Maxspect Mazarra P-Series Unboxing & Impressions

By Mark van der Wal on Nov 11, 2011

The Mazarra P Series LED light by MaxSpect showed up on my doorstep today, and I wanted to share the unboxing experience. Everything was efficiently packaged, and included plenty of extras, including 3 different optics. The finish on these P-series modules is phenomenal. The case is a glossy piano black, while the heatsink is an attractive gun-metal gray.

The ball-joint mounting arm is a major bonus with these units, allowing you to easily angle the light at a particular section of corals. The versatile mounting rail, modularity, and easily interchangeable LED’s are serious selling points for the Mazarra line. While the whole design may not suit everyone’s taste, one can’t deny its functionality. You can hang it from the ceiling, mount it on the wall behind the tank, or just mount it to the tank itself. The rail is also mountable inside a canopy if you prefer to hide the lights.

Each P-series module is rated for 60-watts, and includes 6 different LED’s. Cree’s XM-L’s are on hand to provide intensity, while the warm white Cree XP-G’s bring about some needed reds and yellows. In addition to the Blue and Royal Blue by Philips, Maxspect incorporated two indigo LED’s in the 410 and 420nm range respectively. I look forward to seeing what other LED’s Maxspect will release for the Mazarra. This particular model has four controllable channels of light, while the S-series will have only two.

The wireless controller is designed to attach to the same rail as the lights. The buttons are sealed to prevent moisture issues, and powered by the same ballasts that run the lights. Each ballast can run two modules, and the controller. Maxspect includes extension cables, that allow you to daisy chain everything together.

I have to give Maxspect props for including a local interface on each light as well. Folks without the wireless controller can still adjust the intensity of all 4 led channels in percentages, and also adjust the temperature threshold for the fan. But you’ll miss out on any timer functionality. You will also need to splurge for the wireless controller if you want to create dawn/dusk effects, time-phased intensity, and weather features.

In upcoming posts, I’ll cover the nuts and bolts more. And finally, I’ll swap out my metal halide/T5 combo with these Mazarras. But for now, here are the initial unboxing photos.

Everything is neatly packaged, and includes spare screws.

Included in the package are 100 and 40 degree optics, along with the installed 70 degree optics.

You can see the power plug for the included fan. Everything tucks neatly into the grooves on the heatsink.

One fully assembled module. Note the glossy finish.

The Power Supply.

The kit included tank mounts that attach to the rails. They can be used on trim up to 3/4", or horizontally on euro-bracing.

These mounting arms attach to the tank mounts, or other accessories available for the Mazarra series.

Arm attached to tank mount.

A close-up of the rail system.

Close-up of the Mazarra P-Series wireless controller.

FCC regulations require us to inform you that we were given this product for review but our opinion and review of a product is never affected by how we acquire it.

Anonymous

That is one gorgeous looking unit!!

Should give the Radion some comp., plus it’s cheaper! Gotta like that!
Anonymous

That is one gorgeous looking unit!!

Should give the Radion some comp., plus it’s cheaper! Gotta like that!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mathieu-Gagné/659241296 Mathieu Gagné

It is actually much more expensive for the same amount of optical power, as you would need two modules.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mathieu-Gagné/659241296 Mathieu Gagné

It is actually much more expensive for the same amount of optical power, as you would need two modules.
Anonymous

Not for my 29 gallon Bio-Cube!
William L Kennedy

Looks like they have made improvements
I am still trying to decide between this one and the Vertex LED units.
Anonymous

That’s a slick looking mount and controller. Looking forward to more info..
Anonymous

That’s a slick looking mount and controller. Looking forward to more info..
Anonymous

That’s a slick looking mount and controller. Looking forward to more info..
Anonymous

That’s a slick looking mount and controller. Looking forward to more info..
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UHWQS4C26FAPFW6J65MTWKLN2I myma

Notting come even close to those, in terms of flexibility and functionality, they are top of the line!

Radion don’t have lens,no way to change or upgrade LED, no controller,no LCD,no tank mount,ugly cable mount, USB style not waterproof connector to be fill with saltcreep, and you get a nice fan under to fill the insides fixture with salt creep…….
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alois-Wolloner/543493824 Alois Wolloner

Been using these for a couple of week, not that great.
the hanging kit is not the best, one screw holds the light. very flimsy.
no where near the top of the line.
More of a nano tank lighting set up.
kent Robertson

You are completely wrong on several accounts! Radions are completely upgradable, include a great controller interface and jury is still out on the fan location, though the electronics are sealed from the area cooled by the fan. Know what you’re talking about before you post!
kent Robertson

You are completely wrong on several accounts! Radions are completely upgradable, include a great controller interface and jury is still out on the fan location, though the electronics are sealed from the area cooled by the fan. Know what you’re talking about before you post!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622465486 Ryan Thompson

Stick to your day job of selling Maxspect.

Trying to rag on another company makes you look bad, especially when ALL of your facts are wrong. Google is your friend in this instance.

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622465486 Ryan Thompson

Stick to your day job of selling Maxspect.

Trying to rag on another company makes you look bad, especially when ALL of your facts are wrong. Google is your friend in this instance.

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_S7XTWS2BFHIDAFBFZEX6SWXNJA Bill

What is the consensus on these for an SPS tank?

Darn LED lighting makes figuring out lighting on a new SPS tank a major PIA!
Martin Brochu

Where’s the review?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QSZZB5PF3MYTG3Y7KK7AVSQ3LI Chris

It looks really nice, but I’d like to also see a video of this in action over a tank. Something similar to what ecotech released last week, which I thought was awesome.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MT7W45LOUXQYMTPEBXHZOR32CY Stephane

Those are fact don’t see no bashing read this….. http://reefbuilders.com/2011/09/19/ecotech-marine-radion-led-2/
There no tank mount or show me one,no lens reflector yes but no lens, you can’t change 1 LED you need to change 17,no LCD,USB connector see the link, fan pushing inside the fixture please open yours eyes…. as far as a controller show me the pudding I have yet to find any…..I give informative fact from my own observation after comment mazzara are more $ than the Radion. They are yes but you get more and I did not rag no one
You seem very sensitive about ecotech sorry if I hit your toes don’t worry I will not comment anymore.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MT7W45LOUXQYMTPEBXHZOR32CY Stephane

Those are fact don’t see no bashing read this….. http://reefbuilders.com/2011/09/19/ecotech-marine-radion-led-2/
There no tank mount or show me one,no lens reflector yes but no lens, you can’t change 1 LED you need to change 17,no LCD,USB connector see the link, fan pushing inside the fixture please open yours eyes…. as far as a controller show me the pudding I have yet to find any…..I give informative fact from my own observation after comment mazzara are more $ than the Radion. They are yes but you get more and I did not rag no one
You seem very sensitive about ecotech sorry if I hit your toes don’t worry I will not comment anymore.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MT7W45LOUXQYMTPEBXHZOR32CY Stephane

Those are fact don’t see no bashing read this….. http://reefbuilders.com/2011/09/19/ecotech-marine-radion-led-2/
There no tank mount or show me one,no lens reflector yes but no lens, you can’t change 1 LED you need to change 17,no LCD,USB connector see the link, fan pushing inside the fixture please open yours eyes…. as far as a controller show me the pudding I have yet to find any…..I give informative fact from my own observation after comment mazzara are more $ than the Radion. They are yes but you get more and I did not rag no one
You seem very sensitive about ecotech sorry if I hit your toes don’t worry I will not comment anymore.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622465486 Ryan Thompson

FACT – The USB connector is covered up. No salt is getting in there.
FACT – I don’t need an LCD screen on my light. It is right in front of me right now and is 22″. Much better than a small screen on the light.
FACT – The electronics are completely sealed off and only the heatsinks can get ANY salt on them. Not a big deal if it happens.
FACT – Ecotech runs circles around Maxspect when it comes to customer service and helping people out. If one LED goes out, they will send an entire cluster free of charge.
FACT – Optics are pointless for MOST tanks. They create major hotspots and you can very easily burn coral. I have tested NUMEROUS LED fixtures with optics and moving an inch either way can drastically change PAR. Do you think that is good for coral? I know it isn’t.

I don’t have a Radion light so you didn’t hit a sore spot with me. I just hate seeing people post false information.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3IWJK7ONOXNBYKPFB26NIOMUXQ CherryChan

I’ve found one here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DfPb5im2SE
http://twitter.com/alex93se alex nguyen

‘FACT – Ecotech runs circles around Maxspect when it comes to customer
service and helping people out. If one LED goes out, they will send an
entire cluster free of charge.’

Really, how do you that this is a fact? Have you used Maxspect cs recently for you Mazzara? Have you had a LED go out and Ecotech send you a new led board? Thought so.

‘FACT – Optics are pointless for MOST
tanks. They create major hotspots and you can very easily burn coral. I
have tested NUMEROUS LED fixtures with optics and moving an inch either
way can drastically change PAR. Do you think that is good for coral? I
know it isn’t.’

Really? Seems AI has done pretty well considering they use optics?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=622465486 Ryan Thompson

Has AI done well? AIs are my absolute least favorite major LED system on the market. They lack color and reds and pinks look terrible under them.

I know several people here locally that have had major issues with Maxspect CS. The only reason they got their money back was because the company they bought them from took care of them, not Maxspect. Maxspect didn’t do anything to fix the controller issues.

Thought so.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Johan-Sundstrom/603929070 Johan Sundstrom

What’s the difference between pushing air through the unit or sucking air through it? Maybe you did not notice that theres a fan on the Maxspect as well and channels for airflow straight through the fixture.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MT7W45LOUXQYMTPEBXHZOR32CY Stephane

-Fan on the maxpsect don’t suck but push fresh air from the celling on to the heat sink
-The channel are not force air and only a hole it the eat sink
http://www.facebook.com/darksidekites Mike McCarthy

Helped a friend install these a few weeks ago, here are my experiences:

-The soft metal on the mount of the light strips under the lightest pressure making the fixture unusable. I mean SLIGHT – must be less than hand tight.

-The tank mount has a large bow in it and is not stable whatsoever, in any direction. (220 gal tank)

- The wiring is FAR from neat & clean and instructions are near useless

- The Wireless controller does not work. Not even after weeks of talking to the retailer and the manufacturer, it does not connect to all 5 units.

Bottom line: Looks sleek in the box, that’s about it. I would NEVER buy one of these units for myself. I expect quality, fit & finish for a product and this has none of those.
http://www.facebook.com/robin.lutchman Robin Lutchman

I agree,

although Radion has its place I feel these units are by far more versatile especially when it comes to alternative mounting methods.
http://twitter.com/willi828 willi828

My Mazarra P Quad has a module that wont connect. Also, on each Module, I cannot switch the series number or the wireless channel–or I can switch them, but they do not save. It says they save, but the auto mode only works on 3 of them. I’m actually quite unimpressed. For the price, these should work, and they should work well. They look great, but they are a hunk of junk. Usability = 0/10, Quality = 3/10, light output 10/10. Not worth the money.

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