Why are reflectors so expensive?

TunaRoll · 04/13/2011, 03:53 PM

Can anyone shed some light on why DIY reflectors are so expensive? The popular MH reflectors (like lumenmax) cost close to the same as bulbs or ballasts and $20+ per T5 reflector seems equally as inflated. Am I missing something? Are reflectors made out of sunshine and unicorn dust?

Thanks,

TunaRoll

Harry_Y · 04/13/2011, 05:13 PM

because it cost money for the machine to make them.

Actually they are not that bad of a price

tkeracer619 · 04/13/2011, 05:23 PM

Material, labor, and tooling. A bulb is disposable, a reflector isn't meant to be. You pay for what you get.

TunaRoll · 04/13/2011, 05:40 PM

I would think with automation, they would be able to knock these things out with little labor costs.

on the spot · 04/13/2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Material, labor, and tooling.

Even with automation equipment someone is still monitoring the laser, most likely loading 4x8 or 5x12 sheet stock, sorting the blanks, someone needs to set the dies in the brake presses, operate the presses, someone needs to pack the stuff.

Even more likely the laser and operator are outsourced to one facility, the brake presses at another facility.

The shiny stuff isn't inexpensive either.

chilwil84 · 04/13/2011, 09:42 PM

its a relatively small market so i am sure there is more human involvement than in large scaled produced items.

Harry_Y · 04/13/2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunaRoll

I would think with automation, they would be able to knock these things out with little labor costs.

I have about $3000 in a small CNC mill

I used to make parts for RC helicopters that cost me about 10 cents in material but
I had to factor in the price of the machine, the cutting tools, and the machine time.
(plus my time to draw it up in CAD and program the machine, and my time to make them)

I sold them for about $20.00 a piece and even at that rate I would have had to sell at
least 300-500 of them to even make money (I made and sold them for the fun of it).

Remember you still need to pay the guy to run the machine, the maintenance
on that machine, the electricity to power that machine and the raw materials.

prodman · 04/13/2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunaRoll

Can anyone shed some light on why DIY reflectors are so expensive? The popular MH reflectors (like lumenmax) cost close to the same as bulbs or ballasts and $20+ per T5 reflector seems equally as inflated. Am I missing something? Are reflectors made out of sunshine and unicorn dust?

Thanks,

TunaRoll

If you think reflectors are expensive this might be the wrong hobby for you

rocking · 04/13/2011, 11:44 PM

prodman that is the bloody truth of the madder right there this hole hobby is costley from start to end i haveall my sales tags from day one to ten years latter on one tank bloody hell i could have dam her bought a new car lmbao

Mouse · 04/14/2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocking

i haveall my sales tags from day one to ten years latter on one tank

Are you crazy???? Do you know what my wife would do to me if she found that kind of evidence laying around????

rtparty · 04/14/2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mouse

Are you crazy???? Do you know what my wife would do to me if she found that kind of evidence laying around????

That is one of the best posts I have seen in quite a while!

Half of my corals are "gifts" or in the $5 bin.

franklypre · 04/14/2011, 09:56 AM

They charge more because we are willing to pay more.

jeff@zina.com · 04/14/2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunaRoll

Are reflectors made out of sunshine and unicorn dust?

Between that and the elves that hand polish them...

Jeff

04/13/2011, 03:53 PM	#1
TunaRoll Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 16	Why are reflectors so expensive? Can anyone shed some light on why DIY reflectors are so expensive? The popular MH reflectors (like lumenmax) cost close to the same as bulbs or ballasts and $20+ per T5 reflector seems equally as inflated. Am I missing something? Are reflectors made out of sunshine and unicorn dust? Thanks, TunaRoll

04/13/2011, 05:13 PM	#2
Harry_Y Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NY Posts: 454	because it cost money for the machine to make them. Actually they are not that bad of a price __________________ . 180 Gallon Reef with Basement Sump, Apex Controller, Hamilton Cebu Sun Light, Lifereef Skimmer and Calcium Reactor.

04/13/2011, 05:23 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Material, labor, and tooling. A bulb is disposable, a reflector isn't meant to be. You pay for what you get. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

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04/13/2011, 05:40 PM	#4
TunaRoll Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 16	I would think with automation, they would be able to knock these things out with little labor costs.

04/13/2011, 09:42 PM	#6
chilwil84 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: down the shore Posts: 780	its a relatively small market so i am sure there is more human involvement than in large scaled produced items.

04/13/2011, 11:44 PM	#9
rocking Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: gridley ca Posts: 434	prodman that is the bloody truth of the madder right there this hole hobby is costley from start to end i haveall my sales tags from day one to ten years latter on one tank bloody hell i could have dam her bought a new car lmbao

04/14/2011, 09:56 AM	#12
franklypre Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: texarkana Posts: 703	They charge more because we are willing to pay more.