Is it worth upgrading Gen 3 Radion XR30W Pro's to Gen 4?

BrettDS · 11/16/2016, 11:33 AM

I have three Gen3 XR30W Pro's above my 220G tank right now, but I've been drooling over the Gen 4 lights since they came out. Ecotech stuff rarely goes on sale, but I'm thinking that they'll do something for black Friday, so if there was ever a time to buy them it will probably be next week.

Even with a good sale and hopefully reselling my Gen 3 lights for a decent price I thnk I'm still looking at a net cost of close to $1000 to upgrade all three lights.

Has anyone used both the Gen 3 and Gen 4 lights? Is it worth $1000 to upgrade?

drummerboyevil · 11/16/2016, 12:56 PM

Are you having shading issues with SPS? I think that's the only reason I'd make the upgrade from the g3 to the g4.

NaturalReef · 11/16/2016, 03:52 PM

I would if money isn't an issue. The overall brightness is worth it to me. Led tanks always seemed dim because of the optics and now the gen 4's really improve on that and make it look like the tank is lit with t5's. Plus you will get more even par throughout the tank and colors and growth you weren't seeing before with coral outside the par zone.

bizacon · 11/16/2016, 05:14 PM

I unloaded my G3s for G4s. My tank has only been running for a month, but I do notice a difference and thankful I spent the extra money.

zsuman101 · 11/16/2016, 05:27 PM

I switched my g3s to g4s, the difference is almost night and day. I can run my g4s at less power and still achieve par levels, also most of my sps are at the bottom third of my reef , the biggest difference is how flat and even the levels are everywhere. so is it worth it... gotta say yes. that thousand will get spent anyway , go big. good luck. zsu

ca1ore · 11/17/2016, 07:23 AM

I've usually found that upgrading is much more about what the human wants than the corals and fish. No experience with ETM lights, but weren't they deemed an acceptable choice before becoming 'obsolete'? Aesthetics, features ..... all fine, but unlikely to be a step change in performance I'd not think.

drtrash · 11/17/2016, 07:27 AM

I think in the long run adding T5 to the mix would be more beneficial and cost effective than upgrade

unze · 11/17/2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

I've usually found that upgrading is much more about what the human wants than the corals and fish. No experience with ETM lights, but weren't they deemed an acceptable choice before becoming 'obsolete'? Aesthetics, features ..... all fine, but unlikely to be a step change in performance I'd not think.

So true.

bizacon · 11/17/2016, 11:43 AM

I know that d2mini upgraded as well on his tank. He has a lot of side by side comparison on both of them as well.

BrettDS · 11/17/2016, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I've usually found that upgrading is much more about what the human wants than the corals and fish. No experience with ETM lights, but weren't they deemed an acceptable choice before becoming 'obsolete'? Aesthetics, features ..... all fine, but unlikely to be a step change in performance I'd not think.

Well, I think that's the core of my question. The gen 3 lights are hardly obsolete. They have done quite well for me and could continue to do so. However, there are proven differences and benefits in the gen 4 product. It has a more even light spread and a number of LED's have been added or changed to produce a different (and hopefully better) light spectrum.

But then it comes down to whether that $1000 spend can be justified in terms of coral growth and coloration, tank aesthetics, and my own human want to have the latest and greatest.

bizacon · 11/17/2016, 12:28 PM

How is your tank doing? Are you pleased with it? I think it is too early to see long term effects on the grow under the new G4s.

You are right, G3 are amazing.. so maybe 1k could go to something you don't have.

ca1ore · 11/17/2016, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrettDS

Well, I think that's the core of my question. The gen 3 lights are hardly obsolete. They have done quite well for me and could continue to do so. However, there are proven differences and benefits in the gen 4 product. It has a more even light spread and a number of LED's have been added or changed to produce a different (and hopefully better) light spectrum.

But then it comes down to whether that $1000 spend can be justified in terms of coral growth and coloration, tank aesthetics, and my own human want to have the latest and greatest.

Proven benefits or unsubstantiated marketing claims? Seems to me that LED lighting makers are constantly fiddling with the mix of diodes. Really better, and if so, based on what research. Just sayin'

If you want the latest, go for it. I've done it many times, just don't kid yourself

juniorrocketdad · 11/17/2016, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Proven benefits or unsubstantiated marketing claims? Seems to me that LED lighting makers are constantly fiddling with the mix of diodes. Really better, and if so, based on what research. Just sayin'

If you want the latest, go for it. I've done it many times, just don't kid yourself

I have to agree with this a bit more, every time a new light comes out it is considered the new thing to have and it is so much better than previous generations, they are countless success stories with gen 3 radions so I would not spend a grand for a minor improvement

BrettDS · 11/17/2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Proven benefits or unsubstantiated marketing claims?

Lol. Maybe a little of both. When I said proven benefits I was thinking of the PAR and spectrum tests that were done by BRS... I believe they operated independently and their tests clearly showed that there were measurable differences in par levels and coverage.

But maybe proven benefits was a bit too strong of a phrase. Maybe proven differences would be a better term.

In the end though, I think you're right. The differences, whether they are measurable, visible, or proven probably won't make a significant impact on the health and growth of the tank.

ca1ore · 11/17/2016, 07:49 PM

Oh I don't doubt they're different and, shoot, they may even be better. I just have this cynical thing going these days, and LED lights push that button. I totally get the desire to have the latest. Recently bought a new flat screen because it was thinner than the old one. Not sure the picture wasn't better on the old one and thinner really gains me nothing. What a maroon

.

Hentz · 12/10/2016, 04:21 PM

I forget who posted the reply on another thread... But the guy/girl basically said, these LED companies release a new generation of the LED fixture every year. There aren't major differences if your coming from last year's model to now. Granted, as said above, there are improvements and what not. Though I'm sure going from G3 to G4, you won't notice an incredible difference.

Although, us humans have the tendency to crave the newest and best devices.

Now coming from the 1st or 2nd generation to the Gen 4, I'm sure you'd notice a substantial difference in terms of color, spread, and improvement in corals.

While life is tossing its coin on my tank, I may be forced to downgrade a tad. That being said, I'd be going back to the LED route if I have to sell my current setup. That LED would be either be a G3 Pro unit or if I find a good enough deal on a smaller tank, I'd be doing the G4 Pro.

Either way, both lights are incredible and will perform well for whatever corals you may throw at it.

jda · 12/10/2016, 09:53 PM

"Just as good as last year's model" doesn't sell much in the tech world. Don't kid yourself - LEDs are a lot like tech where people will upgrade their lights as fast as they would an iPhone or Galaxy when the next model comes out.

Save your $1000 for a while and let other people test them out a bit. A lot of upgrades hardly turn out to be exactly that. ...ask the folks who dropped their T5s and MH for the first generation of blue/white fixtures at $3-5K per pop to be on the bleeding edge.

Also being cynical, I would treat the BRS videos more as advertising than educational. They are some of both, but you can probably get farther by just treating them as advertisements for things that they want to sell. They won't produce a "wait and see," "be patience" or "what you have is fine" video, but that is what most people in the hobby need to watch to truly be successful.

11/16/2016, 11:33 AM	#1
BrettDS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,109	Is it worth upgrading Gen 3 Radion XR30W Pro's to Gen 4? I have three Gen3 XR30W Pro's above my 220G tank right now, but I've been drooling over the Gen 4 lights since they came out. Ecotech stuff rarely goes on sale, but I'm thinking that they'll do something for black Friday, so if there was ever a time to buy them it will probably be next week. Even with a good sale and hopefully reselling my Gen 3 lights for a decent price I thnk I'm still looking at a net cost of close to $1000 to upgrade all three lights. Has anyone used both the Gen 3 and Gen 4 lights? Is it worth $1000 to upgrade?

11/16/2016, 05:14 PM	#4
bizacon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 735	I unloaded my G3s for G4s. My tank has only been running for a month, but I do notice a difference and thankful I spent the extra money. __________________ Reefer 425XL

11/16/2016, 05:27 PM	#5
zsuman101 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 434	I switched my g3s to g4s, the difference is almost night and day. I can run my g4s at less power and still achieve par levels, also most of my sps are at the bottom third of my reef , the biggest difference is how flat and even the levels are everywhere. so is it worth it... gotta say yes. that thousand will get spent anyway , go big. good luck. zsu __________________ Full zeovit 24x24 starfire ati t5 radions ecotech and sicce pumps tunze skimmer apex gold yeah its nuts

11/17/2016, 07:23 AM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I've usually found that upgrading is much more about what the human wants than the corals and fish. No experience with ETM lights, but weren't they deemed an acceptable choice before becoming 'obsolete'? Aesthetics, features ..... all fine, but unlikely to be a step change in performance I'd not think. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

11/17/2016, 11:43 AM	#9
bizacon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 735	I know that d2mini upgraded as well on his tank. He has a lot of side by side comparison on both of them as well. __________________ Reefer 425XL

11/16/2016, 12:56 PM	#2
drummerboyevil Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 654	Are you having shading issues with SPS? I think that's the only reason I'd make the upgrade from the g3 to the g4.

11/16/2016, 03:52 PM	#3
NaturalReef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kankakee,Illinois Posts: 369	I would if money isn't an issue. The overall brightness is worth it to me. Led tanks always seemed dim because of the optics and now the gen 4's really improve on that and make it look like the tank is lit with t5's. Plus you will get more even par throughout the tank and colors and growth you weren't seeing before with coral outside the par zone.

11/17/2016, 07:27 AM	#7
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,178	I think in the long run adding T5 to the mix would be more beneficial and cost effective than upgrade

11/17/2016, 12:28 PM	#11
bizacon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 735	How is your tank doing? Are you pleased with it? I think it is too early to see long term effects on the grow under the new G4s. You are right, G3 are amazing.. so maybe 1k could go to something you don't have. __________________ Reefer 425XL

11/17/2016, 07:49 PM	#15
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Oh I don't doubt they're different and, shoot, they may even be better. I just have this cynical thing going these days, and LED lights push that button. I totally get the desire to have the latest. Recently bought a new flat screen because it was thinner than the old one. Not sure the picture wasn't better on the old one and thinner really gains me nothing. What a maroon . __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/10/2016, 04:21 PM	#16
Hentz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,016	I forget who posted the reply on another thread... But the guy/girl basically said, these LED companies release a new generation of the LED fixture every year. There aren't major differences if your coming from last year's model to now. Granted, as said above, there are improvements and what not. Though I'm sure going from G3 to G4, you won't notice an incredible difference. Although, us humans have the tendency to crave the newest and best devices. Now coming from the 1st or 2nd generation to the Gen 4, I'm sure you'd notice a substantial difference in terms of color, spread, and improvement in corals. While life is tossing its coin on my tank, I may be forced to downgrade a tad. That being said, I'd be going back to the LED route if I have to sell my current setup. That LED would be either be a G3 Pro unit or if I find a good enough deal on a smaller tank, I'd be doing the G4 Pro. Either way, both lights are incredible and will perform well for whatever corals you may throw at it. __________________ A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex

12/10/2016, 09:53 PM	#17
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	"Just as good as last year's model" doesn't sell much in the tech world. Don't kid yourself - LEDs are a lot like tech where people will upgrade their lights as fast as they would an iPhone or Galaxy when the next model comes out. Save your $1000 for a while and let other people test them out a bit. A lot of upgrades hardly turn out to be exactly that. ...ask the folks who dropped their T5s and MH for the first generation of blue/white fixtures at $3-5K per pop to be on the bleeding edge. Also being cynical, I would treat the BRS videos more as advertising than educational. They are some of both, but you can probably get farther by just treating them as advertisements for things that they want to sell. They won't produce a "wait and see," "be patience" or "what you have is fine" video, but that is what most people in the hobby need to watch to truly be successful.