why are some led lights SOOO expensive?

I've owned plenty of fixtures, and have done lots of tests, which you haven't even begun to scratch the surface of. I have PAR data, and lots of firsthand experience outside of spectrometer readings over months of testing. The fact you think a "TIR" lens is some sort of super technology shows you don't have the slightest clue of what you are talking about. Your insulting tone just hypes up your ignorance.

I haven't owned a Radion, because I can actually think for myself and know how to determine value. I have seen them over quite a few tanks, and they are a good light, nothing more. Enjoy yours though, they cater specifically to people like you who will drop $1,000 no questions asked.

 

The Violets are the best I've used. The Luxeon RB is on par with the Cree XT-E RB, but there are better Cree bins available than what Steve has. The Luxeon red, cyan, and cool blue are great though.

 

First off, I never blatantly insulted you as you just did me. Second, I am not the one who commented about the TIR lenses...read first, then blast. Third, quit talking about all your research and data and show it...sounds eerily familiar to a recent LED thread. All I have seen from you is a Chinese knock off case with some diodes on stars inside.

Also, I ask plenty of questions before dropping my money...and EcoTech Marine offers plenty of advantages with R&D and Customer Service, something I can clearly tell is absent in you.

 

Let's not fight each other here. Toallhisdoom just asked a simple question

 

Maybe you should do your research on what total internal reflection is... You obviously are the one who has no idea of how it works or why.. I even linked a wiki on it so you educate yourself rather than just making assumptions.. Too late. Physics>opinions.

 

Man you can feel the passion.......there is room in this hobby for all light makers and look how far we have come with regards to LEDs. Two years ago we didn't have many choices and most hobbest knew nothing about LEDs. We now have some great sponsors here giving us many options to choose from at different price ranges.
We alway's seem to want to replace a product when somthing new comes out instead of saying......great we now have another option.

 

If you want to play that game, fine, here's the actual breakdown of a better than Radion.

Components ordered:

24 XT-E Royal Blue @ 4-5w $2.49 x 24= $60
6 XT-E Cool White @ 4-5w $3.60 x 6= $21.60
3 XT-E Neutral White @4-5w $3.60 x 3= $10.80
3 XT-E Warm White @4-5w $3.60 x 3= $10.80
2 Luxeon ES Blue @3w $3.49 x 2=$7
2 Luxeon ES Cyan/Turquise @3w $3.49 x 2=$7
4 Luxeon ES Red @3w $2.99 x 2=$6
4 True Violet 420nm @3w $3.99 x 4 =$16

48 leds, the actual thing that matters in the light = $145

3 Meanwell ELN-60-48D 1300mah @ Bravo Electro - $22 x3= $66
1 Meanwell ELN-30-48D 630mah @ Bravo = $19

The actual meat of the fixture only costs $230. Much less if you are a volume customer.

2 80mm fans =$6
48 90 degree optics = $0.45 x48 = $21.60 (You lose some light compared to TIR, but very little)
2 finned 5.8x12 aluminum heatsinks = $36
Case, power cords = $30

~$323. Subtract ~$3.60 x 6= $21.60 if you want to match 42 leds = ~$300
Subtract another $20 if you don't need the case and have it in a canopy.

$323 for 4 channels of dimming via a controller you already have, for a more powerful than Radion light. $300 to match the new Radion power wise. Done. Only thing it cant do is thunderstorms. Big *****ing deal.

+$5 4 dimming pots for manual dimming if needed
+$50 for a typhon based controller (some do thunderstorms/clouds too, nearly all features of a Radion now matched aside from custom software)

If you want to throw in useless labor numbers, it took me 3 hours to do, and I'm not particularly handy. If I paid myself the $40 an hour I normally make, you might as well add and then subtract $120 from the price if you want money to "exchange hands".

So for $323-$373 RETAIL pricing, you can build your own more powerful than Radion using the same (or even better) binned leds. If I had the ability to order 1,000 Crees per sheet, the price drops to $1 per led... which easily knocks off $100 in the cost of materials, not including other volume bought hardware pieces.

So there you have it. For $500-599 even, the new Radion would be an excellent light with a normal business markup. For $949, they are raping you an extra $350-450 because they feel like it. If Logan can sell his similar Supernova at $500-600 without being a big company, there is absolutely no reason Ecotech can't. Since you'll pay the absurd premium, they'll be sure to give you the opportunity.

PAR numbers. Fixture is not centered and is slightly to the right. 24" length, 24" Height.

 

I'm more than willing to pay the money for new radions. I think its a little ignorant to compare Radions to *MOST* DIY lights. The biggest difference I've seen (BEING AN ACTUAL OWNER OF SAID LIGHT) is heat. My RadionXR30w do not get hot, they do not get warm, running at almost full power the are still cool to the touch. Every other LED I've examined gets anywhere from HOT to Very Warm. This difference speaks volumes into longevity.
The fact that Ecotech has great software (I'll admit it took a while to get there) to program, calibrate, and tweak is a HUGE bonus. I could plug into one light, and update multiple tanks with different software, that another plus.
If i still had a 6 bulb T5 system it would cost $240 in replacement bulbs. I was was running Halides, thats $160 a year in bulbs. Thats just once a year, the bulbs probably should be closer to $300 and $200 respectivly. For quality componets (ballasts, reflectors, etc...) I think Radions are pretty reasonable.
The only other light I would consider for my DT system right now, would be looking into the AI Vega, but their coverage doesn't compare to Ecotech.
I think the Reefbreeder new controllable light is going to be neat, and I did buy the Cree Value light which was a great piece of equipment while my Radion was out to service (I dumped water in it). From operating temperature, profile/footprint, easy of use, options in spectrum, and synergy of equipment, The XR30w beat anything out there not built by an engineer LED wise.

 

Plus $400 for a controller. You seem to continue to avoid the wireless ability. Thunderstorms, while "gimmicky" to you, are a selling point to some with many fixtures. Custom software is also a selling point with many...a lot of people need to have the "newest, best thing on the market" (see Iphone 5 pre-sale numbers). Your light may be perfect for you, and hit your price point. But it lacks many features that some value, and that is your price difference. It's not an attack on you, just the way you went about it.

By the way, I run Metal Halide's now. :

 

This is the new Reefbreeder controller light in a custom ratio using neutral and warm whites. This one is cool to the touch too. Not as strong a Cree, but still pretty strong.



For the time being, the intensity only changes every half hour. Increments are 1% however, as has great functional moonlights that dim to 1%.

This is what I consider value. $299 is a great price for a controller, wireless remote, moonlights, etc.