Controller Suggestion - Page 2

insane · 12/13/2009, 09:00 PM

I looked over the Profilux II controller, modules & expansion box.

For what they cost and the limitations they have, I don't think they are a very good buy.

$600.00 for a controller that is limited to 24 outlets and 3 add on expansion modules.
$200.00 for LAN module
$250.00 for Profilux Extended Upgrade Kit
$200.00 for ProfiLux Redox/Salinity Expansion Module
$277.00 for Profilux 6 Way Digital Power Bar
or
$115.00 for Profilux 4 Way Power Bar
Prices taken from here http://www.ghl-direct.com/

An APEX has more bang for less buck, much more expandability, add ons are considerably less expensive, they are backwards compatable with most of their older modules and powerbars, straight out of the box it does considerably more for less money.

luther1200 · 12/13/2009, 09:02 PM

I agree. I have a RKE which I like, but if I was to do it over I would probably get the APEX.

James77 · 12/13/2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insane

I looked over the Profilux II controller, modules & expansion box.

For what they cost and the limitations they have, I don't think they are a very good buy.

$600.00 for a controller that is limited to 24 outlets and 3 add on expansion modules.
$200.00 for LAN module
$250.00 for Profilux Extended Upgrade Kit
$200.00 for ProfiLux Redox/Salinity Expansion Module
$277.00 for Profilux 6 Way Digital Power Bar
or
$115.00 for Profilux 4 Way Power Bar

An APEX has more bang for less buck, much more expandability, add ons are considerably less expensive, they are backwards compatable with most of their older modules and powerbars, straight out of the box it does considerably more for less money.

They have several packages that give a substantial discount. However, even with that they will still come out at quite a bit more than the Apex. One other thing that turned me off about Profilux, which they have addressed with PIII, is that the actual unit needs to e very close to the tank. The PIII will eventually have a controllable touchscreen(unless somethings changed in the last few months), and the PIII is expandable using a bus system. They are also very good with backwards compatibility.

But Apex won out when I ditched the RKE. The bang for the buck out of the box for the Apex cannot be beat.

CAHamilton · 12/13/2009, 09:12 PM

Just as with any piece of measuring equipment you need more the one tool to insure accuracy or regular calibration checks. So weather you have a computer or refract, you should have both to use on against the other to ensure some point of accuracy.

Thanks for all the info. Who would of thought a simple question sparked another idea and now we are all a lil more knowledgeable.

I'm sold on the Apex......

insane · 12/13/2009, 09:13 PM

I have been doing some serious researching to buy my first controller very soon. I don't want to have to buy another controller for quite awhile after this one. I have heard good things about Profilux but had also heard they are pricey. I had to take a closer look for myself.

With Neptune I won't have to worry they will drop this controller and stop releasing new things for it. They have been making Aqua Controllers for a very long time and they still make and sell the old ACjr, ACIII & ACIIIPRO.

The Vortech control that is coming will be a nice addition to the Tunze control they already have.

boboxx · 12/13/2009, 09:54 PM

Well that's not really true...

If you look at the GHL Profilux III Beginner Pack @ $875.00 on sale you get:

1x Profilux Plus III Controller
1x 6 Outlet Digital Powerbar (PAB)
1x GHL Temperature Probe
1x Generic pH Probe

Plus it has the lan/USB card built in now...

To get Conductivity and ORP you can get the single card OR the EX board, you don’t need both...

You are no longer limited with 24 and it doesn’t have to sit next to the aquarium.... it never did, where did you read that?

The new PAB Box will enable you to have multiple (5) card of your choice on top of what is already included in the PAB:

2 x level ports
1 x Temp port
1 x pH port
1 x Redox port
1 x Conductivity/salinity port
4 x 1-10V ports
2 x PAB sockets

So as you can see the Profilux is quite customisable, you have a lot of option and a lot of way to achieve the same result.

Quote:

Originally Posted by insane

I looked over the Profilux II controller, modules & expansion box.

For what they cost and the limitations they have, I don't think they are a very good buy.

$600.00 for a controller that is limited to 24 outlets and 3 add on expansion modules.
$200.00 for LAN module
$250.00 for Profilux Extended Upgrade Kit
$200.00 for ProfiLux Redox/Salinity Expansion Module
$277.00 for Profilux 6 Way Digital Power Bar
or
$115.00 for Profilux 4 Way Power Bar
Prices taken from here http://www.ghl-direct.com/

James77 · 12/13/2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boboxx

Well that's not really true...

If you look at the GHL Profilux III Beginner Pack @ $875.00 on sale you get:

1x Profilux Plus III Controller
1x 6 Outlet Digital Powerbar (PAB)
1x GHL Temperature Probe
1x Generic pH Probe

Plus it has the lan/USB card built in now...

To get Conductivity and ORP you can get the single card OR the EX board, you don’t need both...

You are no longer limited with 24 and it doesn’t have to sit next to the aquarium.... it never did, where did you read that?

.

Correct me if I am wrong, but up until the PIII, the probes connected directly to the back of the controller itself. If that is the case, it kind of limits you as to how far from the tank it can be. There is not a remote display that the Apex has- where you can have it pretty much anywhere in the house.

As for the pricing, that kit is $375 more than the Apex, and it has 2 less outlets. ORP or a 2nd pH probe come standard on the Apex, and additional modules(PM1, PM2) run about $75. So, out of box, the Apex is far more for the money. I am not saying that Profilux are not great- they are. They have great products that can tie directly to the controller- like the breeze fans and dosers- and they are very customizable. Profilux is a bit more pricey for the average hobbyist.

insane · 12/14/2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boboxx

Well that's not really true...

If you look at the GHL Profilux III Beginner Pack @ $875.00 on sale you get:

1x Profilux Plus III Controller
1x 6 Outlet Digital Powerbar (PAB)
1x GHL Temperature Probe
1x Generic pH Probe

Plus it has the lan/USB card built in now...

To get Conductivity and ORP you can get the single card OR the EX board, you don’t need both...

You are no longer limited with 24 and it doesn’t have to sit next to the aquarium.... it never did, where did you read that?

The new PAB Box will enable you to have multiple (5) card of your choice on top of what is already included in the PAB:

2 x level ports
1 x Temp port
1 x pH port
1 x Redox port
1 x Conductivity/salinity port
4 x 1-10V ports
2 x PAB sockets

So as you can see the Profilux is quite customisable, you have a lot of option and a lot of way to achieve the same result.

All prices and info came from http://www.ghl-direct.com as was previously stated. The thing is, you are not comparing the costs to what it does out of the box. Yes you can add things to it but you are not looking at the cost of those additions in comparison to an APEX. Who want to pay hundreds of dollars more just to get it to do what an APEX can out of the box for $300.00 less?

I usually never run out and buy the latest and greatest of anything (you generally pay for the hype and newness) so I looked at the last model and not the next one coming out. I saw the next ones price tag so I kept on looking. I looked at the APEX because of the price and what it can do out of the box and also down the road. The cost of adding onto the unit is very important as well. I do not want to have to pay a ton of money just to add on one or two features on to the unit. If they ever drop their prices I will look at them because I do like how they look & how you can plug card modules into them.

I can have more features for less money with an APEX and I don't have to worry that adding a new feature in the future is going to be expensive. I won't have to be in a corner and be forced to pay $250.00 to $500.00 to be able to add more features onto an older version of the controller. The next gen is better and more expandable but the price went up considerably as well. It went from $600.00 for the Profilux II to $875.00 Profilux III so you are still paying for that added feature of more expandability one way or another.

For $500.00 I can have it already there in an APEX, the modules added on are not limited to the space in the controller & they don't cost as much compared to Profilux add ons.

Would I like to have a Profilux? Yes. But I can't justify the cost when it is not competitively priced with a unit that can do more for less money.

insane · 12/14/2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Correct me if I am wrong, but up until the PIII, the probes connected directly to the back of the controller itself. If that is the case, it kind of limits you as to how far from the tank it can be. There is not a remote display that the Apex has- where you can have it pretty much anywhere in the house.

Profilux does make a remote viewing screen but it does not have any control over the system.
http://www.ghl-direct.com/proddetail.php?prod=PL-0022

insane · 12/14/2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boboxx

Well that's not really true...

If you look at the GHL Profilux III Beginner Pack @ $875.00 on sale you get:

1x Profilux Plus III Controller
1x 6 Outlet Digital Powerbar (PAB)
1x GHL Temperature Probe
1x Generic pH Probe

Plus it has the lan/USB card built in now...

To get Conductivity and ORP you can get the single card OR the EX board, you don’t need both...

You are no longer limited with 24 and it doesn’t have to sit next to the aquarium.... it never did, where did you read that?

The new PAB Box will enable you to have multiple (5) card of your choice on top of what is already included in the PAB:

2 x level ports
1 x Temp port
1 x pH port
1 x Redox port
1 x Conductivity/salinity port
4 x 1-10V ports
2 x PAB sockets

So as you can see the Profilux is quite customisable, you have a lot of option and a lot of way to achieve the same result.

The http://www.ghl-direct.com/proddetail.php?prod=PL-00001 webpage for the Profilux II states: Control of up to 24 switchable power sockets.

Whereas an APEX is:
Expandable to 240 AquaBus modules

Add optional modules to monitor Hundreds of Probes

Add additional EnergyBars to control thousands of outlets

Taken from here:http://neptunesys.com/index.php?opti...d=43&Itemid=40

Out of the box for less money.

boboxx · 12/14/2009, 09:05 AM

Ha dont get me wong, I never sayed the profilux was cheaper...

The new P3 will change alot in some of the limits of the 4 yeard old PII controler has.... For me I just find that the Profilux has more options and expantions.

groan · 12/14/2009, 09:12 AM

I don’t get sucked into these things, and i am looking for a controller now

This is why I have chosen ProfiLux over apex when the P3 launches

The ProfiLux 3 can do all this and more and if you really start to break down what is included with the GHL the price point shrinks. ProfiLux has over 1,000 controllable inputs and that’s before even starting to get going on the ProfiLux 3 which raises this bar to 5,000, suddenly 240 plug sockets is a bit of a low figure isn’t it?

EG – built in tunze control for 8 tunze pumps, all you need is a $20 control cable, I think Apex can only handle 4 pumps

ProfiLux has infinite amount of 1-10V interface
Vortech development
Dali control
LED lighting module control
Built in level control for auto water change and auto top off, plus leakage alarm
Have over 1,000 plug sockets if you like, why limit to 240???

I could go on and on and on with the masses more the ProfiLux can do as standard.

Get hung up on the slight price difference if you want but remember (as GHL told me) what you going to do in a few years when you head unit is obsolete? With ProfiLux you just expand as they expand you are not expected to throw an expensive head unit away!!

That’s worth paying for on its own!

I believe ProfiLux is for the future not just for today.

James77 · 12/14/2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groan

Have over 1,000 plug sockets if you like, why limit to 240???
.

Because 99.99% of hobbyists will not really need anymore than a few dozen outlets, sam goes with inputs.

As you start adding the Dali, fan, led control, the price really starts adding up. Throw a couple PTC 6 chiller/heaters in there for several thousand dollars. I went over the prices over and over, and the Profilux always came out much higher than the Apex for what I needed it to do. The vast majority of hobbyists do not need 1,000 plugs or inputs, or simulated lightning and stroms/cloudy days in our tanks. I really doubt coral even need it- it is a fluff feature. Most needs are covered by an Apex, including internet monitoring and control, as well as alert emails and some pretty advanced control of their aqaurium.

insane · 12/14/2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groan

I don’t get sucked into these things, and i am looking for a controller now

This is why I have chosen ProfiLux over apex when the P3 launches

The ProfiLux 3 can do all this and more and if you really start to break down what is included with the GHL the price point shrinks. ProfiLux has over 1,000 controllable inputs and that’s before even starting to get going on the ProfiLux 3 which raises this bar to 5,000, suddenly 240 plug sockets is a bit of a low figure isn’t it?

EG – built in tunze control for 8 tunze pumps, all you need is a $20 control cable, I think Apex can only handle 4 pumps

ProfiLux has infinite amount of 1-10V interface
Vortech development
Dali control
LED lighting module control
Built in level control for auto water change and auto top off, plus leakage alarm
Have over 1,000 plug sockets if you like, why limit to 240???

I could go on and on and on with the masses more the ProfiLux can do as standard.

Get hung up on the slight price difference if you want but remember (as GHL told me) what you going to do in a few years when you head unit is obsolete? With ProfiLux you just expand as they expand you are not expected to throw an expensive head unit away!!

That’s worth paying for on its own!

I believe ProfiLux is for the future not just for today.

Expandable to 240 AquaBus modules means thousand of inputs, not 240.

You really don't have to worry that a Neptune controller will become obsolete. What year did the ACjr come out? A couple of decades ago? They still make and sell them and they come out with new modules that work with them. The same can't be said for a DA controller.

You might want to check the Neptune modules before you state what you think they can't do. You just listed many of the things that they can do. Ever heard of the Aquasurf module to control even more Tunze? The out of the box ATO controlability? Vortech development? Infinite amount of 1-10V interfaces? LED lighting module control?

All for less money.

I too got a similar message from a GHL rep. Your post contains much of what was in that message to me but I already knew the differences in cost and features out of the box from both companies.

A big plus side of the Profilux is that it is designed like a personal computer. You can add cards into it just like in a computer. You can swap them out or add more for flexability. If you like to build computers you would really like that ability.

Don't get me wrong, Profilux are killer controllers. They are just out of my planned budget range for a controller. More people can afford a $500.00 controller than a $875.00 one. If you have $1,000.00 to spend on your controller, I'd say go with a Profilux.

DaveMorris · 12/14/2009, 11:33 AM

So my question is this....What difference does it make if one controller has the ability to control more outlets over another? If the Profilux can control 1,000's of outlets, the Apex can control 240 modules, and the RKE can control 63 modules, does any of that make one controller better than the others? I can see that being a valid arguement if we were talking about controlling 6 outlets versus 12 outlets, or something along those lines but who are we kidding? What sane reefer is actually going to run 1,000 outlets on their system? Or even 500? I'd go so far as to say that 100 is an extremely rare, if ever, occurance. That being said, is the ability to control that many any kind of advantage?

My RKE has the ability to control everything I could possibly want it to on my 450g system. Yes, I am lacking some features and capabilities that the Apex and Profilux have, but does the ability to control X number of modules over another controller make any one of them better? I agree with insane above...The Profilux controller is very powerful and has tons of features to it, but no matter how you do the configuring and math, it still comes out costing a lot more money. What are the budget conscious reefers that choose an Apex or RKE really missing from not going with a Profilux?

tylorarm · 12/14/2009, 12:16 PM

Funny nobody is commenting on reliability. Seems like once you've got the features you need to run your system reliability is the most critical. I never hear profilux tout superior quality of probes, processors and such. That'd be a good argument if they can support it, rather than you can add 1000 outlets. I just bought an Apex, in part because i couldn't wait for the profilux III, and also because the Apex has all the features i need and more. However, I'm not going to use the Apex to control any temperature functions until i get more comfortable with the quality of the probes. I'm using the controller more for monitoring and timers, not temp or PH contoller. Still seems like a good investment to me. My hesitation come from previously having ACIII and had temp probes failed twice, and PH probes always seem to need recalibration (same goes for Pinpoint IME). Nobody wants to come home to a tank at 82 degrees according to controller, chiller running, with true temp at 67 degrees. Until i get more comfortable with Apex new probes (they do look much more substantial than the old ones i had) i'll continue doing temp control with my ranco controllers (i have 3 for redundancy), cheap contollers and very reliable IME, 6 yrs running and zero failures for the three. Despite my reservations, i think Neptune has come a long way and continues to improve, and tough to beat their persuasive combo of features and price, unless profilux truely is superior in quality and reliability.

insane · 12/14/2009, 12:46 PM

In my work I use high capacity programmable controllers (1,024 channel) and hundreds of outlets but in a completely different field. Special Effect lighting systems in night clubs. So I have that on my side when looking at other types of controllers, flexability, programabilty and such.

In choosing equipment I need to keep future plans in mind when designing a system. I don't want to be boxed in a corner with no room to expand. I can't just plan with what I need right now or what I might do in the future. I need to be able to carry as much equipment forward with me in order to save my client money if something completely different than what I planned for comes to mind.

Anyone of us could one day decide to turn our hobby into a business. It would be cool to have a single controller that had the capability to remotely control everything in a large multi tank system. I don't want that right now or even think I ever will but it is something I could do if I wanted to with the right controller.

A controller having more would also be easier to sell in the future. So some things may be out of the scope from what we want and need right now but it is a good thing to have on your side for multiple reasons even if they do not pertain to us at the moment.

The debate on maximum number of outlets might not be important to what we actually need but it can be a factor in others plans and dreams of the future.

Even though the RKL is not in my plans or even being considered by me, I think they are perfect for someone without the funds for the next level up. A $100.00 controller puts them within reach to a great many people that don’t need tons of control. It is a foot in the door. Just because they are not right for me doesn’t mean they are not right for someone else.

One of the things that put me off most about RKs is the discontinuation of the first models. They were left in the dust. No more new features for them and you must buy a new system if you want anything new. I cannot buy an RKE and wait and wonder if they will drop the line for another in the future and again make it so what I bought will not work with it. They have already done it once. No one can honestly say they won’t do it again. Neptune doesn’t do that. What I buy now, I want to be able to add on to 5 and 10 years from now.

Support after any sale is very important to me. In comparing track records between DA, NS and GHL, two stand out for being there for their customers without leaving them hanging and wondering if they will ever get their systems running correctly. If a night club calls me in the middle of the night, I get up and go fix the problem right then and there because it is my reputation that I have to protect so others will know that I will be there for them if they need me. Doing that gets me more clients even though it is a PITA at 3am.

Profilux is German made and Germans make some very nice quality stuff regardless if it is cars or electronics.

In heater and chiller control it is a very good idea to have redundancy. I plan on a heater controller inline between the heater and the APEX. If the APEX temp probe fails, the heater controller temp probe will shut it off. Any probe can fail with any controller.

luther1200 · 12/14/2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groan

1,000 plug sockets if you like, why limit to 240???

Its not 240 outlets its 240 modules.

12/13/2009, 09:00 PM	#26
insane Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: under your bed Posts: 771 Blog Entries: 7	I looked over the Profilux II controller, modules & expansion box. For what they cost and the limitations they have, I don't think they are a very good buy. $600.00 for a controller that is limited to 24 outlets and 3 add on expansion modules. $200.00 for LAN module $250.00 for Profilux Extended Upgrade Kit $200.00 for ProfiLux Redox/Salinity Expansion Module $277.00 for Profilux 6 Way Digital Power Bar or $115.00 for Profilux 4 Way Power Bar Prices taken from here http://www.ghl-direct.com/ An APEX has more bang for less buck, much more expandability, add ons are considerably less expensive, they are backwards compatable with most of their older modules and powerbars, straight out of the box it does considerably more for less money. Last edited by insane; 12/13/2009 at 09:04 PM. Reason: added link

12/13/2009, 09:02 PM	#27
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I agree. I have a RKE which I like, but if I was to do it over I would probably get the APEX. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

12/14/2009, 09:05 AM	#36
boboxx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada Posts: 790	Ha dont get me wong, I never sayed the profilux was cheaper... The new P3 will change alot in some of the limits of the 4 yeard old PII controler has.... For me I just find that the Profilux has more options and expantions. __________________ * Current Tank Info: 220G System, 180g Display, 3x 250W 14k MH, 2x T5HO, 1x SimuL light stick, 1x Tunze 6215 2x Tunze 6105, 1x Tunze 6055, 1x Octopus Extreme 300 Skimmer, 1x Profilux 3 EX (Temp, PH, Conductivity, Orp), 2x Profilux 4 dosing station

12/14/2009, 11:33 AM	#40
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	So my question is this....What difference does it make if one controller has the ability to control more outlets over another? If the Profilux can control 1,000's of outlets, the Apex can control 240 modules, and the RKE can control 63 modules, does any of that make one controller better than the others? I can see that being a valid arguement if we were talking about controlling 6 outlets versus 12 outlets, or something along those lines but who are we kidding? What sane reefer is actually going to run 1,000 outlets on their system? Or even 500? I'd go so far as to say that 100 is an extremely rare, if ever, occurance. That being said, is the ability to control that many any kind of advantage? My RKE has the ability to control everything I could possibly want it to on my 450g system. Yes, I am lacking some features and capabilities that the Apex and Profilux have, but does the ability to control X number of modules over another controller make any one of them better? I agree with insane above...The Profilux controller is very powerful and has tons of features to it, but no matter how you do the configuring and math, it still comes out costing a lot more money. What are the budget conscious reefers that choose an Apex or RKE really missing from not going with a Profilux? __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

12/13/2009, 09:12 PM	#29
CAHamilton Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Livermore, Ca Posts: 107	Just as with any piece of measuring equipment you need more the one tool to insure accuracy or regular calibration checks. So weather you have a computer or refract, you should have both to use on against the other to ensure some point of accuracy. Thanks for all the info. Who would of thought a simple question sparked another idea and now we are all a lil more knowledgeable. I'm sold on the Apex......

12/13/2009, 09:13 PM	#30
insane Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: under your bed Posts: 771 Blog Entries: 7	I have been doing some serious researching to buy my first controller very soon. I don't want to have to buy another controller for quite awhile after this one. I have heard good things about Profilux but had also heard they are pricey. I had to take a closer look for myself. With Neptune I won't have to worry they will drop this controller and stop releasing new things for it. They have been making Aqua Controllers for a very long time and they still make and sell the old ACjr, ACIII & ACIIIPRO. The Vortech control that is coming will be a nice addition to the Tunze control they already have.

12/14/2009, 09:12 AM	#37
groan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 13	I don’t get sucked into these things, and i am looking for a controller now This is why I have chosen ProfiLux over apex when the P3 launches The ProfiLux 3 can do all this and more and if you really start to break down what is included with the GHL the price point shrinks. ProfiLux has over 1,000 controllable inputs and that’s before even starting to get going on the ProfiLux 3 which raises this bar to 5,000, suddenly 240 plug sockets is a bit of a low figure isn’t it? EG – built in tunze control for 8 tunze pumps, all you need is a $20 control cable, I think Apex can only handle 4 pumps ProfiLux has infinite amount of 1-10V interface Vortech development Dali control LED lighting module control Built in level control for auto water change and auto top off, plus leakage alarm Have over 1,000 plug sockets if you like, why limit to 240??? I could go on and on and on with the masses more the ProfiLux can do as standard. Get hung up on the slight price difference if you want but remember (as GHL told me) what you going to do in a few years when you head unit is obsolete? With ProfiLux you just expand as they expand you are not expected to throw an expensive head unit away!! That’s worth paying for on its own! I believe ProfiLux is for the future not just for today.

12/14/2009, 12:16 PM	#41
tylorarm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 759	Funny nobody is commenting on reliability. Seems like once you've got the features you need to run your system reliability is the most critical. I never hear profilux tout superior quality of probes, processors and such. That'd be a good argument if they can support it, rather than you can add 1000 outlets. I just bought an Apex, in part because i couldn't wait for the profilux III, and also because the Apex has all the features i need and more. However, I'm not going to use the Apex to control any temperature functions until i get more comfortable with the quality of the probes. I'm using the controller more for monitoring and timers, not temp or PH contoller. Still seems like a good investment to me. My hesitation come from previously having ACIII and had temp probes failed twice, and PH probes always seem to need recalibration (same goes for Pinpoint IME). Nobody wants to come home to a tank at 82 degrees according to controller, chiller running, with true temp at 67 degrees. Until i get more comfortable with Apex new probes (they do look much more substantial than the old ones i had) i'll continue doing temp control with my ranco controllers (i have 3 for redundancy), cheap contollers and very reliable IME, 6 yrs running and zero failures for the three. Despite my reservations, i think Neptune has come a long way and continues to improve, and tough to beat their persuasive combo of features and price, unless profilux truely is superior in quality and reliability.

12/14/2009, 12:46 PM	#42
insane Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: under your bed Posts: 771 Blog Entries: 7	In my work I use high capacity programmable controllers (1,024 channel) and hundreds of outlets but in a completely different field. Special Effect lighting systems in night clubs. So I have that on my side when looking at other types of controllers, flexability, programabilty and such. In choosing equipment I need to keep future plans in mind when designing a system. I don't want to be boxed in a corner with no room to expand. I can't just plan with what I need right now or what I might do in the future. I need to be able to carry as much equipment forward with me in order to save my client money if something completely different than what I planned for comes to mind. Anyone of us could one day decide to turn our hobby into a business. It would be cool to have a single controller that had the capability to remotely control everything in a large multi tank system. I don't want that right now or even think I ever will but it is something I could do if I wanted to with the right controller. A controller having more would also be easier to sell in the future. So some things may be out of the scope from what we want and need right now but it is a good thing to have on your side for multiple reasons even if they do not pertain to us at the moment. The debate on maximum number of outlets might not be important to what we actually need but it can be a factor in others plans and dreams of the future. Even though the RKL is not in my plans or even being considered by me, I think they are perfect for someone without the funds for the next level up. A $100.00 controller puts them within reach to a great many people that don’t need tons of control. It is a foot in the door. Just because they are not right for me doesn’t mean they are not right for someone else. One of the things that put me off most about RKs is the discontinuation of the first models. They were left in the dust. No more new features for them and you must buy a new system if you want anything new. I cannot buy an RKE and wait and wonder if they will drop the line for another in the future and again make it so what I bought will not work with it. They have already done it once. No one can honestly say they won’t do it again. Neptune doesn’t do that. What I buy now, I want to be able to add on to 5 and 10 years from now. Support after any sale is very important to me. In comparing track records between DA, NS and GHL, two stand out for being there for their customers without leaving them hanging and wondering if they will ever get their systems running correctly. If a night club calls me in the middle of the night, I get up and go fix the problem right then and there because it is my reputation that I have to protect so others will know that I will be there for them if they need me. Doing that gets me more clients even though it is a PITA at 3am. Profilux is German made and Germans make some very nice quality stuff regardless if it is cars or electronics. In heater and chiller control it is a very good idea to have redundancy. I plan on a heater controller inline between the heater and the APEX. If the APEX temp probe fails, the heater controller temp probe will shut it off. Any probe can fail with any controller.