Mitras software leaves a lot to be desired

[Bilk]

I'm a college graduate and architect. I've built computers as well, yet the software for this fixture is not only very user unfriendly, but does some things that are quite odd.

Why, when connecting to the fixture, does the default illumination scheme display? Why doesn't it display the current light scheme?

The issue I have with my fixture is when ever the time reaches 6pm, the RB channel drops to 1%. The illumination run for that channel, that is written to the fixture, is supposed to run 80% from 2pm until 8pm. That shows on the graph and in the illumination run. Yet when I perform a test run, each time it hits 6pm, the RB channel drops to 1%. It also does that in real time operating over the tank.

I don't think I'm alone in saying that someone needs to work on this software. This is a top line fixture and isn't cheap. It should run flawlessly and it should be easy for the user to navigate.

 

[BigAl2007]

Bilk I'm not sure if this will help or not but just today GHL released a new version of the GHL Control Center. The newest version is 1.0.2.7


here's a link to details about it
http://forum.aquariumcomputer.com/showthread.php?6984-GHL-Control-Center-1-0-2-7

 

[biodegraded]

Agree. For example, I have yet to figure out how the moon simulation works. It doesn't seem to actually turn off a channel when the moon isn't above the horizon, much less modulate brightness with phase. And this in spite that I've been into astronomy since forever (I worked at a planetarium for 5 years) and I've been writing real time firmware for 25 years.

 

[biodegraded]

It occurs to me the above is somewhat cryptic. To explain, no combination of checking moon simulation boxes or setting the "night" onset time has any effect on night illumination. Nothing. I would think my experience as a professional programmer and amateur astronomer should make it pretty easy to figure out.

Example: You're diving in Palau. The sun sets as you sip the beverage of your choice on the beach.

What the moon does:
Full moon: the moon rises as the sun sets and is maximal brightness all night.
Next night: moon rises a bit less than 1 hour after sunset, is a bit less bright.
Next night: moon rises somewhat less than 2 hours after sunset, is less bright.
...
7 nights after full: moon rises some 6 hours after sunset and is half bright.
New moon: sun and moon rise and set together, no moon light at all that night.
Next night: crescent moon for about an hour after sunset, then dark.
Next night: larger crescent for a bit less than 2 hours, then dark.
etc.

What I expect Mitras to do:
Set the "night" begin time, in my case 2200 hrs. Check "simulation" box on, say, the royal blue channel which has a setting of, say, 2% through all the "night" period.
Full moon: RB on at 2% all night.
Next night: RB *completely off* for nearly an hour, then on for rest of night very slightly less than 2%.
Next night: RB off a bit less than 2 hours, on, even less bright
...
etc.

What I get with the above settings:
RB stays at 2% all night, every night. No change vs moon phase at all.

 

[biodegraded]

Another issue with light composer: it only works "forward". I.E. messing around with LC settings adjusts the individual channels, but if one then tweaks an individual channel, that info is *not* reflected back in the composite LC display. They are now different and one has no idea by how much, nor can it be saved in a project, etc.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Sorry not had chance to read all your posts but two things come to mind

1. You have not set a start and finished 0% state for the lamp to be fully off at night I.e 0% 12am then 0% 6am then 10% 7am then al your channels would be off.

If anything drops to a lower value at 6pm then you have an simulation channel active under illumination.

I do strongly suggest instead of getting frustrated to use the support forum at www.profiluxsupport.com we can then answer all your questions and even send you projects to try.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Another issue with light composer: it only works "forward". I.E. messing around with LC settings adjusts the individual channels, but if one then tweaks an individual channel, that info is *not* reflected back in the composite LC display. They are now different and one has no idea by how much, nor can it be saved in a project, etc.

If trying to adjust channels in illumination will change nothing all settings must be done under composer, this is covered in the manual.

Lets support you over on the support forum

 

[Darkblack]

It seems ok. Give it a time if your water parameters are good

 

[humaguy]

If trying to adjust channels in illumination will change nothing all settings must be done under composer, this is covered in the manual.

Lets support you over on the support forum

Hey Michael,

Is there an area in the support group that can walk me thru setting up the 5 units using the folwr program you sent me?

Appreciate the help, again...

Ted

 

[AQD_ottawa]

just go to the mitras forum and post your questions, the only reason i strongly urge this route even for the people i know closely is becuase then everyone learns from the support questions and answers. hope that's OK, but of course email me any time also

 

[humaguy]

just go to the mitras forum and post your questions, the only reason i strongly urge this route even for the people i know closely is becuase then everyone learns from the support questions and answers. hope that's OK, but of course email me any time also

Is there a step-by-step walkthrough?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

the manual is pretty step by step to be honest, if you need gaps filling in let us know over there

 

[Haxer]

humaguy,
Ive had plenty of "fun" getting my three units running properly under win8, LMK what questions you have and I'll walk you through it.
First of all download the newest control center file which includes the latest firmware. You have to update the units individually and then its just a matter of setting one as the Master and the other as slaves and loading the light project. These are the highlights...
Read through the manual for the control center and you can go from there.

Gotta ask though...why 5 units for a FOWLR, are you planning on a sps reef one day?

http://forum.aquariumcomputer.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=6

http://forum.aquariumcomputer.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=72

 

[humaguy]

humaguy,
Ive had plenty of "fun" getting my three units running properly under win8, LMK what questions you have and I'll walk you through it.
First of all download the newest control center file which includes the latest firmware. You have to update the units individually and then its just a matter of setting one as the Master and the other as slaves and loading the light project. These are the highlights...
Read through the manual for the control center and you can go from there.

Gotta ask though...why 5 units for a FOWLR, are you planning on a sps reef one day?

Thanks bud, that helps alot...did you make you middle unit the master?
I appreciate the assistance!

 

[Haxer]

At first I didnt but then changed it to that way. This makes setting up a "traveling" sunrise/sunset and clouds much eaiser.

 

[humaguy]

At first I didnt but then changed it to that way. This makes setting up a "traveling" sunrise/sunset and clouds much eaiser.

I thought so and will make my middle unit the master...:beer:

Have you been using the lightning and cloud cover settings?
If so, what do you think?

Thanks again,

Ted

 

[biodegraded]

I do strongly suggest instead of getting frustrated to use the support forum at www.profiluxsupport.com we can then answer all your questions and even send you projects to try.

Actually, Michael, when I want to get frustrated, I go to the ProfiLux support form where Matthias tells me what I'm supposed to want, that XYZ can't be done and it's all documented.

Case in point: bilk (OP of this thread) asked the same question there (why doesn't/can't Light Composer display what's currently in a Mitras) and Matthias locked the thread. No discussion of why it's the way it is, or the merits of the suggestion, or notice of it being in the works, or anything. Just - locked.

Strikes me as a good reason right there why a public forum not under his censorship is the place to discuss GHL software; 'cause it ain't gonna happen on his forum.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I have no clue what you are talking about as Matthias answered the question

Here is his reply on that thread
"GHL Control Center will be improved permanently, updates are going to come in the next time"

Threads get closed for various reasons, many a time this is due to one question that has been asked various times being answered then another and then another and another until it becomes an issue. Other reasons are just damn right rudeness, people seem to think forums are there to attack the manufacturer when they do not get the exact answer they want, or they simply dont understand the answer, instead of asking for clarification I have seen so many times a complete rant start, The worst is when someone with an issue just goes off on one from the word go.

To be honest support forums are a nightmare they have turned into nothing more than a tool for people to publically knock a product. I think time is coming when a support ticket request would be best served along with a database of FAQ's

 

[biodegraded]

I can appreciate that support is a thankless job for all the reasons you mention and a few others besides. But here's how I read Matthias' comment rendered in more standard English: GHL Control Center is continuously improved, further updates are forthcoming. I didn't get the idea that any particular features or improvements were designated, just that there will be, which is a given for a living product. It seemed like a brush off followed by locking. But I may be reading it wrong, so I'll roll with your take.

In any case, I have several $k in GHL products and have some more purchases in the wings. My selfish interest is getting a few awkward parts improved so I'm completely satisfied. One of those is for Light Composer to use Mitras itself as the so-called backing store, not a file on a PC and a GUI that can only command, not query.

BTW, I went with GHL because I know, intimately, how big of a task this controller suite is. I do hard real time firmware and control on in-house custom electronics for a living; google 'raytheon exoskeleton' for an example. I am one of a group of three software engineers who did every line of code at every level of software on it. It took several years. I did not also want to do my job after work for my aquarium and PL was in my estimation the best off the shelf solution.

Still, I can't turn off my professional assessment entirely. For example, I have some architecture suggestions on making dosing pumps much more usable should the subject ever come up...

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I didn't get the idea that any particular features or improvements were designated, just that there will be, which is a given for a living product. It seemed like a brush off followed by locking. But I may be reading it wrong, so I'll roll with your take.

As you can see Matthias was true to his word. This was launched 48 hours after advising the improvements were coming.

GHL Control Center 1.0.2.7
http://forum.aquariumcomputer.com/showthread.php?6984-GHL-Control-Center-1-0-2-7&p=45745#post45745

The changes made are very much based on GHL as always listening to what the client wants and rolling them out, of course it takes time to do such things and not all user defined time lines are possible to be met, but all things do happen with GHL.

If you do have suggestions as GHL drive the product forward based on just that please always post these on the support forums customer wish list forum, they are all listened to and implemented where possible and feasible.