Pacific Sun Kore 5th dosing Fan Club

[19simon79]

My saga continues (page 15 onwards), together with Pac Sun we took one step forward and then two. Pacs was sending me a bluetooth module due to their proclaimed issues with the kore 5 and iMacs. I accepted to do this test and began my wait to receive the module, that was on the 30th of June 2016. I did receive the so called module on the 18th July however after so much discussion about Mac Mac and Mac they sent me a PC compatible module :headwally: I lost about two days trying to get the thing working as they said it would till finally researching to find out it was never going to work on a Mac. I contacted them expressing the situation and disappointment. I specified two option that I would be open to at this stage and I quote:

"- Please provide a solution with the end result being a correctly operating Kore 5 for my iMac OS X 10.10.5
- Arrange for a refund of my Kore 5 Pro where once completed I will ship the unit and all accessories back to you"

On the 19th July in reply I received and quote "We are sorry for lack of answer but we had flood in Poland last week and since last thursday our service was closed.

We are terribly sorry for this mistake - our warehouse worker which packed Bluetooth module for You send You wrong version of module - for windows PC. We are sending again proper version of module for OS X. Again we are very sorry for this mistake.
We will send this module: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOW-Belkin-...394993?hash=item3a52829df1:g:FL4AAOxye3BRwfYz it's OS X compatible as You can see in specification."

So I waited..... and waited, and waited till i contacted them on the 25th August following up as I had not received anything and in reply i got and quote:

"Hello. We waited for Your answer that You agree for that because You told us that You want to send back doser so we didn't know that You still want new module. It this case we will send new module today."

:headwalls: Am I wrong in assuming that "We are sending again proper version of module for OS X." means they are sending the correct module?????

Several emails have gone back and forth and basically Ive requested a refund for the cost of the Kore 5th Pro and if they want it returned shipping costs from Australia to Poland. I am trying to be fair and don't think I'm asking for to much taking into consideration the amount of corals, time, effort and money I've lost trying to get this think working as it claims?

:furious:Now i receive a reply to send the unit back for a refund which is great BUT I've lost faith in them in being able to do anything easily and simply. I don't feel comfortable sending the unit back and paying $120US of of my pock waiting for them to refund me. If I was to do this Id be out of pocket $683US and a worthless dosing unit in hope that they follow through and follow through correctly in processing my refund.

:hmm4:So Ive gone out and arranged a shipping quote with tracking and insurance. Ive emailed through figures and specified that we can arrange to complete the transaction via PayPal so that way they have some security in the transaction. I think this is fair????, if anyone knows of a better way for all parties please let me know. Im trying not tho be nasty however I don't want to be taken advantage off and refuse to stick my neck out again. I just want this pac sun saga to end.

 

[Fcsteve777]

Bummer with the mac issues. Once I went to tygon tubing unit has been consistent and reliable. I bought a bt module when I got mine knowing the coms thing was touchy

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[19simon79]

It is a shame because I did once have hight hopes for this dosing pump. I do wish you all the best with your unit even though I'm very skeptical now. I just had word from Pac Sun stating that and i quote

"Our internal company rules didn't allow us to refund money untill we didn't get back device, which have to be checked and after confirm that there is all components included in package and device is not damaged we would pay refund of ordered by client device."

Surly they can be serious in saying they will only offer a refund if the unit is in working order/not damaged?? Now why would i be requesting a refund if my unit worked as intended.

Ive just re-read this whole thread and it make me so frustrated reading their reply to all the consumers who have spent good money buying their products. They should be so ashamed!

 

[Alfrareef]

Hi guys.

Just bought a Kore 5th which i setup last night. So far everything went very well and i spend about 1hour from unpacking until start dosing with 3 pumps.
I use a macbook pro, the cd enclosed was for windows only and the only challenge that i had was with the software not for lack of functionalities but by the usability that didn't fit with what I expected and I'm still wondering why there are so many button for reading and saving data to the doser.
My doser build date it's December/15 and was bought from a LFS.

In the following days if any thing strange happens I'll keep you posted.

Rgds,
AR

 

[Fcsteve777]

They are buttons so you can read or save the corosponding data on that page of the program. Be sure to check the box above the pump when you are saving pump settings. Reading the manual would be a good idea. I'm happy with my Kore 5th.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[wcharon]

They are buttons so you can read or save the corosponding data on that page of the program. Be sure to check the box above the pump when you are saving pump settings. Reading the manual would be a good idea. I'm happy with my Kore 5th.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I am also happy with mine but I have found several things that I need now with more experience that have to be developed which I already spoke to support.

Can you confirm which version you are using and if you are using the Optic as main ATO??

Thanks in advance...

 

[Przemek_PacSun]

Hi William,
Our service confirmed that this option for turn off ATO in exact week days is not working when you are using optical sensor.
It's already added to "fix list" - and revised version should be released before end of that week.
Thank you for your feedback!

Regards

Przemek

 

[Przemek_PacSun]

Hi guys.

Just bought a Kore 5th which i setup last night. So far everything went very well and i spend about 1hour from unpacking until start dosing with 3 pumps.
I use a macbook pro, the cd enclosed was for windows only and the only challenge that i had was with the software not for lack of functionalities but by the usability that didn't fit with what I expected and I'm still wondering why there are so many button for reading and saving data to the doser.
My doser build date it's December/15 and was bought from a LFS.

In the following days if any thing strange happens I'll keep you posted.

Rgds,
AR

Hi,
All actual shipments to USA are sent with special pendrive(which is much more practical for users which have computers without CD drive...)
If you are not sure which version of software/firmware your dozer is using - please visit download section and use latest manual, software for Mac OS X.
http://www.pacific-sun.eu/download
Any questions - simply ask.

regards

Przemek

 

[Alfrareef]

Hi Przemec

Thanks for the support. About the software, now i don't need the pen... i've already downloaded.

As said before, i install the loser yesterday and didn't find the time to look at everything.
Today i've notice that the user manual it's for a different version of software i have. I assume the windows software its different from the Mac.
Also i've notice the software version (Mac) for download today it's different from the one i've download and installed yesterday.
Finnaly i suspect i don't have the latest firmware. The firmware revision reported by the software it's the Doser 1.5d.

So i would really appreciate your help with 3 things:
1. How can i confirm that i have the correct firmware on the doser?
2. How can i upgrade the firmware? (sorry but i couldn't find the option for that on the software that i have)
3. How can i be informed that there are new versions for download (software and firmware) and what's the update for?

thanks
AR

 

[Alfrareef]

They are buttons so you can read or save the corosponding data on that page of the program. Be sure to check the box above the pump when you are saving pump settings. Reading the manual would be a good idea. I'm happy with my Kore 5th.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I understand what you say, but it seems they have developed the software without testing with general users. Perhaps it all make sense if your part of the development team.

And what about a single button for read and save? and what about just after establishing the connection retrieving the actual doser configuration to the software.
After connection, for I to have the pump names displayed on the tabs I need to go to the last tab and push the read names button...
Personnaly i would find more user friendly to have a single option for read and save configuration. But it's just my opinion...

Thanks for the help.

 

[wcharon]

Hi William,
Our service confirmed that this option for turn off ATO in exact week days is not working when you are using optical sensor.
It's already added to "fix list" - and revised version should be released before end of that week.
Thank you for your feedback!

Regards

Przemek

Thanks Prezmek for confirming. I will wait until next update.

Please keep me posted and I appreciate your allways feedback.

 

[Fcsteve777]

Yeah it's a bit clunky but the manual lays it out. The problem with a single button for read and save would be if you put something in a box accidentally.

What may be better is for it to automatically get data when you go to the particular page and then just have a save button.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Przemek_PacSun]

Yeah it's a bit clunky but the manual lays it out. The problem with a single button for read and save would be if you put something in a box accidentally.

What may be better is for it to automatically get data when you go to the particular page and then just have a save button.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Its good idea, I will inform our programmers about that idea. We will try to include it in one of nearest revisions.

Regards

Przemek

PS. Thank you for all voices in this thread - we know that they allow us make our products even better.

 

[erik2302]

After having this unit for months...I'm finally ready for a review from start to finish(Finish, because its now unplugged.).

Packaging and Hardware
First, I was very, very impressed with packaging. Beautifully done and everything looked high quality with extras of everything. I got the optical sensor with ATO and AWC. I was happy when I opened the box.

Unboxed it, laid everything out...I got a CD even though I'm a US customer buying from a US vendor, no big deal I was able to download everything online. It was also missing the power supply and the temperature probe. Annoying but I wasn't planning to use it for weeks so I emailed pacific sun who then referred me to my vendor (VERY quickly replaced the missing parts, no questions asked).


Software
As pretty much everyone agrees, this is some of the WORST software and least user friendly software ever. I feel like this is someones junior college programming project that they threw together at the last second, I really hope they did not pay someone to create this software.

After months of cursing at it, updating it, emailing support about it, I offered to rewrite a user friendly UI FOR FREE if they would share the source code (well have my brother do it, but still...) He also makes apps, so I'm sure that would come with it as well. This is how badly I wanted this system to work.

Here are the details of my issues:
MAC
-There is no firmware update function, with some digging you'll find you need a separate program.
-There is no memory file export function and "Support" won't help you without sending the file.
-Standing right next to it with a dongle, when entering values into the boxes, hitting save, then hitting read to check: Completely random results. It generally takes me 5-20 tries to get the settings just right for each value. Saving that value, then hitting read to make sure it took...oh great it changed a different value. Repeat until insane. Calibration, same issue...Calibrate, save the value...check the value...oh cool! something completely different! repeat, repeat, repeat, take a break and then repeat.

I was never able to get DC2 to function with the AWC using a MAC. So I switched my ATO to my salt water reservoir and got AWC working that way...It would pump out X amount of water, DC2 never kicked on...only the ATO.

I've tried this all on windows and on MAC, ZERO reliability.

FUNCTIONor disaster averted...
So...After finally getting it all figured out on my own(support couldn't get past the fact that MACs don't save memory files, and when I borrowed a PC to send them one...they had zero input on it), to a point that I thought was working the below incidents happened over the course of about a month:

Incident 1:
Wake up to a sump with about a 1/4 inch of space remaining before overflow! quickly unplug the Kore 5th which had been working flawlessly all day... drain the sump to the correct level and add salt quickly before scrambling to work(luckily this is a newly setup tank, I only had a few zoas and a goby...)SG changed from 1.025 to 1.021. At this point AWC was off just using ATO.

Incident 2:
This one has happened multiple times...when updating the dosing values, it somehow changes what days(Advanced tab) to dose on turning them on and off randomly. I've never changed that page at all. It seems when changing dosing amounts, it scrambles that page. When i fix that page, it scrambles the amounts. So im never certain the dosing is correct.

Incident 3:
More like error here...On the main page, when you check status-every time I click read, I get different values dosed, none of which really make sense based on the settings. I basically use the markings on my dosing containers to be sure I'm not nuking the tank.

Incident 4:
This one is the last straw, happened this morning...I wake up to hear a terrible sucking noise from my sump....oh surprise surprise, the AWC which was set to change ZERO liters and placed on the dosing pumps instead of DC pumps (because on a MAC you can't just unclick the box, and no dosing pumps 4 and 5 aren't hooked up to anything) had nearly drained my sump. Luckily I have enough volume in my tank that I was able to lower the speed of the return pump and my tank will limp on while I'm at work today.

Summary:
I could never ever recommend this doser to anyone. I honestly wouldn't even feel right selling it. I really, really wanted this to work in fact I designed my stand and system around it. Even when I thought I had it running okay, I couldn't trust it. Support has been pretty terrible though I've never been helped by przmek. Without a US based support line, I end up waiting 24 hours plus to get a response that doesn't even begin to solve my issues.

Before anyone jumps in and tells me their goto fixes:

*Pumps and dosers are calibrated (These get reset on FW updates)
*I'm on the latest FW 1.5f i believe? Downloaded it this week.
*I'm standing close to the unit with a dongle (which should be inlcuded if the giant antenna'd BT module included isn't on par with cell phone BT which works flawlessly)
*I'm not using any other BT in the room...
*I've tried wiping everything and starting from scratch with the new FW.

 

[Przemek_PacSun]

Thank you for you input.
I'm little surprised by that information about poor service and late replies. Please send me by mail informations which your mails wasn't replied on time(during our service work hours or on the morning next day if mail came after service was closed).
I'm not a person from technical support however I try to troubleshooting some simple issues with our Customers - sometimes even during weekends.
Im sorry to hear that you didn't get help from me - however to be honest with you, I can't find any not replied mail / message from you with ask about help.
If you can send me on pm information when you sent it or what wasn't replied I will check it carefully in our system.

After reading your issues list I can quickly reply only on some of them.
Issue with no firmware update in app: There is external application(firmware uploader) for Mac OS X/Android.
No memory export file: it's a limitation of OS X. If it would be possible, this would be done by our programmers(as its done in Win version).

Issues with communication / strange letters / different numbers after each read button - it looks like problem with BT communication ( to weak signal/ to big distance or if distance is small - BT radio in computer is not Class 1 compatible and not support all communication profiles). Sometimes it happen in iMacs when Customer put another dongle to computer and there are no installed AirDrop patches(partially fixed in El Captain)
We have access to new beta OS X which will be released in end Autumn this year and looks that almost all reported worldwide problems with BT/AirDrop and RFCOMM protocols will be fixed - so we hope that it will also improve connectivity with our devices.

All above can be source of your problems in point 2,3 and 4.
Icident nr 1 looks like issue with siphon effect and it's rather not directly sourced by any issue or defect of our ATO unit.

This reports never were reported by Windows Customers(which use the same losers and the same firmwares inside) so we can only try to improve some things and actual Mac OS X app using available (offered by Apple) resources. I'm sure that also here you will find Customers which use our Kore 5th units(and other products like lamps which use the sam BT modules on controllers and the same communication profiles) which never had any similar troubles.
Of course this does not excuse any problems which occurred in your case, however, it may be a clue that the cause of them is local - dependent on configuration or hardware (BT module) of your computer ..
However, thank you for all above - we hear all signals coming from market and users and it allow us improve our products quality every day.

Thank you.

 

[Alfrareef]

Pacific Sun Kore 5th dosing Fan Club

Hi Przemec

Thanks for the support. About the software, now i don't need the pen... i've already downloaded.

As said before, i install the loser yesterday and didn't find the time to look at everything.
Today i've notice that the user manual it's for a different version of software i have. I assume the windows software its different from the Mac.
Also i've notice the software version (Mac) for download today it's different from the one i've download and installed yesterday.
Finnaly i suspect i don't have the latest firmware. The firmware revision reported by the software it's the Doser 1.5d.

So i would really appreciate your help with 3 things:
1. How can i confirm that i have the correct firmware on the doser?
2. How can i upgrade the firmware? (sorry but i couldn't find the option for that on the software that i have)
3. How can i be informed that there are new versions for download (software and firmware) and what's the update for?

thanks
AR

Hi Przemek,
I would really like to tune the doser quickly.
Can you please help, answering my 3 questions?
Thks
AR

 

[bohrio]

I've had the same problem with my dossier, randomly dosed all my alk one day and then the next day 1000ml of acro power. I have since unplugged the unit and will switch back to Bras 1.1 when I get corals back in the tank since all this destroyed my tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dotty bfish for my late reply. I was in the hospital for a while and didnt get a chance to read your post.

I had to disconnect mine while I was away since my ATO was not working as expected (it will just stop dosing) and could trust it to leave it running while I wasnt there.

I am back now and looking forward to start the troubleshooting again so I will keep you all posted.

I wont be dosing the tank during this test period since, as I said, I cannot trust the doser (considering it tends to dose massive amounts of fluid despite the dose amounts being set very low and also turning all 5 pumps on without me telling it). No I dont know if this is just because the dose is not calibrated properly (I think it is but I could be wrong hence why I will start troubleshooting soon).

After I finish with the troubleshooting and if I get it to dose as it should I might put it back in the tank but, I might end up selling it tbh but I will give you my reasons when I finish troubleshooting.

At least I am glad I am not the only one having weird problems. Although again I am not saying it isnt something I have done. We will see.

PS: I just had a read at erik's review and I agree with most of what you said man. However, I did have a problem with the initial delivery, not with the doser but with the lights (I ordered everything at the same time). The lights were damaged during transport (just aesthetics) and I asked them to put a complaint, they said I had to raise this with the courier company which I tried, my local courier company wrote down the damage and saved the pictures I took and ask me to ask the sender to put a complaint, I tried to log it myself via their polish branch but they said it had to be the sender. But at this point I am not sure if they ever did despite me asking them, but I could be wrong. I have just asked them for a follow up. It has been around 5 month I think since I received it and so far nothing from the courier company.

But you are spot on with the software. I told them that myself, first I dont understand why only BT and not another method, even USB, as it is now, it just feels flimsy (not sure if thats the right word lol). Everything is like hanging off by very thin cables and if you do something wrong that seems to affect everything else, and thats with the PC version.

For instance, one problem I had was when connecting to the doser, so one day it will connect well but 2 weeks later it wouldnt connect. So a reset is needed. I found out that the reason is most likely that I close the app without disconnecting (which could have happened at first) but the funny thing is that, sometimes, when you are for instance, downloading the mbf file to send to support, the app closes automatically (more like crashes) which means I sometimes have to manually reset it to get access to it again...

Anyway it is late now I will put a full review once I give them the change to troubleshoot because as I said, it could be my fault (except the delivery damage that was def not my fault haha)

 

[Przemek_PacSun]

Hi Przemek,
I would really like to tune the doser quickly.
Can you please help, answering my 3 questions?
Thks
AR

Hi,
Information about correct firmware you can see on app first tab after connecting to dozer.
Actual latest is 1.5f for Mac(however there is available update to 1.6 which will be released within next few days)
2. For firmware update you need to get special app - please contact with service, they will mail it to you with some important informations regarding update procedure.
3. There is no auto updater - firmware and software revisions are always updated on our website and there you can find also newest manual/softwares.
http://www.pacific-sun.eu/download
then go to Kore 5th download link.

Regards

Przemek

 

[homer1475]

Got my Kore fifth in yesterday, took me all of an hour to get it setup and running properly. I personally thought the software was a bit clunky(having to read data on every tab. One would think it would read all the data when you connect?), but well thought out, and leans toward the newbie side of programming. I am using winblows, so no issue with connecting.

My only issue is, since my phone is in my hand pretty much 24/7, there should be an android app. Instead I have to lug out the laptop to make any changes to the doser. Why can't a simple app be made for android? I wouldn't mind if all it had was the connection tab, and the dosing tab so things can be changed on the fly.

I will admit I'm not using the ATO or AWC and using it simply as a 4 head doser. So far so good. I set it up to dose 177ml, and it has dosed 177ml in 24 hours as it should have. Overall I'm pretty happy with the unit.

 

[bohrio]

Got my Kore fifth in yesterday, took me all of an hour to get it setup and running properly. I personally thought the software was a bit clunky(having to read data on every tab. One would think it would read all the data when you connect?), but well thought out, and leans toward the newbie side of programming. I am using winblows, so no issue with connecting.

My only issue is, since my phone is in my hand pretty much 24/7, there should be an android app. Instead I have to lug out the laptop to make any changes to the doser. Why can't a simple app be made for android? I wouldn't mind if all it had was the connection tab, and the dosing tab so things can be changed on the fly.

I will admit I'm not using the ATO or AWC and using it simply as a 4 head doser. So far so good. I set it up to dose 177ml, and it has dosed 177ml in 24 hours as it should have. Overall I'm pretty happy with the unit.

I have seen lots of people with very good experiences with the doser. Mine work fine at first, ATO was great for weeks, I wasnt dosing at first but when I started, doses were spot on for the first 2-3 weeks and then one day I look at the container and it was almost empty (for some reason it had dosed over 700 ml in one day).

and it was then when it started, right after that i couldnt access the doser, had to do several resets etc.

I am sure this is a very rare problem, in fact, I could have created the problem unintentionally who knows, so dont worry too much, but I will def keep an eye on your containers for a while lol

Its a great doser, even if it works 100% I still dont like the software at all, but thats just the way it is!