VorTech Pump – What the Future Holds

[wiszmaster]

Andy,

just to double check - The wireless controller will work with the Ecotech Battery Backup unit, correct?
If not, please explain what its limitations are, and/or if Ecotech/IceCap is working on a solution for this - and if there will be upgrade paths for battery Backup owners.

Also, the current battery backup unit is able to power (2) pumps, are there plans for larger units that will power more pumps? 4 for instance?

Thank You,

marco

 

[wiszmaster]

Another idea ...

If there will be an updated battery backup unit in the future, will it be able power the wireless controller for the pumps, and will the controller be 'smart' enough to keep the wave making feature/program going w/out interuption, however @ 1/2 the speed of the UTILITY POWER program.

Just a thought.

 

[ASH]

wiszmaster -
BB will work as it has with the new Drivers.

Will the 1/2 power continue in wave modes or just at 1/2 power? I don't know but will find out.

Bigger better batteries, you bet. As the technology improves we'll change with it. When old batteries come back for a swap out and recycling, we'll hopefully be using the same BB box to house ever improving power storage devices.

Andy

 

[andyjd]

Cant wait for a pair of upgrades

 

[Sparkss]

This is good news, and the CC# deposit when exchanging the drivers for the upgrade is a must, otherwise we would simply not be interested, or would have to do them one at a time (and even then it would be tough). Thanks IC

 

[aqualab]

Okay, I have a question here - what will the new version of the pumps cost? $50 more than my existing/older version I would expect? If the new version costs the same as the older version but has the upgraded board and I have to pay an additional $50 to upgrade my existing version then I and a lot of other existing owners are going to have an issue. Simple questiion - should have a simple answer. Frankly, I am a bit surprised by the $50 a pop upgrade cost, especially with the trade in of the old board. However the $25 credit towards the controller does help to offset some of the cost I I understood your emails????????????????????

 

[FuzzyLogic]

For existing owners, each $50 pump upgrade gets you:

- a wireless capable driver.
- $25 credit towards a wireless controller.
- 12 month extended warranty (24 months total).
- free controller ($100 value).

For future owners who wait until they release the new wireless version driver -

For $345 you get:

- a VorTech variable speed pump
- a wireless capable driver
- 12 month warranty

 

[ASH]

We haven't hit a firm number on the new release but as posted above, the extended warranty, discount on wireless controller and the fact that you didn't have to wait till the summer of 2007 to get your VorTech Pump, all does enter the mix.

If you bought a new car and a year later wanted a new, better engine and extended warranty as well as a discount on the next, must have gadget I don't think you'd be wondering, but what's the new car sell for?

Andy

 

[serpentman]

Trust me, I was as sceptical as anyone could be. However, Icecap & Ecotech said we would be very happy with the accomodations and IMO, they are delivering on their promise. The fact that the controller is included in the upgrade really makes it worth every bit of the $50.

I just hope a CC deposit is an option as I really don't relish the idea of having no flow.

 

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8810846#post8810846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
I just hope a CC deposit is an option as I really don't relish the idea of having no flow.

Ditto !!!

 

[ASH]

It is! It is!
Andy

 

[CW from the OC]

Ash,

A truly oustanding offer, thanks to you and your company! Put me on the list for 2.

 

[FuzzyLogic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8810701#post8810701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
We haven't hit a firm number on the new release

How are we supposed to take that? Are you serious or are you starting a rumor of a price increase so that you can rid your shelves of an out-dated product?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8810701#post8810701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
the fact that you didn't have to wait till the summer of 2007 to get your VorTech Pump.

This is not the first time I have seen this reply from you. I'm sorry Andy, but that's an insensitive and arrogant statement. It was us who took a huge chance and paid IceCap FULL PRICE for these beta pumps and helped EcoTech Marine test their unproven technology. It was the early adopters who gave you feedback and patiently waited while EcoTech Marine fixed the multitude of problems that the pump had. What was the disadvantage to IceCap? We did YOU a favor.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8810701#post8810701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
If you bought a new car and a year later wanted a new, better engine and extended warranty as well as a discount on the next, must have gadget I don't think you'd be wondering, but what's the new car sell for?
Andy

The used car salesman led me to believe that my engine was already FULLY compatible with the next "must have gadget". Andy, please stop with these weak analogies

 

[RichT]

I'll be in for two updates also.

BTW, I like your analogies, sensitivity and arrogance. After all, analogies are like beauty, all in the eye of the beholder. The fact that IC/ETM are even making the offer labels them as sensitive to their current customers not to mention their service and support are a cut above most. And Andy arrogant? The very most that can be read into that statement is "if your considering getting a Vortech there is no need to wait until the next generation comes out because WE GOT YOU COVERED AND WILL MAKE IT WORTH YOU WHILE IF YOU GET ONE NOW". What if anything does this have to do with the Beta Testers who were fully aware they were buying a beta product?

It was us who took a huge chance

Were you even a beta tester or did you appoint yourself their spokesman? Do you even own a pump?

I'm all for everyone being allowed to express their opinion but I don't think baseless accusations qualify as opinions, or do they?

 

[aqualab]

Fellas, cmon its Christmas after all! In all seriousness, I think Fuzzy was actually stating a fact, not an opinion - that any of us who purchased these pumps at the beginning were beta testers because of the design issues that came to the surface once they were sold to the general public - ie. rubber gasket tearing, vibration, noises, propeller shaft, units falling off tanks, units moving on gasket, seizing up, etc... No one can fault there customer support, top notch. But it had to be or their reputation and product could have been in jeopardy. I think Andy gets himself in trouble when he uses the new car analogy - if I remember right, he used the new electronics analogy in a previous thread to try and explain upgrades/technology advances and that caused a bit of a stir too. Personally, I would also ask the salesman what the new car cost, just curious.

 

[FuzzyLogic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8814933#post8814933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichT
The very most that can be read into that statement is "if your considering getting a Vortech there is no need to wait until the next generation comes out because WE GOT YOU COVERED AND WILL MAKE IT WORTH YOU WHILE IF YOU GET ONE NOW".

IF that is what Andy meant by that statement, I apologize. What I read was "You should be happy we sold you a beta pump and you didn't have to wait til summer 2007 to get the final version".

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8814933#post8814933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichT
What if anything does this have to do with the Beta Testers who were fully aware they were buying a beta product?

Whether it was intentional or not, we were misled into believing that for $345 these pumps were already FULLY compatible a wireless controller.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8814933#post8814933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichT
Were you even a beta tester or did you appoint yourself their spokesman? Do you even own a pump?

NO, I am not a beta tester. Beta testers do not have to pay for the unproven, unstable product that they are testing. Since I paid money for the same product, I guess I am not classified as a beta tester. Yes, I own two of these pumps.

 

[serpentman]

I can see both sides of this. As a current owner of 2 pumps, I can identify with fuzzy in that we took as chance on an unproven product with a few kinks. In fact, I felt the same way when I heard we had to pay for an upgrade. However, after hearing the details, it really doesn't sound that bad.

On the flip side, Icecap and Ecotech are extending an olive branch by including a singe controller as part of the upgrade package. If you view this as a free upgrade with a $50 controller, it actually sounds pretty good. Its really all semantics and marketing.

 

[rmougey]

Indeed good marketing.... and great customer service.

I'm in for one upgrade please.

The built in controller and extended warranty are enough to sell me. The wireless controller is just gravy.

-Rob

 

[FuzzyLogic]

Andy,

If ETM is developing a multi-controller, why does IceCap feel that I need a single controller?

What happens to this single controller once I purchase the wireless multi-controller version?

 

[Sparkss]

Ebay comes to mind, as does the selling forum here on RC, especially since IC stated that they will be selling them for around $100 once the multi comes out. Or just keep them (or some of them) as a backup.