Yes bubbletip2, I have read the article, and every other article Sanjay has published. We also have compared notes in person on reflector comparisons on some other comparisons (T5s mostly, but the info applies to all).
Okay, let me break it down for you... the incidental light that you refer to is the measure of the total amount of light given off in a certain area... like an integral of a 3D surface. You are correct in assuming that in THAT COMPARISON, AND THAT COMPARISON ONLY, the incidental light from the Lumenarc is better than the others. That is correct. What I am saying is that the incidental values for the Lumenarc and the Lumenbright can be manipulated depending on the area being considered. A Lumenbright concentrates the light more... so if the tank you are trying to light is only 2' front to back, this reflector may be just right. If your tank is 3' or 4' wide, this reflectors focus may be too narrow. It will provide a higher peak value in the center (where that 16% more figure comes from), but it will have a smaller area. Why is this important? Well, if someone wants to light their 3' wide tank with one, the Lumenarc will most likely be the better choice because of its 'spread'.
Here:
What I am saying is a bit like what is going on in that picture. The Lumenarc is most likely more like the reflector on the right, and the Lumenbright on the left. Also, the actual area of the Lumenarc vs. the Lumenbright are most likely different.
The Lumenbright might make for higher intensities inside the yellow area, but have less in the blue area. So it really comes down to a grid comparison... which I doubt that testing so far has included.
What I suspect is the case with the 16% figure is that this came from 'fishing' around with a light meter until a number (which represents a point) that was 16% more than the maximum value from the lumenarc was found. As in, the figure was derived from comparing only 2 points. This is not an accurate method to compare. Only when an actual 2D plot (at various levels, so 3D in effect) is done can one say for sure which makes more light. I could just as easily manipulate (for example) numbers and come up with a figure that states that the Lumenarc is 400% better because it can cover a 4x4 area and the Lumenbright only 2'x2' based on the comparative spreads. It comes down to spread vs. intensity. If reflector A has 50% more intensity, and 1/2 the area, is it any better than Reflector B? A might look brighter in the area it lights, but its actually the same.
Why is 'spread' so important? Well... I could design a reflector that guided all the light's output in parallel rays in a very small area.. say 1' x 1'. Now, sure, this might provide the highest intensity values under the area it lights, but my tank needs more than 1'x1' to be lit up. I could post pics of how my tank is 'SO BRIGHT' because of this reflector, because of the hot-spot it creates, and my tank may be brighter. But if I put that reflector on a tank that was 30" front-to-back, it would leave most of the tank in the dark, with a 'very bright spot' in the middle. The Lumenbright more than likely (from the looks of it, and from feedback) lights a smaller area than the Lumenarc.
Right now, I am using a PFO pendant, although I do own a Lumenarc mini DE pendant as well. It is too large to fit between my T5 strips though, so its collecting dust for now.
Also, SlowCobra... I never said one was better than the other, or anything about 'prying a lumenarc from my cold dead hand', so please stop putting words in my mouth. Your pictures prove nothing except that the lumenbright is better FOR YOUR TANK than the previous Aqualine style reflectors.
My advice is to wait and see what a 3D grid comparison produces.