Kessil A500X

[Helfish]

Look what we have here

More info https://www.kessil.com/aquarium/saltwater_A500X.php

 

[Poochaku]

Can't see a kessil not having shadowing problems. Light looks awesome but point source for an sps dominant tank?

 

[Bpb]

Can't see a kessil not having shadowing problems. Light looks awesome but point source for an sps dominant tank?

Don’t care how many watts you throw at it, or how fancy you make the glass bead that covers it....a pencil eraser sized point source will create hard shadows unless you use a ton of them

 

[Colt13]

Interesting, same wattage as AP9x. Wonder how the price will compare. $650?

 

[seifer]

Don’t care how many watts you throw at it, or how fancy you make the glass bead that covers it....a pencil eraser sized point source will create hard shadows unless you use a ton of them

This is more a light for the right tool, right job. people with deep tanks and using the narrow beam reflector would love this. Even a 24"-30" cube this would be great for. Also add some supplemental lighting bars and you're golden

 

[Poochaku]

How did metal halide only users get enough spread for sps?

 

[Thaxxx]

The reflector


$739 retail

 

[piranhaman00]

How did metal halide only users get enough spread for sps?

The massive reflector that has turned people toward these tiny little reflectors that require multiple units. Money grab!

They are claiming 36x36" spread for sps!

 

[Thaxxx]

Big money grab

 

[hart24601]

They are marketing this wrong IMO. It would be a great light for those that have really deep tanks or want to mount the lights far above the tank, but they specifically say SPS lights. In fact they say each one is good for 36x36 for sps.... you imagine using one point light for a tank like that?!?! But that is what they say it's for......

IMO they should make a larger ap700 style with more clusters for their sps light.

Maxspect and orphek already have similar spot lights like this one although a bit more expensive but more powerful, and appropriately labeled as specialty lights.

 

[MONTANTK]

This seems like a pretty cost effective way to light a very large tank keeping softies and LPS. Makes my dream tank that much more affordable!

 

[rtparty]

And in typical Kessil fashion, no on board WiFi. More money for wireless control that should be included at this price.

Fact remains a 2" puck can't cover a 24x24 area, let alone the ridiculous claim of 36x36. It just isn't physically possible. Kessil needs to bring the price down considerbly and use about 6 pucks to cover a 36x36 area. That would be realistic

 

[Jon's Reef]

$739 + $99 for wireless is right inline with other 180-200 watt lights. Orphek also uses an external gateway.

As long as they have the right lens, covering a 36” diameter is no problem. Shadowing is not just a kessil issue. G5 radions also have shadowing. CC, Orphek and Strat gets away from the shadows, but can look flat.

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

Look what we have here

More info https://www.kessil.com/aquarium/saltwater_A500X.php

Look what we have here

More info https://www.kessil.com/aquarium/saltwater_A500X.php

I almost made a huge mistake and bought more 2 more G5 Radions because they were 10% off

 

[Kershaw]

Why does kessil always release a new light after I buy their latest!!

 

[ctnguye3]

Does anyone know when they will go on sale? Thanks!

 

[gideon2086]

My LFS owner said that he has one for his tank (provided by rep), that preorders are live now, and he expects them to be in-hand by mid April.

 

[sghera64]

Why does kessil always release a new light after I buy their latest!!

+1. Bought the AP9x recently. Love it! Hoping the A500X forces a sale on the AP9x as everyone flocks to the bright new shiny object (pun!).

 

[sghera64]

Does anyone know when they will go on sale? Thanks!

I heard it was on, or about, March 31st. So it is close.

 

[sghera64]

I'm not going to do this, but what if you mounted one of these bad boys on a rail and had the light move across the rail (left to right) over the photo period? It would be like the sun moving across the sky each day. Perhaps that would reduce the single-point-light shadowing effect by at least 80%.

I think many years ago, some hobbyist actually did this with his MH reflector. I believe he had a single 1000W MH bulb.