Reef angel controller.

I have the same question...I have posted and not too many people responded...do a search and you'll find some long threads from last year talking about the pros and cons...from what I can tell, people either love them or hate them, but the haters seem to be the ones who don't have them and are using the APEX. I'm gonna take the plunge and buy one when I get the cash because you get the whole deal in the basic $219 package: ph probe, temp probe, 8 outlets, 2 switches, and the wireless module is only 109 more. I was concerned that it might be made of cheap materials, but people I talked to said it was fine....I don't think you need to mess with any programing as the thing comes loaded with enough basic programming to get you started, and there is a fairly easy programming program that is available now. Look on YouTube for a demo...
 
I know. thats what sparked my interest. Seems too good to be true. Im holding back a couple of weeks to see if i get this instead of a apex jr.
 
I've had one for about a year (maybe more). Overally I'm pretty happy with it, but I've never owned another controller, so can't say much for a comparison. While I've had it the entire system has gone through a lot of development and some of the issues with the early versions have been worked out. Also a lot of features have been added in software. Do keep in mind though that this is a cheap open source project for a reason. The community is very supportive and helpful, but you're not going to get a manual detailing everything you want to do. There are, however, some great software tools to make it a lot easier (I've never written a full set of code for the contorller, but it helps to be able to understand the code).

In short, if you want a system that you just plug in and never think about again, it's probably not for you. If you like tweaking and changing things/features, it's a great option.
 
Im thinking this may be for me. Looks solid. Im a tinkerer so it fits me fine. Does it have software i can run on my mac? Can i interface it with my droid?
 
I've had one for a few months and I love it. It's not for the feint of heart but the community is VERY supportive and guys like Robert make it worth every penny (no I don't work for them). Things that I have mine doing:

Typical stuff:
- Fan control (on a timer)
- Feeding mode (turns off Return Pump for X seconds)
- Wave maker functionality

Advanced Stuff
- LED control
-- 4 Meanwell drivers driving 4 colors (RB, Reg Blue, CW and WW)
-- Weather effects.
-- Random cloud cover
-- Lightning storm during cloud cover (in progress)
-- Lightning works with additional PWM Expansion module (needed to driver 4 independent drivers. It can drive 8)
- Temp reporting (online and iphone notification)
-- 3 Temps (water, lights, room)
- PH reporting (online and iphone notification)
- Overflow protection
-- Used Single High ATO function and placed sensor high in my overflow.
-- If my downpipe clogs and water rises it triggers sensor and shuts off my return pump
- Customized display
- Remote access to controller via RDP and/or LogMeIn Ignition on my iPad.

- It can do a lot more and it's doing more than I have listed but that's the basics so far.

All in all its pretty cool. Especially with a community that is open to development support. The client is pretty awesome too. That what is pushing notifications out and stuff.

I'd definitely recommend it.

Here is my current banner that is constantly updated

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WOW!! this is an awesome list of functions....Are you using the wireless module, or can you hook up a wireless game controller to connect with a router? Or do you have it connected via ethernet?
 
WOW!! this is an awesome list of functions....Are you using the wireless module, or can you hook up a wireless game controller to connect with a router? Or do you have it connected via ethernet?

Need to buy the wireless module. Unfortunately it does not have ethernet port.
 
I'm hooked up via usb on a netbook that is on my wireless network. Doing it that way allows me to Remote Desktop in from anywhere or use LegMeIn Ignition on my ipad. Not that necessary but if I get a Critical text from the RA I can adjust things as needed remotely.

Jeremiah
 
has anyone got any new info on these? I'm looking at possibly getting rid of my RKL with ALC and get one of these. Having the 8 plug ins is nice and the coding shouldn't be an issue anymore i dont think.
 
I bought one in September and I love it...it works great, it is incredibly flexible, controllable from iphone app...the support on the ReefAngel forums is great, I cut and past code that other users have posted so coding is really not hard at all. Check out the website, there are all the new modules posted, it can control Vortechs and they are working on controlling Tunzes as well. I don't have LEDs, but those who do do incredible things with the ReefAngel...
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yeah for the price i dont think i can beat it. might just have to sell.

I also like that it comes with the float switches and everything too.
 
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