I agree 100%. It really seems like the goal is simply to use LEDs at all costs and it doesn't matter if we do it poorer than existing and much less expensive technology. While there have been major feature gains we have taken significant setbacks in the quality and distribution of light. In many cases, we are paying 2-3x the cost for worse performance. In other cases the distribution of light has become so poor it's hard to imagine why they are legitimate options. This path just seems rather silly.
The evolution had to include a phase where the goal was simply to find some level of success but I think we are beyond that now and the goal has to be to exceed the existing technology on all fronts. Meaning healthier corals, more attractive tanks, and valuable feature sets. Without the ridiculous costs associated with modules spaced 6" apart and tuned down to 20%.
Opinions may vary but my thoughts are the halide/T5 hybrid is the goal to beat. Spectrum was not an issue, light intensity was not an issue, light distribution and shadows were not issues and visually the tank looked awesome with solid color pop and sense of movement from the halides which was somewhat muted by the T5's. IMO awesome on all fronts except it is power hungry, added a ton of heat to the tank, required bulb changes, often physically large, often ugly or require hoods and most installs lacked many cool features.
I think when you look at a diffused panel of LED's you can see an opportunity here to blend the ideal spectrum, adjust to your tanks par needs, it's diffused properly with limited shadows, there is a muted shimmer, no issues with color representation or pop, lower energy, lower heat, low profile, no bulb changes and potentially has all the cool programming features and phone apps LEDs are known for. This is where LEDS are not just meeting older technologies it is exceeding them.
I have talked to a half dozen LED manufactures and they do understand and see the same thing. The main issue is the market is accustomed the module form factor and there is legitimate fear reefers won't adopt or buy a larger form factor. I think they have good reason to believe that because LED fixtures and larger panels like the Orphek have done poorly in the US. So a single manufacturer has to be first to take the financial risk and the rest will follow. Then the BB versions
Until then I think we already have something really close to the solution with T5 LED hybrids. Options are super thin for the same reasons. The manufacturers don't want to invest in a technology everyone assumes will be irrelevant fairly soon. The new aquaticlife hybrid approach is probably going to be a major hit because a lot of us already own our LED modules and it will allow us to add the T5's in for a reasonable expense. I think the 4 foot version is going to be $350. https://reefbuilders.com/2017/08/21/aquaticlife-t5ho-hybrid-fixture-is-byo-led/
I hate to say this @Ryanbrs but the fixture you are looking for almost exists, unfortunately for you, you don't get an employee discount so you either can't talk about it if you do own one (because of who you represent) or are unwilling to give it a chance. I can't say for sure which and I'm not necessarily accusing you of anything here.
Seriously, grab a Photon V2 stick it over a 48" tank, grab two of their 48" lumen bars, angle them appropriately (the future of supplemental lighting imo) and you just killed almost all shadowing you get with a panel like this.
Are you diffused? No, but maybe you can try diffusing from the perspective of how you cover the tank rather then individual for each light source.
I know you can't get into a lot of it because of who you work for and you're basically the public voice for BRS, but I also don't think it's fair to the company who has been doing it and doing ti well the entire time to say the fixture doesn't exist.