Mitras English Launch
- Thread starter AQD_ottawa
- Start date
AQD_ottawa
New member
Length and depth no problem, width is always a subject of debate, if you have wall to wall SPS on the floor of your tank then probably not but most do not.
This is where size debate falls apart most sizing does not take into account coral placement or aquascaping.
This is where size debate falls apart most sizing does not take into account coral placement or aquascaping.
AQD_ottawa
New member
not yet, bit early really, 3 months until launch
I like a somewhat minimalist approach. I'm leaning towards a 2 island aquascape. I know it's a smaller tank, but I like the canyon idea.
BigAl2007
Active member
I'd say yes. The latest software updates have had some "light" additions that I would bet come into play with a Mitras connected. If I were betting that's what I'd bet on . . .
this is me
Active member
Is there a slave model for the people with a profilux controller? I don't need the fancy LCD and money could be saved if the LCD and processor is removed.
AQD_ottawa
New member
The cost of removing the sreen did not make a significant difference in manufacture cost so to eliminate the need for another model with no real cost saving the slave mode is built into the lamp.
this is me
Active member
For some reason, that reasoning does not make sense to me. But okay, no slave model.
I have not actually seen one of these, but my Guess would be you cannot remove the processor as this is what actually controls the lights functions.
As it is RF controlled it must have a internal processor just for this alone.
The only thing the profilux will do is relay the required parameters to the light processor.
The LCD would be a minor cost overall and then further hardware changes required to achieve this, more model numbers and increased inventory would soon reduce any gain made by removing it.
BigAl2007
Active member
I'd say you're spot on there buddy. All that extra "expense" would be passed along to the end-user where by cancelling the savings.
this is me
Active member
Removing the LCD alone might not be cost effective. However, I'm talking about a stripped down version where the light is only controllable via a profilux controller. Just the basic core of the LEDs and a dimmer. And of course, this would eliminate the wireless functionality of the fixture too since it's only be controlled by the controller. But why would you need a wireless feature when the fixture is controlled by the Profilux which itself is wireless around the globe via networking.
LEDs are dirt cheap. It's all the electronics in the fixture that what drives the cost. I would disagree with any reasoning GHL for not doing this...
It's not like GHL hasn't done this with their product. The profilux doser is a good example where the slave doser must be hooked up to the controller in order to programmed.
AQD_ottawa
New member
I think there is a missunderstanding how LED lamps work? They ALL need an onboard interface whether "programmaed" by PC or by ProfiLux via PC, or whether wireless or not. The PC will send the same data to the onboard memory that the ProfiLux would. There is no cost saving as the interface is still required and would be the same.
The PC OR the ProfiLux sends the settings you input to the interface, they are then stored on a non volatile RAM so the lamp keeps working even with the communication link removed.
So as you can see the lamp still needs an interface to have a communication link with the profilux OR PC whether wireless or not, furthermore most users want a wireless option to their profilux so they do not have a contol line running from lamp to controller.
If a NEW none wireless interface board had to be developed you then drive any cost saving in the opposite direction. As the market demand dictates the funcionality, wireless option is the standard with ALL LED lamps now.
If GHL then make a slave none wireless model - thats another model as there would have to be a version with wireless also, where does it end?
The the other valid point is, if for have a lamp that is master only (remember there is now master and slave units in this theory) and you want a profilux, you are then stuck with lamps you can not connect to your shiny new controller, where as with units that can be switched from master to slave this very user friendly option is available. I had this exact situation multiple times when distributing another known brand, users purchased master units then wanted later on to have a profilux, but their lamps would not interface as they could not be switched into slave mode.
The difference in cost of the slave doser to the stand alone is $50 and a large part of that cost is because GHL have to buy in a specially manufactured lid to fit the LCD panel. An Estimated $50 saving or less with a lamp by removing clients ability to upgrade or even downgrade their control suite is not really a marketable property. We do get requests now and again from users with master SA dosers wanting to connect them to their new ProfiLux, of course the answer is no, so this proves the requirment for switchable devices especially at this higher cost. This is something GHL would have put a lot of thought into, if they could produce a cheaper lamp for profilux owners, of course they would it would be in their interest to do so, but the savings simply are not there.
The PC OR the ProfiLux sends the settings you input to the interface, they are then stored on a non volatile RAM so the lamp keeps working even with the communication link removed.
So as you can see the lamp still needs an interface to have a communication link with the profilux OR PC whether wireless or not, furthermore most users want a wireless option to their profilux so they do not have a contol line running from lamp to controller.
If a NEW none wireless interface board had to be developed you then drive any cost saving in the opposite direction. As the market demand dictates the funcionality, wireless option is the standard with ALL LED lamps now.
If GHL then make a slave none wireless model - thats another model as there would have to be a version with wireless also, where does it end?
The the other valid point is, if for have a lamp that is master only (remember there is now master and slave units in this theory) and you want a profilux, you are then stuck with lamps you can not connect to your shiny new controller, where as with units that can be switched from master to slave this very user friendly option is available. I had this exact situation multiple times when distributing another known brand, users purchased master units then wanted later on to have a profilux, but their lamps would not interface as they could not be switched into slave mode.
The difference in cost of the slave doser to the stand alone is $50 and a large part of that cost is because GHL have to buy in a specially manufactured lid to fit the LCD panel. An Estimated $50 saving or less with a lamp by removing clients ability to upgrade or even downgrade their control suite is not really a marketable property. We do get requests now and again from users with master SA dosers wanting to connect them to their new ProfiLux, of course the answer is no, so this proves the requirment for switchable devices especially at this higher cost. This is something GHL would have put a lot of thought into, if they could produce a cheaper lamp for profilux owners, of course they would it would be in their interest to do so, but the savings simply are not there.
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this is me
Active member
I know exactly how LED lamps work. The problem is how the GHL LED fixture works.
So this fixture will need a PC to be programmed? If so, it's basically an equivalent of a slave. My point is, if the fixture is self programmed(Master) then I wouldn't need 6 Masters fixtures over a big tank with LCD screens blaring at me. I would like the other 5 fixtures to be slaves...
AQD_ottawa
New member
Yes, however a slave cannot be programmed by a PC, so if for some unknown reason you lost your profiLux (dropped it in the tank waiting for us to kindly repair it for free for you
) In that time you would have no access to your lights.Master and slave in one unit -
No cost saving to seperate (GHL have physically done the maths on this, we had direct discussion wth them)
No backward or forward programming (lose ProfiLux or decide to upgrade to profilux)
Yes you have a display in each unit but to date I have not had one comment (other than this) in regard to this and neither at Interzoo, so I can only think GHL got the decision right. I am pretty sure the displays will have a dimming mode so can be turned right down also.
However as always it is not always possible to please all clients to their exact wishes. So in this case there will not be slave and master units made seperately.
this is me
Active member
How can you call this a slave when it has to be programmed by a PC?
If I have 6 fixtures, I programmed one with the PC, and the rest can be daisy chained to the 1st one and used that program then it's a slave.
So my final question is, does each and every fixture has to be programmed by PC or it can run off of one that's already programmed?
AQD_ottawa
New member
its not only a Master can be controlled via a PC
As written in the release notes and the product announcements the unit has "switchable" modes.
The user decides if he wants the unit to operate as a slave or a master. Therefore is the user is controlling the lamps by pc, one will be switched as a master and the rest you assign as slaves. Furthermore the benefit of it from my understanding from release info is then you can have all of them as masters and have independant control over each fixture. Yet another reason why master and slave should be in one unit.
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Haxer
Member
Hello,
Just found out about this product, glad I did as I had three Radions in my shopping cart about to order from BRS. I currently have 3 250 MH radiums over my 220 gal tank 72 X 24 X 29, I am tired of the heat and chiller so I am going to Led's. I have wanted to do a DIY led system, but I am afraid of a monochromatic washed outlook in the end.
I was worried about the radions par levels, and their lack of 420nm led's.
The Mitras looks like it has these covered
, my question is will 2 units suffice for a 72" long tank? I would like to get a third and a PIII in the future, but that is some $$$ away... I just purchaced 2 mp-60 so that has taken a toll on my budget for lighting and made the radions my natural first choice, but I stumbled upon this system and have been intrigued since...i am holding off on my radion order and trying to decide if I should pre-order 2 Mitras units...???
