Ai Vega - A Review (With Pictures)

[rstar]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Looks good, although I'm confused about one of the reasons you chose the fixture that relate to "not too much disco". My impressions of the Vega color is that it's pretty much the worst fixture when it comes to this effect, curious which fixtures you passed on for this reason. You can actually even see the effect clearly in the pictures. Also be careful not to run the lights too high, most of those corals have low light requirements and the AI units use pretty narrow optics that can create hot spots and burn sensitive corals.

As I stated above, the two main fixtures I was considering were the Maxspect Razor, and the Vega. I was also considering the Mazzara P and the SOL. I nixed the SOL because I wanted the additional color right away, and the Mazzara because my brother has had a lot of problems with his. The budget I had set for myself was around $800. After numerous PM's from various vendors and hobbyists alike mentioning a very bad effect that the Razor gives, and the fact that it is not modular I decided against it. I'll admit the only fixture I had seen myself was the Mazzara. I largely relied on fellow hobbyist advise, as I'm sure you can vouch first hand that the availability of most of these lights, even to just view is fairly limited in Saskatoon.

I'll also admit that I have very limited experience in any LED lighting, so my perception of what is and is not disco could be out to lunch, but to my eyes, I really cannot see much distinction between the red and green, more so the white and blue, but I don't find it unappealing in any way. The camera may be better picking up the separation, and I imagine if I ran an overflow which would greatly increase the surface agitation, this effect may become more pronounced.

Ultimately my choice came down to quality (AI from my research released a quality product, with good support) Spectrum without having to modify, price, and finally support, as this fixture was available locally, and I could have that backing. I've learned to value Baysides recommendations over the years and so decided to go this route.

The recommended height for this fixture is about 5" AWL and I am running it at 9" to get the spread over the whole tank. I am watching the corals closely and have not notice any burning or anything yet.

I hope this answered some of you questions, and thanks for reading!

[mrhasan]

A very controversial line hihi

I always found that T5 lighting (especially the blue) washed out the colors in the tank

[kien]

Originally Posted by rstar

but to my eyes, I really cannot see much distinction between the red and green, more so the white and blue, but I don't find it unappealing in any way. The camera may be better picking up the separation

Not everyone can see the disco in various fixtures. Some fixtures are more proned to this separation than others but is still dependant on the person. Also, some people simply don't mind the disco/separation despite it being visible.

For example, most people can not see the disco effect with the new GHL Mitras so they will simply say it is not there. Well, perhaps to their eyes it's not because they don't see it, but that doesn't mean it's not there :-) I can clearly capture it with my camera much like you've captured it here with your camera and I am one of the few people who can see the separation on that fixture as well.

At the end of the day, if the light looks good to you, that's all that matters regardless of what people say about disco infernos.

[craigwmiller]

Originally Posted by kien

I can clearly capture it with my camera much like you've captured it here with your camera and I am one of the few people who can see the separation on that fixture as well.

Hmm, never put 2 & 2 together on this, but you've sparked an idea. Most people can't notice visibly anything faster than 60 frames per second -- which is also the point where most camera's stop motion from blurring (with the correct ISO obviously).

I also have 2 Vega's and can't notice disco ball effect (even with Red+Green at 100%) with my eyes, but my plain camera does easily...

I'll put my D200 onto the tripod later and play with exposures to find out where the camera can (and then can not) see the disco effect...


I'm sure that the people who notice the disco effect have a higher or lower internal frame rate in their retina's -- It'll be curious as to which it is

[liz]

"vendors and hobbyists alike mentioning a very bad effect that the Razor gives"

I have ordered this light (not paid for) and I am interested to know what you heard and what bad effect it gives?

[rstar]

Originally Posted by liz

"vendors and hobbyists alike mentioning a very bad effect that the Razor gives"

I have ordered this light (not paid for) and I am interested to know what you heard and what bad effect it gives?

I was told from multiple reputable sources that the color separation is terrible with this fixture, and that on paper the specs look great but in application are really terrible. Also the clusters have all the LEDs on a single board so if one goes you need to replace the whole board. The price point is nice for this fixture, but I decided modularity (is that a word) and better spectrum outweighed price. AI's new controller is also excellent and offers many options.

[martinmcnally]

I would just say make sure you see a tank running the Razor before you purchase one. I find the light output to be very low. Its a very small fixture. Having said that it might be fine on smaller shallow tanks.

[reef_rookie]

I am looking at buying a couple of these fixtures but am a little weary. I heard from that if the controller loses communication with the fixture the light will turn on 100%. Have you had any problems with this?

[fishyfishster]

Originally Posted by kien

Not everyone can see the disco in various fixtures. Some fixtures are more proned to this separation than others but is still dependant on the person. Also, some people simply don't mind the disco/separation despite it being visible.

For example, most people can not see the disco effect with the new GHL Mitras so they will simply say it is not there. Well, perhaps to their eyes it's not because they don't see it, but that doesn't mean it's not there :-) I can clearly capture it with my camera much like you've captured it here with your camera and I am one of the few people who can see the separation on that fixture as well.

At the end of the day, if the light looks good to you, that's all that matters regardless of what people say about disco infernos.

People say they cant see it with the GHL because they dont wanna see it. They're justifying the price they paid for them.

[Leah]

I love how it looks, the photos are incredible.