ReefKeeper or RK2 controller group buy?

[itZme]

I recently got in touch with the people at Digital Aquatics to see about a group buy. They said they do not offer group buy discounts but would entertain the idea if we could get a REAL and HONEST count of interested individuals so they could pitch the idea to the big boss. They suggested that there would be roughly $20 taken off the price of each unit and zero charge for shipping.

This is NOT an offer for a group buy at this time. We just need to get a firm number to sell them on the idea. The cost could be reduced further depending on what they decide to do for the club when the deal is finalized. We could be the very first group buy they will ever offer!

Their retail price on the ReefKeeper2 is $270 so we are potentially looking at $250 delivered for the units (I assume there would be no tax either). That's a pretty sweet deal for a controller with PH controller built-in, wavemaker and has some awesome features like shutting off your lights at a temperature you select to save your livestock from frying. It also has computer monitoring capabilities and the software was just released. Just think of all the timers and boxes you could remove from your setup.

I won't get into the product details here just go to THEIR WEBSITE , read up and decide if you would be in for one or not.

Thanks,
-- Kevin

 

[itZme]

I'm in for one

 

[lawdog]

I have been looking at getting one... A discount would be great. You could count me in for one as well if they do the deal. Otherwise I will probably wait for christmas.

 

[MJAnderson]

I recently got in on a Aquacontroller group buy. Neptune seems a little more aggressive in their pricing. The same person approached DA and they refused to do any discount.

I got the ACjr with backlight & serial port upgrade, ph probe and the DC8 for $270. Think it was about $60 off. From my research it is a little more flexible (or at least was...now sure what the firmware upgrade added).

 

[carlos_fb]

I want one, count me in.

But we're not the first group buy, check these links out:

http://www.fishheads.org/viewtopic.php?t=9779&sid=b5e8f3b5f2a622e59a1dd50cd4f21c39

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=936

 

[itZme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8310339#post8310339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
I want one, count me in.

But we're not the first group buy, check these links out:

http://www.fishheads.org/viewtopic.php?t=9779&sid=b5e8f3b5f2a622e59a1dd50cd4f21c39

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=936

Weird.. he told me that they haven't done group buys yet. The first link has some REALLY nice prices. Wish that was what we could get this time. They might've worked with them more since the RK2 were so new at that time.

I am assuming you haven't updated your profile that says you live in California? This buy would be for the Cleveland Ohio club.

-- Kevin

 

[cowcio]

Kevin, thanks for flying with my suggestion.

I would love to be included in with this. I think they can do us better though. A simple "That's not good enough" will go miles. I mean, I think that we can definitely sell 10 if the price is good enough.

I don't believe that the pH probe is included with the basic setup, that's an extra $42. If they don't want to do something a little better, perhaps we should look into other digital aquaria units!

PM me if you would like to talk a little further!

 

[carlos_fb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8310482#post8310482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itZme
Weird.. he told me that they haven't done group buys yet. The first link has some REALLY nice prices. Wish that was what we could get this time. They might've worked with them more since the RK2 were so new at that time.

I am assuming you haven't updated your profile that says you live in California? This buy would be for the Cleveland Ohio club.

-- Kevin

Sorry I didn't know I had to be in your club.

 

[itZme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8311971#post8311971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
Sorry I didn't know I had to be in your club.

Carlos,
It would just get very complicated for people to buy them from all over the USA and then we would have to work out someone boxing them up and shipping them out. Then the cost of Paypal and shipping would kind of cancel any savings that they were offering on the unit.

Sorry for any confusion. We try to do club group buys where everyone can pay at the meetings and then we distribute the items at the following meeting so there aren't any problems with shipping etc...

Thanks for the other info on the RK2 buys though

 

[carlos_fb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8312002#post8312002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itZme
Carlos,
It would just get very complicated for people to buy them from all over the USA and then we would have to work out someone boxing them up and shipping them out. Then the cost of Paypal and shipping would kind of cancel any savings that they were offering on the unit.

Sorry for any confusion. We try to do club group buys where everyone can pay at the meetings and then we distribute the items at the following meeting so there aren't any problems with shipping etc...

Thanks for the other info on the RK2 buys though

I totally understand, no problem. Good luck!

 

[smmscott]

i could be interested

 

[itZme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8311482#post8311482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cowcio
Kevin, thanks for flying with my suggestion.

I would love to be included in with this. I think they can do us better though. A simple "That's not good enough" will go miles. I mean, I think that we can definitely sell 10 if the price is good enough.

I don't believe that the pH probe is included with the basic setup, that's an extra $42. If they don't want to do something a little better, perhaps we should look into other digital aquaria units!

PM me if you would like to talk a little further!

Thank you for the suggestion. I really didn't mean to leave your name out of the post. It was a good idea like I said in the PM and it was your idea. I decided to email Digital Aquatics after comparing prices and features but with the prices being so close we may be able to go with either company.

They haven't even made a group buy offer yet. This is his way of getting an estimate of the number of people that would be interested IF they decide to go ahead with a group buy. If you were to go locally and buy one of these they are $270 + $20.25 tax and whatever gas cost you to get there. This would save approximately $40 per unit for us.

The PH probe is not included with the AC jr either and their list price is $274 at Marine Depot. The probe is listed at $44 there and could be used for either unit as they are standard BNC connectors. I would love to get an AC jr and will talk to them as far as pricing also.
Can I assume that the 3 guys who have expressed interest would be up for an AquaController Jr if they have a better offer?

 

[smmscott]

I would be a for sure yes on the ACjr.

 

[EYESEEU]

I think if you did a strong pro and con you would lean towards the neptune

 

[cowcio]

I'm open to suggestions as to the brand of choice, but I am in the market and looking for the best bang for my buck. Having a group with similar interests would be great

 

[Tbohinc]

I have a RK2 and like it alot and with the upgrad they are doing it will be even better

I hate x-10 units controlling anything on my tank

 

[EYESEEU]

You dont need x 10's it can be daisy chained using telephone cord

 

[MJAnderson]

I have the ACjr if you have any questions. No more X10 and can run 2 DC8 daisy chained.

I got mine with the probe for $274 in a group buy. So the discount was the amount of the probe.

 

[cowcio]

What are some of the advantages of ACjr over the RK2?

I will also do my own research, but quick answers are nice to!

 

[MJAnderson]

From what I can tell, after RK2 upgraded their firmware there isn't much difference. They added everything they were lacking. Their data logging software isn't out yet but the ACjr has had one out for a while. I was told programming is more flexible on the AC than the RK but I can't confirm as I've only used the AC.

Feature wise they line up almost the same. After RK2 announced their firmware upgrade, AC lowered the price and now they are priced the same as well.