New Vertex Cerebra $699.99 - Intro Price $374.99

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by ArmanS

Jason, I also agree with you regarding the display. It's nice to have but I prefer my phone or browser. I rarely ever touch my Apex Display. Having said that, it is nice to look at the tank and see some data on the display.

I think Neptune's Approach with using a 3rd party Tablet such as the Fire is the best solution.

If this came out when it originally should have that touch screen display would have been a huge deal like the profilux. But smart phones and tablets are so much more common now and everything in IT is moving to the cloud and IoT

[Salty150]

If they would have just come out with the "complete" package of the head/display unit, along with 2 multibars and the 3 probes (temp, salinity, and PH) for the $699 - this would have been a huge success.

[jason2459]

I figured it was outlets on it which for a single unit I'd want 8 to start with. I hated the DA 4 outlet strips

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by Salty150

If they would have just come out with the "complete" package of the head/display unit, along with 2 multibars and the 3 probes (temp, salinity, and PH) for the $699 - this would have been a huge success.

Boom! I agree. Give us the complete package and not something stripped down and masquerade that its a steeeeep discounted price.


I was considering this to try out on my mantis tank for the price but I'm not sure what it all comes with yet and if its really worth it. I still have my reefkeeper running on that setup. Apex CLASSIC on my 180.

[ArmanS]

Originally Posted by jason2459

If this came out when it originally should have that touch screen display would have been a huge deal like the profilux. But smart phones and tablets are so much more common now and everything in IT is moving to the cloud and IoT

I agree completely and that is what I've said before. The Cerebra in 2012 would have been amazing. In 2016 it is not even the best option available. A tablet is much better.

[ReefCowboy]

Originally Posted by Salty150

Neither.

Neptune rushed their new Apex product out to beat this Cerebra once they were made aware the Cerebra was being released on June 20.

Vertex is being VERY smart - they are slashing the introductory price to create buzz (as you can see here is happening) and take away from Neptune's announcement.

Unless you have info nobody else has this far, you seem pretty quick to jump the gun making conclusions about a system you know very little about(no offense intended).

YES, Vertex has put out CRAPPY equipment before, and YES dropping close to 50% in price out of the gate is not observed often in the business world. It CAN backfire and also drive away customers. What makes one think something that costs $700 can be sold at $375 from a manufacturers stand point? Price point is vital even when something is offered for short time.

If Vertex is a brand that charges the *** out of its customers for most products, why would they want to fish out the price sensitive ones with this approach to later murder them with its regular price tendencies?

A brand that targets high end, not so much price rarely(almost never) plays the money game discounting 40% on anything.

I see this controller doesnt come with probes...with Neptunes coming at $75, i bet some people here will soon cry crocodile tears when they realize the money spent to get the full thing working. I really hope those who buy this dont come later complaining how much anything costs with Vertex. We knew that from the start.

Trust me i would love to see a system making Neptune work for their money. We would all win. I just think this hobby has many businesses that discount heavily and you will never hear a response from them when something goes wrong. I will start getting impressed if, instead of pricing drops, we start hearing of Vertex's new improved approach to their customer service.

I preordered the new apex, but own the old one and know im getting at least the same sort of system from before, which is ABSOLUTELY GREAT.

Those that are falling into the discount trapp without knowing anything about it, good luck.

[ArmanS]

Originally Posted by Salty150

If they would have just come out with the "complete" package of the head/display unit, along with 2 multibars and the 3 probes (temp, salinity, and PH) for the $699 - this would have been a huge success.

That would be fantastic but you have to look at it from a business perspective as well. If they offered it at that price, tons of people would have ordered them and they would not need to buy any additional accessories since they already would have 2 power bars and the 3 probes which is what most users only need.

I think most people including myself are surprised that the package is $375. I was expecting a MSPR of ~$600-700 for that same package with a intro price ~$500.

[Salty150]

Originally Posted by ArmanS

That would be fantastic but you have to look at it from a business perspective as well. If they offered it at that price, tons of people would have ordered them and they would not need to buy any additional accessories since they already would have 2 power bars and the 3 probes which is what most users only need.

I think most people including myself are surprised that the package is $375. I was expecting a MSPR of ~$600-700 for that same package with a intro price ~$500.

Yeah, but all you are getting for your $375 (regularly $700) - is the display, one 6 outlet multibar and 1 probe (temp).

Who is going to pay $700 for that...?

[gcarroll]

Vertex Cerebra - $375
BRS Lab grade ph probe - $70
BRS Lab grade ORP prob - $60

Grand total of $505.00

I don't know about you but I'm failing to see why this isn't a smoking deal. Especially with all the other modules built in. What does a comparable Reefkeeper, Archon, or Apex compare at? I saw the Apex classic is $545 and you need to add a salinity probe. And the Reefkeeper Elite would need a few additional modules to even start to compare.

I'm not saying its for everyone but to ignore all the features it includes over them not including a probe or two is nuts. And I can't believe the people who are complaining the price is too low. Competition is good for the consumer. Let's just cheer on all these companies to push each other farther than ever.

[jwilliams860]

ordered one to see how it goes, i usually keep my tank pretty basic, not much controlling, i have a reef keeper lite on my smaller tank but really its a glorified timer for my sunpower, and just a handy power strip, im on the fence in general with controllers, i have a reef keeper elite sitting around I was going to use on my new 150g build but there is no water in it yet. The cerebra is attractive with its android based operating system and open source idea, this might allow other companies to simply create an app that plays nice with the controller.

They still haven't said for sure whats included, but the price point is attractive so I thought Id give it a try, I also like trying new products too.

Chevrolet vs Ford....then Toyota through a full size truck in the mix, so now maybe we have Neptune vs Digital Aquatics and then the germans go and throw an all aluminum color touch screen android based fancy led temp probe into the mix.

Hopefully we get some early adopters based on the low price and can see what its all about, fingers crossed its a good entry into the controller world.

Until Royal Exclusiv then decides to put their hat in and add some awesome red and white cnc machined controller that they thought of everything on and is so dang sexy, for now ill take this younger less experienced sibling

[gus6464]

I am assuming that the conductivity probe on the cerebra accepts the industry standard ones and not proprietary like neptune?

[ReefCowboy]

Originally Posted by gus6464

I am assuming that the conductivity probe on the cerebra accepts the industry standard ones and not proprietary like neptune?

Good question...thats what i meant by waiting to hear more about this great deal... If it is proprietary, you add all needed probes and you are back at $600

[j_mazzy]

The statements I have heard from the rep so far is very few items will ever be proprietary

[gus6464]

Originally Posted by ReefCowboy

Good question...thats what i meant by waiting to hear more about this great deal... If it is proprietary, you add all needed probes and you are back at $600

Yeah PASCO makes a great probe that is much better built than the neptune for $79. If you can use probes like those then the cerebra will be a winner I think.

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by gus6464

Yeah PASCO makes a great probe that is much better built than the neptune for $79. If you can use probes like those then the cerebra will be a winner I think.

Link to the one you are referring to?

[ArmanS]

Originally Posted by gcarroll

Link to the one you are referring to?

https://www.pasco.com/prodCatalog/PS...nsor/index.cfm

If you scroll down you can buy just the probe for $79.

Conductivity Probe, 10X PS-2571 $79

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by ArmanS

https://www.pasco.com/prodCatalog/PS...nsor/index.cfm

If you scroll down you can buy just the probe for $79.

Conductivity Probe, 10X PS-2571 $79

Thanks. I was not aware that the Apex did not use universal probes. I guess because I never considered another brand.

[ArmanS]

I know for the PH and ORP Probes you can use any probe you choose that has the proper BNC connector. I know many people who have used BRS Probes and had good results. They are slightly cheaper, having said that they are Single Junction and the new Neptune Probes are double junction electrodes as you know and are much better and will last longer.

[unze]

https://www.pasco.com/prodCatalog/PS...nsor/index.cfm

They do cool stuff

[psidriven]

any do a direct price comparison between this cerebra package and an apex pack with the exact same modules or vice versa? just so there is a better hardware apples to apples comparison. with the multi bar, it's a direct competitor to the new apex ugly orange energy bar.

at first glance the cerebra deal seems lacklustre, (controller, 1 strip, 1 temp probe) but realising the modules that are build in instead of having to add like apex, it seems to be a better deal. i'm interested now but still sitting on the fence.

[unze]

The vertex does look like a much better controller, but have to get some reviews before judgement can be made.
But it should be far better as the standard price is far more that a Apex.

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by psidriven

any do a direct price comparison between this cerebra package and an apex pack with the exact same modules or vice versa? just so there is a better hardware apples to apples comparison. with the multi bar, it's a direct competitor to the new apex ugly orange energy bar.

at first glance the cerebra deal seems lacklustre, (controller, 1 strip, 1 temp probe) but realising the modules that are build in instead of having to add like apex, it seems to be a better deal. i'm interested now but still sitting on the fence.

Archon would probably be a better comparison to price against.

[reefingnoob]

Originally Posted by gcarroll

Vertex Cerebra - $375
BRS Lab grade ph probe - $70
BRS Lab grade ORP prob - $60

Grand total of $505.00

I don't know about you but I'm failing to see why this isn't a smoking deal. Especially with all the other modules built in. What does a comparable Reefkeeper, Archon, or Apex compare at? I saw the Apex classic is $545 and you need to add a salinity probe. And the Reefkeeper Elite would need a few additional modules to even start to compare.

I'm not saying its for everyone but to ignore all the features it includes over them not including a probe or two is nuts. And I can't believe the people who are complaining the price is too low. Competition is good for the consumer. Let's just cheer on all these companies to push each other farther than ever.

Man, exactly what I am thinking! Only long term disadvantage I am seeing is their power bar has 6 outlets compare to 8 of apex but then the same multibar has all the probe ports needed for those of us with multiple tanks, as opposed to paying 150 for EB8 then 85 for ph, orp and temp module.
New apex: 800. Here are the only extras you get for the price: 1) 2 extra outlet. 2)ph probe. 3) orp probe. 4) conductivity probe.
I am using apex since 2013 it was a pain to get it online, some times when I turn things on/off using my phone or laptop it takes well over 5 minutes to actually turn that equipment on or off!
I am not saying cerebra will be any good but its competitors aren't great either.

[ArmanS]

Apparently tomorrow they will have a in depth video describing more features and the multi bar as well as pricing regarding the accessories and power bars.

Also, on the facebook page they also mentioned that they are not sure if Vertex will increase the price but include more probes. I think that is highly unlikely since Aquacave already started taking preorders.

They mentioned that the power bar which has 6 outlets and no probe inputs will be extremely discounted. I think everyone should wait for more info to be released which should answer a lot of questions. I know a lot of people are complaining about lack of information and the fact that no other probes are included but I feel like we should wait a few days and see what they release. If you look at the Neptune announcement last month, tons of people were ****ed and then as more and more info was released most people were satisfied.

[Devaji108]

^ thank good to know that vid. they put out was just garbage. ( the one linked above in the thread)
i am interested in seeing how this pans out.

just FYI i'll be reviewing a lesser know new controller on the market. and half the intro price. so stay tuned for that. thought about getting this to compare it to. maybe i'll will..once i understand more about the product.