Yeah they are a bit pricey, but when you factor in not needing new bulbs, reduced power bills & low heat, it makes sense to me.
I'm way too busy to have a go at a DIY unit, so I guess the target market is busy/lazy people
The LFS sent me this yesterday:
Retail Specs:
*Fixture’s width 12"( 300mm). available length 4’ (1200mm)
*Fixture’s height; side 1.25"(32mm) / middle 1.77"(45mm).
*Length of cord from fixture to wall plug; 3 meters.
*Body / Heat-sink made out of Anodized extruded Aluminum.
*End caps, split box and other plastic pieces made from PC.
*Clear Cover made out of super clear PC rated for up to 125 deg C.
*Phillips Luxeon Rebel LEDs, White 105 lm/W, Blue and Royal Blue.
*64 White LEDs at 7000Kelvin, 32 Blue at 470nm, 32 Royal Blue at 450nm.
*40W consumption per pad, 16 LEDs per pad, 8 White, 8 Blue and 8 Royal blue.
*Expected LEDs life time 60,000 hours at 125 degree core diode temperature (Per Manufacturer).
*One of the highest Lumen maintenance factor available; LM80.
*80W per foot (300mm) / 32 LEDs per foot (300mm) / 2 modules per foot (300mm).
*Available auxiliary modules for fine color tuning available in RED, Green, and UV.
*Available in 90 - 270 V / 50 - 60Hz.
*SilenX fans less than 14dBm noise. Automatic, Always ON and always OFF modes available.
*Supplied with Single row wire hanging Kit.
*Optional Mounting Kit available.
*Meanwell drivers 2 year warranty, certified, UL/ CSA /TUV/PSE/EMC/ETL/GS.
*CE, EMC and RoHs Certified.
*2 year manufacture warranty.
*Designed by Vertex Aquaristik “Made in Austria”.
Design and technique:
*Thermovap heat-sink design, sleek yet most efficient in heat dispersion technology.
*Wireless communication between LEDs & controller. Communication via; IEEE 811.15.4 Sensor Net.
*Air-shaft heat-exchange design for maximum heat extraction.
*Optics-free design provides maximum coverage and ample penetration.
*Does not promote irregular growth patterns in SPS corals, due to use of optics.
*Totally modular, all parts are changeable by disconnecting connections, no need for wiring.
*Easy to upgrade and repair due to modular design of the fixture.
*User-friendly operating program and menus.
*Could be networked to other fixtures.
*Only one cord exits the fixture irrelevant of fixture length.
*Orange / Black, back lid LCD Controller.
*Available PC software for expert mode accessed via V-link USB stick. Communication via; IEEE 811.15.4 Sensor Net via USB stick.
Operating Data:
*Diodes running at 750 mA, consuming 2.5W, running them below recommended threshold to increase life and decrease degradation factor by a great value.
*Fixture Wattage: (1200mm: 320W),*
*Diodes approximate core temperature: 105 deg C.
*SilenX fans: 1.08W / 24CFM.
Controllability:
*LCD controller capable of demo, custom and light studio for advance color composition.
*Fully controllable by LED color group, modules, auxiliary modules and programmed custom groups...
*Programmable, sunrise, sunset, midday scenarios…
*Total weather simulation; clouds, rainy day, lightning…
*Optional fan shut-off mode via controller.
*Expert color composition, Seamless setting implementation via V-link.
*Real-time color sampling, watch the light color composed live in front of your aquarium via V-link.
*Synaptic 29,5306 day moon cycle control via V-link.
*Multiple lighting scenario custom or preset available via V-link.
*Could be linked to Vertex Cerebra wirelessly for additional total network management.
Upgrade and upkeep:
*Energy transfer via piercing contacts into integrated cables, no wiring or soldering modules.
*All diodes & components in network “with each other”,” within each module”, “between modules” and “modules and the controller” wirelessly.
*Easy to upgrade or replace modules, due to total wireless communication and unique energy distribution, no wiring or soldering modules.
*Auxiliary Modules available in RED, GREEN and UV, to further fine compose your light-out as desired.
Special Features:
*Capable of growing any type of corals, irrelevant of how high their demand of light.
*Equivalent to high Kelvin 400W MH bulb on E-ballast.
*50% less energy consumption.
*No spotting effect on sand, only natural shimmer light.
*EMC certified, will not affect other electronics or devices in close proximity.
*Effortless upgradability.
*Super sleek modern design.
