Thought you might like to hear a little about IMAC. I go to these conferences mainly to look for new ideas, innovative new products, meet new people, renew old acquaintances, buy neat corals and clams, and just hang with some really wonderful people. I am not disappointed in this year's show.
I'm in my hotel room with out a usb cable or I would be able to post pictures. That will have to wait until I get home.
The "best" new product IMHO is an awesome new light fixture from PFO Lighting, Inc. It's LED lighting for the coral reef. The first version produces as much light as 250W metal halideswith out the heat associated with halides. Cool, huh? I mean literally, cool!!! The fixture uses 40% less energy than MHs, moonlights are included. Only 12V DC in the hood to minimize electrical hazards. You can dial in the exact color light you want from 6.5K to 20K. Control white LED, blue LED and moonlights independently. Built in timer to control sunrise, daylight hours, cloud cover, sunset and moonlights, and more. Oh one more feature you'll be interested in, no lamp replacement for over five years. Is there a drawback? One. The initial cost. I'll know more on Monday when I post pictures. Earliest release date is around July 1st.
I was the first person to order one. Patrick, the owner of PFO had several there that he gave to people, Sanjay Joshi for one, that test reef lighting to be sure these will work for corals. I'm confident enough in what I saw to place the order.
Wow, I just noticed it's midnight and my eyes are playing tricks on me. More when I return home.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
That's awesome Dick. I've heard a little about the LED fixtures. Didn't know that you could dial in the temp though. That's SO cool. I'm jealous, wish I was there.
we have been talking about this subject for alittle while now. im getting excited already.!
all technologies cost alot more at the start of their existance, but once the companies can bring down their costings per unit, and others jump on the band wagon, (do i hear china put in a bid) the price tag will come into its own industry standard . but in the mean time, smokem if u've gottem! im looking forward to see the control settings panel! i do hope they made it look funky.
The proto type Pat had here at the show had dimmer switches for each color and the moons. The finished product will have a microprocessor with digital readout programmable via your computer and/or PFO's website. Talk about control. The control and LED readout will be mounted flush into the hood. Patents are pending.
The following is right off PFO"s handout.
"The blue LEDs, white LEDs and moon LEDs, are controlled independently and will be dimmed using Pulse Width Modulation. The control module has a built in timer and microprocessor which controls each group of LEDs independently. With the control module you can dial in the exact color of light ranging from 6.5K to 20K by adjusting the blue LEDs light output."
More later. Got to hit the shower and get to breakfast.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
hehe, like those road test mags, i dont see why not, most the time they get to keep the gizmos they are testing anyways. with the exception of car testers i would imagine!
yes of course, location testing, im sure the first batch is for this purpose..... i do believe we have a different climate down here, with an added benifit of durability testing,these units should really be put through the strokes.. if it can withstand bbq grease and spilled beer finger marks all over it, it can withstand abit of salt creap!8O
Wow Dick! So that's where you are...was wondering where you'd been hiding! :-)
Show us some pictures as soon as you can! do they have a website?? I'm sure if this is successful, it will be the rage in Europe, as our electricity prices are so high. What kind of wattage are we talking about?
you can also find the info about PFO lighting by going to the exhibitor page. The prices are up as well for the LED system. Pretty cool! Even though they're quite pricey, if you factor in that you wouldn't be exchanging bulbs for approximately 5 years and you'd be saving around 40% on electricity, it doesn't seem so expensive anymore!
......wonder if they're making them for international customers???
There pricey, but, any new technology tends to be high in the beginning. I met and talked with the owner and developer of PFO, PatrickOrmiston, who has spent two years developing the technology. Working with LED manufactures to develop the correct wattage and colors. Today, he's leaving to go to China for more business meetings. This guy's developing the future of reef lighting today. Here's a couple of pics of the lamps lit-up.
There's a MH fixture on the left side of the tank. You can see the difference. Now a close-up of one of the banks of LEDs making up one section.
This is awesome stuff for us reefers. These fixtures will save an estimated 40% of your lighting costs. I'm excited about it. The cost?
A single bank fixture is $449.00, 2 bank fixture $799, etc. They are programmable for daylight and night simulation. Pretty cool stuff. Did I mention they generate little or no heat?
Reefbaby
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Wow Dick! So that's where you are...was wondering where you'd been hiding!
Well, the week before IMAC I entertained my 18 yo granddaughter. You probably read that on my tank thread. What a treat she is.
Jimm, Thanks for that link. I could not find PFOs link to the information that reefbaby talks about though. ??
Reefbaby,
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wonder if they're making them for international customers???
I'm not sure, but I'll ask, Pat. I ordered the first fixture and he's going to coordinate the finale developments with me as there will be several control choices available.
Hope this helps.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
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