Digital Aquatics Archon Owners Thread

[DaveMorris]

Curious - I have an RKL and RKE (on separate tanks) - how does the programming of the Archon differ?

I'm one of the few that offered up suggestions for improvement on the old forum here when their developer asked for it.

Thanks.

The Archon is far more intuitive to program. It is a simple case of clicking on the gear icon and a screen with pertinent boxes to fill in is there to set the channel up. Everything is very simple to set up.

So is the Archon giving you guys many problems since it's so new?

Would you recommend people to wait to get it or are they not having many problems with it.

Since a lot of the Archon modules are not out yet, are you just using the original modules? Also what's going to be the difference between the two modules?

I think after testing it for 4 months now, it is pretty solid. Some of us testers have pushed the limitations a bit and have found a few issues, but they have been addressed pretty quick. I feel it is very solid. All of the current modules are compatible with the Archon, except for the NET and the head units. That will change in the near future. The Archon specific modules will be basically the same, but I believe they will have slightly faster processors in them. Other than that, there isn't much to change.

 

[kenman345]

The Archon is far more intuitive to program. It is a simple case of clicking on the gear icon and a screen with pertinent boxes to fill in is there to set the channel up. Everything is very simple to set up.



I think after testing it for 4 months now, it is pretty solid. Some of us testers have pushed the limitations a bit and have found a few issues, but they have been addressed pretty quick. I feel it is very solid. All of the current modules are compatible with the Archon, except for the NET and the head units. That will change in the near future. The Archon specific modules will be basically the same, but I believe they will have slightly faster processors in them. Other than that, there isn't much to change.

Just wanted to second this in a way.

First off, the programming isnt too far off what the RKE and RKL was with the MyReef application on the computer, but the browser is now the only way to change the programming for the common user, so we are now all on the same page with instructions and helping each other out.

The Browser based programming is solid, so is the system. I do want to point out to people though that DA seems to have opted to release the Archon when it reached the same level of features as the RKE. It is my understanding though that this is just the start and future upcoming updates to the software will bring in some of the added benefits of the Archon and really bring it to the next level.

In terms of a recommendation? Well, if you plan to be in the hobby a while and were thinking about an RKE, definitely go for the Archon. The Archon is up and coming, and will give you the same functionality for the time being as the RKE. If you have the RKE already, you may not see the added value just yet, so just start saving up and keep an eye open for what happens with the Archon in the coming months.

 

[n2585722]

Ken, some may feel that the total access via the web is worth the upgrade. For me this is really big plus. The programming is no different if you are right in front of the tank or miles away. I think the interface is a lot more friendly than myReef is. I had to go back to the RKE for a couple of weeks during the beta test. I really missed having Archon during that time frame.

 

[kenman345]

Ken, some may feel that the total access via the web is worth the upgrade. For me this is really big plus. The programming is no different if you are right in front of the tank or miles away. I think the interface is a lot more friendly than myReef is. I had to go back to the RKE for a couple of weeks during the beta test. I really missed having Archon during that time frame.

True, I am sorry if my words confused anyone. I merely meant that besides the very obvious items we have seen, the core functionality is virtually identical to that of the RKE. But, the Archon has way more potential. And I meant the MyReef comment in terms of the dialogs when programming a channel. The interface otherwise is quite different.

BTW, I have added notifications now for when my fan or heater go on. They will now send out tweets similar to the images about feeding time here: http://twitter.com/kensarchon. Hopefully those dont need to be sent too often, but hey, it's just a start. If anyone has any recommendations of what else to include, I can gladly give it a go. I will eventually share this integration with others, but not yet as I want to refine it.

 

[tidus10]

I wonder if i could get a job at DA as a customer service manager.. that company has to work on their Customer satisfaction.. it kills me to see such bad reviews about a company that has a good product and a good idea, just really bad word of mouth..

 

[SoloGarth]

So what about speed. I have no problem with setting up the NET module and already have Ethernet run to the tank. My biggest problem with the web access is that it is amazingly slow and very unstable. Has the Archon interface fixed these problems? It will definitely be great to be able to modify alarms and name them from a computer. I never use myreef since the last module in the chain is in my garage.

 

[DaveMorris]

So what about speed. I have no problem with setting up the NET module and already have Ethernet run to the tank. My biggest problem with the web access is that it is amazingly slow and very unstable. Has the Archon interface fixed these problems? It will definitely be great to be able to modify alarms and name them from a computer. I never use myreef since the last module in the chain is in my garage.

The speed difference is night and day. The Archon updates and responds to programming almost instantly. You also do not need to worry about messing with the SID anymore. Even if you don't have a home network (can't even imagine that) you can still just hit the WiFi server on the Archon and you're good to go. If the Archon is connected to your network via either WiFi or hard wired, and you are connected to the internet, you will be automatically notified of any updates that become available.

While agree with Ken in regards to the functionality of the Archon having a lot of room to grow, one huge difference between the RKE system and the Archon is hardware based. The Archon has two PWM outputs, four switch inputs, four 0-10v control outputs, two ph/ORP switchable probe ports, and an iTemp port. The RKE has none of that without buying additional modules for it. There are also three bus ports instead of one. That's a lot of built in hardware standard on one unit. The Archon is definitely a huge upgrade from the RKE system.

 

[kenman345]

The speed difference is night and day. The Archon updates and responds to programming almost instantly. You also do not need to worry about messing with the SID anymore. Even if you don't have a home network (can't even imagine that) you can still just hit the WiFi server on the Archon and you're good to go. If the Archon is connected to your network via either WiFi or hard wired, and you are connected to the internet, you will be automatically notified of any updates that become available.

While agree with Ken in regards to the functionality of the Archon having a lot of room to grow, one huge difference between the RKE system and the Archon is hardware based. The Archon has two PWM outputs, four switch inputs, four 0-10v control outputs, two ph/ORP switchable probe ports, and an iTemp port. The RKE has none of that without buying additional modules for it. There are also three bus ports instead of one. That's a lot of built in hardware standard on one unit. The Archon is definitely a huge upgrade from the RKE system.

The web interface is much much better. The NET Module is clunky for sure. It doesnt truly integrate into the RKE at all with its lack of being able to pull the actual channel names from the rest of the system. The Archon is only going to be limited by the internet connection you have. Also, I have talked to Eric about this, but the Archon will be receiving updates in the future to make the interface and programming even more responsive with some optimization of the calls back to the Archon.

The following numbers are rough estimates and are not fully documented. They reflect what I saw and the ratios are accurate, but I may be off in saying 600ms, it can easily be much less, It just makes the explanation and math easier)

To help some people understand, I have used firebug to time out some calls. When the Archon interface is told in the browser to change a channel from auto to on via a manual click, lets say it takes about 600ms for me to send the call to the archon, receive a blank return value, then to call the archon again for the status of that channel and then change the view of the interface on the page to reflect that information. I believe it can be sped up (and so does DA) by making the returned value from the first call have the status of the channel, making it a lot faster (by my estimates, near 300ms-400ms for me at least).

That's about all the underneath the hood I want to go into. All this is easy to see for yourself with a little bit of testing. I think this level of talk though should be reserved for somewhere else. Just know that they have things working now and they see the vision on how to reduce some of the delay, which by the NET standards is blazing fast as it is. You will probably not even notice these things on a computer, but these improvements will further aid in the mobile device area with making sure it never seems slow and the information you are viewing on the webpage is as up to date as possible (and accurate)

 

[SoloGarth]

Great thanks for the info. Increased speed and stability makes it worth it on its own.

 

[DaveMorris]

Great thanks for the info. Increased speed and stability makes it worth it on its own.

And believe me it goes way farther than that. The potential is really there.

 

[kenman345]

And believe me it goes way farther than that. The potential is really there.

Indeed it does. I was thinking about hooking up the USB cord to a UPS since people have created software for the APC units to interface with it. How many other controllers can do that?

 

[SoloGarth]

Yeah that's a good idea. I already run a bunch of equipment on a full sine wave 1000VA ups. I work for an industrial UPS company so had to hook the house up. I am looking forward to them ironing out the ups backup integration as I would like to be able to put the controller on the ups and designate which outlets remaining during an outage. Right now I just run the essentials to a power strip run from the UPS.

 

[SoloGarth]

So I went ahead and ordered a whole system from DA early Wednesday morning. I received the automatic order confirmation but nothing else. I have tried to call them for the last three days several times a day to both extensions. No one picks up the phone. No one has responded to my emails. They charged me immediately on Wednesday but haven't shipped out my order and I seemingly have no way of contacting them. Any ideas here?

 

[kenman345]

Be patient, I believe the person who ships out orders is sick or out. Should be back Monday.

 

[SoloGarth]

Is the whole office sick and out? I am patient but being ignored is too much for me. If someone from DA could have answered to tell me that I would understand. At this point I think I'll just cancel my order. I know you don't work for them. It's crazy that NO ONE there can respond. I know this has been covered before and don't want to beat a dead horse but come on DA. I was really hoping they were making changes in the customer service department. I don't want to order a new system from a company that I cannot reach in any way. Super frustrating since I have so much DA gear already though.

 

[SoloGarth]

Well I did just get a call back from Eric who told me that he didn't know why my order hadn't shipped and that my support email was caught in the spam filter. Not entirely pleased by how this has played out so far but I'm hoping things will go smoothly from here on out. They really need to hire someone to man the phones there.

 

[shred5]

Is the whole office sick and out? I am patient but being ignored is too much for me. If someone from DA could have answered to tell me that I would understand. At this point I think I'll just cancel my order. I know you don't work for them. It's crazy that NO ONE there can respond. I know this has been covered before and don't want to beat a dead horse but come on DA. I was really hoping they were making changes in the customer service department. I don't want to order a new system from a company that I cannot reach in any way. Super frustrating since I have so much DA gear already though.

This is what bothers me right now. I have been using a reef-keeper for years with no problems what so ever. I love it but recently purchased a Neptune systems which is not installed because I have been waiting for info on the Archon. I was going to sell my neptune since I cant return it anymore for the Archon. I like it works with my old modules and only need the main unit.

But here is a system that launched and you hear very little. There should be hype. They launched silently on their website which make it seem like it is not ready for launch but are just trying to appease those that have been waiting. There was no retail launch which cant make retailers happy. It also suggest this system really aint ready for launch and those who buy really beta testers. It also makes it seem like they dont have the resources to produce enough for a retail launch. I am sorry the lack of info just make DA look like they dont have the resources to put behind the Archon.. Believe me there are allot of people like me who really want to buy the Archon that have the the same concerns. The Archon sure looks like a step up but the lack of info and the lack of anyone even to answer questions makes it hard for anyone to step in and buy this. It aint cheap and it is allot of money to put into a system that may be dead in a year or so... You look on DA forums and it is the same thing. Other than what Dave Morris post I have virtually no info even on their facebook page.

Sorry I really want one I am just concerned as other are.

 

[tidus10]

This is what bothers me right now. I have been using a reef-keeper for years with no problems what so ever. I love it but recently purchased a Neptune systems which is not installed because I have been waiting for info on the Archon. I was going to sell my neptune since I cant return it anymore for the Archon. I like it works with my old modules and only need the main unit.

But here is a system that launched and you hear very little. There should be hype. They launched silently on their website which make it seem like it is not ready for launch but are just trying to appease those that have been waiting. There was no retail launch which cant make retailers happy. It also suggest this system really aint ready for launch and those who buy really beta testers. It also makes it seem like they dont have the resources to produce enough for a retail launch. I am sorry the lack of info just make DA look like they dont have the resources to put behind the Archon.. Believe me there are allot of people like me who really want to buy the Archon that have the the same concerns. The Archon sure looks like a step up but the lack of info and the lack of anyone even to answer questions makes it hard for anyone to step in and buy this. It aint cheap and it is allot of money to put into a system that may be dead in a year or so... You look on DA forums and it is the same thing. Other than what Dave Morris post I have virtually no info even on their facebook page.

Sorry I really want one I am just concerned as other are.

I'm confused.. are you saying that the Archon was a silent release?
If so, you just were not paying any attention to the press on it.. it was everywhere for like 3 months leading up to the release..

 

[shred5]

I'm confused.. are you saying that the Archon was a silent release?
If so, you just were not paying any attention to the press on it.. it was everywhere for like 3 months leading up to the release..

Yea the actual launch was . I saw some of the blogs list stuff on it but never a actually hey its launched. That should have been on blogs like reef builders. Last post about it was OCT.
Even on their facebook page people were asking when it was going to launch and it had already launched. It was pretty silent.. I had been watching and completely missed it myself.

 

[SoloGarth]

Yeah it is odd that no retailers carry it yet. I spoke with someone from BRS a couple weeks ago who said they did have one in that they were testing and that they should have them up for sale sometime. My unit shipped today although the tracking number still doesn't work. Hopefully it's just that it hasn't been brought to the post office yet.