Rapid LED

[Severum]

I'm ready to order but would prefer waiting out for white and blue XPGs with lenses.

[JetJumper]

If we are going to go for XPG's we might as well wait for the blue XPG's as well.  Its only a matter of time before they release them as well.  This way here you don't have to have different drivers (One for your blues and a different model for the whites)

The XPG's run at 1500mA vs 700mA to the XRE's. 

XPG's have a 125 Degree Viewing angle, vs the XRE's at 90degrees.

So if you take that 125degrees, narrow it down to say 40 or 60 degrees with optics, I think we will have one powerful flashlight for our tanks!  hehe.
If you go to this link and go to page 5 you will see that after a 40degree spread, light intensity really starts to drop off.  So if you take all the extra light from 125 - 40 (or 60) = 85 (or 65) you will have this light (for the most part) redirected into the tank and be more usable.
http://www.cree.com/products/pdf/XLampXP-G.pdf

All in all I think you might see more then a 30% increase of PAR depending on optics.


XP-G's are now listed.
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-52/CREE-XP-dsh-G-R5-Cool/Detail  (Looks to be MAX $2.00 more for them)

I think I might wait for the XP-G's in blue.  More power the better with LED's in my opinion.  So if we are just a few months away.  I can wait.

[JetJumper]

One thing I just noticed, is the driver rapid LED has for the XP-G's are only 1050mA and not 1500ish.  So the 30% gain in PAR would be closer to accurate then my thinking in the last post. 

If they can get a Dimmable driver that will do closer to 1500, maybe 1200, that would be perfect.  I don't want to overdrive them and the XR-E's are rated up to 1000.  So 1200 or 1250 would be a perfect mA for the XPG's I think.

[Severum]

Looks like the 1050mA driver for the XPGs is in line with Cree's recommendation for LED lifetime on page 7 of your first link. The lifetime of theses guys is also not the typical 50,000 hour number that is tossed around when talking about LEDs.

[RossW]

Their dimmable driver goes to 1300 mA.  IMHO, for the extra $14 I think dimmable is the only way to go.  It will allow you to mix the colours to your taste, and back off the lights if you are burning your corals and slowly ramp up if  you like.

One thing I just noticed, is the driver rapid LED has for the XP-G's are only 1050mA and not 1500ish.  So the 30% gain in PAR would be closer to accurate then my thinking in the last post. 

If they can get a Dimmable driver that will do closer to 1500, maybe 1200, that would be perfect.  I don't want to overdrive them and the XR-E's are rated up to 1000.  So 1200 or 1250 would be a perfect mA for the XPG's I think.

[JetJumper]

Their dimmable driver goes to 1300 mA.  IMHO, for the extra $14 I think dimmable is the only way to go.  It will allow you to mix the colours to your taste, and back off the lights if you are burning your corals and slowly ramp up if  you like.

perfect, I didn't notice that they did the 1300mA

So, just need blue LED's and optics now. 

[RossW]

So, just need blue LED's and optics now. 

Has anyone heard any rumours about when we might see blue XP-Gs?

I guess we could always drop an email to CREE?!?

[JetJumper]

Has anyone heard any rumours about when we might see blue XP-Gs?

I guess we could always drop an email to CREE?!?

I sent them an e-mail earlier today.  Just waiting on reply.

[mikerobart]

If I could convince myself I could make a *nice* diy fixture suitable for hanging over a rimless tank I think I'd be on board. I like the idea of being able to independently dim all bulbs and control colour temp.

Aquaillumination & pacific sun still seems a little pricey,ecoxotic too bulky, evils par 38 bulbs would need too many, maxspect don't trust yet...

[Severum]

Mike, if you can't pull off a nice fixture I'm confiscating your iron ring!

[mikerobart]

I'm chemical Vafa ! Seriously though, do you think these could turn out sharp enough to hang on an open tank ?

[winston199]

what is the expected final cost to put a fixture together

leds
heat sink
casing
wiring
misc parts

[Severum]

As long as you find the right frame or fixture to house them in who cares how sloppy the wires, soldering or build is.

[JetJumper]

what is the expected final cost to put a fixture together

leds
heat sink
casing
wiring
misc parts

I was calculating my fixture at $350 (Give or take) to have it running in a nice casing (Old Dell LCD Monitor case).  Now that my tank cracked, I don't know.  Have to rethink things.

[Rybren]

do you think these could turn out sharp enough to hang on an open tank

I saw some made with a black acrylic case and legs.  It looked great.

Another option is to gut an old fixture and use that as a case.

[mikerobart]

 These are pretty industrial but I like the look:
http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.php/70-LED-pendent-build?#comments

good write up as well

[JetJumper]

Tip:

http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=6717

Just incase people didn't notice that the Meanwells Power more then required and will blow the CREE's if not powered down.

[RossW]

Hopefully we get the white and blue XP-G's and don't have to worry.

[RossW]

I sent them an e-mail earlier today.  Just waiting on reply.

Have you heard anything back on the availability of Royal Blue XP-Gs?

I have been told that "that there are no immediate plans to release the XP-G in Royal Blue".

[JetJumper]

Have you heard anything back on the availability of Royal Blue XP-Gs?

I have been told that "that there are no immediate plans to release the XP-G in Royal Blue".

No, I never heard a reply from CREE.  I am sure they will release them eventually, but for now.. I guess it doesn't seem like it?