HelloLights T5 Retros

Hellolights 48" 4 Lamp Very High Output T5 Retrofit Kit w/ bulbs! - HL448T5KIT

$199 for a 4 bulb t5 retro kit with everything! Anyone used any hellolight stuff? I guess these ballasts overdrive the bulbs 15% too, so for a 54 watter, were looking at at least 60 watts. 199 for a four bulb retro is a pretty amazing price. I'm not sure if the reflectors are any decent though. What does 3reef think?

Details from the site:

The Hellolights 48" T5 Very High-Output Fluorescent Retrofit Kit comes complete with individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from 96% reflective German-made aluminum, moisture proof end-caps with stand-offs, TRU lamps, and our Hellolights T5 ballast which was specificaly designed to operate t5 lamps and safely overdrive them by 15% without the need for cooling fans.

Kit Includes:
* Four Parabolic clip on reflectors (42.5" x 2" x 1")
* One Hellolights Very High Output T5 ballast (15% overdrive)
* Four Pairs Moisture Resistant German End-caps
* Four Pair End cap Stand-Offs
* Two 48" (HO,T5) 10,000K 54W - TRU
* Two 48" (HO,T5) Actinic 03 54W - TRU

 

they are decent but i would have some fans in there to keep air moving across them imo

 

I have fans in my canopy and that heat shouldn't be a problem. I'm just wondering if anyone has used these new retros yet. The cheapest Icecap 4 bulb retro is almost $100 more.

 

With regards to lighting generally I think you get what you pay for. I don't have any good info on them though, I would be interested in seeing some numbers on how they perform though if anyone else has them.

 

Lighting prices in general are being reduced and have been over the last year. 200 bucks for a 4 bulb retro sounds a little more fair. It doesn't sound cheap, if it was $100 then I would think twice. As long as their ballasts are decent or compare to some of the better ones, then what else would I have to worry about? I don't plan on using the bulbs, I have my own.

 

I've never used them Matt but I can tell you a ballast that will overdrive the lamps, I mean TRULY OD the lamps will cost a pretty penny... IC and Coralvues ballasts are not cheap, some say you are paying for the name which might have some truth but not always.... Its like buying a Seaclone or a Reef Octopus..... sometimes there REALLY is a difference... I would skimp on one thing it WOULDN'T be lights...

All SLRs are not created equal, even Tek which is a well known brand's SLR is no where near as good at reflecting light into the tank as say an Aquactnic SLR or an ATI for that matter.... Companies spend alot on R&D to come up with the most precise bends or grades of aluminum and so forth, can't imagine that a company could sell a 4 lamp retro, SLRs and an OD ballast for $199... One IC ballast is like $100+

As far as IC retros... buy the ballast but use Aquactinic's SLRs they are better....

 

have you ever heard any reviews of their ballasts? I haven't heard anything bad. I think its a little unfair to jump to the conclusion that their bad and would be considered skimping because of the price. The most expensive isn't always the best. Is hellolights known for poor quality or skimpy quality? I've never owned any of their stuff.

 

I didn't say nor imply that they were bad ballasts... I just can't imagine that they are superior quality at that price.

 

I agree....a $100 difference from an icecap retro kit vs this one...makes sense but I would like more reasoning. Anyone used this ballast? Maybe its still too just too new for a real review. I think they just started selling it this week.

 

I have seen those retros here and there.. I unless something changed they aren't all that new.

Every brand of SLR out there are all comparably priced... I know guys in the metal fab industry and I have asked them about the price of HIGH quality aluminum esp Miro IV aluminum and they all told me its not cheap. That is the first part of the equation. Then again actually researching the proper bends and so on, paying someone to design it, THEN to either PAY someone else to manufactor the SLRs or to buy the equipment, all gets factored in.... Granted water proof endcaps are all the same, whether you buy them labeled as Tek or ATI or what have you...Ballasts... yeah there is some cheaper than others but IF Hellolights was telling the truth and NOT blowing smoke they would have specs of the ballasts, and someway to back their statements... Wouldn't they?