Hamilton Technology fixtures not good?

Megatrev62 · 01/04/2010, 06:41 PM

Hi,I still am undecided about my lighting for my 125 gallon. I am leaning toward Hamilton but all Ive been reading lately is their lack of customer service and crappy fixtures. What gives? I was surprised by the lack of favor for these fixtures. Anyone here have these and convince me take the plunge? Thanks

Mark 75g · 01/04/2010, 08:35 PM

If your looking at an all in one fixture, I was deciding between the Hamilton Belize and the Maristar. Decided on the maristar 72in fixture because of the t5 lights. In the Hamilton u are locked into there 2-80watt t5's where as the maristar they use 4 39watt t5's which are readily available.

grigsy · 01/04/2010, 09:03 PM

I have been using Hamilton lighting for several years (amongst many other companies lights).

I can tell you from experience, they have good customer support and for the most part good products.

Many companies do not answer a phone these days and offer a voicemail or an email. You can actually call and talk to someone at Hamilton and the number they offer is toll free.

Currently, I use their Cayman Sun 250 watt HQI pendants. I have had them for several months now and am very pleased with them. I tested the PAR on an apogee meter versus SLS Lumen Max 3 and the Cayman Sun 250 watt was 30% higher PAR (same PHX 250 DE 14K bulb, same M80 HQI ballast)

Prior, I used a Hamilton DLX fixture with 2-250 watt & 2-96 watt. I had used that for almost 5 years, no problems. It worked great and I am still using the ballasts from that fixture for my Cayman Sun pendants.

I spoke to Ethan from Hamilton late last week about a post on here. He said the guy who made the post saying their lights are "useless" never showed up to have the lights inspected and never even called them since his post!! Lame. He made it seem so urgent, yet he never even called or showed up??

I can only speak from my experience and tell you I have been very pleased with their products. Maybe I should start a post saying "Hamilton lights are FANTASTIC"

little nellie · 01/04/2010, 09:36 PM

I have a set of Hamilton for one of my frag tank and they are better built compare to my coralife. It never gave me any problems and there is no need for me to call customer support.

Megatrev62 · 01/05/2010, 03:58 AM

Thanks for input. All positive responses. Will continue for feedback.........

IluvGod'sreefs · 01/05/2010, 06:51 AM

My VHO's are Hamilton--no complaints.

01/04/2010, 06:41 PM	#1
Megatrev62 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ST.John's Newfoundland Canada Posts: 1,712	Hamilton Technology fixtures not good? Hi,I still am undecided about my lighting for my 125 gallon. I am leaning toward Hamilton but all Ive been reading lately is their lack of customer service and crappy fixtures. What gives? I was surprised by the lack of favor for these fixtures. Anyone here have these and convince me take the plunge? Thanks

01/05/2010, 06:51 AM	#6
IluvGod'sreefs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Panhandle Posts: 148	My VHO's are Hamilton--no complaints. __________________ "Instead of telling God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big your God is." _________________________________________ Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef

01/04/2010, 08:35 PM	#2
Mark 75g Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 510	If your looking at an all in one fixture, I was deciding between the Hamilton Belize and the Maristar. Decided on the maristar 72in fixture because of the t5 lights. In the Hamilton u are locked into there 2-80watt t5's where as the maristar they use 4 39watt t5's which are readily available.

01/04/2010, 09:03 PM	#3
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I have been using Hamilton lighting for several years (amongst many other companies lights). I can tell you from experience, they have good customer support and for the most part good products. Many companies do not answer a phone these days and offer a voicemail or an email. You can actually call and talk to someone at Hamilton and the number they offer is toll free. Currently, I use their Cayman Sun 250 watt HQI pendants. I have had them for several months now and am very pleased with them. I tested the PAR on an apogee meter versus SLS Lumen Max 3 and the Cayman Sun 250 watt was 30% higher PAR (same PHX 250 DE 14K bulb, same M80 HQI ballast) Prior, I used a Hamilton DLX fixture with 2-250 watt & 2-96 watt. I had used that for almost 5 years, no problems. It worked great and I am still using the ballasts from that fixture for my Cayman Sun pendants. I spoke to Ethan from Hamilton late last week about a post on here. He said the guy who made the post saying their lights are "useless" never showed up to have the lights inspected and never even called them since his post!! Lame. He made it seem so urgent, yet he never even called or showed up?? I can only speak from my experience and tell you I have been very pleased with their products. Maybe I should start a post saying "Hamilton lights are FANTASTIC"

01/04/2010, 09:36 PM	#4
little nellie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SF bay area Posts: 24	I have a set of Hamilton for one of my frag tank and they are better built compare to my coralife. It never gave me any problems and there is no need for me to call customer support.

01/05/2010, 03:58 AM	#5
Megatrev62 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ST.John's Newfoundland Canada Posts: 1,712	Thanks for input. All positive responses. Will continue for feedback.........