Best Controller ?

[balloonpilot]

So the current line of ProFilux is limited in its expansion (3 slots) and if one wanted to run another tank, that quickly gets exceeded? Without buying more controllers = expensive.

So ProFilux model 3 is the answer and can expand to virtually as many tanks/outlets as needed w/o having to buy more contollers..

Ah - but when is ProFilux 3 coming out? Is there an upgrade path?

 

[luisagos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855317#post14855317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by balloonpilot
luisagos

If I'm looking at Profilux - What part numbers do Ineed to do:

16 outlets
2-4 contacts (float switch type)
pH, ORP, Salinity, temp (to start with)
Get it on the net

How many slots does the main unit have for expansion? When thats filled up, do I need to buy another box? With how many more slots does that have?

I guess my biggest issue right now is not being able to find answers to these questions, Profilux sounds great but...

You will need this

The Profilux plus 2 EX with Net
(2)Profilux 6 Way Digital Power Bar
GHL Profilux Salinity & Conductivity Electrode
Profilux Redox (ORP) Electrode

You have plenty of room to expand. The Profilux III upgrade kit should be out this year, with that you be able to control the world, hehe.

Cherry Corals has 25% off, If you buy from a Canada dealer you can save like 20%, because of the currency, that the Canada dollar took a dump, and most of these places offer free shipping.

I really do not work for GHL, so your better off asking on their forums for the best deals.

RC Forum Link
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=527

Profilux Dealer sites.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1611194

 

[Mr_Harry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14854871#post14854871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by laverda
....... I have had the AC2, AC JR AC3 and AC3Pro and all have been extremely reliable. .......

I will admit Neptune was # 2 on my short list.

It really came down to a choice between the two and the RKE won out for me.

The RKE had the dimmable lighting I was looking for and
the ability to add "modules" (the bus system is a huge plus).

The Apex does look interesting but not enough for me to jump.

-

As far as the forums, I would say to anyone look at the
Manufacturers forums not only on RC but more so at their site.


Read the tone of the response that the users get from support.

Some of the responses sound like a comercial and don't answer the questions.

-----

Not a real questions but to show what I mean by the tone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. I need to know if your controller can empty my skimmer for me.

A. Our controller Is #1 and can turn all your lights on and off any time of day or night, why we even have the best probes know to man, Blah, balh blah, yak, yak, yak.

(and the question never gets answered)

or

Q. I cannot get the probe to calibrate, I followed the directions in the manual, and even had a friend with the same controller try and help me. Could it be a bad probe?

A. We use only the highest quality probes it could never be the probe it. You are doing something wrong.

----

Reading those type responses ruled those vendors out as well.


All I can say is do your homework.

---

I personally Like the RKE, it does more than I could ask for and it is avaliable now.

Yes the other guys have things comming out (They all do),
but until they are out they really don't count.


People can say the RKE can't control Tunze... Mabie not right now,
but in the future they will most likely since they already have the
foundation laid out with the ALC module.

They could do it as simple as a programming change on an ALC,
put a new label on it and they would have a Tunze module.

They could even leave the Serial port that is on the ALC to control
the AI lights and have it talk to other vendors progucts (Vortech?).



That being said Digital Aquatics does surprise us with the new modules that they bring out.

So as far as we know they could have this on the drawing board right now.


They have 4 new modules coming out now, and I thinking about getting all 4 of them.

(See what I told you about wanting to spend money with them )

 

[Canadian]

Here's something else to consider:

When I started shopping for a controller I had originally intended to go with a GHL Profilux based on the positive reviews in comparison to all the problems I had read about with the DA RK Elite. However, I was deterred by the GHL Profilux based solely on the cumbersome size and form factor of the display unit/controller. I have very limited space in my stand and I will not have an unsightly controller sitting outside my stand. The horizontal orientation of the Profilux was a poor choice of form factor in my opinion. For that reason alone I was resigned to not purchasing a controller. However, now that Neptune Systems is coming out with the Apex line of controllers with a nice form factor my interest in a controller has been rekindled.

 

[luisagos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855412#post14855412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by balloonpilot
So the current line of ProFilux is limited in its expansion (3 slots) and if one wanted to run another tank, that quickly gets exceeded? Without buying more controllers = expensive.

So ProFilux model 3 is the answer and can expand to virtually as many tanks/outlets as needed w/o having to buy more contollers..

Ah - but when is ProFilux 3 coming out? Is there an upgrade path?

Read this and you get your answers.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1618507

 

[Gondore]

I'm surprised that the Aquacontrollers aren't being mentioned more here. I did some pretty indepth research before purchasing my ACIII and believe it is the best value for the money right now. It's extremely reliabe, has tons of functionality (including web functionality built in), and is priced right. The Apex is being released next month and appears that it's going to be an even better bang for the buck. Lets take a look at pricing between Profilux, RKE, and the Apex.

Apex - under $500 includes
Apex Head Unit
Module for all probes
Temp Probe
PH Probe
EB8 (8 outlets)

RKE - $580 includes
1 x ReefKeeper Elite Head Unit (RKM-GC1)
1 x RKM-SL1 (pH, ORP, temperature, 2 micro switches)
2 x RKM-PC4 (total of 8 outlets)
1 x RKM-SID (System Interface Device)
1 x pH Probe Kit
1 x Temperature Probe

Profilux - $650.00 includes
Profilux Plus II with GHL temp probe
Digital 6 socket power bar
Aqua Digital PH probe
RS232 serial cable 1.8m
PH 7 and 9 calibration fluids

When looking at this what I see is that all of these units have very similar functionality yet the price swings by about $150. The Profilux does seem to offer a little additional functionality like the storm simulation. Honestly though how many people would use this? Does it really benefit your reef or is it simply just something cool to show your friends. I believe a downfall of the Profilux is it's size. I like to be able to easily view my head unit and due to the size of the Profilux it's not like you can easily mount it to your canopy like the RKE and Apex.

 

[luisagos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855476#post14855476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canadian
Here's something else to consider:

When I started shopping for a controller I had originally intended to go with a GHL Profilux based on the positive reviews in comparison to all the problems I had read about with the DA RK Elite. However, I was deterred by the GHL Profilux based solely on the cumbersome size and form factor of the display unit/controller. I have very limited space in my stand and I will not have an unsightly controller sitting outside my stand. The horizontal orientation of the Profilux was a poor choice of form factor in my opinion. For that reason alone I was resigned to not purchasing a controller. However, now that Neptune Systems is coming out with the Apex line of controllers with a nice form factor my interest in a controller has been rekindled.

Did you see some of these pics, skip some, lol.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1576027

 

[luisagos]

Gondore,
your comparisons is way off, RKE and Profilux pricing is all wrong, and you left a lot of features out.

Need to spend alittle more time on it.

 

[Gondore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855567#post14855567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luisagos
Gondore,
your comparisons is way off, RKE and Profilux pricing is all wrong, and you left a lot of features out.

Need to spend alittle more time on it.

Please provide some details on what is incorrect. Those prices were pulled from RC sponsors as of today.

 

[Mr_Harry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855528#post14855528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
I'm surprised that the Aquacontrollers aren't being mentioned more here. .......
Lets take a look at pricing between Profilux, RKE, and the Apex.
....

I have to agree as I think the Aquacontrollers look good
(after all they were my #2 choice)

As far as prices the real comparison comes when you price the add ons.

Some controllers have great intro deals, but after that...

Another important thing for me is who is selling them,
Most major outlets sell the RKE and the Aquacontroller.

So that would tend to make me believe they are in the majority.

The Aquacontroller line looks nice, but for me I really prefered the RKE.

I think they are both great controllers.

 

[Mr_Harry]

The RKE also includes (at least mine did):


The PH probe solutions
The Switch Adapter kit
2 One foot Bus cables
2 Three foot Bus Cables
1 Six foot Bus Cable
1 Six foot USB Cable
1 Six foot Networlk Cable
10 Mounting screws


------

I wanted to show the graphing off (Excuse the fuzzyness as I had to resize it for RC)

 

[luisagos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855599#post14855599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gondore
Please provide some details on what is incorrect. Those prices were pulled from RC sponsors as of today.

Going around doing Copy and Paste will never provide a factual report.

First of all, you got to compare apples to apples.

Is APEX going to have the NET card built it for the $500 price tag?

If so, then you need to add that module to the RKE and Profilux Packages, because its a add-on for the base module.

Hence why no one here is talking about APEX, unless you have a clear cut spec sheet for APEX, we all be guessing.

Another feature greatly overlooked is the Tunze support.
The Tunze control cost almost $300 to control 4.

Profilux can control 8 of them and do a better job with more features then the Tunze controller itself, included in the base price.

Key point here, Because of Profilux ability to do this, they can control anything out there, that can be controlled.

RKE, Aquatronica does not have ability to control the Tunze wave makers(unknown when), APEX is unknown.

 

[Gondore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855730#post14855730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luisagos
Going around doing Copy and Paste will never provide a factual report.

First of all, you got to compare apples to apples.

Is APEX going to have the NET card built it for the $500 price tag?

If so, then you need to add that module to the RKE and Profilux Packages, because its a add-on for the base module.

Hence why no one here is talking about APEX, unless you have a clear cut spec sheet for APEX, we all be guessing.

Another feature greatly overlooked is the Tunze support.
The Tunze control cost almost $300 to control 4.

Profilux can control 8 of them and do a better job with more features then the Tunze controller itself, included in the base price.

Key point here, Because of Profilux ability to do this, they can control anything out there, that can be controlled.

RKE, Aquatronica does not have ability to control the Tunze wave makers(unknown when), APEX is unknown.

Just for reference this is not copy and paste except for the fact that I wanted to get the item names correctly for each unit. Just so that you know for future reference:

- The Apex does include the NET functionality to the degree of the RKE if not to a higher degree
- The Apex does include the ability to control Tunzes
- I also believe the holdup with Vortechs is on Vortechs side and not on the side of the controllers

 

[Gondore]

If you are actually interested in learning more about the Apex you can check out this movie:

http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/04/08/apex-aquarium-controller-neptune-systems-video-updated-pics/

I asked all the questions you had above several days ago of Neptune Systems and Curt replied back in hours.

 

[jerryz]

spitting matches about controllers are humorous. Louis, I do have to say that badmouthing a bus design as being inferior would be akin to badmouthing a freeway because more than one car at a time can drive on it. You even go so far as to relate how you're work is replacing 2 computers with 7. While this may be a TOC decision it has little do nothing to do with MUXed data buses. If the data bus was a poor design then you'd be replacing all of the computers with discreet components and home run lines for each as every one of the computers has a bus.

 

[luisagos]

Another thing.

Profilux has 5 expansion (2 doubled up) and that is with already having
PH
Temp
Level x 3
Redox
Salinity
6 x 1-10v interface
Already on-board

Like I said before Profilux III upgrade kit will make the PII so they can have limitless expandability at distribution priced upgrades.

Next month GHL is releasing first time products.

AC dimmable ballast control the first controller to be able to dim any wattage T5HO 110V ballast with AC dimming (readily available)
Digital/analog card, this came from my request to GHL, they listen to me and release it.
And INC soon is
Hydor control koralia pump

I really don't see how RKE compare to this even with APEX, they are already behind.

 

[unbreakable]

I'll be honest and say when I first got the RKE i was stoked. Then a week later it shutdown for a couple seconds and started again.. then later the screen was flashing. After updating all firmware it was fine, then i noticed it shutdown again out of nowhere. Ever since the last shutdown I haven't noticed it shutting down anymore, and I haven't upgraded to the 1.11 firmware yet.

The GHL looks cool but im not digging the prices on equipment nor do I like that huge power supply. I was going to go with the RKE or the AC3 but went with the RKE. A 6 way powerbar is going to cost me 300 bucks for the profilux, the 4 way is 200.. I need at least 12 outlets, and the RKE power supply are 90 for each one

I really dont know what each GHL package can do, but i'd rather it just state what the package can do.. not what it could do in the future if you were to upgrade parts of it. If it were just to say what it comes with and what it can do right out of the box, that would be cool..

http://cherrycorals.com/equipment/home.php?cat=27

http://cherrycorals.com/equipment/product.php?productid=916&cat=26&page=1

Overall I like my RKE, but to me the downside is having to follow a lot of logic if I were to get a little more complex with it. The Apex coming out looks just like the RKE but seems like it can be more flexible. I also think a downside is reliability. What good does it do to let me know some people are having problems and some people dont them and we have to wait on firmware updates that may be really important that we all have to update to anyways? I've experienced the shutdowns and that was not cool, believe me I was ****ed..

The GHL is bulky and I have no room for bulky controllers. I also dont think the price to add things on is a good deal, nor do I have any use for the storm effects, etc. How many TOTM relied on things like that to make them have a great reef? Something that is reliable, expandable, and flexible (easy to program) is important. I also don't need tunze powerheads, even though they're great. I have vortechs and wouldnt use anything else

 

[luisagos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855904#post14855904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jerryz
spitting matches about controllers are humorous. Louis, I do have to say that badmouthing a bus design as being inferior would be akin to badmouthing a freeway because more than one car at a time can drive on it. You even go so far as to relate how you're work is replacing 2 computers with 7. While this may be a TOC decision it has little do nothing to do with MUXed data buses. If the data bus was a poor design then you'd be replacing all of the computers with discreet components and home run lines for each as every one of the computers has a bus.

Why do people do not listen, I never said it was a poor design.
As for redundancy is sucks, if the BUS goes down, everything stop working.

The BUS of a computer is enclose in one housing, much easier to protect and keep clean.

Unlike MUXed DATA, the BUS is located outside the protected enclosure and exposed.
Can you guarantee me 100% if you lose one of the module on the BUS that it will not lock up the Communications up?
What happens if the BUS is severed?

Hence why controlling hundreds of devices on BUS is cheap, but as for redundancy your asking for trouble.
Unless you start making the module smart and basically your back to my point about having 7 PLC versa 2.
The cost would increase by a good margin.

 

[luisagos]

unbreakable,


Thank you for honest comments.

For me it doesn't bother me, how big Profilux is.
To be honest, I never thought about it when I was deciding on what to get.
I do like the idea that can change boards out and add cards when I need to.
I don't see my self replacing the main unit for years to come.

BTW Cherry Corals has 25% off, but you only see it, if you check out.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1620574

 

[talon4x4]

Why not just start out with something small and cheap and see if you need more. You can find plenty of ACJr's out there used for cheap. I have one running my 90gal mixed reef and love it. Right now its controlling all my lights (MH,actinic,moon), my heaters, pumps and ATO. The best part I got it for $125. If I want something bigger and better I could easily resell it for the $125 I paid and upgrade to something more. The unit I have came with a temp probe,pH probe and an 8-plug power strip.

I also know of one TOTM that uses just an ACJr, so it goes to show simple can be better.