so whats the scoop on the frozen fish feeder?

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by Avast Marine

mix
dose cycle (controls multiple things)
clean cycle (controls multiple things)
monitor temp
freeze on
freeze off
fan on
fan off
status alerts

Those are just the basic functions of the top of my head so if there is no integrated controller you have a minimum of 5 cords to plug in to your controller outlet strip. Sounds messy and it is actually pretty expensive to dedicate that many control outlets on a strip. Our unit will absolutely have an integrated controller to handle all of these functions and more because in the long run it is actually the most cost effective way to go. What we are looking for with regards to external controllers is simply an interface to monitor and override some of the functions, possibly make the "alerts" more robust by handing off to a email client etc, not as a means for complete control. It will be an option, not a separate product. The size of the unit is along the lines of a 2l bottle of soda, not a dorm fridge, some will have room and some will not.

Sounds like you already have it in a compact form. I cannot wait to find out more. MACNA is so long from now

[Halfmoon61]

Awesome idea, if crowd funded I'd throw a bit your way.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by Halfmoon61

Awesome idea, if crowd funded I'd throw a bit your way.

Yes, I would do the same. I have seen KS's for aquarium items before. Might want to do IGG though so you can start immediately using the funds to produce the item before the campaign even ends. I have helped consult other companies before when going the crowd funding route and would be happy to put you in contact with one or two folks that can help you ride that wave and give you experienced advice.

[kenman345]

So as MACNA approaches, where would you say the best place to look for news about any announcements from Avast would be? Particularly, where do I need to set my browser to refresh every 5 seconds in anticipation?

[kenman345]

anyone got any information?

[seregus]

I would love to here the news and order my one at the same second!

[caribfan]

Inquiring minds what to know.

[Yogre]

I haven't seen any news that it was introduced at MACNA, so I guess it's not ready yet.

[caribfan]

bummer.

[kenman345]

yep, a product like this is desperately lacking in the consumer level products out currently. This could be a very successful product if they can hit the mark in performance and price. I would happily pre-order it now without any further details than we have already received, as long as it guarantees me to get it in the next 6 months, even if it's not going to be a product they produce in the future anymore.

[kenman345]

I want to add, if Avast comes out with this product, it would be cool to be able to add a mixing/holding liquids section to add vitamins in before feedings so we can even automate vitamin enrichment of frozen foods as close to feeding as possible even when we are away.

[kenman345]

Still no news or anything on this? Is it a product that is even getting any more attention or consideration?

[xrayjeeper83]

VERY interested in this. Was just talking to a friend about something like this. I'd rather feed my frozen food then pellets all the time. Very excited to see someone is seemingly so close to production

[ctenophore]

Originally Posted by kenman345

Still no news or anything on this? Is it a product that is even getting any more attention or consideration?

Sorry, no real news. But it is in active testing and development. The food metering system is one of the significant challenges and I think we now have a good solution.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by ctenophore

Sorry, no real news. But it is in active testing and development. The food metering system is one of the significant challenges and I think we now have a good solution.

Awesome. See, news of any type is re-assuring and while not that I wanna hear about delays, but it's good to know that you have a problem to address which is important functionality and that you are not releasing a half-hearted product. I look forward to hearing more as your development continues.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by ctenophore

Sorry, no real news. But it is in active testing and development. The food metering system is one of the significant challenges and I think we now have a good solution.

Hows the food metering system going?

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by ctenophore

Sorry, no real news. But it is in active testing and development. The food metering system is one of the significant challenges and I think we now have a good solution.

Bump because it's another week and we havent heard anything. Almost a month since this last post about it. Can we at least getting a mockingly annoying smiley face reply to our inquiries?

[ctenophore]

Good progress in the past few weeks! Sorry, no details or pics as it's a novel solution to the problem assuming it works out in real world testing. Thanks for checking in.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by ctenophore

Good progress in the past few weeks! Sorry, no details or pics as it's a novel solution to the problem assuming it works out in real world testing. Thanks for checking in.

Happy to help test that :-D

[Crazy35111]

Any idea if this unit will be ready by the end of the year? Going to need to get a unit constructed by Jan, but if this unit is close, I'd prefer the Avast quality.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by Crazy35111

Any idea if this unit will be ready by the end of the year? Going to need to get a unit constructed by Jan, but if this unit is close, I'd prefer the Avast quality.

I cannot agree more. I want this item talked about, build some hype, make it worth it to bring it to market with tons of pre-orders. There are no consumer ready hobbyist marketed frozen food feeders. All items close are meant for large scale usage and are custom built solutions. If they really have such a small space consuming feeder, then this will be explosive when it hits the market.

[Avast Marine]

We are in the process of building and then moving to our new manufacturing facility. Once this is done (hopefully before year end) we will be able to hire more staff and move forward with projects that have been on back burner a while. The next 3 months are historically our busiest of the year as well, so while I would like to say the feeder will be ready by Christmas, it simply isn't going to happen.

[kenman345]

Originally Posted by Avast Marine

We are in the process of building and then moving to our new manufacturing facility. Once this is done (hopefully before year end) we will be able to hire more staff and move forward with projects that have been on back burner a while. The next 3 months are historically our busiest of the year as well, so while I would like to say the feeder will be ready by Christmas, it simply isn't going to happen.

Glad to hear why we havent been hearing too much about this.

Sign me up for the beta program if you're looking for anyone willing to participate. I hope you guys let us know when you are able to give more focus to this project.

[Avast Marine]

Well we have been working on it in a way Seriously, we are just completely maxed out in our current space and this will give us lots more room to grow the operation.

[Crazy35111]

Thanks for the update +1 on beta testing