you would think that they would be out for us loyal customers to purchase

 

[geemanaz]

If I remember right EcoTech Marine now owns Aqua Illumination and Eco Tech is now manufacturing Aqua products. Aqua drop there old manufacturers and suppliers for Eco Tech

 

[xanthurum]

Maybe they just don't have the parts. A while ago I wanted to upgrade my Radions but Ecotech didn't have the parts. When they got them in they contacted me and I got the upgrades.

 

[rvareef]

they stopped doing upgrade kits after ecotech bought them

 

[Tschupe]

Yeah I looked into those kits about 6 months ago and couldn't find them

 

[1jwampler]

I don't want to start an LED debate, but, when the SOLs came out, it got close enough to MH to grow coral without MH, which always required a chiller for me, so I upgraded my tank after a 10 year downsize to 28gal from 365. Got lucky jumped on the Hydra 52 upgrades for the SOLs. During that time it seemed like AI and EcoTech were in a consumer winning game of one up features, hold the line on price. Right after the A.K.A. Merger (buy) upgrade kits disappeared for AI, no path the G4 for G3 owners, since there is no real competition other than Kessil. Now the Vectra won't work with APEX WXM, they say G4s will work with WXM, but, I have my doubts, oh yeah and now $895 SLP for G4. I wouldn't look too hard for breaks from EcoTech, it's all about a market grab and IMHO or NOT so HO. I think they are failing to do the things that made them successful by doing their best to bring affordable technology to the hobby. Hopefully this creates a hole for a new company to jump in and bring value.


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[dream54ing]

Ya could be, but you would think that they would be out for us loyal customers to purchase

Well it is a business after all. Loyalty works both ways for consumers and manufactures. Most consumers will flock to something new or less expensive if available, without thinking "loyalty". There is always a balance of "making money"/advancing products and being loyal to customers. Not all consumers are going to be happy. I don't think they are out there to screw customers, well at least intentionally.

There are a lot behind technology/compatibility that we consumer do not know about. Simply saying that a manufacture don't want to sell us something because they want us to buy a new unit is like telling the manufacture to not make advancement to their product (just sell me the same thing for a cheaper price) Ecotech/AI don't need to do that, they have other LED manufacture doing that.

Being a consumer myself, I'm willing to pay for the quality and new advancements in a product, if my budget allows (wife allows)

 

[Elliott]

When their sol blue's hit the market I remember AI stated on their website, as part of their sales pitch, that they were upgradable for future new features/improvements. That statement did not last long.

However I'm still using sol blues and find no reason to change them.

 

[dream54ing]

IMO, Ecotech/AI were never "affordable" compared to other LED manufactures. They were successful because they made quality products with the latest technology.

There are plenty of LED manufactures that already filled this hole your referring to. I'm sure there are LED with similar tech, but how reliable are they. Ive tested out a lot of fixtures and bounced back and forth between them, but ultimately went back to the AI. They might not be the best light for growth, but love their reliability and function.

I think they are failing to do the things that made them successful by doing their best to bring affordable technology to the hobby. Hopefully this creates a hole for a new company to jump in and bring value.


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[fishntyme1]

The reliability is what is bringing me back for more. I have no problems with the Sol. But I do think the full spectrum is missing and the reason for the upgrade.
Only issue with led are the shadows. Been considering T5 again. I can't believe the prices on the ATI fixtures.