VorTech Pump – What the Future Holds

A

ASH

Sponsor
You can’t teach an old dog a new trick but you can upgrade a present version VorTech Pump to the increased versatility our present customers have asked for after the new product release in the late spring of 2007. Once the present versions of VorTech Pumps are sold out the extended warranty and special price now being offered here is history.

What will an upgrade cost?
The $50.00 upgrade is a special offer for existing and new owners of our present version only. The upgrade will take next to no technical ability and all you will need is access to a Philips head screw-driver. Those who upgrade in 2007 will get an additional warranty on their entire VorTech system good for an additional twelve months.

What will the upgrade feature?
The upgrade will offer the future VorTech Pump’s new driver box allowing it to be controllable by the EcoTech Marine’s Wireless Controller, when it is released in late 2007. The features of the wireless multi-driver controller are still being determined so your input is welcome.
Here’s the best part; because our customers have voiced such a demand for controllability now, we have decided to develop a VorTech pump single driver controller and we’re providing it free with your upgrade! This will cost close to $100 in the future.

What incentive is there to buy a current version of the VorTech Pump?
1. You get to use one now.
2. You have an upgrade option later for $50.00 to add wireless capabilities to your VorTech Driver and also receive a single driver controller that will exceed your expectations.
3. You’ll receive a $25.00 discount redeemable towards your future purchase of the wireless multi-driver controller.
4. You get an additional twelve months warranty on your VorTech setup.

I apologize for any confusion, but the rapid evolution of the VorTech Pump: from outstanding circulation pump to a complete water movement controller, has been an ongoing endeavor. I expect to hear million questions and will explain what I can but know this: buying a VorTech pump now or later, it is one of the most satisfying additions one can make to your aquarium’s environment and appearance. There is no downside. EcoTech Marine and IceCap Inc. have joined together to offer and support the future in water movement. If you haven’t joined us yet, you’re in for a treat.

Andy
 
Andy,

Do I order this "part" directly through Ice Cap, or do I go through LFS?

Can two Vortecs be run with a Aq Jr. with two new boards?

Thanks
 
what proof do i need to show that i currently own vortechs to get the upgrad package?

what does the new controller do? what makes it better then the one that came with my vortechs?
 
Kshack -
1 = Directly from IceCap.
Re: Can two Vortecs be run with a Aq Jr. with two new boards? I'm not familiar with the device but if it's an on/off controller, no problem.

"what proof do i need to show that i currently own vortechs to get the upgrad package?"
Send in the old drivers 1st. Talk about proof of ID.

what does the new controller do? what makes it better then the one that came with my vortechs?
What you have now is a variable speed VorTech pump. I'll take my time revealing all the bells and whistles, but suffice it to say you will be pleasantly surprised.

I'll say it now; anyone who wants to trade back, we'll pick up the cost of shipping.

Andy
 
Just to be sure I understand everything correctly:

1. Do we buy the upgrade kit and perform the upgrade ourselves or, do we send it into you to do the upgrade?

2. Does the $25.00 discount apply to current owners of Vortechs or future customers?

3. If it applies to current owners, do those who own multiple vortechs get a discount for each pump?

Miles
 
What does the new driver provide without the controller?

Regarding the wireless controller, will there be a way to interface to an external controller, for at least monitoring the pumps status (for failures that can generate a notification)? Will there be a web interface or PC interface?

What's the process to upgrade?
 
Re: VorTech Pump â€"œ What the Future Holds

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8803027#post8803027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
Once the present versions of VorTech Pumps are sold out the extended warranty and special price now being offered here is history.

Andy
Click to expand...

Just want to clarify. Its late and I am tired so bear with me. Is this something that is being offered now or are we supposed to wait until the new product is out?
 
1. I just purchased two new pumps that have warranty until Dec.. 2007. Will this make my warranty last till Dec. 2008?
2. I pay $50 each for the new drivers thatare wireless controller capable and come with a free single wired controller for each at the time of order. How much is the wireless controller going to cost?
3. When is this new controller coming out?
4. The expiration date of this offer is a bit ambiguous. Can you please give a hard expiration date for this? Some of us just dropped a load of cash on this and Xmas gifts and need a little time to recover our discretionary funds. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8804597#post8804597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emilese
Just to be sure I understand everything correctly:

1. Do we buy the upgrade kit and perform the upgrade ourselves or, do we send it into you to do the upgrade?

2. Does the $25.00 discount apply to current owners of Vortechs or future customers?

3. If it applies to current owners, do those who own multiple vortechs get a discount for each pump?

Miles
Click to expand...

1 and 3 are right on target. I was wondering this myself


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8803027#post8803027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
2. You have an upgrade option later for $50.00 to add wireless capabilities to your VorTech Driver and also receive a single driver controller that will exceed your expectations.

Andy
Click to expand...

When ? (approximately, if no firm date is possible).


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8805132#post8805132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
Just want to clarify. Its late and I am tired so bear with me. Is this something that is being offered now or are we supposed to wait until the new product is out?
Click to expand...

Kind of ties in with the above question of when, but yea, is it being offered now ?
 
niloc16 -
Driver only.

emilese -
1. You send in the original box and get back the updated/upgraded box, and single driver controller.
2. Both, till the present version is sold out.
3. Yes

pista01 -
1. w/o the controller, it would be a wirelessly capable driver.
2. No, I don't think so.
3. Send us your driver, we send you back a futuristic driver.

serpentman -
Offer can be exercised when the next version is released in the spring of 2007.

ICURN -
1. Yes.
2. Yes and I don't know.
3. Late spring 2007, the wireless controller late 2007.
4. Offer is to any owner of the current version which expect to ship through March - maybe a little longer. You can exercise the offer anytime. If you upgrade to the new driver in 2007 we add an extra year to your warranty.

raddogz -
We're giving you several months heads up alert. Periodically check our forum or register your VorTech, like everyone was supposed to, and we'll e-mail you.

Sparkss -
Offer is there for all present and future owners until the current version is sold out. You can't exercise the offer till we have the new driver & single driver controller, late spring of 2007.

Andy
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8807056#post8807056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH

Offer is there for all present and future owners until the current version is sold out. You can't exercise the offer till we have the new driver & single driver controller, late spring of 2007.

Andy
Click to expand...

Not to belabor this but I am still confused. We need to wait until the new unit is available to exercise this option, however, the offer expires when the current model is sold out? It is my understanding that the current model will cease shipping in March. If I am reading this correctly, it sounds like we may have a very narrow window of opportunity? What happens if someone misses this?

Might I suggest that when the new unit becomes available, you simply set an end date for the offer. 'When the current unit sells out' is quite ambiguous as we are not aware of your inventory position.
 
The offer only applies to the present version of the VorTech Pump. The expiration of the offer was an inappropriate description.

The only time sensitive issues are the extra warranty year, which applies to upgrades made in 2007. The ability to request the upgrade should begin this spring but doesn't have an ending date. If we're running behind schedule, we'll extend the period of time you have to still get the extra warranty year.

We're looking to take the fear anyone has about being an early adopter by saying, if you already own a VorTech Pump or plan on buying one, we will not leave you in the dust when the next version is released.
Exchangeable components and caring about existing owners /customers may be new to the industry but we have a history of being first and plan to continue doing so. Remember, we even repair VHO ballasts way past their warranty periods, often at n/c.

Andy
 
Andy,

Thanks for taking the time to inform us and answer our questions! I look forward to getting the upgrade when it's ready.

Miles
 
I get it. I'll be taking advantage of this offer. But it would be better to give a cut-off date instead of "when stock runs out".

I have a few questions:

1. What becomes of the single controllers if you buy the wireless multi-controller version later? Can you use them for anything or do they become door stops?

2. Is the single controller wired into the driver or is it wireless too?

3. To do this I have to shut down my tank circulation for 2 - 3 weeks until I get the driver dack? I don't like that idea. Is there an option to pay full price for the wireless driver and receive a refund upon the old one's return to Icecap? This way my tank is not disrupted and your potentail losses are covered.

BTW Kudos to both Icecap and Ecotech for providing this technology. I like the way you are providing an upgrade path for single Vortech users as well as those who have more than one. Some people may not need the multi-controller version after the upgrade. The single controller may end up being all some peolpe are looking for.
 
Thanks for the clarification Andy. The experience with Icecap has been very positive thus far and given your reputation, I am not worried. However, I am sure you would agree, I would rather operate with the given timeline and avoid any unusual circumstances.

I do like Aquaduck's suggestion #3. I am concerned as well about operation while the units are being sent for upgrades. The Vortech's are the sole source of flow in my SPS tank. I REALLY don't like the idea of going without. I realize that this is a lot more work for Icecap, perhaps you could do a credit card authorization for the full price of the driver. If the original isn't returned, you hit the card and recover your cost.

I think the risk is minimal as I don't see a huge demand out there for the driver, especially after its obsoleted.
 
Aquaduck
1. When the product is released it will make more sense but door stopper, that's the retirement job for conventional ballasts.

2. It's not wirelessly controlled until the Wireless Controller is released.

3. I agree. They're extremely addictive and I'd resist sending mine in for a few days. Going w/o light for a week is one thing, but no flow for 3 days is an eternity. CC# deposits will be worked out.

As to the when this offer ends / when we run out of present stock, I'd guess sometime in March so there might be a few stock-out weeks. We'll try to make it as seamless as possible.

This is a great offer I recommend taking advantage of it.

Andy
 
'This is a great offer I recommend taking advantage of it.'

I agree. The controller sold me. I'll be taking 2 upgrades.

Once the wireless controller comes out, I may be adding an additional 2 of the new units.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8807738#post8807738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
Aquaduck
1. When the product is released it will make more sense but door stopper, that's the retirement job for conventional ballasts.

2. It's not wirelessly controlled until the Wireless Controller is released.

3. I agree. They're extremely addictive and I'd resist sending mine in for a few days. Going w/o light for a week is one thing, but no flow for 3 days is an eternity. CC# deposits will be worked out.

As to the when this offer ends / when we run out of present stock, I'd guess sometime in March so there might be a few stock-out weeks. We'll try to make it as seamless as possible.

This is a great offer I recommend taking advantage of it.

Andy
Click to expand...

That's great. I will be upgrading both my Vortech's using the full credit card deposit method. I'll be anxiously awaiting the release date.
 
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