Aqua Controller JR
- Thread starter Stixbaraca
- Start date
RBU1
Moving on Up
Matt and others....Here is the response I got from Digital Aquatics about the price difference between the RK2 and the Neptune JR.
Looks like the JR does not come with the serial connector. It also looks like replacement parts for the JR are more expensive.........
I’d be happy to give you my biased opinion. We definitely respect what Neptune does, they have decent products and have been around a long time. You won’t get a lot of bad-mouthing from us about our competitors but I will highlight a few things that make our RK2 stand apart from other products out there.
(1) Form factor
We are the only controller that has a true “remoteâ€Â. Other controllers
out there have many cables to the box that contains the LCD (power,
data, probe 1,2…), which makes it clunky if you put the LCD in view. We
also have the best mounting options for practical use.
(2) Price/performance
What you get for $270 dollars is pretty great (I’m sure you know our
feature set), especially when you consider our 2 yr warranty.
(3) Look & feel
The blue lighting is better looking than anything out there (in our
opinion) and more importantly the enclosures are of a very high quality
and look great. Some people say that looks don’t matter, and that is
true to an extent, but we all are looking for an aesthetically nice tank
and this is just part of it.
(4) Easy operation
All of our customers find the product extremely easy to use and most
don’t use the manual.
(5) Robust design
To our knowledge, the RK2 is the only controller that doesn’t have any
issues operating with electronic ballasts. We had the problem in the RK1
and fixed it, even though companies claim to not have problems, I have
heard otherwise from various stores. We even were able to resolve a
resent issue with the newer Coralvue ballasts that I know other
controllers have problems with.
(6) 2 Relays
Our product is the only controller with both solid state relays and
traditional relays (2). This helps can help certain issues that can
sometimes be caused by solid state relays.
These are just some of the features/reasons we like our product. There
are other obvious features that are great to have like PC updates so
that even features we don’t have now, can be implemented later. I
recommend reading forums and asking people that have our product to get
a better 3rd party opinion. We did a lot of thinking about what this
product should be based on what worked well with the RK1 and what
didn’t. The bottom line though, is what is best for you? Only you can
decide.
Another thing to note is he doesn't include the serial connector to hook
the device to the computer (his about $30) and we do so ours is free.
His replacement parts are a bit more expensive, temp probe = $39 we are
at $15.
No matter what you go with you and your friends need to be happy with
the purchase! So PLEASE above all, make the decision you need to make
for you! We want happy customers! Just make sure you factor in all the
costs!
Keep me posted...
Scott
Digital Aquatics
Looks like the JR does not come with the serial connector. It also looks like replacement parts for the JR are more expensive.........
I’d be happy to give you my biased opinion. We definitely respect what Neptune does, they have decent products and have been around a long time. You won’t get a lot of bad-mouthing from us about our competitors but I will highlight a few things that make our RK2 stand apart from other products out there.
(1) Form factor
We are the only controller that has a true “remoteâ€Â. Other controllers
out there have many cables to the box that contains the LCD (power,
data, probe 1,2…), which makes it clunky if you put the LCD in view. We
also have the best mounting options for practical use.
(2) Price/performance
What you get for $270 dollars is pretty great (I’m sure you know our
feature set), especially when you consider our 2 yr warranty.
(3) Look & feel
The blue lighting is better looking than anything out there (in our
opinion) and more importantly the enclosures are of a very high quality
and look great. Some people say that looks don’t matter, and that is
true to an extent, but we all are looking for an aesthetically nice tank
and this is just part of it.
(4) Easy operation
All of our customers find the product extremely easy to use and most
don’t use the manual.
(5) Robust design
To our knowledge, the RK2 is the only controller that doesn’t have any
issues operating with electronic ballasts. We had the problem in the RK1
and fixed it, even though companies claim to not have problems, I have
heard otherwise from various stores. We even were able to resolve a
resent issue with the newer Coralvue ballasts that I know other
controllers have problems with.
(6) 2 Relays
Our product is the only controller with both solid state relays and
traditional relays (2). This helps can help certain issues that can
sometimes be caused by solid state relays.
These are just some of the features/reasons we like our product. There
are other obvious features that are great to have like PC updates so
that even features we don’t have now, can be implemented later. I
recommend reading forums and asking people that have our product to get
a better 3rd party opinion. We did a lot of thinking about what this
product should be based on what worked well with the RK1 and what
didn’t. The bottom line though, is what is best for you? Only you can
decide.
Another thing to note is he doesn't include the serial connector to hook
the device to the computer (his about $30) and we do so ours is free.
His replacement parts are a bit more expensive, temp probe = $39 we are
at $15.
No matter what you go with you and your friends need to be happy with
the purchase! So PLEASE above all, make the decision you need to make
for you! We want happy customers! Just make sure you factor in all the
costs!
Keep me posted...
Scott
Digital Aquatics
Stixbaraca
New member
Here is an amazing site that outs all these controllers up against each other...
http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/
http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/
MinibowMatt
Active member
Bill, you can make a serial cable for next to nothing. If you check the neptune site, they have directions.
I cant speak for anyone else, but I am not interested in the RK2. I appreciate the legwork though. It seems like a decent unit, but the price is a deal breaker for me.
I cant speak for anyone else, but I am not interested in the RK2. I appreciate the legwork though. It seems like a decent unit, but the price is a deal breaker for me.
RBU1
Moving on Up
Matt I am in no way trying to sound rude so please don't take it that way.....If $60.00 is keepeing you from making a deal on a product that may be better I think you need to rethink things. I am not saying the RK2 is better I am just saying it is worth a comparison. I have learned REAL fast in this hobby sometimes spending the extra $ is well worth it. If you have done a comparison and you feel the Neptune is a better unit then so be it. I just think to settle for something over $60.00 is ridiculous. I am not sold on either unit I would still like to compare the 2 better. I will be looking at the site Stix sent (thank you) to see if one is better than the other as far as features go.
MinibowMatt
Active member
Bill, I understand what yousr saying, I just dont see the difference in the 2 units. the info you posted from them, are insignificant differences imo. I am comparing the 2, and I still feel the neptune is where I want to spend my money. I certainly dont take offense that you like the other one, that would be silly 
BTW- if the others involved in the group buy want to switch.. I would consider it (for the deal). Its up to the group.
BTW- if the others involved in the group buy want to switch.. I would consider it (for the deal). Its up to the group.
Stixbaraca
New member
I have been looking at the AC Jr for a while now...and did look at both.
MinibowMatt
Active member
us2000ua- I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is a members only buy. Our members have paid dues to be part of the club and take part in the deals that our sponsors are offering us. Its only fair to paid members.
If you are a paid member, then I apologize, as the memberlist I have didnt have you on it. If you would like to become a member, and have access to all our group buys and speakers etc, just send me a PM and I will give you all the info...or swing on over to www.delvalreefclub.org and you can find all the info there.
If you are a paid member, then I apologize, as the memberlist I have didnt have you on it. If you would like to become a member, and have access to all our group buys and speakers etc, just send me a PM and I will give you all the info...or swing on over to www.delvalreefclub.org and you can find all the info there.
MinibowMatt
Active member
do you like it, or are you settling?
(im glad your taking part with us though!)
We will most likely be making this happen next week. I will update with payment details and all after they are finalized with Champion.
Ribs- Probes are available at the group rate of 32 whether you buy a jr or not
However, if you want the ACjr that can connect to the computer (ie, has a serial port) it will cost an extra 22$. I know thats what I want...
RBU1
Moving on Up
Matt,
After a quick look at the comparison chart there really is not that much difference. I will keep my eye on this thread. I really want to use Paypal to pay for it so I can use my CC. THe only problem is my CC on file with Paypal expires end of Nov.....I don't have a new card because I cut it up so I would not use it So if I can Paypal you before the end of this month I can get it.
After a quick look at the comparison chart there really is not that much difference. I will keep my eye on this thread. I really want to use Paypal to pay for it so I can use my CC. THe only problem is my CC on file with Paypal expires end of Nov.....I don't have a new card because I cut it up so I would not use it
So if I can Paypal you before the end of this month I can get it.
MinibowMatt
Active member
OK.. no activity for about a day now, does anyone else want in on this deal? If not I will begin finalizing it with Champion tomorrow. I figure well close this deal early next week?
Stixbaraca
New member
Do we have 3 spoken for? I would want the one with the serial port.
MinibowMatt
Active member
yeah, I think were up to 5 or 6... depending on Angel and Mary.
Confirmed:
Matt
Steve
Serge
Bill
Possibly Mary and Angel
Confirmed:
Matt
Steve
Serge
Bill
Possibly Mary and Angel
