EcoSmart Live now up

[BigKahuna]

I think its a server problem

This is one of the reasons I don't love the whole ESL concept to begin with. Having to have a PC with an internet connection to program/modify the lights adds a whole layer of abstraction for a device that doesn't need the heavy iron of a remote server to begin with. The PC app directly connected via USB was a PITA but the server-side control needing a PC/Mac connected still via USB has so many more potential problems i.e. router issues, firewall issues etc. Even if they come out with a controller to eliminate the need to use the USB wire I hope it can act as its own "server" much like the way my Apex Neptune has the server locally in my unit.

That said I managed to get an old PC of mine up and running for the express purpose of playing with ESL the last few days, my old Mac mini near my tank won't play nice with their 64-bit Java code apparently, and ended up pulling my hair out updating firmware, resorting factory setting, uninstalling the old software, trying to troubleshoot to see if there was a conflict etc. only to find out it looks like the reason I keep seeing "disconnected" might be a server issue and I wasted hours and hours for nothing :mixed:

 

[SteviesReef]

There are just sooo many issues. Every time I think I might give it try, I read new posts with more reasons not to.

 

[DigitalWeight]

This is the problem with a Monday to Friday support desk. If ecotech is going to run something like this they need 24/7 support, at least watching their servers.

 

[pecan2phat]

Just tried logging on 5 minutes ago and ESL is working.

 

[ghostman]

This is one of the reasons I don't love the whole ESL concept to begin with. Having to have a PC with an internet connection to program/modify the lights adds a whole layer of abstraction for a device that doesn't need the heavy iron of a remote server to begin with. The PC app directly connected via USB was a PITA but the server-side control needing a PC/Mac connected still via USB has so many more potential problems i.e. router issues, firewall issues etc. Even if they come out with a controller to eliminate the need to use the USB wire I hope it can act as its own "server" much like the way my Apex Neptune has the server locally in my unit.

That said I managed to get an old PC of mine up and running for the express purpose of playing with ESL the last few days, my old Mac mini near my tank won't play nice with their 64-bit Java code apparently, and ended up pulling my hair out updating firmware, resorting factory setting, uninstalling the old software, trying to troubleshoot to see if there was a conflict etc. only to find out it looks like the reason I keep seeing "disconnected" might be a server issue and I wasted hours and hours for nothing :mixed:

Very well said. As I've said before, Ecotech has ruined a truly good piece of hardware with a buggy piece of software that depends on their own servers for functionality. Should lighting really be this hard? Every time I see a new ESL update I steer clear of it. Luckily I just sold my last radion (at a huge loss), so I won't have to deal with any further "upgrades". Good luck to the rest of you.

 

[iPolyp]

I had connection problems too. Here's what I did to fix it:

1) upgraded firmware through the connection manager
2) do factory reset through the connection manager
3) unplug the lights to force a true "reboot"
4) reboot the macbook I used to connect to the lights

After doing this I was able to finally connect to my lights. The new software update is nice!

 

[Aceone]

Hi guys. Have been looking around but havent found an answer. I have a PC which is across the room so I have to use my work lap top to make any changes. I'm trying to set up the radion somehow to work wirelessly but don't know where to start. Do i plug the usb to the radion then to a wireless hub or router? I was going to be doing the same for my Reef Keeper Lite net module, using Netgear universal wireless adapter but I know this will work as I found it on the web.

 

[david00061]

Good luck to the rest of you.

We make are own luck

 

[ghostman]

We make are own luck

Ha!!! You don't control anything if their server is down. it seems that these threads are filled with posts from people who cannot log in. It doesn't make sense to me that control of my lights should be at the mercy of Ecotech's servers. It's unlike any other system... For a reason.

 

[david00061]

Ha!!! You don't control anything if their server is down. it seems that these threads are filled with posts from people who cannot log in. It doesn't make sense to me that control of my lights should be at the mercy of Ecotech's servers. It's unlike any other system... For a reason.

You have a choice the BETA SOFTWARE, or the original software on your computer.

 

[pecan2phat]

Desktop utility configuration application software is obsolete, there is no longer any updates for this software so you are being pushed to the ESL whether you like it or not. If you stay left behind then your lights are limited since there are substantial differences already.

 

[ReeferInWI]

Desktop utility configuration application software is obsolete, there is no longer any updates for this software so you are being pushed to the ESL whether you like it or not. If you stay left behind then your lights are limited since there are substantial differences already.

pecan2phat,
I just started using ESL today, while before I was using the desktop application. Besides some fancy wizards and a few extra bells and whistles, I still have great configurability in the desk app.

I'm not seeing the differences, perhaps it's because I just began using ESL today.

Can you point out the differences and how my lights are limited if I stayed with the desktop app?

Respectfully,
Mike

 

[pecan2phat]

Lunar moonphase option, pre-programmed graph scenerios, easier programing sequences.
But the most important factor is that Ecotech no longer supports the Desktop Utility so the last upgrade or bug fix was awhile ago.

 

[ReeferInWI]

Lunar moonphase option, pre-programmed graph scenerios, easier programing sequences.
But the most important factor is that Ecotech no longer supports the Desktop Utility so the last upgrade or bug fix was awhile ago.

I get what you're saying.

Although, those extras are not going to make or break the health of my tank or my friends that live in it. And to me, neither will the lack of upgrades/support. I have no plans to upgrade to windows 8, and the desktop utility does what I need it to do.

So, for others, it may be a big deal, but my thoughts are that I can fall back on the desktop utility if/when I need to and continue to use ESL in all its future versions.

Based on the reputation of Ecotech, I think they'll have everything worked out before too long.

 

[pecan2phat]

I felt the same way you did and initially tried the ESL Beta back in Oct. It was a complete disaster and my lamps froze up where I couldn't even turn one of them on. After a few hours of frustration, I was able to get them back in factory setting state and "RAN" back to the Desktop utility but what always bugged me all along was that these $750 lamps did not even have a lunar cycle within their software. So when they announced that they finally updated the ESL with this option, I had to try it once more.

 

[mperales]

I was having a hard time using the ESL program until I did Shaun's recommendation about using the connection manager to re-set each light to factory settings and then updating firmware. Before that it would not even find my lights, works great now. May I recommend a sticky with those instructions or place them at the beginning of this topic. It would make it easier for anyone to find a solution that works without having to read through a bunch of negativity about a BETA program and or the Radions. I'm new to this site but I can already see there are a couple of people that are hell bent on ruining these lights for a lot of us (won't work BTW ).
How do I know if my MP40 is synched to the lights using the ESL program? I did mark the option using the configuration utility program.

 

[ghostman]

I'm new to this site but I can already see there are a couple of people that are hell bent on ruining these lights for a lot of us (won't work BTW ).

An intelligent question to ask would be why people are hell bent on saying negative comments about the radions. Why would I have negative things to say when I dropped $4500 on them a year ago? I was as excited about them as you are? What could have changed my mind????
In another thread the president of Ecotech stated that " since I no longer own radions, my opinion is irrelevant". I think this is an absolutely foolish statement. I no longer own a Ford, so I guess my opinion about my experience with them is irrelevant. I didn't like my doctor and no longer go to him, so my opinion about him is irrelevant. Even RC has threads about the worst skimmer ever. I guess those opinions are irrelevant. The original poster of this thread no longer owns radions, his opinions must also have been irrelevant. I have owned sols, radions, and hyperions, so I think my experience with LED lighting is very relevant. I guess that is only true if I have good things to say

 

[lowscooby76]

An intelligent question to ask would be why people are hell bent on saying negative comments about the radions. Why would I have negative things to say when I dropped $4500 on them a year ago? I was as excited about them as you are? What could have changed my mind????
In another thread the president of Ecotech stated that " since I no longer own radions, my opinion is irrelevant". I think this is an absolutely foolish statement. I no longer own a Ford, so I guess my opinion about my experience with them is irrelevant. I didn't like my doctor and no longer go to him, so my opinion about him is irrelevant. Even RC has threads about the worst skimmer ever. I guess those opinions are irrelevant. The original poster of this thread no longer owns radions, his opinions must also have been irrelevant. I have owned sols, radions, and hyperions, so I think my experience with LED lighting is very relevant. I guess that is only true if I have good things to say

I Agree with you and i think more people then you think Agree with you.i have a love hate thing for my radions.

 

[dcforester1]

Is there a way to tell if the ecosmart site is down? I was trying to set these up after not being able to for over a month. Now I have lights that are on, and I cannot shut down. I tried upgrading the firmware, and doing the reset. Just when I thought they were bug free.
When I programed the other night the setup was easy. I guess I should have left well enough alone.

Derek

 

[TheReeferd]

Will we be able to use the browser via my iPad/ iPhone without having the radion connected?