Orphek OR4 Purchase Experience

[Scallopking]

A quick note about my experience so far buying a OR4 bar. I purchased one 60” directly from Orphek over Black Friday. It came scratched on multiple lenses across the face plate and there are tiny what seems like dust particles inside a few of the lenses. For comparison, I have an OR3 bar and it is perfect. This OR4 is not up to the same build par.

I contacted Orphek and sent some pics in. They wanted additional high resolution pics which I took to the best of my ability. Then they wanted me to clean the lens bar with alcohol to see if they clear up. The scratches did not. I informed and also sent pics of the dust inside some of the individual lenses to the best of my ability. It is very hard to get really, really good pics.

The resolution so far is for me to send back the bar at my initial expense. They will credit me the shipping and then send a new bar out. I really don’t feel it’s my responsibility to do this first. And I had already thrown the box out, so I’d really have to go out of my way. It’s not a small piece. The other option was a 10% credit, which I didn’t like.

So I’ve asked them to send me a new replacement and include a return label. Then I can send it back. I haven’t heard back yet but communication has been okay so far. Hindsight maybe should have went with Quanta.

Here are the pics. Thanks.

 

[P-Dub]

Yeah, I've had a similar experience with Orphek. All the light bars I have ever purchased from them only last about 12 to 18 months. So they all have failed just outside of the warranty period. EVERY SINGLE Orphek I have has failed just outside of the warranty period. I told James who I corresponded with that these are the single least robust lights I have ever had. He didn't even respond to the statement. Not one other light that I own has failed yet, other than two Illumimagic lights that I was able to get replacement boards for, for a fraction of the cost of the lights. Even then, the IM lights have been trucking daily for 5 years without a hitch.

After everything has been said and done, the overall costs of the Orphec's have been more than any light I've had on my tank and have lasted only a fraction of the time. I've had SB Reeflights, and now I have IM, ReeFi, and XR30's, all of which have been serving me for many years.

I feel your pain. If I were you, I'd just wash my hands of the company, and when your bars die, and they will die sooner than you can imagine, go with a different vendor. It will save you time, money, and aggravation.

 

[Scallopking]

Yep agreed. I will not go with Orphek again for sure. They gave me $62 back. I still would not have bought it at that price with the scratches and dust. I hope this helps anyone considering buying one.

 

[OnePiece Corals]

Never buying orphek again. And yes to everything thats been said about thier reliability. All my bars failed between 1 and 2 years from purchase.
Sorry for your trouble my friend!

 

[Kodski]

I would highly recommend the Quanta Helix bars. Better performance and cost than the Orpheks and Luca is an awesome guy. Any issues I know he'd sort you out quick. Better yet, he's USA based and for me at least, a Wisconsin local.

 

[Scallopking]

I want a Quanta next for sure.

 

[minus9]

I think for anyone looking at adding LED bars, if you're not looking at Quanta, you're looking in the wrong direction. All these other companies spend money on marketing, but Luca uses us (happy customers) to spread the word so he doesn't have to raise the price of the fixtures to market them to the masses. His focus is on design, built to last and amazing customer support, if needed. Hopefully more people will spread the word to show these other companies that the little guy has our backs and makes an awesome product, with all the support needed. And the new year is going to bring even more cool stuff from Luca (Quanta).
OP, sorry about your experience. It really sucks when you buy something, then you feel like you're stuck without any support or recourse. Here's to the little guys making a difference in the hobby!