The First New Controller of 2009 is coming ???

RobbyG · 12/01/2008, 06:47 PM

Talk to a friend today who said he overheard some information on a New controller coming out early next year maybe as soon as January. For those of you who don't know Digital Aquatics or DA they are the one's who make the very slick Reef Keeper Elite.
http://digitalaquatics.com/m_product_systems.php

I hear the new controller will be some sort of Light Version of the Elite and sell for a price that will be so low that it will make controllers affordable for just about everyone.

My friend says he of course did not see a picture but the description he heard made it sound very much like the Elite, so we can only hope that it has the same cool Intellisense buttons and the same expandable modular design. This of course would be a first in the Aquarium controller market that we get a controller that is both highly expandable and yet cheap. Naturally there is bound to be tradeoffs, I doubt it will have the same feature set as the Elite but none the less if the price he heard was true this will be astounding amount of bang for the buck.

bebereef · 12/01/2008, 06:49 PM

Looking forward to that!!!

Aqua Keepers · 12/01/2008, 08:32 PM

Do you know anything about the wavemaker options? Will it just turn pumps on and off or will you be able to slow and speed them?

digitalaquatics.com · 12/01/2008, 10:15 PM

I'll chime in for a second....

We will be using a more traditional mechanical button vs the capsense on the RKE. Also this is an entry level controller and will have it's limits. We think pricing will make most people happy! Think of an RK2 on steroids!

There should be more info coming in the next few weeks (towards the end of the month.)

Please note we're not taking emails or answering post beyond this. For the latest info on all new products we post both in our forum section here on RC and on our support forum at http://forum.digitalaquatics.com

Thank you,

DA

California Crow · 12/02/2008, 05:21 AM

Sounds like really great news, except perhaps for someone like me who just purchased an RK2 a couple of weeks ago, and still has it sitting new in the box pending installation. I'd really hate to think my purchase was outdated before I even had a chance to use it.

Any possibility of an upgrade plan for somone in this situation?

CC

SHOmuchFUN · 12/02/2008, 06:49 AM

As long as it isn't cheaper and offer more capability than an RK2 or AcJr, then cool...

doublejesus · 12/02/2008, 09:06 AM

i hope it's 100x cheaper and more feature rich than either the rk2 or acjr. saying you hope it's not seems a little selfish haha

SHOmuchFUN · 12/02/2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by doublejesus
i hope it's 100x cheaper and more feature rich than either the rk2 or acjr. saying you hope it's not seems a little selfish haha

Hahaha, yeh. It does, doesn't it?

Just saying they're going to have a lot of TO'd customers if they are offering a less functional, more expensive product currently.

Talk about making your own product inferior to itself... Doesn't seem to fit a proper business model.

I'll stay quiet until I hear more

Kenzy · 12/02/2008, 11:48 AM

This is something I would definitely be interested in.

tatoofr · 12/02/2008, 11:58 AM

Hi,
Has anyone had the led readout missing parts of the numbers and letters? Mine has done this from day one out of the box on the reefkeeper 1. Although it works it still bothers me.
Frank

digitalaquatics.com · 12/02/2008, 12:40 PM

tatoofr,

If you're looking for support from DA you'll need to email support@digatalaquatics.com or visit our support forum at http://forum.digitalaquatics.com

Thank you,
DA

tatoofr · 12/02/2008, 12:53 PM

HI DA,
RK1 is no longer sold and is out of warranty so support wouldn,t be much help. It just never worked from day one.

digitalaquatics.com · 12/02/2008, 12:59 PM

Understood, I was just pointing you off this tread so it can stay on topic.

Thank you,
DA

GatorWPB · 12/02/2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by California Crow
Sounds like really great news, except perhaps for someone like me who just purchased an RK2 a couple of weeks ago, and still has it sitting new in the box pending installation. I'd really hate to think my purchase was outdated before I even had a chance to use it.

Any possibility of an upgrade plan for somone in this situation?

CC

Ugh - just purchased my RK2 like 3 weeks ago and installed it 1.5 weeks ago. I know they have an upgrade option, but it could be real frustrating to those of us that just bought the RK2. Still interested in seeing what the new controller is like.

California Crow · 12/02/2008, 01:20 PM

Just got off the phone with Marine Depot, I'll be returning the RK2 for a full refund.

CC

SHOmuchFUN · 12/02/2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by California Crow
Just got off the phone with Marine Depot, I'll be returning the RK2 for a full refund.

CC

Case in point right here...

digitalaquatics.com · 12/02/2008, 01:35 PM

Just for everyones information, the RKL will only have more functionality if new modules are purchased. Out of the box you'll have the same function as the RK2.

We fully support the RK2 and it's great reputation! Note, the RKL will not have PC software such as myReef for some time. Also dealers will not have units for several months. We will continue to sell the RK2 for now as it's still a different controller then the RKE or RKL in that it's a fixed system making the easiest controller on the market to program.

Thanks,
DA

RobbyG · 12/04/2008, 05:16 PM

Any time lines? I know that always ends up being a problem so lets keep it vague, but can we say the first Quarter that I heard is accurate or first half of 2009 a better assumption.

digitalaquatics.com · 12/04/2008, 05:30 PM

Units will be on our site in late January and shipping to dealers in February. Pricing has not been posted yet, but we think people will very happy with it!

Scott

qfrisco · 12/04/2008, 05:31 PM

I was about to ask "Santa" for an ACJr. Now I don't know if I should hold off!

Harry_Fish · 12/04/2008, 06:46 PM

Look at the Profilux, there units have an
upgrade path by adding boards.

They seem to always be adding features and new devices,

I'm very happy with mine.

12/01/2008, 06:47 PM	#1
RobbyG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 600 Ft From the Reef Posts: 2,099	The First New Controller of 2009 is coming ??? Talk to a friend today who said he overheard some information on a New controller coming out early next year maybe as soon as January. For those of you who don't know Digital Aquatics or DA they are the one's who make the very slick Reef Keeper Elite. http://digitalaquatics.com/m_product_systems.php I hear the new controller will be some sort of Light Version of the Elite and sell for a price that will be so low that it will make controllers affordable for just about everyone. My friend says he of course did not see a picture but the description he heard made it sound very much like the Elite, so we can only hope that it has the same cool Intellisense buttons and the same expandable modular design. This of course would be a first in the Aquarium controller market that we get a controller that is both highly expandable and yet cheap. Naturally there is bound to be tradeoffs, I doubt it will have the same feature set as the Elite but none the less if the price he heard was true this will be astounding amount of bang for the buck. Last edited by RobbyG; 12/01/2008 at 06:59 PM.

12/02/2008, 06:49 AM	#6
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	As long as it isn't cheaper and offer more capability than an RK2 or AcJr, then cool... __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

12/02/2008, 09:06 AM	#7
doublejesus bring on the price cuts! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fredericton NB Canada Posts: 120	i hope it's 100x cheaper and more feature rich than either the rk2 or acjr. saying you hope it's not seems a little selfish haha __________________ 180gal with 50gal sump, 8xt5ho on icecaps, octo xtreme 200, eheim 1260 return, profilux plus 2 ex, tunze 6105 and several koralias. Current Tank Info: 180gal, 50g sump - octo extreme 200 skimmer, tunze 6105 + modded koralia 4s profilux plus II EX

12/02/2008, 11:58 AM	#10
tatoofr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,044	Hi, Has anyone had the led readout missing parts of the numbers and letters? Mine has done this from day one out of the box on the reefkeeper 1. Although it works it still bothers me. Frank __________________ !20 tech tank ATI T5 Club Current Tank Info: 120 reef

12/02/2008, 12:53 PM	#12
tatoofr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,044	HI DA, RK1 is no longer sold and is out of warranty so support wouldn,t be much help. It just never worked from day one. __________________ !20 tech tank ATI T5 Club Current Tank Info: 120 reef

12/01/2008, 06:49 PM	#2
bebereef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sorel, Quebec, Canada Posts: 280	Looking forward to that!!!

12/01/2008, 08:32 PM	#3
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	Do you know anything about the wavemaker options? Will it just turn pumps on and off or will you be able to slow and speed them?

12/01/2008, 10:15 PM	#4
digitalaquatics.com .Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 49	I'll chime in for a second.... We will be using a more traditional mechanical button vs the capsense on the RKE. Also this is an entry level controller and will have it's limits. We think pricing will make most people happy! Think of an RK2 on steroids! There should be more info coming in the next few weeks (towards the end of the month.) Please note we're not taking emails or answering post beyond this. For the latest info on all new products we post both in our forum section here on RC and on our support forum at http://forum.digitalaquatics.com Thank you, DA

12/02/2008, 05:21 AM	#5
California Crow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 170	Sounds like really great news, except perhaps for someone like me who just purchased an RK2 a couple of weeks ago, and still has it sitting new in the box pending installation. I'd really hate to think my purchase was outdated before I even had a chance to use it. Any possibility of an upgrade plan for somone in this situation? CC

12/02/2008, 11:48 AM	#9
Kenzy Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Gananoque,ON Posts: 845	This is something I would definitely be interested in.

12/02/2008, 12:40 PM	#11
digitalaquatics.com .Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 49	tatoofr, If you're looking for support from DA you'll need to email support@digatalaquatics.com or visit our support forum at http://forum.digitalaquatics.com Thank you, DA

12/02/2008, 12:59 PM	#13
digitalaquatics.com .Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 49	Understood, I was just pointing you off this tread so it can stay on topic. Thank you, DA

12/02/2008, 01:20 PM	#15
California Crow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 170	Just got off the phone with Marine Depot, I'll be returning the RK2 for a full refund. CC

12/02/2008, 01:35 PM	#17
digitalaquatics.com .Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 49	Just for everyones information, the RKL will only have more functionality if new modules are purchased. Out of the box you'll have the same function as the RK2. We fully support the RK2 and it's great reputation! Note, the RKL will not have PC software such as myReef for some time. Also dealers will not have units for several months. We will continue to sell the RK2 for now as it's still a different controller then the RKE or RKL in that it's a fixed system making the easiest controller on the market to program. Thanks, DA

12/04/2008, 05:16 PM	#18
RobbyG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 600 Ft From the Reef Posts: 2,099	Any time lines? I know that always ends up being a problem so lets keep it vague, but can we say the first Quarter that I heard is accurate or first half of 2009 a better assumption. __________________ The Optimist says the glass is half full, the Pessimist says it’s half empty, an engineer only see's a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be! Current Tank Info: Insanely Automated Low Power Consumption 90 Gal Oceanic Bow System/Aquatronica Touch Controller/AQ Dosing Pump/AQT LEDS/AQ SMS/Seq Dart Pump/ASM G3/Ozotech Ozonizer/Koralin 1502/Chiller/Typhoon3 Ro/S.Squirt /Phos React/Rmt DSB

12/04/2008, 05:30 PM	#19
digitalaquatics.com .Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 49	Units will be on our site in late January and shipping to dealers in February. Pricing has not been posted yet, but we think people will very happy with it! Scott

12/04/2008, 05:31 PM	#20
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	I was about to ask "Santa" for an ACJr. Now I don't know if I should hold off!

12/04/2008, 06:46 PM	#21
Harry_Fish Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Liverpool, NY Posts: 1,461	Look at the Profilux, there units have an upgrade path by adding boards. They seem to always be adding features and new devices, I'm very happy with mine.