LATEST UVB TECHNOLOGY

[dominick]

Hi Folks-

Attention all Herpers with UV-Dependent Basking Reptiles:

This is some of the most exciting stuff to come along in reptile care in years.

Working with Westron Lighting Corp., Mac Industries has created the newest UV-emitting Mercury Vapor lamps that will set the benchmark for all other manufacturers.

I have had the privilege of working closely with this product, giving me the intimate details of the Research, Design, Engineering, Testing and Quality Assurance that go into these superior bulbs. You will be very surprised at the high performance standards these bulbs will set.

"SIGNIFICANT DESIGN CHANGES MEAN IMPROVED LONGEVITY.
-Westron Lighting Corporations externally Ballasted (EB) lamps mean no more premature burn-out common among internal filament ballasts. Put simply, these new bulbs last significantly longer than any “other” style.

-Using cutting edge technology coupled with tremendous research and testing, we have conquered and significantly reduced the huge decay rates so common in other Mercury Vapor lamps. While other bulbs decay as much as 80%, our newly designed EB bulbs decay less than 30% over the life of the bulb, setting a new standard!"

"RESPONSIBLE QUALITY ASSURANCE MEANS MORE CONSISTENT OUTPUT.
All of our bulbs are pre-tested with state-of-the-art testing equipment. Our bulbs also come with the UVB rating written right on the bulb. No one else in the world is confident enough to do this! These Quality Assurance measures ensure that you will never have to worry about your reptiles receiving poor UVB under these lamps. Tell us your need in UVB and we can give it to you. We are so confident of this, there is no “pro rating” in our warrantees! (See individual descriptions for Warrantee information)."

You'll find these bulbs at only at this site right now:

www.reptileuv.com/index.html

Stop by and take a look at the Next Generation in UV-emitting lamps.

Also, be sure to check out the amazing MEGA-HEAT HEAT EMITTER.

"There is simply no other manufacturer that builds a heating device like this! Using only 60-watts, the Mega Heat HE projects more heat than the old 160-watt ceramic heat emitter with no danger of burning you or your reptile!"

"The Mega Heat HE projects a soft penetrating heat where you direct it. Your reptiles will love and actually be drawn to this heat! Used in combination with the Mega-Ray UVB Flood Lamp, you will create the perfect UVB and heat environment for your reptile."

I had the pleasure of testing this amazing device during my trip to NC. This thing is simply amazing! Unlike the old CHE's, this unit PROJECTS the heat to the basking spot. It keeps a consistent temperature at the basking spot, yet you can touch the face of it and you don't get burned! How hot is that!

Take a look at these new and innovative lighting and heat products available at www.reptileuv.com and see for yourself.

NOTE: These products are in production right now, with first deliveries expected in two weeks from 6-01-04. The site is still under construction so check back frequently. When the Buy Now button is activated, be sure to place your order and be one of the first to use this cutting-edge technology.

[Tesa]

Dom? I'm very interested in these (for winter use).

Putting aside the kajillion possible variables of the surface to be heated.....
What kind of heat does the 60 watt flood merc give off ?
Is it ballpark with a standard household bulb?

Do you have any idea what price range we're talking?

[dominick]

The Mega-Ray Flood does not give off any heat. you'll need an alternate heat source, like the new Mega-Heat ($25.00 + Shipping).

The lamps are $65.00 each + plus shipping and are warranted for 1 full year (no pro-rating). External ballast is warranted for 2-full years.

The Mega- Heat HE comes with a customer satisfaction guarantee. Free 30-day trail. If you are not happy return it for a full refund + Shipping! Who else does THAT?

[mar]

Few questions after reading that site.

One 65W would then be enough UVB emission rather than two four foot reptisuns, well more than the tubes according to you in the Sunlight v. Reptisun thread?

30% drop off after 6 months so say we are down to 120 micro W/cm^2 at 12 inches, how long do we have until we need replacement?

Does the $65 cover the bulb AND external ballast?

This thing is drawing, that is emitting, 65W and not all of that is becoming light energy most is going off as heat. How hot does this thing actually get, normal 65W soft-white bulb level? A normal tungsten filament bulb is only about 10% efficient as a light emitter, the rest of the energy being wasted on heat, florescent tubes are little better I think they are only about 25% efficient.

With an external ballast can I use my normal lamp bases or does it come with a base?

On the heat emitter ---
Is it a dark source so I can use it on my thermostat 24 hours a day or will I still need a night source?

Sorry to pepper you with skeptical questions but you push the product, you get the questions.

Mark

[dominick]

Hi Mark-

I entirely expect the questions. I'm not so much pushing the product as I am informing our members of this new technology that I've had some experience with.

To answer your questions:

1) The range 100-300 uW/cm2 is the best range for UVB-dependent Basking Reptiles; Mimics the sun enough to be beneficial without overdoing the exposure and creating other health related problems. One 65-watt Mega-Ray Flood Lamp will likely outdo any fluorescent lamp. Remember, these are Mercury Vapor lamps, fluorescents don't stand a chance next to them.

2) The Mega-Ray is warranted to produce for one year a minimum of 50 uW/cm2, and it's likely that the reading will remain consistent higher than this (250-300 microwatts at 12"). Again, fluorescents don't stand a chance. You are lucky to get 50 microwatts from some fluorescents at any time after initial burn. The usual recommendation is to replace a fluorescent after 6-12 months. The Mega-Ray Merc Vapor will give you a consistent 12 months of use. How much longer than that depends on the individual bulb and handling. With a UVB Meter you can always be assured of the UVB output and replace the bulbs when necessary.

3) Yes, the $65.00 price is for the "Kit" (bulb and ballast).

4) I can't speak of the efficiency details simply because I don't know them that well......yet. This lamp gives off little heat (read the warning in the product description). Because of its design the light-energy is significantly increased over a other merc vapor bulbs, for a long time. This bulb was designed to produce greater UVB emissions.

5) The lamp is designed to work in a standard (approved in terms of ceramic socket and hooded) fixture.

6) Yes indeed the heat Emitter is a dark source. All you see is a little glow from the heating element. This thing works great!

Mark- Skepticism is a good thing when we are discussing this type of advanced technology. No one should use advanced lighting products without proper education. This product was developed by Westron Lighting Corporation, a leader in lighting solutions and Mac Industries, arguably the best UVB testing facility we have. Their combined knowledge and testing has produced this superior product.

Feel free to call the number on the site and discuss your concerns with them directly. They are more than happy to answer questions as the product line launches.

[mar]

So you have the heat emitter? If so, is it what it claims to be? Can you touch it with your hand, briefly, without being burned and would you trust it as Rex's main heat source, how many would you use across a large cage? I really like the sounds of it and the 30 day trial. I will probably do this when funding allows. I have been using a 100W blue flood which is pretty bright but CHEs have died on me -- I can keep a $4 flood working for 18 months but a $25 CHE dies on me within 2 months.

I have never so much as seen a external ballast set up so I am clue less on it. Sounds like you have played with one. Do I screw the bulb into the ceramic lamp base then wire the ballast to the base and power the ballast with common (60Hz, 120V rms) wall plug?

I have to get a new UV lamp for my new cage (Bob has only had one 24" reptisun 5) and it is currently between this 65W bulb and two 48" reptisuns. It looks like over the coarse of the first year the prices would be the same (I don't have the base).

I am generally skeptical of most of what I hear from only one source. As an electrical engineering student thinking about an optics minor I understand these numbers and specs better than most.

thanks

[dominick]

Hi Mark-

The HE is great. Yes, you can not only touch it for a moment, you can keep your hand there for considerable time.

The parabolic nature of the "envelope" directs the heat to the basking spot, so between the HE and the basking spot (the open space, if you will), you feel little heat, but at the target spot you get 95-100 temps.

I'm checking on the use instructions for you now, so I can give you detailed instructions. I saw them set up, but didn't really pay attention to how since I was mostly taking readings and comparing them. I'll let you know.

Thanks for the questions Mark, whenever I seek out answers I too learn more and more!

[Shaun]

Holy #$5@ it puts out more UVB than the sun at distances closer than 3 feet?! I need to figure out a way to buy this.

[mar]

I just got a job offer for the summer and had a promising interview so I hope to have a choice of jobs come Monday -- painting houses or hanging gutters, not great but still a job. This ties in as I can now earn money and will be able to buy this heat emitter you have sold me on (and make my car payment).

Now for the light. Have you had your hands on one as part of being involved with the development? Have your meter readings verified what the company claims?

[Tesa]

hey Mark,
Dom is away from home for the next few days. I'm not sure if he'll get a chance to stop in here or not, so he may be slow in responding to your questions.

I want to know more about this light too.
I contacted the seller asking for one to test, but haven't recieved a reply as of yet.

[mar]

I have time. I won't be able to fully afford it for a few months anyway.

If you test one of these too it will make a great second opinion.

thanks

[prism_wolf]

This UVB emitting bulb will only be sold to "qualified herpetologist or individual hobbyists that own a UVB meter."

Oh gawd!! I am NOT working all of this overtime for this!! But I am purchasing one as I type (email confirmation just came through). I may not use it while good weather is here since Zair gets to go outdoors often...but I surely will initially just because I would like to test it.

The Capture the Sun greatly dissapointed me with a 70% decay rate after one months usage. I am excited to see if this actually is only a 30% decay rate!

Jeez...hubby"s gonna look at me in that cranky way...

[mar]

There are two different merc vapor lamps up there: the MegaRay Zoo and the MegaRay Flood. The Zoo is only sold to zoos and qualified herpers with meters the Flood is unregulated, both are $65.

The only differences that I see are in the min and max distances for the UV readings. Both distances for the Flood are 1/3 those of the Zoo. Looks like they frosted the Flood so the average moron won't hurt himself too much too quickly when they decide to tan under it. Never underestimate the power of stupid people.

[dominick]

Correct Mark!

The Zoo one is for "qualified" owners (and serious rehabbers). The Mega-Ray is for everyone else.

I'm waiting for my latest production lamp to arrive now. I tested them in NC while I was there. The readings are accurate.

[Darry]

recently got the mega-ray flood, external ballast. wierd looking set-up...but boy does it crank UVB! it's very dif in the start-up from my other varitey pack of merc vaps. it starts out very dim, then over 5-10 min, brightens up and the UVB picks up. i'm getting a tad over 300 at 12 inches, and 70-ish at 2 ft. it puts out a tiny bit of heat, but not much. so far..i'm impressed.