Orphek LED Lighting?

[aquamn1999]

Well I got some time and decided to take the fixture apart.

Taking the screws out

Took the back cover off. The protective paper is still on. Full aluminum heat sink with 2 fans.

I flipped the fixture over and took off the clear protective lense. This is great. You can put the fixture as close to the water as you want and not have to worry about anything because it's fully protected.

first optic spacer layer

Side view showing the first optic spacer layer taken off

2nd optic spacer taken off

LED's w/ optics on circuit board

LED without optic on circuit board. Good solder connection

LED optic

So far from this is a great fixture. I borrowed an older model Apogee meter from the local club and after some testing I have come to the conclusion that the meter needs to be recalibrated. So I am going to order an Apogee MQ-200 and I'll conclude my review of the fixture. So far I'm very pleased with the construction of this fixture.

 

[msr224]

Thank you aquamn. Look forward to youtaking the rest of the fixture apart and letting us get a good look inside.

just make sure you can get it back together.

 

[mr.wilson]

The fixture looks great, but they never look as shiny as they do in the marketing photo glamour shots

I read everything I could on them, but didn't see anything about the two fans. How much noise do they make? The fan noise is my biggest concern. I have one coming in tuesday. Can't wait, thanks for the preview, now I don't need to take it apart.

 

[aquamn1999]

The fans are a little bit loud and I have talked to Simone about them. Simone told me they have fixed the problem on the units they are shipping now. They and are using quieter fans and have changed the design for the top nto allow better air flow . Also they are shipping me new fans and new tops so I can replace mine. If anything they have great customer service.

 

[msr224]

Wow, that does sound like really good customer service.

 

[mr.wilson]

Bad news - good news. I will post how loud mine is when it gets here.

 

[Chrisrush]

Following along. Wish I could have gotten in on the intro pricing, but $750 isn't too bad for the spread. I could add a few t5s to supplement for my 36x36x27 tank.

 

[Subie]

Following along. Wish I could have gotten in on the intro pricing, but $750 isn't too bad for the spread. I could add a few t5s to supplement for my 36x36x27 tank.

When I checked last night, the price was $850. I checked again just now and the drop down box to order the LED unit is no longer on the website.

 

[mane]

Good price for a decent looking fixture. Much cheaper than some of the other options out there.

 

[Subie]

Good price for a decent looking fixture. Much cheaper than some of the other options out there.

I agree it's a nice looking fixture but I'm hoping that it's not "all show and no go." I would rather pay a little more if my corals do well. Still waiting for some/more feedback on the fixture

 

[msr224]

Directaquarium still has them listed on their site so I'm guessing it's either a manufacturing issue that has forced them to take the link off or they are going to work through distributors to the retail market which would explain the price increases on the site before it disappeared.

BTW- price on directaquarium is $850.

 

[demersj123]

More Information on the Orphek -Orphek LED Review

More Information on the Orphek -Orphek LED Review

The Orphek LED is attracting a lot of attention for sure. The price has also changed several times. The new retail price is $950.00 - I think they've started thinking about being profitable (if you remember, the Orphek came out at around $500 and the price has climbed since! Interest in the product is running high because anyone that has handled the product -as I have - can attest to its construction, style and performance. We see a lot of LED lights each year and in our opinion the Orphek is the run away best - see this review for starters.

 

[msr224]

At this point I'm beginning to wonder if they are price gouging because of the interest.

Seriously, they have gone from $650 to $950 in the last 3 weeks. I won't even mention the $500 because it was an "introductory" price.

LEDs are cheaper to manufacture than most other lighting options....

Makes ya wonder whats going on.

I really like these lights but they just put themselves out of my range me thinks.

 

[jpatrician]

At this point I'm beginning to wonder if they are price gouging because of the interest.

Seriously, they have gone from $650 to $950 in the last 3 weeks. I won't even mention the $500 because it was an "introductory" price.

LEDs are cheaper to manufacture than most other lighting options....

Makes ya wonder whats going on.

I really like these lights but they just put themselves out of my range me thinks.

Yeah. . .I was interested at first as well, but seeing how their price has been jumping up $100 each week, they lost me. Seems pretty shady. . .not the way to introduce yourself to the market!

 

[msr224]

Now that the infomercial is over we return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Yayayaya we already like it. Showing us the same info and same review from captive aquatics won't make us like it any more.

Still an unknown company with an unknown product that is now as highly priced as ATI and Geismann. Atleast with ATI and Geismann we know what we are getting.....

I am very very very disappointed.

The Orphek LED is attracting a lot of attention for sure. The price has also changed several times. The new retail price is $950.00 - I think they've started thinking about being profitable (if you remember, the Orphek came out at around $500 and the price has climbed since! Interest in the product is running high because anyone that has handled the product -as I have - can attest to its construction, style and performance. We see a lot of LED lights each year and in our opinion the Orphek is the run away best - see this review for starters.

 

[msr224]

BTW Demersj is new to RC as a sponsor and at this point in time has 4 posts. 2 of which are about the Orphek light. Why? Well, it's because the name is tied to Directaquarium which just so happens to be the only apparent retailer of the light at this point in time.

The Orphek LED is attracting a lot of attention for sure. The price has also changed several times. The new retail price is $950.00 - I think they've started thinking about being profitable (if you remember, the Orphek came out at around $500 and the price has climbed since! Interest in the product is running high because anyone that has handled the product -as I have - can attest to its construction, style and performance. We see a lot of LED lights each year and in our opinion the Orphek is the run away best - see this review for starters.

 

[westmoorenerd]

I was under the impression that sponsors couldn't promote their products outside of their sponsor forum. I might be wrong.

 

[Soymilk]

I've always suspected this fixture as a little fishy. No reviews except for one glowing review from captive aquatics.

One this that really strike me as different is their claim on dimming. They suggest that dimming reduces the life of LEDs as much as 60% yet I can't seem to find an scientific basis for that. Don't get me wrong I have a maxspect and don't have dimming either.

I just found that really odd. One aspect of the fixture I didn't like was that the LEDs are soldered onto the circuit board. What if a led dies? It seems like youd have to send it back to get repaired.... I'm not a fan of that.

I'm still waiting on a user review. I'm not all to impressed with the review from captive aquatics. Their main sponsor is direct aquarium, which is also the distributor of the orphek led fixture. 1 + 1 = .....

 

[msr224]

I was under the impression that sponsors couldn't promote their products outside of their sponsor forum. I might be wrong.

Good point. I was under the same impression. Maybe reporting the post will be needed. I'm really beginning to suspect something is afoot.

 

[msr224]

I've always suspected this fixture as a little fishy. No reviews except for one glowing review from captive aquatics.

One this that really strike me as different is their claim on dimming. They suggest that dimming reduces the life of LEDs as much as 60% yet I can't seem to find an scientific basis for that. Don't get me wrong I have a maxspect and don't have dimming either.

I just found that really odd. One aspect of the fixture I didn't like was that the LEDs are soldered onto the circuit board. What if a led dies? It seems like youd have to send it back to get repaired.... I'm not a fan of that.

I'm still waiting on a user review. I'm not all to impressed with the review from captive aquatics. Their main sponsor is direct aquarium, which is also the distributor of the orphek led fixture. 1 + 1 = .....

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably not a coral beauty.

Nineball and Mr.Wilson have ordered one of these fixtures and are awaiting it. It was supposed to be there by the 11th. Apparently Orphek is "overrun" and can't keep production up. Maybe that would be part of the reason for the price increases.....so they can slow down sales to a point that they can keep up.