Aquatronica vs GHL Proflux

[RobbyG]

I think what kind of Blows peoples Gaskets is how aggressive GHL and it's (Dealers / Users) get. They have a product that on Paper sounds pretty good but when you get down to the nut’s and Bolts of the system you hit into major snags like what Mr_Harry is pointing out.

1) Yes it does have a lot of accessories but you can’t hook all of them up at once because you run out of ports. And its missing some critical sensors like leak detectors while doing exotic ones like Humidity.

2) Every bloody Profilux accessory cost so much, that unless you’re a millionaire you won't be able to afford even a 1/4 of them.

3) It has the accessories but hooking them up is not Plug and Play like the Aquatronica, you have long individual wires to deal with, opening up things and screwing down or joining wires, adding cards into slots, sacrificing a card that you paid good $$ for so you can add another and by no means is all of this a quick or easy setup.

4) The impression you get is that it’s an easy task to monitor the Profilux Via the Internet. It's not, you need to have a PC running the profilux software for it to work. So forget going into an Internet Café or a hotel while on vacation and checking your Tank.

5) Re Profilux III: This "Easy Upgrade for Profilux II" owners, seems a bit odd since the only thing you would have left from the Pro II when going to Pro III would be the Metal Shell, maybe the Powersupply. I have not yet heard what the special upgrade price will be and that has me worried.


As stated by Zorden, both Controllers are at the Top of the food chain and the RKE is quickly moving up the ladder and so will the APEX. If Profilux Dealers and there minions would stop being so aggressive, and let the competition be based on Merit instead of Deceptive bashing, the forum and reefing community would be much better off.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14880793#post14880793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zorden
Yes both are great controllers. Really i have heard good reviews on these 2 controllers. its like comparing merz ad BMW, both are great germany cars. good technology and definitely failure are inherent in these god send gadgets maybe at a lower rates.

Cool down guys. its really informative and good to know so much about various controllers.
thanks Luisagos and davemorries.

 

[RobbyG]

I wish other people would do there homework like you did instead of just going by the dealer saying here's a "List Of things We Sell" and then falling for the line, Look at our Forum we have no complaints.

The reason they have no visible complaints is because they PM the any complainers pronto and tell them in the future not to post any problems but email them directly if they need help ( Yes I heard about this).

That way they keep their own forum clean, Yep it's smart business but it gets a bit dishonest when you then start to point at other controller Forums and say hey they have a Ton of complaints and we don't.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14882824#post14882824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr_Harry
Simple

I did my homework, I saw it was too easy to max it out.

 

[Mr_Harry]

When a company tries to hide things it makes me
take a hard look and I typically don't do business
with them (or stop doing business with them).


Before getting my controller:

I Read the manuals
I Called the company a few times and asked questions
I Read through the forums (on RC and the Companies site)
Then I made my selection.


I'm actually a bit surprised to see people who buy controllers
without reading the manuals first (you can down load them).

Or based on what the sales guy told them it would do.

 

[DaveMorris]

I'm still curious about the math. Here is what I come up with that I would need to purchase to fullfill the list I posted earlier:

1 Profilux Plus II w/temp probe $599
3 4 Way analogue power bars $540 3x$179.99
1 High amp socket exp. module $100
1 ph probe $35
1 Temp probe $70
1 PLM ph/temp unit (to add second ph & temp probe) $180
Total comes to $1,524.00
I also believe that I am missing some things such as a network card and other necessary expansion cards to plug all of this stuff in. I don't even know if I could plug all of this stuff in. The prices are from CherryCorals.com as of tonight. And of course, 95% of this stuff shows "out of stock".

The cost for my RKE system as shown above breaks down as follows:

1 RKE w/NET $590
3 PC4 Modules $270 3x$90
1 PC1 High amp module $42
1 SL1 $70
1 addt'l ph probe $39
1 addt'l temp probe $20
Total is $1,031.00

I did not include the moonlights because it doesn't look like GHL sells moonlight pods or fixtures. If I added that to the RKE list it would be another $138 for the two MLC modules. All of this DA product can be hooked up to the existing RKE and it will allow another 53 modules of any type to be connected to it without buying any additional hardware besides the new module. One more thing...everything on this list of DA products is currently in stock and shipping with the exception of the PC1 which should be shipping any day now. I currently have all of this equipment up and running on my 300g system and it works flawlessly 100% of the time.

I would love to see a more accurate comparison because quite frankly I don't know enough about the Profilux to know for sure that the list I made is complete or correct. I did it with the best information I could find. Yes GHL may have an entry level package that is priced to compete with the RKE and AC3, but when it comes to expansion, who really comes in with more capabilities and at a better price?

 

[Mr_Harry]

Dave you also need to count in the float sensors etc.

You have to use their float switches.
(On the RKE you can use just about any ones float switch).

 

[DaveMorris]

You mean I can't hook up the $6 float switches from Aquahub to the Profilux?

 

[Mr_Harry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14889063#post14889063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveMorris
You mean I can't hook up the $6 float switches from Aquahub to the Profilux?

From my understanding, NO. They use a PS/2 type
connector and do not tell you what the pin out is.


I used the Reef Fanatic Float Switches (19.99 each with brackets)

A lil more than $6 though, I'll have to look at the ones from Aquahub.

Thanks for the tip

 

[luisagos]

Seems like I am being pulled back into this thread.

This thread was posted by the user Zorden, he also included a poll.
To see the people opinions of the two controllers he mentions in this poll.
You must ask why the Profilux beat the Aquatronica hands down. The poll was open to the equal amount of users.

Enough said, on that point.

Aquatronica had major hardware problems on their Main Units and issues with their Power Bars.
They made their customers buy new Main units to get away from the bugs.
Some Customers went through 4 head units, before getting one that worked, others left and brought a different brand name controller.
All their customers should of received a least new controller for their trouble. I hold my vendor to a high standard. Its going to take time before I respect and trust Aquatronica.

RKE continues to release not a fully tested controllers to the market, just to gain market share. They seem to have a good system, other then if you don't care beta testing their products with your reef.

Aqua Controllers always been reliable and a solid system, but they are dated piece of equipment, are lacking a lot of features and Apex should address some of those issues, we can only hope.

Profilux always been a very expensive controller in the past with the new path they are heading the prices has come down, with high quality parts, they always lead them market with the lastest functions.
The P3 will address some of the expandability, so you can have 50 Ph probes. For me thats just a stupid talking point.
I don't see how I am going to need more for my 125 tank.
And having only 1 controller for 3 or more tanks is a big mistake, I already gone through this on a different thread.

About DIY your water sensors, why in earth name, are you going to go cheap with Chinese parts, for one of the most critical feature in the system?
Saving money is great, going cheap is just pain stupid in the Aquarium hobby.

My last point is this.

Isn't’t it amazing how the digital aquatics team turn a thread around to promote their brand, supported by DA beta tester and the banned user harry_fish now masked as mr_harry I thought once banned from RC you could not come back Harry?

Harry you owned a Profilux, somehow you feel not important to mention that, and also being banned on RC not too long a go.

Dave, you are DA BETA TESTER, what are you doing promoting their good on this part of the forum?
What Games are you both doing? Is DA behind this?
Why are you misleading the people on RC with half baked truths?

I want to know, I am sure the RC people want to know.
I would hope the RC mods will want to know also.

I say this again, I do not work for Profilux, my first post directed to GHL was not so friendly.
I paid full price for my system, before the freaking sales they are having now, lol.
When a Company does a great Job I praise them, when they do a lousy job, they will know about it.

 

[mhurley]

I'm closing this and letting people know that anyone with anyone participating in these threads with a vested interest in these products needs to remove themselves from the discussion or risk your posting priviledges here.