EcoTech Radion vs Aquaillumination Sol

[rtparty]

Was it the AI Sol or Phoenix that you were comparing? And do you think that a warmer white LED would help with the missing spectrum on the AI Sol?

It was the Sol. There were no reps from either company. It was a LFS that had them both. The LFS has been hardcore AI for a while and runs them in his store. He brought in a Radion to check it out and I think ordered like 10 more. All of his AI lit tanks are getting switched over to the Radion.

The tanks weren't set up as a demo or anything. He was selling frags and only had the one Radion so far. He brought it along to show to people and get some feedback on what everyone thought.

Yes, AI needs to quit using the Cool White and use at least a Neutral White. They are using the Warm Whites on the Nano now so we will see how that does. I don't think we need the reds and greens really but the Cool White should be ban from this hobby. It is kind of like when you buy a Current USA T5 fixture and you get the 10k and actinic combo of bulbs. It looks like crap until you change out to some good bulbs with better colors. The blue:white combo just looks bleh to me. It always has.

 

[wipe]

Wow, that much of a difference! Glad I went with EcoTech. I do like the thunderstorms on the AI units better though I wont really be using it just once in a while to show off!

Hey Wes, Thanks for posting your Vids on YouTube. Got my unit back today so Im going to make a bracket like yours to connect em. Glad to see you are here on reefcental .JB

 

[Reefaddict24]

Which one would you consider for deeper tanks up to 3ft tall

 

[rtparty]

Which one would you consider for deeper tanks up to 3ft tall

Ecoxotic 100w cannons. :lolspin:

If it were just the AI and Radion, the AI with 40 degree optics.

 

[tegee]

When is the AI Phoenix due out? I am curious on how that would compare to the Radion. Obviously the AI Sol will not compare well to the Radion, but maybe the Phoenix will?

 

[Reefaddict24]

Wow the cannons do look amazing over the tanks. Are they Programmable like the radions?

 

[wesleyforbes2]

Hey Wes, Thanks for posting your Vids on YouTube. Got my unit back today so Im going to make a bracket like yours to connect em. Glad to see you are here on reefcental .JB

Thanks for the acknowledgment, my intent is to help people to make informed decisions, and what better way than for people to actually see for themselves ! I look forward to seeing something from you once you have yours up!

Sent from Wesley's Moto Atrix 4G using Tapatalk

 

[chadfarmer]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2088048&page=4

 

[wipe]

Ive got em up on a temporary rack with two bricks holding em 4 inchs above the water line.Looks awful but I couldnt wait. They are at 60% and they look great. Im going to get them up to 8" above the water Ecotech reccomended 8 inches this way the back wall will get lit too.
The color is great im looking at things with my mouth agape in awe that I never even noticed before. Cant wait to get up to 100% power.
SkullV really helped me out with the settings Thanks.
Will get some picks up soon.

 

[bobby_demay]

so.......what.....it's my opinion bud. I like ecotech and just recently purchased an MP60 which is great however the ecotech is nothing more to me than a glamorous disco light. I don't personally have any experience with it.....so again it's just my opinion.

 

[bobby_demay]

the specs are out you just have to research. If im not mistaken they are using a newer generation LED for the Phoenix. They also produce alot better coverage than previous Sol....I do realize this is all speculation at this point but like I said...I'll put my money with the AI any day of the week. I'm currently building a 220 reef tank and have been researching led's from the vertex, reef bright, ecotech, AI etc....IMO the AI offers more...such as modular design, smaller less expensive units means easier to configure your specific aquarium lighting configuration compared to say one or even two led fixtures. The ability to change your optics is a great feature. 399 sol or for the phoenix 499 is a great price. These things look like they where designed by apple, gotta love em. it's funny because you could compare PC to Mac, Ecotech to AI.

 

[Leonard]

the specs are out you just have to research. If im not mistaken they are using a newer generation LED for the Phoenix. They also produce alot better coverage than previous Sol....I do realize this is all speculation at this point but like I said...I'll put my money with the AI any day of the week. I'm currently building a 220 reef tank and have been researching led's from the vertex, reef bright, ecotech, AI etc....IMO the AI offers more...such as modular design, smaller less expensive units means easier to configure your specific aquarium lighting configuration compared to say one or even two led fixtures. The ability to change your optics is a great feature. 399 sol or for the phoenix 499 is a great price. These things look like they where designed by apple, gotta love em. it's funny because you could compare PC to Mac, Ecotech to AI.

I'm not sure where you got all your (mis)information, but the Radion is also modular, physically smaller, and more flexible in its configuration then the upcoming AI (which is not officially named the Phoenix, so people probably should stop referring to it as such).

The AI price point is very attractive.

This whole PC vs Mac comparison makes no sense.

 

[bobby_demay]

the topic of the thread is AI VS ECOTECH if I cannot express my opinion then what the hell is this thread for. I call it the phoenix because nobody will know what im talking about. That is what AI is calling it for now. I never said the ecotech wasn't modular I said that in comparison to the other led systems vertex, etc.. etc...etc.. I liked that the AI is modular. Come on man everyone that knows the name ecotech can tell it's modular. If I do decide I need moreled's later I don't have to pay 750 for the ecotech. I'll just pay the 500 for the AI. I know a lot of people want to think that one of there largest purchases was there best purchase and im not denying that however the thread is AI vs ECOTECH and im just expressing my opinion. Is there anyone else that may feel the same? I joined RC to discuss and learn reef keeping not to argue opinions. I didn't realize the thread was "ecotech is all that is led for aquariums. if you like something else then shuv it lol".

 

[bobby_demay]

Also I'll call it whatever [profanity] I want.

 

[Amoore311]

Rofl at people comparing a Radeon to a rumored light that hasn't even been released yet -_-


Let's compare the Radeon to a Unicorn. Since that makes about as much sense....

 

[Cheebs]

Better yet let's compare a Radeon to a Radion .

Anyways, the Pheonix is definitely coming out, but won't have huge color spectrum difference compared to the current Sol. I'll still be buying the pheonix when it comes out, because for some, money really does matter. I may consider a few Radions when it won't cost me the price of a mortgage downpayment for lighting my tank.

 

[bobby_demay]

i just talked to a sales rep at AI and confirmed that the optics on the "phoenix" are different from the optics on the sol. He stated that it will have a brighter more even spread of light do to the 5W XM-L leds on them. Both the ecotech and the "phoenix" are top in there class. I'm sure that if anyone where to purchase either of these lights they would be very satisfied. I will say one thing though, AI has been around for 4 years now perfecting led's for aquariums while ecotech has just started. The sol has been around for years now and with all the changes that led's have had in just this past year, I will say that aqua illumination is by far the winner for even being compared to a led fixture that is years newer. thanks cheebs

 

[Amoore311]

After years of dealing with Computer Graphics cards I interchange the names constantly lol.


And I'm sure the "Phoenix" is definitely coming out. But until we have a little more info than the scarce, at best, info that was released at MACNA.... I don't see much of a point in comparing the 2.

Can't blame you for going with AI solely on price though. Proven performance from a reputable company.

I, however, haven't seen a White/Blue only LED fixture that I can honestly say I liked so far. If the "Phoenix" changes that..... I'll be jumping on the band wagon as well.

 

[Amoore311]

i just talked to a sales rep at AI and confirmed that . . .

Hopefully AI will finally release some damn info on the fixture officially, instead having potential customers rely on third party info over Reef Central.

 

[SkullV]

I, however, haven't seen a White/Blue only LED fixture that I can honestly say I liked so far. If the "Phoenix" changes that..... I'll be jumping on the band wagon as well.

This is THE #1 issue with AI products thus far. We know they grow coral, they just don't look good doing it.