Apex Jr

[jhawkor]

I'm thinking about purchasing an Apex AC Jr, but I'm confused on how it connects to the internet. In order to get it online, do you have to connect an Ethernet cable from the unit to a router? My tank is downstairs, and my PC and router are all the way upstairs...Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm new to controllers.

 

[cobra9]

You can either connect with a ethernet cable or if your router is wireless you can get a wireless game adapter and use it.

 

[jhawkor]

You can either connect with a ethernet cable or if your router is wireless you can get a wireless game adapter and use it.

Does it have to be a wireless adapter that Neptune sells, or just any wireless adapter?

 

[James77]

Neptune does not sell a wireless adapter. Im not sure if there is an exact model of gaming adapter that you need. There is an unofficial guide to the Apex controllers that may cover that in more detail:

http://reeftech.webs.com/

 

[fonzer]

+1 what cobra said, but it is recommended by Neptune that you set up Apex with hard wire first.

pg 23-

http://reeftech.webs.com/Apex New User Guide.pdf

 

[Reefertim]

Not being a big tech guy myself, the above mentioned user guide helped me out a ton. I was able to figure it all out and even use my iPhone to control everything at this point.

A word of warning though, it took me a solid couple hours to figure all of the wifi stuff out and involved a few moments where I was ready to chuck the unit out the window. Neverthess persistence paid off.

For anyone from Apex out there, I would have been glad to spend another 50-100 to have built in wifi instead of setting all of that up myself.

 

[James77]

For anyone from Apex out there, I would have been glad to spend another 50-100 to have built in wifi instead of setting all of that up myself.

I'm not a big wireless guy, I like hardwired. But yeah, its odd that these comanies have not jumped on at least some cheap upgrade for it. I know I can add it to any computer for like $20 to add a card or slot or whatever.

Send an email to let them know, they hear enough demand they will jump on board

 

[jagr200]

Not being a big tech guy myself, the above mentioned user guide helped me out a ton. I was able to figure it all out and even use my iPhone to control everything at this point.

A word of warning though, it took me a solid couple hours to figure all of the wifi stuff out and involved a few moments where I was ready to chuck the unit out the window. Neverthess persistence paid off.

For anyone from Apex out there, I would have been glad to spend another 50-100 to have built in wifi instead of setting all of that up myself.

Agreed this is why I haven't bought one yet. EVERY electronic these days comes with built in wifi or an adapter you can buy for like $20-$40. Why doesn't the Apex have one yet?!

I'm not a big wireless guy, I like hardwired. But yeah, its odd that these comanies have not jumped on at least some cheap upgrade for it. I know I can add it to any computer for like $20 to add a card or slot or whatever.

Send an email to let them know, they hear enough demand they will jump on board

I'm gonna send an email. This is the only reason I haven't bought one yet.

Anyone have any links to good adapters?

 

[jhawkor]

I'm not a big wireless guy, I like hardwired. But yeah, its odd that these comanies have not jumped on at least some cheap upgrade for it. I know I can add it to any computer for like $20 to add a card or slot or whatever.

Send an email to let them know, they hear enough demand they will jump on board

I would prefer to have it hardwired too, but I just don't want to route an Ethernet cable all the way across my house.

 

[Donkeykong]

One of the reasons that they havent gone to wifi yet is some of the functions will not work correctly over wifi, specifically updates to firmware. Also alot of the connections they use are a little old school to say the least, 9-pin Din connectors. But dont get me wrong I love my Apex jr, but I am tech so playing with it was just part of the fun.

 

[jhawkor]

So, I've done some more research on controllers, and I have discovered the Reef Angel Controller that comes with an optional Wifi module. They aren't as popular as the Neptune controllers, but they have great reviews so I might go with it...

 

[NMC]

It is recommended that for the initial set up, you have it hard wired to your modem (not your computer, your modem). The people at Neptune were very helpful and actually took control of my computer to get all my internet stuff correct since I was, I think, particularly lame about it. Then I got the wireless router recommended by them. It was pretty cheap and works fine. Can't remember what it was called, but if you decide to get the apex and want to know, I'd be happy to look it up. I have stacks of paperwork on all my little do dads and could find it if you really wanted to know. There are lots of options though, for the wireless connection.