Vortech Wireless Pumps

[Buzz1329]

To quote George Costanza, I am the king of the idiots.

My wireless MP40 arrived today, and it was about as wired as wired can be. Hmm, I must have ordered the wired model by mistake, I thought. Or BRS sent me the pathetically old wired version by mistake.

You can stop laughing now.

The "œwireless" Vortech MP pumps are indeed wired. Yes, I saw the YouTube installation videos clearly showing the wires. But, in my infinite idiocy, I assumed I was watching an installation of the old wired model.

So how can the pump be called wireless?

"œThe Wireless Wave Driver enables wireless coordination and enhanced functionality between multiple VorTech units right out of the box, with no extra equipment to buy."

Since I don't speak weasel, I'm not sure what this means. But I'm guessing it does not mean that I will pay less for a second Vortech pump.

So let's agree that I'm an idiot. But would it not be sweet to have a truly wireless Vortech MP pump? I can hear them stirring in China even as I type.

Anyways, I'm psyched and am looking forward to installing this puppy tomorrow morning.

 

[Jenzifer]

I agree..i never understood why they put so much emphasis on "wireless" in their marketing.

 

[schristi69]

What it means is the CONTROLLER communicates with power heads wirelessly. You still need a cord for power. They have not completed the Tesla model which will transmit power through the aether. And no, you will not pay less for the next pump.....you just don't have to pay for another controller

 

[Allmost]

if you want to understand the point of wireless, you will need a large tank. mine are 5 feet apart, and they communicate "wirelessly"

and we all know we have way too many wires int he cabinet already

to make the pump fully wireless, it would not be efficient. we can only transmit about 30% of power that way ! so meaning for a 40 W pump, you would need 120 W or more to run it wirelessly [new wireless electric car chargers]

 

[schristi69]

I agree..i never understood why they put so much emphasis on "wireless" in their marketing.

Because it is a big selling point. Fewer wires for communications, able to support more heads as it is easier to update software with ports/channels than it is hardware, and MUCH easier to enhance with future equipment.

 

[rtparty]

What it means is the CONTROLLER communicates with power heads wirelessly. You still need a cord for power. They have not completed the Tesla model which will transmit power through the aether. And no, you will not pay less for the next pump.....you just don't have to pay for another controller

What? You still have to buy another controller to run a second pump. Every Vortech comes with a controller.

 

[rtparty]

If Ecotech created a truly wireless way to send power through the air, I doubt they would still be making pumps.....LOL.

They would be billionaires making every day products.

 

[Buzz1329]

"What it means is the CONTROLLER communicates with power heads wirelessly. You still need a cord for power. They have not completed the Tesla model which will transmit power through the aether. And no, you will not pay less for the next pump.....you just don't have to pay for another controller."

Oh, I see, so I will not "have to pay for another controller" for the next pump. So that means that if I order another MP40 I will not have to pay for the controller, which will reduce the price from $465 to . . . what?

 

[drparker]

No, for many other pumps, if you want them to communicate and work together require a third controller that is wired to both. wireless means you don't need a third controller or wires to have them work in sync or anti-sync mode.

 

[96p993]

If/when you buy another WIRELESS MP they will be able to talk to each other through an RF signal. You are able to make one a master and other/others slaves. This allows you to have more random flow and simplify commands.

The next one you buy will be just like what you just got in the mail...

 

[MattyO]

I think I am in the same predicament... I ordered 2 MP40W's but the store manager only got one claiming I don't need the other to be wireless as it would just be a slave... Is this correct? I assume both would need to be wireless, hence my initial order, but the non-wireless are cheaper.

 

[96p993]

You are correct, and the LFS is not...Now you can use the non wireless unit and see if you really need the wireless option. If you decide you do, you can purchase the RF module from Ecotech.

 

[Buzz1329]

You said:

"No, for many other pumps, if you want them to communicate and work together require a third controller that is wired to both. wireless means you don't need a third controller or wires to have them work in sync or anti-sync mode."

So Vortech can call their pump "wireless" because a third wired controller is not required to have two of their wired "wireless" pumps communicate with each other?

The more I think about this, the more I wonder if I'm the idiot. HOW CAN YOU TELL CONSUMERS THAT A PUMP IS WIRELESS WHEN IT CLEARLY IS NOT?

Put another way, if you bought a wireless cell phone, and it turned out that the phone could not work without a wire, would you accept that?

 

[96p993]

Wireless Enabled

The MP40wES comes equipped with the EcoTech RF wireless module pre-installed.

The current wireless capability of EcoTech products allows communication between ”w” enabled EcoTech products. Communication allows for advanced modes and features in which synchronized flow or coordinated flow and lighting conditions can be created.

In addition to exciting modes such as Wave Auto Tune and the EcoSmart multi-pump modes, the wireless range of the EcoSmart wirelessly enabled drivers is significant. This allows for the controllers of slave pumps to be located further from sight or even in separate locations.


Straight from there site...

 

[drparker]

You said:

"

The more I think about this, the more I wonder if I'm the idiot. HOW CAN YOU TELL CONSUMERS THAT A PUMP IS WIRELESS WHEN IT CLEARLY IS NOT?

I have a wireless router, but it has a power cord wire running to it. "What gives it said wireless on the box" :rolleye1:

 

[MattyO]

So because the LFS ordered 1 wireless unit I need another wireless one, not a regular, to synch up?

 

[USC-fan]

So because the LFS ordered 1 wireless unit I need another wireless one, not a regular, to synch up?

Yes wireless if you want to synch up.

 

[Buzz1329]

Dear 96p993:

You said:

"The MP40wES comes equipped with the EcoTech RF wireless module pre-installed.
The current wireless capability of EcoTech products allows communication between "w" enabled EcoTech products. Communication allows for advanced modes and features in which synchronized flow or coordinated flow and lighting conditions can be created.
In addition to exciting modes such as Wave Auto Tune and the EcoSmart multi-pump modes, the wireless range of the EcoSmart wirelessly enabled drivers is significant. This allows for the controllers of slave pumps to be located further from sight or even in separate locations. Straight from there site..."

I say:

I bought a product that was described as follows:

"The Wireless Wave Driver enables wireless coordination and enhanced functionality between multiple VorTech units right out of the box, with no extra equipment to buy"”making it the most effective solution on the market for larger aquariums."

Turns out the "Wireless Wave Driver" is not wireless. It may or may not "enhance[] functionality between multiple VorTech units right out of the box, with no extra equipment to buy," but again I don't speak weasel, so I wouldn't know.

Given the incredible price of the product (compared to other pumps -- and I'm not disputing that it may well be worth the price), would it be asking too much for a non-weasel description of what it is? A description that distinguishes between what the product is and how it conceivably may be used?

Anyways, all I'm saying is that when I spend $465 for a wireless product, I am kinda surprised that it's wired.

 

[USC-fan]

Just marketing junk....

 

[Buzz1329]

Drparker.

You said:

"I have a wireless router, but it has a power cord wire running to it. "What gives it said wireless on the box""

Assuming you are comparing a wireless router with the MP40, I thank you.

My wireless router is plugged in to a power source, but communicates wirelessly with my computers. The MP40 controller is plugged into a power source but communicates THROUGH A WIRE with the pump. That's what I'm saying.