why are some led lights SOOO expensive?

@Bhazard, I think you built a really nice light.. but you ignore the major facts that your have 50% less control, and you have to have those drivers mounted SOMEWHERE... And that you don't have the control without a $400 controller.. Not to even mention the labor. Maybe you have the skills and don't get paid much so your time isn't a value to you.. But that doesn't remove that cost either way.. And the time it takes to deal with it if it does fail in some way. And I would take the Radions selection of leds over yours.

You are happy with your light. But your light is NOT a radion.. Neither is the new reefbreeders... Control is everything to many customers. Control is much bigger factor than thunderstorms I assure you. As is the look of the finished product.. not having drivers mounted remotely and not having wires going everywhere.

 

Oh no I agree 100% Like i said I have a value cree and it did very well for the month i needed it to. Also it will be over a 40b next to my tank. That being said, I did notice a big difference between that and the Radion once I got it back in business. I can't speak for the TIR lenses but the standard lens does a better job with spread and coverage. I won't compare spectrum, because I can't manipulate the colors much on the Value Cree, but I got it close to my radion custom artificial blend. There was a little bit of spotlighting, but other than that the reefbreeders is great. I just with I could trade for the controllable version lol.

 

The TIR lense is no better than a carclo optic, or some chinese optics at that, and a diy fixture can have control that puts the radion to shame. As for labor, it doesnt take long to make a radion, they are mass produced. One of the joys of DIY is putting in the time, instead of the money. You can say "I built that" instead of "I bought that". If it is worth it to you buy it, if not, then dont.

 

I would enjoy the challenge of building the light rather than paying extra for one that's already built, but that's just me. Everyone has their own opinion

 

Scott, the drivers for the radion are mounted remotely. I boughtsome black acrylic cut to order, and built a nice power supply box in ten minutes.

 

Carlco is a TIR, I'm speaking of the tech, not the brand. We worked with total internal reflection in physics when I was in college. And there is no doubt that you can build a diy to blow away any prefab one.. but once you compare time and money.. there is no point. If it really was that easy you would be out of a job.

 

Oh, wow... Another reason I'm an AI fan boy, lol. I'm just waiting on you to make a light with full control and I'm sold!

I would still never DIY. I have never seen someone diy a light that can be used without a canopy. (those new makers heatsinks are promising for this though)

 

Agree;D Its like buying a Chevy Volt - ****ty car, but some folks will throw $40k+ anyway to own one. I don't care how much they spent on R&D I worked hard to earn my $ and I will try to get a best bang for it. Most of the LED fixture manufacturers uses cree/bridgelux emitters that is the main part of the fixture. If they spent $10000 just to R&D how to put parts together - that is their problem.

 

They lose as much as $49,000 every time they sell a volt. Just a side note. Not trying to prove a point.. (well besides GM is retarded)

 

That is very good info! i hope some fixture manufacturers will learn this lesson! I don't think they will get multi billion bail out when their sales hit 0 ;D at least not till Jake Adams will become President...