Chinese LED Lights

Yup.

14k Setting (Radion Pro UV 100%, Royal Blue 100%, Blue 100%, White 75%, Green 75%, Red 75%)
RB/EG 100% Blue, 75% White (with colors)
IMG_20130123_205410.jpg


100% All channels for both
IMG_20130123_203713.jpg


The Radion Pro looks "sterile" compared to the IT2080. I thought the Radion Pro would have beaten the RB light outright, but I completely prefer the IT light. Seriously, I expected so much more. It's a huge pain in the *** to play with settings too. I have to have my laptop connected via usb to make changes and know what is going on.

I'll have more shots and impressions later, with PAR readings by tomorrow night.
 
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I would definitely agree... Very sterile! In your second picture you can clearly see where the light from the RB fixture ends on the rock structure on the left.
Big difference!

Hard to see the coloring on the corals in the pics. Do the corals under the RB fixture look better as well?



bhazard451 said:
Yup.

14k Setting (Radion Pro UV 100%, Royal Blue 100%, Blue 100%, White 75%, Green 75%, Red 75%)
RB/EG 100% Blue, 75% White (with colors)
IMG_20130123_205410.jpg


100% All channels for both
IMG_20130123_203713.jpg


The Radion Pro looks "sterile" compared to the IT2080. I thought the Radion Pro would have beaten the RB light outright, but I completely prefer the IT light. Seriously, I expected so much more. It's a huge pain in the *** to play with settings too. I have to have my laptop connected via usb to make changes and know what is going on.

I'll have more shots and impressions later, with PAR readings by tomorrow night.
Click to expand...
 
Twiegs said:
I would definitely agree... Very sterile! In your second picture you can clearly see where the light from the RB fixture ends on the rock structure on the left.
Big difference!

Hard to see the coloring on the corals in the pics. Do the corals under the RB fixture look better as well?
Click to expand...

Coral does look pretty good under the Radion. Reds do show up well. Coral looks just as good or better on the RB. The overall look is much better on the RB.

One thing I like, is that in the "Radiant Color" timed mode during night time, violet, reds, greens, and cool blue comes on with the royal blues. It enhances color, especially in clownfish. It looks a little nicer than just royal blue. Red does spotlight a bit like this, like a police light, but very faint. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to have reds on the blue channel on the RB with only two channels. You would never have a pure blue actinic that way.
 
I can't believe how small that radion is! And looking at the bottom of the unit it looks like it has 20 leds Max lol I CANT BELIEVE THAT TINY THING WAS 900 bucks
 
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Just took a bunch of readings. I'll have them ready tomorrow.

Basically, with the Radion hung 9.5 inches above water level, it hits ~950 dead center 2 inches below the water line. Keeps ~300 at the sand bed 21" down. I would need to use 4 units to keep the entire tank that way. PAR drops off steadily to the sides.

At 8 inches above the water line, the RB unit hits closer to ~1050, and maintains around ~380 at the sand bed dead center.

For around half the price or less, you get nearly identical PAR and more coverage.
 
There is no way they have labor, parts, engineering, and whatever goes along with manufacturing, to charge $900. In a year from now will be lucky to get $200, then take that $200 and by new technology. There's going to be a lot of these hanging over frag tank's and fuges. GOUGE.
 
igadget56 said:
There is no way they have labor, parts, engineering, and whatever goes along with manufacturing, to charge $900. In a year from now will be lucky to get $200, then take that $200 and by new technology. There's going to be a lot of these hanging over frag tank's and fuges. GOUGE.
Click to expand...

Their pumps are pricey too, but there is nothing else like them that performs the way they do, so the premium is accepted and worth it to many. I have 2 MP40s and I love them.

In this case, they are outperformed by a much less expensive light in looks, power, ease of use, and pricing. I was excited to have 6 channel control, but the overall color at any intensity or setting lacks next to the RB fixture. If I didn't show a pic of it, EVERYONE would call BS on me, and call bias.
 
I am setting up a 30g (20x20x20) RR tank, do you think the TaoTronics 222w (non-dimmable) will be too much?

* Not sure if I can post an external link but it looks like this:
51aUB48SSgL._SX450_.jpg

TaoTronics TT-AL05 LED Aquarium Coral Reef Tank LED Grow Light (212W Output; Blue/White Ratio - 2:1)

I can get it for $140 but am worried it might be overkill. Also its not really 212w its 72 led's at 2w each.
 
bhazard451 said:
The Radion Pro looks "sterile" compared to the IT2080. I thought the Radion Pro would have beaten the RB light outright, but I completely prefer the IT light. Seriously, I expected so much more. It's a huge pain in the *** to play with settings too. I have to have my laptop connected via usb to make changes and know what is going on.
Click to expand...

bhazard451, I think I said thatsame thing some number of pages back. The Radion is very highly controllable... but it's a PITA as you need to take a computer to the light or the light to a computer. I swapped the Radion out over my 24g frag tank for an EG D120. And over my 180g DT I would have needed 4 Radions as I have a wide glass brace that is cloudy, so I'd have to do 2 on either side of the brace. That's $3000 in old Radions vs less than $700 I spent for 2 IT2080's. Anybody want a less than 1 year old EcoTech Radion cheap? Until it's sold I'm moving it over my 2' x 4' refugium/DSB/frag acclimating tank!
 
Is a Radion Pro expected to cover that large of a space?

As dumb as it sounds, for the length a IT2080 covers it probably would take 2Radion Pros? So while you'd get a better spread and look, it would become that much more difficult to justify the price.

It is incredible that the par numbers directly below the fixtures are pretty much equal, if nothing else RB edges out the much more expensive fixture.

I find that the right side of the tank looks pretty red, the rocks seem to have a pinkish tinge instead of being "rock color". Maybe that's the camera that makes it come out that way. For me, while I find the look between the two very different, I wouldn't declare the RB a clear winner from the picture for overall looks. I wish I was close enough to see it in person!

It would be really interesting to see how the two grow corals over time, for example placing a similar sized frag at the same depth for each fixture and see how it goes after 3 months.

I have my suspicions that you'll have 2 RB running on this system very soon and a Radion Pro for sale to fund a DIY project. :)
 
Wow in that pic with the units upside down side by side on the ground I just can't believe how cheesy and plain looking the radion looks... the fact that its 900 for just that unit is a joke...
 
mess7777 said:
Is a Radion Pro expected to cover that large of a space?

As dumb as it sounds, for the length a IT2080 covers it probably would take 2Radion Pros? So while you'd get a better spread and look, it would become that much more difficult to justify the price.

It is incredible that the par numbers directly below the fixtures are pretty much equal, if nothing else RB edges out the much more expensive fixture.

I find that the right side of the tank looks pretty red, the rocks seem to have a pinkish tinge instead of being "rock color". Maybe that's the camera that makes it come out that way. For me, while I find the look between the two very different, I wouldn't declare the RB a clear winner from the picture for overall looks. I wish I was close enough to see it in person!

It would be really interesting to see how the two grow corals over time, for example placing a similar sized frag at the same depth for each fixture and see how it goes after 3 months.

I have my suspicions that you'll have 2 RB running on this system very soon and a Radion Pro for sale to fund a DIY project. :)
Click to expand...

The RP cannot cover the 36" of length evenly. I'd say its good for 24x24. What really surprises me, is that both lights use a similar amount of reds, greens and violets. You would think they would look a bit more alike. The only main difference are the 8 warm whites per fixture.

There is a slightly purple tinge, but not as pronounced as in the pic. I find it more appealing. We keep reefs because of their beautiful colors, and everyone who has seen it in person agrees the RB side is more colorful and appealing.

I hate having to use Ecosmart with a laptop and usb cable to see what percentages the leds are at. Hate it. For $900, I expect nothing less than an iphone/android app with full wireless adjustment.

As far as color and growth, My tank would need similar frags and 3 months time like this to see.

My plan was to see just how good the RP was compared to everything else. If it was that good, I was going to buy all Radions. If it was good but the features didn't impress, I was going to copy the led layout for my DIY light. Turns out that I won't be using the layout, or Radions long term. I cannot justify the price premium, when PAR is the same as the RB fixture.
 
Thanks bhazard451 for all your tests, much appreciated !

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest. Currently running a good old 6xT5HO setup which is doing a wonderful job but being the geek that I am, I must say LEDs are becoming very tempting.

Prices have been absurd until now and most chinese "knockoffs" did not convince me - this one however got my full attention. I have a mainly LPS tank and do not need insane PAR - what I care for is truly the "look", how colors pop, shimmering, dimming, overall cost saving bulb wise etc..

I must say I agree with mess777 though, I do find the comparative pic to play a whole lot more in favor of the Radion, colors don't look dull they look normal (ie grey rock) vs IT where everything is pinkish. I obviously trust your judgments and comments over the picture but it does concern me a bit.
 
Thats a GREAT comparison Bhazard.

I finally received my D120's from a Group buy last night. Only snapped two pictures.
Tonight i will have installed pictures and before and after MH pictures.
20130123_214044.jpg


IMG_20130123_215819.jpg
 
astralmind said:
Thanks bhazard451 for all your tests, much appreciated !

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest. Currently running a good old 6xT5HO setup which is doing a wonderful job but being the geek that I am, I must say LEDs are becoming very tempting.

Prices have been absurd until now and most chinese "knockoffs" did not convince me - this one however got my full attention. I have a mainly LPS tank and do not need insane PAR - what I care for is truly the "look", how colors pop, shimmering, dimming, overall cost saving bulb wise etc..

I must say I agree with mess777 though, I do find the comparative pic to play a whole lot more in favor of the Radion, colors don't look dull they look normal (ie grey rock) vs IT where everything is pinkish. I obviously trust your judgments and comments over the picture but it does concern me a bit.
Click to expand...

Everyone has different tastes, and I can see the appeal. Best comparison is an hdtv on the "cool" or "warm" color setting. RP is "cool", RB is "warm". Having a few reds/violet/green on when all blues are on makes clownfish glow. It's a cool effect you cant do with two channels. Having a smaller point source, the Radions shimmer better too.

My light isn't the standard reefbreeder layout. I use an extra 2 violets and extra 2 reds. I may swap them out to see if it lowers the purple hue and keeps coloration. The purple/pink hue is not as pronounced in person, but it is there, and does make the tank a bit more vibrant.
 
Bhazard451 love the fact that you are comparing them together and posting pictures so everyone can see and I have to agree with you that most reefers love colors that stick out and am one of them. Too see how RB lights show more colors in your tank makes me love them even more and I haven't received my 2 IT2080 yet and can't wait to get them.my question is how high did you hang them to get that good par reading so I can hang mine up when I get them? Also thanks for all your help and keep posting so I can keep learning.
 
bhazard451 said:
Everyone has different tastes, and I can see the appeal. Best comparison is an hdtv on the "cool" or "warm" color setting. RP is "cool", RB is "warm". Having a few reds/violet/green on when all blues are on makes clownfish glow. It's a cool effect you cant do with two channels. Having a smaller point source, the Radions shimmer better too.

My light isn't the standard reefbreeder layout. I use an extra 2 violets and extra 2 reds. I may swap them out to see if it lowers the purple hue and keeps coloration. The purple/pink hue is not as pronounced in person, but it is there, and does make the tank a bit more vibrant.
Click to expand...

Definitely, I certainly didn't mean the IT looked bad at all :) And obviously, everyone has a different take on what they prefer. I generally prefer 16k+ coloring.

In any case, thank you very much for all the info you are sharing, this is truly making me consider this ramp!
 
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