Ecoxotic vs. AI Sol Blue

[walnuts24]

Ok, I am finally ordering my lights today or tomorrow and I need some help. The new Ecoxotic Panorama Modules are available for $499.99 and the AI Sol with Controller comes out to $478.99. There are some pros and cons to each the biggest of which I see are:

The ecoxotic has more of a spread area at 24" long, however, the unit is only dimmable and not programmable.

The AI w/ controller is fully programmable and allows for so much more control and programmability, however, at 12" long does not provide the same coverage area.

I have a 40B (36"x18"x16") and can only get one of either unit.

What would you recommend

 

[Arkayology]

I would save up and get two AI sol if I were you.

 

[Zackb911]

I have had Ecoxotics original Panorama Fixture and the AI SOL Blue's. I hands down vote Ecoxotic... Especially the new fixture!

AI's just have too many things missing; the right color, right coverage, etc. I know a lot of people love them, but having tried both I'd go Ecoxotic without thinking twice.

 

[RtReef]

I'd vote for SOL white. Has more realistic view and I am supporting multiple types of corals and a clam with mine. Plus love the fact that it is completely self sufficient, just set the programmable timer and let it do all the work. No need to mess with timers or worrying about your lights going on or off.

The biggest thing when switching over to LED that most people neglect, is to make sure you slowly increase the power on the SOL. Your corals will open up during some part of the ramping stage. Like say you have the White LED set to 60% and the blue at 75% the ramping could be 2 hours to achieve max percentage set. During this ramp you will see your corals open and look nice. Pay attention to that percentage on the controller unit and keep it there for a while, then sloooowly increase the percentage little by little until you see them the happiest.

Also hang at least 12" above tank, start percentage around 30-40% and increase accordingly over extended period of time, but most important pay attention to your corals, they will tell you what light they like the best by opening. When all my zoo's open I set the light for that percentage and the rest of my corals enjoy that also.

Forgot to mention I am only running one AI WHITE SOL over a 65G. One has more than enough power for a 65G.

 

[96p993]

I was waiting to see what the new Ecoxotic fixtures were going to offer and I have to say Im a little disappointed. I think what you need to do is look at the total cost you will be spending to get what you want (obviously everyone is different)...I would want to add several stunner strips to get more than just whites and blues in the fixture. I believe it can be controlled by a controller (if you dont already have one)....Now I do like the modular design of the Eco fixtures, it does keep some possibilities open for you.

I think the Ecoxotic could be a better choice but I dont think you are done with just the price of the unit itself...

Just some things to consider

 

[Zackb911]

I'm curious if others here have owned both fixtures or whether they are just speculating...

I've owned both (original Panorama fixture not the just released one). I FULLY EXPECTED that I would like the AI's better and most of the comments I read lead me to believe so. I've swapped them back and forth over the same tank multiple times, I really wanted to like the AI's more but hands down the Ecoxotic was my choice.

Ecoxotic is brighter, the light actually covers the whole tank. No spotlighting, colors look more natural. It gives the light spread of T5s, shimmer of MH, and no heat. The fixture looks classy, it's well made, absolutely silent, customizable, etc...

AI's do have the controller; dimmable programming and thunderstorms plus higher PAR.
HOWEVER...
-The PAR is overkill almost no one runs them 100%, that would kill most corals. Most run them half power, this results in a dim tank with spotlighting and coverage. Not only was coverage lacking but the color lacked warmth and personality.
-While dimming theoretically seems cool, I find it unnecessary and almost annoying. 14 timer settings and trying to get the moonlight how you want is just silly... I really want my tank to be either actinic, full light, or moonlights.
-Thunderstorms are fun the first few times but not a deal breaker.

Hands down I vote Ecoxotic... Just two cents from a guy who has had both... Oh and everyone who has seen my tank was impressed by it too.

 

[deepseadan]

I just sold my ai sol blues. I hated them. Terrible light spread. I have tried the ecoxotic panorama pro whites and they are super bright with amazing spread. I think the three units I tried on my 48"l x 18"w x 24" D were brighter at the sand bed than the sols. I vote ecoxotic 100%. The new pros are a whole different ball game than the originals. Great new design, but they get very hot though. But I still decided to go back with ati t5's, leds aren't up to my expectations at all.

 

[zamapp]

The new panorama pros are dimable via a controller, correct?

 

[MTWiley]

The new panorama pros are dimable via a controller, correct?

Not unless you replace the drivers which adds significantly to the cost.

 

[MTWiley]

I've had 5 panorama pros retrofitted into my BC29 and my NC12. 4 out of 5 of my panorama pro modules have multiple LEDs burn out, and although Ecoxotic was great about replacing them under the warranty, 4 out of 5 smells of a design flaw not an individual defect to me, so I'm in the process of switching all my lights from Ecoxotic to AIs. I'd heard alot about the disco effect of the AIs and it's not any worse than the panorama pros that I was running before.

 

[kga943]

you should check out ecotech radions i have 1 over my 40 gal breeder and i like it a lot it has pc interface for free heres a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jEXoAwATRw&feature=g-upl&context=G2606dccAUAAAAAAABAA

 

[Mark Bianco]

Ok my .02 worth. When I was shoppng for new lights I went to a place that sold both the Radion and the AI' Super blues. They had a 75gl 48" wide each light was hung over one half of the tank mounted sides ways at 100%. IMO neither would be what I consider well light. That being said I decided to go with a couple of AI's not cause they were brighter then the Radions both looked the same, but beause the price difference of 350 per unit was not worth the added extras of being wireless and and few more color adjustments.

Just my opiniom
Mark

 

[rtparty]

I've had 5 panorama pros retrofitted into my BC29 and my NC12. 4 out of 5 of my panorama pro modules have multiple LEDs burn out, and although Ecoxotic was great about replacing them under the warranty, 4 out of 5 smells of a design flaw not an individual defect to me, so I'm in the process of switching all my lights from Ecoxotic to AIs. I'd heard alot about the disco effect of the AIs and it's not any worse than the panorama pros that I was running before.

You ran your modules less than an inch off the water with no ptotection! Good luck getting any type of lighting to survive that. Tell the whole story of why your lights failed please.

I've had my pro modules in use since late october or early november and havent had a single issue.

This thread is over a month old though. i bet the OP already bought something.

 

[pryorrods]

I'm using 2 Panorama Pro fixtures with 8 extra modules added (18 total) over a 48x30x31 tank. The only time I've ever had any trouble with the LEDs is when I try to dim them down to past 10%. Some LEDs light, some don't, and some are brighter than others, but this is normal for LED circuitry when dimmed that low becauseit's tough for the boards to control the current at low levels. The only thing I don't like about these fixtures is that I can't dim them down to 3 or 4% as I'd like to. Other than that, they blow my old 400w. MH's out of the water.