Ecotech Radion PRO VS. GHL MITRAS (My thoughts and experiences)

[Clownin Aroun]

I am going to try to keep this as short as possible, but when you are looking to spend $2,500 plus on LEDs for your tank, you should be reading everything and anything you can on the fixtures!!!​

After running both the GHL Mitras and the Ecotech Radion Pros for a little while now I can say that they are both OUTSTANDING light fixtures. Having come from Metal Halide T5 combo that I was VERY happy with it was going to take a lot to make me even happier. Some points that I wanted to improve on were cost of running the lights, heat, and actually having a sunrise and sunset effect. My main concern was not being able to keep all of my corals as happy as the MH T5 combo did.

Well I pulled the trigger on 2 Mitras when I started my new 234 Gallon build and I was immediately impressed! The sunrise and sunset that you can create with these things is incredible, they produce NO heat, and the cost is next to nothing. But best of all my corals are just as happy if not more so then with the MH T5s. My LPS are opening up more and their coloration is INCREDIBLE, the mushrooms are bigger and more colorful then ever and my SPS look the same with maybe a little more color then before. So needless to say I am VERY happy with LEDs.

But on to the comparison between the Mitras and the Radion Pro.
Below I have made a list of the pros and cons of the two fixtures and I hope to explain some of that here.....

Radion Pro:
The pro is an incredible light that simply makes your tank look "œout of this world." Now I use that expression intentionally because it is actually a little hard to make it look like it is "œin this world" lol. The coloration of these lights makes your corals and FISH POP and glow throughout the day and into the night. It is incredible how the fish glow too. Now although I do love this, I find it a little hard to get the Radion pro to look "œnatural". Now a natural looking tank is obviously very different to every person and remember that this is just my opinion. The Radion always seems to have a lot of blues and I think this is because the fixture only has one set of white LEDs instead of the two that the Mitras has. Whenever I look online or in person whoever is running the Radion over their tank always seems to give a blue look. So after playing with the programming A LOT I found a more natural look (which is what I like) using a lot less of the two blues and more of the red and green.
This light is great and it has truly made a difference on my corals within a month that I can see. The coloration is amazing and the extension is MUCH better then before.
My biggest problem with this light is the fan being on the bottom, it just simply seems wrong! Eventually salt creep will become and issue and that's something I do not want to have to deal with when spending $900 on a light! Also not being able to simply turn on the white LEDs at night in order to check something in the tank annoys me also!

GHL Mitras:
This light is amazing! Having 6 pucks instead of just two makes the spread so much more that I only need 2 of these to cover my entire 50 x 36 tank! AMAZING! I also love that this light has Warm white as well as Cool White LEDs, this helps when trying to get a more natural look in your tank. The LEDs really do make the coral POP but for some reason the fish do not seem to pop as much as the Radion pro makes them. The Hyper Violet on the Mitras does not make the tank look purple like the Ultra violet on the Radion which is also a plus for me, but that's also why you lose the glow in the fish!
The fact that you can control each LED individually right from the fixture as well as program a storm quickly to show off to your friends is AWESOME! The fan on this light is not from the bottom which is a huge plus and the fan runs VERY quiet unlike the pro.
The power cord coming from the top bothers me a little and makes it hard to make the light "œbalanced" when using the hanging kit but after you figure it out this is no longer a problem.
Using the program to make a schedule is not the easiest thing to do and so for this I prefer Ecotech's software, but after playing with the GHL software for a while you do get the hang of it!


After using both lights and thinking long and hard about which I like better and why, if I had to choose one to run over my tank I would go with the Mitras. Both lights are incredible and I am happy that I have them both, but the Mitras just seems to "œdo it for me" where as the Radion just has something missing. I am not sure what it is but the Mitras has it! You cannot go wrong with either of these lights, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Mitra!

I will be running both of these lights for years to come and will up date along the way. I will be posting pictures and making videos along the way as well on my youtube channel so you can check that out if you like also!

My You Tube Channel


ECOTECH RADION PRO:

PROS:
~ Able to program with a Mac
~ Able to cover a 30x24 area (from experience)
~ Built in acclimation mode
~ Each LED is individually controllable
~ Storm mode, cloudy days (cool features)
~ Preview mode (lets you run through your daily schedule in a minute to see what it will look like)
~ Wirelessly syncs to other Ecotech products (especially MP pumps)
~ Blues are VERY blue
~ "œUV" looks GREAT running during the night
~ "œUV" really makes the corals GLOW
~ Fish glow with the blues and "œUV"
~ Fairly east to use programming software
~ Incredible customer service
~ Fully upgradeable modular LED cluster


CONS:
~ Cannot change setting from light itself (cannot show off to friends a storm unless you plug your light into your computer)
~ Only one white LED not a Cool White and a Warm White
~ Only 2 pucks per unit
~ Fan is on the bottom of the unit (eventual salt creep)
~ Fan runs a little loud (not louder then tank, but loud none the less)
~ Harder to make the tank look "œnatural"
~ Not Controllable through an iPhone app
~ "œUV" looks very purple
~ Only comes in black
~ Price Tag



GHL Mitras:

PROS:
~ Controllable from the light itself (AMAZING FEATURE)
~ 6 Pucks per light
~ Amazing Natural look the LEDs put out
~ Warm White AND Cool White LEDs
~ Fan built into top
~ Fully upgradeable modular LED cluster
~ Glow from the "œHV" LEDs (not purple looking)
~ Comes with a hanging kit with each unit (and killer sun glasses!)
~ Fan runs VERY quiet
~ Incredible spread (36x30 per unit)
~ Unit comes in white, black and silver
~ Wirelessly syncs with other lights
~ Great Customer Service

CONS:
~ Power cord comes out of the top (I don't know why but I hate that)
~ Only has two hanging pins (makes it harder to get light straight)
~ Not acclimation mode
~ Program isn't the easiest to use, at all
~ Cannot run program on a MAC ☹
~ Cannot sync with pumps
~ Does not make fish "œglow"
~ Company is not from the USA (sending light back is a pain)
~ Price Tag

PLEASE lets keep this about the Radion Pro and the Mitras​

 

[Bilk]

Thanks for posting this detailed thread. I'm not quite happy with the Kessil A350. The Mitras was going to be my choice until I read some threads on the Kessil fixture. However, even though they now make a programmable fixture, I think I might take another look at the Mitras for the color rendition and the programability. My tank is a 50g cube with a 24x24 footprint. I think I'd get better, more even coverage from the Mitras and, like you, I prefer the "more natural" appearance over the "blued" look the A350 exhibits. Reds do enhance coral appearance IMO.

By the way, you have a fabulous tank. Truly beautiful :thumbsup:

 

[CHSUB]

basically the same light with a few different led colors. like most high-end lamps they all uses cree for main lighting. it took me about 6-8 months to realize sps's don't do well with leds. now i'm back to mh/t5 and the sps's are looking great again after only a month....if your keeping leathers and zoas you will be very happy with leds.

 

[Windirmere]

basically the same light with a few different led colors. like most high-end lamps they all uses cree for main lighting. it took me about 6-8 months to realize sps's don't do well with leds. now i'm back to mh/t5 and the sps's are looking great again after only a month....if your keeping leathers and zoas you will be very happy with leds.

lets keep this between Mitras and Radions. Leds are more then capable for keeping Sps happy.

I hope this thread developed a bit more, Im just waiting for the funds to pull the trigger on one of these units :S

 

[Clownin Aroun]

basically the same light with a few different led colors. like most high-end lamps they all uses cree for main lighting. it took me about 6-8 months to realize sps's don't do well with leds. now i'm back to mh/t5 and the sps's are looking great again after only a month....if your keeping leathers and zoas you will be very happy with leds.

Did you even read what i wrote, or did you just see the title and go on your rant?
Thanks for your opinion, but not wanted here!

Look at tanks like the one at vivid aquariums and tell me SPS dont do well under LED, lol

lets keep this between Mitras and Radions. Leds are more then capable for keeping Sps happy.

I hope this thread developed a bit more, Im just waiting for the funds to pull the trigger on one of these units :S

You cant go wrong with either light, but i hope this write up helped you choose!
I will be posting pictures when i get the time to take them!

 

[lotusstar]

great write-up, I really appreciate the objective info. please keep us updated on continued success thanks.

 

[polyps222]

Great write up I just recently bought the GHL Mitras. I was either between 2 radion pros or one GHL mitras. I haven't set up the tank yet but I have turned on the LEDs to play with them and damn my rooms turns into a party haha.

 

[LinkinReef]

I've been a Radion user since october 2011 and I can say that LEDs are definitely capable of keeping sps'. I'm looking forward to upgrading to the PRO from the Gen 1.

 

[Newflavor]

I was about to buy the GHL nd now I am thinign of the pros lol. I really like colors to pop from my fish. Do you guys think two mitras is over kill for a 48 x 24 tank that is 22 inches high?

 

[Quintis]

Very nice write up, and great information. Good job!

 

[biodegraded]

Do you guys think two mitras is over kill for a 48 x 24 tank that is 22 inches high?

It's difficult to answer that, not knowing what your definition of over kill is. To my eyes (no light meter), a mitras cranking at 100% output is somewhere between 250W and 400W MH, closer to the latter. Quite a number of folk here have 400W radiums per 24x24x24 volume and don't think it over kill.

But of course unlike MH, you can dial leds down to what ever level you like if you find full output too much. Two mitras over your tank dimensions would result in a much more even light than one, even if that one could supply the light your critters want. Coral placement would be more critical with one.

Aside: Even a cursory review of published information shows that most of the leds in both the mitras and radion pro are not from CREE. The more varied wavelengths from top shelf manufacturers are one of a number of important differences between the high end retail lights and other fixtures, especially most DIY results.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Firstly thank you for doing this great review, but just wanted address the cons of the Mitras here for accuracy as it is important the thousands of readers get the correct info.

~ Only has two hanging pins (makes it harder to get light straight) -even with 4 on other lamps they still go to a yolk which creates the same 2 string hanger

~ Not acclimation mode - This is coming in next firmware update

~ Program isn't the easiest to use, at all - So far we have seen next to zero complaints in fact the opposite but of course everyone will have their own user experiences based on many varients

~ Cannot run program on a MAC ☹ YES IT CAN using VM and other methods

~ Cannot sync with pumps - YET, once the wireless break out box is launched then this will be a feature

~ Does not make fish "œglow" This depends on how you set the lamp, I can make my hippo tang have bright red lipstick. But in true accuracy yes you can we demonstrated this at Macna

~ Company is not from the USA (sending light back is a pain) - WRONG 100% WRONG, Sorry I had to highlight this but this fact is massively important so people do not get the wrong idea or info. The Mitras ships from Ogdensburg NY USA. If there is a warranty the unit is self repair, and worst case it had to go back, then it would be shipped to the USA GHL North America Warehouse, so far to date we have not had one single waranty in nearly 9 months, now that's impressive!

Couple of other points people may not know about the Mitras

It uses linear dimming technology, this means the digital driver signal for dimming is converted to analogue which gives you a perfect dimming curve with no step points so when you view the lamp for long periods you will not see the LED's step down to the next dimming point, this mmics the same dimming you see in T5

The pucks are upgradeable and interchangeable.

Sorry for jumping in but it is very important with such head to heads the facts are accurate.

Great review and thank you so much for including the GHL Mitras :spin3:

 

[BigAl2007]

It's difficult to answer that, not knowing what your definition of over kill is. To my eyes (no light meter), a mitras cranking at 100% output is somewhere between 250W and 400W MH, closer to the latter. Quite a number of folk here have 400W radiums per 24x24x24 volume and don't think it over kill.

That's a very accurate post. If you look at the power chart on a GHL Mitras specs page you'll see they are stating the Mitras (at 100% on High Output Mode) to be equivalent to MH 340W.

biodegraded that's an impressive guestimate for sure.

re: Overkill - I would say that a pair of Mitras over that specific tank would be about perfect and it would leave you with power to spare. Also you wouldn't have to even worry about wall to wall light coverage because a single Mitras can cover a good deal more than 24" x 24".

 

[loup]

I was about to buy the GHL nd now I am thinign of the pros lol. I really like colors to pop from my fish. Do you guys think two mitras is over kill for a 48 x 24 tank that is 22 inches high?

You can start out with 1, just know that you will have some shadow on end of the tank. If its mainly a SPS tank, then I would recommend 2 otherwise 1 is good too. Or place the SPS center and LPS at the edges.

I own 3 mitras over my 6.5' x 3' tank. I prefer 2 hanging pin, less wire running which looks "cleaner". The software works well in my case, there a few things that can be clean up to improve usability. My fish glows at night for 30 min or so. Have not had a need to change the light profile in 8 months, set it and forget it. Just waiting on the wireless module.

 

[ReefRockerLive]

A great write-up indeed!

After having owned the Mitras for about 8 months, I must say it has been the best investment I have made for my tank, besides buying the Profilux.

I agree with Michael, 4 four pins wouldn't make much of a difference for balancing the light. When I hung it, it was a bit uneven, but with a bit of tweaking I leveled it and it looks good now.

Programming was easy once I learned how to navigate the light composer. Also, I do find that the color of fish DO pop if you have the Red leds at a higher output. My adornatus fairy looked unreal when I saw it under these lights.

Reliability is key with any product I buy. IMO, it doesn't matter if the customer support is the best of the best, if there products or parts fail time and time again, it gets annoying to send it back and wait for the replacement parts.

I recall reading someone else's feedback on GHL products. They described the brand as 'over engineered' and I have to agree with such statement. GHL truly understands the importance of reliability. I've owned a P2 for a couple years and currently own a P3ex and I have yet to have any issues with it. Knowing how reliable these products are, made it a no-brainer when the Mitras was released, I just had to have one.

I have no problem recommending the Mitras to anyone who looks for and simply wants the best.

 

[biodegraded]

biodegraded that's an impressive guestimate for sure.

Indeed. One might think I am EE undergrad, physics grad in quantum well lasers with 25 years in industry doing hardware and software for video and optical systems. (The window next to this one is Cortex M3 firmware for a tiny special purpose 6 LED spectrometer.)

I am also one of those reportedly few people who find the software to be by far the weakest link in the Mitras system. The hardware, mechanical and electrical, however, is very highest quality. I know through numbskullery that Mitras can take a 4' drop onto hardwood glued to concrete and keep working.

 

[BigAl2007]

Indeed. One might think I am EE undergrad, physics grad in quantum well lasers with 25 years in industry doing hardware and software for video and optical systems. (The window next to this one is Cortex M3 firmware for a tiny special purpose 6 LED spectrometer.).

Ahhh that explains it

I know through numbskullery that Mitras can take a 4' drop onto hardwood glued to concrete and keep working.

I bet that didn't do anyone's HEART any good LOL!

Good to know that it passed your "Gravity & Extreme Deceleration" tests with flying colors

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Wow impressive credentials indeed, we are actually looking for a user with great video skills to do a video on the Mitras, if anyone is interested please let me know.

 

[Newflavor]

Hey guys. I have decided to go for the Mitras. I got two silver ones and will post some pics when my tank is ready. Can anyone here share me their programs so I can see how it looks like in real life? Thanks!

 

[AQD_ottawa]

if you email me I will send you my 6200HV project its a good starting point and gives you something to learn the software from sales@aqua-digital.com

I believe you ordered through shrimp fever? In the Canadian warehouse we only have 1 of the silver but lots of black, the silvers come back in about 10 days. If you want to switch colours we can ship to your dealer on Monday. Up to you of course.