I think I am officially done with my Profilux!

[Anim8me2]

After setting up a computer with Windows 7, getting all the updates installed, downloading the latest Control Center, making sure all the drivers work properly and getting all the proper connects online I tried to do a firmware upgrade so I can get my Profi on the web software.
I can not, after repeated attempts to update the firmware get this thing to work.
I get an error code 8 and the download/update just stops.
I have tried going from 6.15 (my current version) to 6.18 all the way up to 6.22 but nothing works.

It's ridiculous. I have a controller from a "competitor" on my daughters tank and that update was a breeze and I didn't need a PC to do it.

I am trying to get my new build in order to add water and this is one of the final steps and I am getting very frustrated. I always tell people what a better system the Profilux is but I'm tired of this. Firmware updates should be a no brainer at this point.

Seriously guys, this is crazy!

 

[billbunton]

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. In fact, my Profilux is gone (replaced by the "competitor").

Same problem with the Mitras lights, though once I got all the right drivers installed I did manage to update the Mitras firmware. It just took _many_ hours to get the right drivers collected and installed. They'll be up for sale in the next week or two.

 

[Anim8me2]

I was finally able to get the firmware to update.
It took a factory reset before any success.
GHL please step up your software game. It should not be this difficult.

 

[Halfmoon61]

Agreed! The only way I've ever had a successful firmware upgrade was with the flash tool.

 

[SPotter]

this is why I have not done a firmware upgrade since purchasing mine over a year ago. given the little to no changes that I make on mine I don't see the need to upgrade the firmware. I don't need the added stress of potentially having to do a factory reset.

 

[Jerel]

Flashing firmwares to my ProfiLux and Doser 2 have been solid ever since the initial setup, never missed an update. I've always wondered where the problems start for others.

Apple Bootcamp, Windows 7 & 10.

 

[JaySchulz]

It's scary to read this kind of stuff. I bought a Profilux instead of the "competitor" many months ago for the build I'm working on because I read how so many experienced reefers said that it was a superior unit.

 

[d2mini]

Several times I've forgotten to look for the message on the profilux where you have to click YES because I'm so focused on my laptop, and then that screws it all up. And a couple times I got an error in the middle of the update, requiring me to use the flash tool to get back up and running and then re-upload my last set of saved settings. Always remember to download your current settings before attempting firmware updates. Previoulsy I was running parallels and I've come to teh conclusion that parallels suck. I now have bootcamp running windows 8 and it's amazing how much faster/more stable it is. I have not attempted a firmware update since though.
But yes, I agree... overall it can be a bit of a frustrating process.

 

[billbunton]

And honestly, it's not just the firmware update issues that's causing my departure from GHL. On the Profilux, it was the firmware update issues plus the unavailability of things I needed. I recently set up a new 90g, and was controlling some stuff from the profilux, waiting for the expansion chassis and a couple extra items to become available. Though I see the expansion chassis is now available (or at least was, last time I looked out of curiosity), I ran out of waiting time and simply bought the competitor to control that tank. That reminded me of things I liked about them, and combined with the firmware update problems prompted me to totally replace the Profilux.

On the Mitras lamps, it's not just the firmware update either. Having to (now) run a long USB cable every time I want to make a change is a hassle, plus I need more light now. Replacing the Mitras units is going to be cheaper in the long run than buying a couple more of them.

 

[Speed]

It's scary to read this kind of stuff. I bought a Profilux instead of the "competitor" many months ago for the build I'm working on because I read how so many experienced reefers said that it was a superior unit.

I'm in the exact same boat. between this thread and D2mini's display thread there is most likely going to be a brand new in box Profilux Ultimate pack in the for sale forum.

 

[d2mini]

I'm in the exact same boat. between this thread and D2mini's display thread there is most likely going to be a brand new in box Profilux Ultimate pack in the for sale forum.

Remember though, this dimming screen was my only problem since buying it in 2012. I've seen plenty of catastrophic apex failures. Screen issues are the only hardware problems I've seen with ghl (and it's not hurting anything), and I've only seen very minor issues related to software/firmware. Imo, ghl's biggest hurdle has always been parts availability and customer service issues. But their hardware and engineering is second to none. As much as I've been completely frustrated with the customer service through all 4 years, this had to be said.

 

[Speed]

Thanks Dennis.

Coming from the service industry (I'm a field service engineer) I have very low tolerance for lack of customer support and parts availability. Customer support is the Achilles tendon of any company, it doesn't matter how great of a product they have. If that tendon is cut....they will fall.

I have read far too many threads here from frustrated people.
This has been an issue with GHL for as long as I've been familiar with them. (which is around the time you bought yours)

 

[doggydoc]

Remember though, this dimming screen was my only problem since buying it in 2012. I've seen plenty of catastrophic apex failures. Screen issues are the only hardware problems I've seen with ghl (and it's not hurting anything), and I've only seen very minor issues related to software/firmware. Imo, ghl's biggest hurdle has always been parts availability and customer service issues. But their hardware and engineering is second to none. As much as I've been completely frustrated with the customer service through all 4 years, this had to be said.

Agree 100 %

 

[GazzMan]

Agree on this as well, you buy a rolls Royce, you should get the back up the purchase deserves, for the money we have spent on these products the support is horrendous to be honest, and with a product that comes without any hard instructions or how toos the support needs to up its game big time.

All this in its self, causes frustration on a big scale, this sometimes gets transmitted to the "help" forum, you say the wrong thing and get banned from the site, if you not getting the help you are looking for, what the heck can you do, you have to carry on using a product you're no getting the potential from because you don't know how.

 

[doggydoc]

I think I am officially done with my Profilux!

Agree on this as well, you buy a rolls Royce, you should get the back up the purchase deserves, for the money we have spent on these products the support is horrendous to be honest, and with a product that comes without any hard instructions or how toos the support needs to up its game big time.

All this in its self, causes frustration on a big scale, this sometimes gets transmitted to the "help" forum, you say the wrong thing and get banned from the site, if you not getting the help you are looking for, what the heck can you do, you have to carry on using a product you're no getting the potential from because you don't know how.

My feelings exactly.

Give you my latest frustration.
And DONT GET ME WRONG, I love my Profilux stuff. Not sure I would exchange for any of the competitor products. And I DO REC PROFILUX to anyone as my first choice for controller.

Been having an issue with conductivity measurements for the past year or so.

Put it on the back burner since I know my tank measures 53 always.
Maybe +/- .5 in daily changes.
I have MEDICAL GRADE back up measuring equipment for spot on measurements and I trust it 100%.

Last couple of months I have grown tired of the abnormal values. Ended up buying a new GHL lab grade probe-$$$- to replace my probe that was 2 yrs old and problem still persisted.
Fluctuated daily from 53.5 down to 49.8. Too big of a change for my liking.

Set up a new probe. Calibrated properly and maybe a week into it, SAME THING.
Did speak to Vinny from GHL. He did point out several causes for failure of probe. I knew I didn't have stray voltage. All my equipment is grounded properly set up by a licensed electrician.
But still I spent 3 hours plugging and unplugging each electrical connection to measure with a voltmeter to rule out current issues. ALL NORMAL.

NOW here comes my frustration. And to make it clear it doesn't have anything to do with product or customer service but with PROPER INSTRUCTIONS. Ended up being an issue with probe placement. I was getting micro bubbles stuck under the probe giving me daily readings. Once I shook the probe in the water readings went back to normal. Now the only way I found about it was reading a competitors blog and sure enough in of was there.
I ended up putting the probe in another more "quiet" area of the sump...problem solved.

Here is my issue. I wish someone from GHL would have told me 1 year ago
Read the manual or the instructions for conduc probe.
Micro bubbles will be a problem and will cause lower readings once the air bubble catches under the probe.

I had to find out the hard way and had to "not trust" my abnormal readings for over a year. I know GHL pointed out several issues including stray current and micro bubbles, but that was this time around.
I have been dealing with this for 2 years!!!!!!!
Frustrated

And to make matters worse, I can't post on the GHL forum because when I do express my PERSONAL OPINION, I get banned!!

 

[GazzMan]

Yep I had a ban also mate for venting my frustrations, I'm even nervous to push too hard for answers now (my salinity ato thread) so I tend to mooch along without implementing what I want to do, unless I can find it somewhere else and copy it to my system.

How wrong is that, I'm 56 years old and scared of a bloody forum lmao how sad.

 

[doggydoc]

Lol
I am on the same boat!!!!!

 

[Antipodes]

Lol
I am on the same boat!!!!!

And I thought I was unique.
The ban is one of the reasons I don't post anymore, don't even go to the GHL forum so don't know what is happening there at all.
Don't like being outcast for trying to get some improvements and helping other users, including promoting their products to those that would listen.
Definitely moving to another system when I finally get our house repairs sorted out.
(I guess this will get me banned again)

 

[Diesel3443]

Terrible. I hate hearing this, esp since I have only had the system a couple months. Well at least I got a good deal

 

[Mark426]

My Mitras LED hardware is awsome. ..the software is awful.