Griff,
Thank you for your detailed reply, please allow me focus only on technical aspects of your response.
1. There is no any important differences between Mac OS X and Windows based app for Kore 5th. On both platforms Customers can set advanced programming, control stirrers etc. You don't need to run Windows on Mac since in last year we released special tools for upgrading firmware in our devices using any of following platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, Android.
2. Of course I know that you don't want to get not fully working product(Cube). During product development and closed Beta tests(by almost 20 EU Customers) we discovered some technical troubles (which affected two-ways communication between BT<>BT<>WIFI. Thats why we decided to postpone official release, redesign device and do a lot of work(still doing) to be sure how it will work - a specially that this Cube have to be compatible with all versions of our computers released since 2009 year.
I can agree with you that was fault that information about that was announced publicly too fast - we took this lesson and actually we not inform about any time frame on any our projects.
3. Apex - as I informed previously, I would like to not discuss about Pacific Sun internal policy. Simply Apex and PS haven't found and agreement regarding doing interface for our Kore 5th and control it by their computer. Who know, maybe key was placed in fact that they planned release their own dosing(DOS) system?
4. Laptops and their BT.
I need to say few words on the beginning.
We are selling BT enabled devices since 2009 year - as I remember we were first company in aquatic industry which offered wireless communication for our products. Since this time we sold almost 14.000 products(T5, LED, hybrids, dosers). They are using the same wireless module - and we are using the same our own communication protocols. It mean that you are able to connect with our lamp using Kore5th app(in emergency mode) and simply do soft reset - or change internal time.
What it mean and why I'm explaining that?
I'm doing that because I want to show that we gained really huge experience in last 6 years using our own hardware and working on different platforms(Windows, Mac, Android).
We know almost anything about all typical "issues" - signal strenght, CRC errors, etc.
Please take a look that we are using THE SAME BT modules in our lamps(which are sold in much more qty than dosers) and I dont remember so many(if any) issues reported by lamp users controlled from Mac platform(for example).
The same with Windows app for T5 lamps for example - actually I dont see any tickets in our internal system regarding it. But we have reports sent by Customers regarding the same for Kore 5th dosers. Where is the difference? Usually the difference is in fact that doser in putted into cabinet and it "block" outgoing/incoming singals from computer(we included external antena in dosers but it's not solving that issue in 100% if BT module is weak...
So - from technical point of view we can say - that communication protocols are proven because they work for T5 lamps, LED lamps etc but they are not working for some devices which operate with weak bluetooth signal.
Why BT modules are not included? Answer is very easy.
Few years ago they were included. All products had prices increased for about 10,00 euro and Customers(without difference that they needed or not) had to pay for that.
But...
We had MANY mails from Customers which bought our devices(a specially - more than one - like few lamps) WHY we want to charge them for this not needed by them modules? If you are buying few lamps and two dosers for example - it can be 40,50 euro which you can spent on your livestock but not on needed BT modules, right?
Several of that Customers asked us for removing it from their packages and offer prices not including this modules. We did it - prices of all products were reduced for BT module price and since this time Customers dont have to pay for something which dont need. If they will need BT module - we can sell it them directly or simply say which one(from avalaible in their country/local shop)will be ok.
I understand it, its clear - but its hard for us everytime to adjust pricing and doing "two" versions of the same products - with or without BT module.
Actually we offer this part as separate product(on Distributor/shop request but also Retail Customer). Additionally we can give "free of charge" advices with BT suggestion if Customer will simply ask.
Some platforms dont need to use external BT modules - like Android or Mac computers(not iMac's - they need additional module because internal module is shared with mouse/keyboard).
So yes, I can agree that we know that many of new computers(not all - I think that maybe about 60-65%) have 1mW output power modules which can work not properly. But it can be really easy fixed using USB BT module which can be bought from PC hardware store(or ebay, etc) sometimes for few USD with shipping included.
About Macbook Pro/Air. Yes, they are capable and have very good BT radio which work perfectly with our lamps but EVERYTHING depend from OS.
There are several reports from Customers that their computers worked perfectly with our products until they wasnt changing OS from Maverick to Yosemite(for example) - a specially that first versions of Yosemite released in last year.
Again - hardware in our lamps and computer was not changed - only OS was changed, so why we cant say: "It's caused by Yosemite OS which is not stable and include several bugs?"
We had response(from some Customers) that we are blaming Apple for "our" issues.
That situations with Yosemite was looking really very bad in last year and after several patches released by Apple it started working better and better. We didnt change ANYTHING. So why we cant say that this problems was cause by Apple OS? Only difference was OS - under Maverick its working, under Yosemite - firstly not, after several(thousands?) reports from Customers worldwide that Yosemite has a lot of bugs with AirDrop, WiFi and BT connections - Apple started doing something with that...
BT wasnt invented to fast transfer data. I never said that it was.
But our devices DONT NEED fast transfer data. We needed to had stable and EASY to setup wireless communication layer which is MANY TIMES easier to manage than Wifi.
In Bluetooth you need to only discover, pair and connect(3 steps).
In Wifi - if you want to use it in your home network you need to have little more that basic knowledge(turn on/off computer) how to manage and set it up.
You need to know your network address, DNS, masks, default gateways and finally if you want to use it externally - how to set DMZ or apply external IP address to your device(manual - not using DHCP)
Of course - BT module not allow for controlling device from any place in the world. It's biggest cons. But it have also many pros not avalaible for other devices.
For example - compare it to GHL which have WiFi module. You cant do firmware update wireless. You need to do that by USB cable. But you cant do that under Mac - you need to do that under Windows. You cant do that under Android device.
Using BT module in our devices you can do all above using native OS.
Of course - I see how big advantages bring moving our device into Wifi network and I can promise you that we dont stop working on that and I think that we will be able to say little more(regarding our Cube) very soon.
Again - thank you for your input regarding it - I appreciate it
Issue rate - to be honest I was thinking about saying that its 97% but thought the same - it will not look realiable
Thats 95% was only "circa about" number. Let say that since 7 years on market we sold almost 14.000 devices - and our Service team have.... two peoples - Adam and Tomasz. Adam is responsible for Kore5th but mostly he spent his time on assembly new units.
Tomasz is main Service chief - take care about all devices but he is also designer and engineer. We have really very small % ratio of issues "related to hardware".
I know that there is still space to improve our manuals and probably doing that will decrease this numbers again.
Finally - maybe I'm "too close" in that discussion with Customers - not every time talking like Customer service but also like user of our devices(I have hybrid and two dosers in my home).
I can agree with every critical point in discussion which will be true and without any doubt its related with our devices. But it's hard for me to agree with every sentence said by our Customers only just because it's said by Customer even if I know that white is not black but white. Of course - sometimes it's grey - but it still is not black and that why we discuss here, right?
Thank you - we are open for discussion and ideas what can be improved. Our IT team react really fast and all possible(and good
ideas can be implemented very quickly.
Please share your thoughts or ideas with our service, it will help us make this product even better!
"Transferring data" info on LCD mean that you are connected with doser and its waiting for datas from computer. Until you will not disconnect or change doser state to manual(on manual dose tab) you will not be able to control doser "by the hand". Mean - if you will out "manual pump start" when this info is on LCD it will not start. But it will if you will change doser to Manual mode(using switch button in Manual dose tab).
Thank you for input - we will discuss it with our IT. As I explained above I cant say exact date for Cube release but.. Keep fingers crossed!
Yeah, It was new experience for Tomasz(and our service) - till this day when we got it we never had similar report. It looks like power supply with hidden deffect which was affecting overal doser work giving issues which were hard to assign with power supply.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation - it was new lesson for us!
Regards
Przemek
