Took the Vertex plunge....

[Richocet83]

Just ordered a Cerebra controller. Not sure what it's going to be like but for almost 50% off the MSRP I thought now was a good time to put a controller on my aquarium. Excited to see the Android platform and all this new tech has to offer. A little bummed that it doesn't come with a pH probe but hopefully I can plug in my probes from the Milwaukee monitor(s) I have... it says it has BNC connections. Eagerly awaiting.

 

[robthorn]

Good luck to you. It is introductory and meant to suck you in. Adding enough to get you up to the standard apex will be at least the price of the apex and then you rely on someone else to do the programming and then limited by their knowledge of how an aquarium should work. Totally not for me but I know millions will be happy . It will work. Just not for me yet.
Very interested in your experience once you get it. Please keep us informed about your experience.6

 

[cnreef]

Kind of rough with only 1 probe

 

[Richocet83]

Kind of rough with only 1 probe

I agree but I am more excited over the potential for this to be really user friendly and still have various programming options... I use an Apex on an Aquarium at work and a ReefKeeper on my Reptile habitats... now adding the Vertex will give me a nice look into something completely different.

 

[Richocet83]

Good luck to you. It is introductory and meant to suck you in. Adding enough to get you up to the standard apex will be at least the price of the apex and then you rely on someone else to do the programming and then limited by their knowledge of how an aquarium should work. Totally not for me but I know millions will be happy . It will work. Just not for me yet.
Very interested in your experience once you get it. Please keep us informed about your experience.6

will definetely keep everyone up to date on progress.

 

[WiDataTech]

Following...please keep us posted.

 

[Richocet83]

Well... already a little disappointed. The $375 price point does NOT include a power bar.... had to shell out an extra $150.... which means, when this controller goes back to MSRP, it will be $700 for a small computer with no outlets to control... maybe I made a mistake, but hoping I'll change my mind when it arrives.

 

[redddogg69]

Well... already a little disappointed. The $375 price point does NOT include a power bar.... had to shell out an extra $150.... which means, when this controller goes back to MSRP, it will be $700 for a small computer with no outlets to control... maybe I made a mistake, but hoping I'll change my mind when it arrives.

The included Multi bar has 6 relay controlled outlets as well as the probe outlets, the power bar adds an extra 6 relay controlled outlets. With what you bought you have 12 total controlled outlets.

 

[Richocet83]

The included Multi bar has 6 relay controlled outlets as well as the probe outlets, the power bar adds an extra 6 relay controlled outlets. With what you bought you have 12 total controlled outlets.

That's what I thought... But the vendor I preordered it from told me the introductory price does not include the outlets. I'll be really happy if I end up with 12 outlets, can definitely find a use for all of them.

 

[mallard]

The multi-bar includes 6 outlets. I received the same message and was later called back to let me know there was a misunderstanding. If you also purchased the power-bar, you will now have 12 controllable outlets.

 

[Richocet83]

The multi-bar includes 6 outlets. I received the same message and was later called back to let me know there was a misunderstanding. If you also purchased the power-bar, you will now have 12 controllable outlets.

Mallard, good to hear... I haven't received any calls back since the original telling me to order the outlet bar. May need to talk to someone tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Richocet83]

Got in touch with vendor today. They're refunding me for the extra power bar, and instead I've ordered a conductivity probe. Patiently waiting...........

 

[Richocet83]

Received confirmation email that my Vertex Cerebra has been shipped and is in route.... will post pics of unboxing when it arrives.

 

[asmodyus]

were did you order it from?

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Following along.

 

[Richocet83]

Received today!!! The box was heavier than I expected but once I started unpacking everything I think it was just the packing material that made up the weight.... despite the size of the display it's not too heavy. I'm very happy with the look of the display (I know a lot of folks have been complaining about its size, but it works for me). I think they could have done some work making the power bar look a little cleaner, but at the same time I kind of like the bare look of the board with the LEDs. As of now I have only plugged in the display to verify it works, and it does. Connected to my WiFi in seconds, setup time zone and clock/calendar set themselves via the interwebs. Probably not going to get a chance to start putting it on my tank until Sunday, especially since we've been getting intermittent power outages tonight. Will follow up with more photos and comments as I work on this!

Next step is to sign up for the exclusive Cerebra forum and find out what I'm doing.


Giant, heavy box!
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28178247480/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8780"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8688/28178247480_8f311449ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_8780"></a>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28461380535/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8781"><img src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8655/28461380535_1e5d8e5044_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_8781"></a>

Temp and conductivity probes
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28178250790/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8790"><img src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8743/28178250790_ae1e689c6f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_8790"></a>

Display and power bar notifications
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28461393165/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8793"><img src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8863/28461393165_ffa136a57f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_8793"></a>

Inputs/Outputs on power bar
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28178253240/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8799"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8845/28178253240_d8d6f23833_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_8799"></a>

and.... the free stylus!!!
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28178255150/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8804"><img src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8699/28178255150_fdff66ac5f_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_8804"></a>

So shiny!!!
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richocet83/28178259320/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_8808"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7636/28178259320_4d1ac5a4c5_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_8808"></a>

 

[Jamie9169]

We received ours yesterday but the system it is going on is still dry. We ordered three additional probes and when we get it up and running I can give an update. I have been using RK controllers but thought we would try the new guy and see how it works.

 

[Richocet83]

Quick update....

Setup the Cerebra with my T5 plugged into an outlet to test "rules" out. Temp rules work, set lights to go out above 78 (water is about 79-80) and the outlet shut down as it should. Unfortunately, conductivity is a mess right now.... software glitch is preventing proper calibration so I'll have to wait for a software update to remedy the problem. Have not setup any pH probes on Cerebra yet.

Navigating the screen with a finger is difficult, especially when attempting to relocate icons on the menu.... the stylus has actually come in handy for this. Planning on mounting the display and power bar tomorrow, pics to follow.

 

[robthorn]

Thats a bummer but seems on par with the new Apex. Seems everyone puts out too quickly these days.

 

[Richocet83]

Thats a bummer but seems on par with the new Apex. Seems everyone puts out too quickly these days.

Yep.