A lot of good points being made about the idea of the controller and driver built into the same unit. I would guess this is an advantage for small tank owners and and opportunity to upsell large tank owners with an add-on wireless control center.
My biggest issue is taking advantage of the sensor technology built into the Vortech by having feedback from the pumps. We know that they can sense internal heat and adjust speed to cool down, we know tha they can sense a separation and shut down, and I am guessing a whole lot more.
I would like to be able to have cumulative data to understand what is happening throughout my tank's daily routine, as well as some alarm system for out-of-state situations like stalls/separation, etc. I hate to join you guys in leading Eco-Tech down the path to endless add-ons, but when I initially purchased the Vortechs, I was under the distinct impression that they would run on the Neptune system. This would at least have offered me some feedback and programming control, and the ability to log in and "see" what is happening with my system.
When I get home after a day away, and find a stalled pump, I have no idea how long it was down. Currently my Neptune system will email me if there is an alarm condition for other system components/probes, as well as start and audible alarm in my house. When there is a leak, I am notified. When the temp. is too high, I am notified. If anything I have programmed to do so, goes out-of-state, I am notified. And this is one of the primary reasons why I spent the coin on the ACIII Pro.
With all of its components, I have more than $2500 into the Neptune system, and with my next two pumps purchases, I will have about $2,800 into the Vortech line. So for me, some kind of cross-communication module, or software based feedback system for the Vortechs would bring me full circle, back to my original expectations of advanced control and feedback. Hope that makes sense to others.
