GHL mitras vs Ecotech Radion?

[Newflavor]

Hi,

I will be setting up a new tank again after getting out of the hobby for 3 years. My tank will be 48 x 24 x 22. Which light do you guys think is best? I will be buying two of whichever I choose between these brands. The GHL is about $1000 more and I am thinking if it is really worth it. There is a thread for the GHL here but I did not see one for the ECotech. Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks!

[thelostrican]

I think the spread is better with the mitras, and it's a better balanced light, lots of good LEDs on it too.. I love ecotech, but went with the mitras cause I think in the end they are better overall...

[Newflavor]

ok thanks. Is there any radeon users here who can give feedback ?

[ReefRockerLive]

The GHL Mitras has a larger spread easily covering a 36" x 30" space and is overall brighter. I've been running my Mitras over a while and have absolutely no complaints about the light. The product support is second to none and the growing community is always willing to help.

IMO, Radions are decent lights; they work for some and not for others. I've worked with a over a dozen units and I didn't like the programming process. I would set the light schedule and it would work, but if I wanted to go and tweak it, the headaches would begin. A new schedule would be set and programmed into the lights and they would not run that program unless I restored each light and re-programmed.

As a suggestion, look around for product and parts replacement history on each fixture; that may help with your decision.

[karsseboom]

I think the mitras are best led light on the market.

[mikeatjac]

Both are great lights but I would give the pro the edge in this case. You will need two either way and the pro will save you money.

[Newflavor]

Thank you for the info guys. I think I will but the Mitras since there is a lot of positive reviews on it. Can I ask you guys how to find my own thread? I just came back after 4 years and I do not remember a lot of how to. If you have a pic of your setup with these lights, pls post.

[ReefRockerLive]

At the top right of the thread, you'll see "Thread tools", click on it then click "Subscribe to this thread"

There is a GHL Mitras Club thread loaded with pictures and reviews, it can be found here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2219645

[dattong]

Click on "MYRC" button. It will take you to all the threads you've replied to or started. Use the search function, you'll find lot of tank pics with Mitras. I think there's one thread comparing Mitras and Radion as well. I will go with Mitras for my next led buy. It doesn't have spot light effect as Radion does from what I read and photos I've seen. It also covers a greater area.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by ReefRockerLive

The GHL Mitras has a larger spread easily covering a 36" x 30" space and is overall brighter. I've been running my Mitras over a while and have absolutely no complaints about the light. The product support is second to none and the growing community is always willing to help.

IMO, Radions are decent lights; they work for some and not for others. I've worked with a over a dozen units and I didn't like the programming process. I would set the light schedule and it would work, but if I wanted to go and tweak it, the headaches would begin. A new schedule would be set and programmed into the lights and they would not run that program unless I restored each light and re-programmed.

As a suggestion, look around for product and parts replacement history on each fixture; that may help with your decision.

I have the Radion Pro's and have been using Radions since they were beta units. I have zero experience with the Mitras, but I do have experience with other GHL products.

I have to slightly disagree with a couple points above.
First, the programming of Radions is very easy IME. If you are not comfortable with using the online software (Ecosmart Live) which is still in BETA, there is the pc software you can use. I'm using Ecosmart Live and it works very well for me, especially lately. I'll make my changes to my graph online whenever I feel like it. Then when i feel like bringing my laptop to my lights, all i have to do is plug in the usb, connect to ESL and hit the program button. A minute later I disconnect and go about my life. Sharing graphs with other people is also very easy and fun. Also, both ecotech and ghl only provide PC software, not mac. This is why Ecotech decided to go online with their's... it's multi-platform that way. I have to use Parallels on my Mac to do anything with GHL.

Second, I don't think ANYBODY can beat Ecotech customer service in this hobby. Their products are really nice, but not without faults (who's are?), but when you need to deal with a company directly, these guys are tops. Especially if you live in the USA. GHL also has very good customer service but if you live here in the states, you are dealing with a company from a different country. Completely different time zone, different language, etc. You either have to contact them through the online support forum (pretty good, btw), or go through your LFS or the North American distributor (located in canada). This is usually not a problem, but worth pointing out. Picking up the phone, immediately getting a tech support person to talk to at Ecotech, and having a new part shipped out immediately is just too easy in comparison. When it comes to Radion programming problems, ecotech customer service can easily walk you through over the phone, or even remotely log in to your computer to find the fix!

Luckily, GHL equipment tends to be over engineered and built like a tank, so CS experiences are far and few between. Just one of the reasons i chose the go with the Profilux over Apex. But Control Center has not been without it's own problems, either. And in this case you will need to rely on the forums for help.

They both seem to be great lights, the two best off the shelf solutions available right now. I think the big decision maker will be size of your tank and how many of each light you will need. In other words, your tank might be shaped in a way that will allow you to get just one mitra rather than two radions. Or maybe 2 radions is perfect but one mitra is not quite enough and two would be overkill. Also, make sure you read through the Mitras Club thread for pics and to see the spectrums available. I believe there is now two choices, for those who like a bit more blue at full power. I recently switched from gen 1 radions to the pros and the colors are AMAZING! But I could never run them at full power. I'm running at 60% in my 24" deep tank. The same is most likely true for Mitras as well.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be happy with either light.

[ReefRockerLive]

Excellent points Dennis. Ecotech has always been there to help with my questions so they do deserve recognition as one of the best in support.

I should also point out that Michael at Aqua Digital which is the NA distributor has been helping customers with product questions and support at all times of the day, even weekends.

If you head over to the GHL sponsor forum, you'll see that the Mitras is now $999 for Father's Day.

[_Aaron_]

Having owned both the Radion Pro and now the Mitras, I much prefer the Mitras. I find it easier to program and the spread is superior. Ecosmart live was a PITA.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by ReefRockerLive

I should also point out that Michael at Aqua Digital which is the NA distributor has been helping customers with product questions and support at all times of the day, even weekends.

Yes, Michael is the one great link to support in North America. Good guy.

[fairladyZ]

My pro's will be here wednesday. I'm stoked to see what they can do. i've seen the gen 2's in person at LFS and love the look of them and the control of them, so i'm excited to see them over my tank! granted i don't have anything pretty yet

[jjk_reef00]

Just wanted to give you a heads up, GHL is having a fathers day sale (check out the GHL forum).
I'd get the Mitras if I had the cash.

[BigKahuna]

Originally Posted by ReefRockerLive

The GHL Mitras has a larger spread easily covering a 36" x 30" space and is overall brighter. I've been running my Mitras over a while and have absolutely no complaints about the light. The product support is second to none and the growing community is always willing to help.

IMO, Radions are decent lights; they work for some and not for others. I've worked with a over a dozen units and I didn't like the programming process. I would set the light schedule and it would work, but if I wanted to go and tweak it, the headaches would begin. A new schedule would be set and programmed into the lights and they would not run that program unless I restored each light and re-programmed.

As a suggestion, look around for product and parts replacement history on each fixture; that may help with your decision.

The problem with the great coverage over 36x30 is it doesn't help you with a 48" tank, you still probably will need two. That said the Mithras looks to be a high quality fixture so I doubt you would go wrong with either. Your problems with the Ecotech programing is to a degree I've never experienced. In the early beta it was a bit more flaky but like any online service it has it's ups and downs. The flip side is the actual programing is easier than posting a response in this forum via the browser. Point and click on your daily schedule and play with your colors till you or your fish, literally, turn blue in the face.


I'm not sure it could be possible to make it easier to program. Also the acclimate feature works wonders. Adding new corals but want to ease them in, just have the lights lower by a set% and have it raise them a bit automatically every day for however long you want to take to restore them to your desired maximum. I'm also in complete agreement with d2mini that you can't beat Ecotech's service and support. That and their commitment to allow upgrades is always nice to future proof things a bit.

Color is a bit subjective but from what I've read it seems the Radion Pro has stronger hyper violet colors and the Mithras looks a little more subtle. If your a naturalist the GHL might be the way to go, if you are always on a quest to get that little extra pop from your coral and fish the Radion Pro might be your light. It all depends what you want but like I said above either light is top notch and not likely to disappoint.

[Newflavor]

Ok. I will make a decision today on what light to use. I am leaning towards the GHL. I am just thinking about pricing now because the radion is 200 dollars less than the GHL. I wonder if it is worth the extra 200. What do you guys think?

[Newflavor]

Originally Posted by fairladyZ

My pro's will be here wednesday. I'm stoked to see what they can do. i've seen the gen 2's in person at LFS and love the look of them and the control of them, so i'm excited to see them over my tank! granted i don't have anything pretty yet

Did you get your lights running yet? May I see pictures?

[ReefRockerLive]

I think it's worth the extra cost especially since there has yet to be any reported issues with the light. For example, no bad/loud fans.

FWIW, here's what my tank looks like with Mitras:







The colors of the fish really pop under these lights too.

[Newflavor]

Beautiful tank. What are the dimensions of your tank?

[Newflavor]

Btw, I bought two mitras for my 48 x 24 x 22 tank that I am setting up.

[ReefRockerLive]

Thank you for the complement, the tank is 36" x 24" x 18".

Excellent choice, you'll love the Mitras. Be sure to post some pictures when you get it installed over the tank!

[dattong]

Reefeocker, how good is the coverage on yours? Mine has the same footprint but 20" high. Can you keep sps on the far ends? Thanks

[ReefRockerLive]

Dattong, the single fixture covers the tank without a problem, no shaded areas at all. I have a few acros on the ends and they are all doing well, maintaining color and growing.

[dattong]

Thanks ReefRocker, good to know. I"ve been eying on the mitra for a while. I will definitely go with it for my next led purchase.