Digital Aquatics Archon Owners Thread

[cardinalfish78]

Latest problem surfaced right after the last hardware update. When I returned home, I did a reset on the PC4, and the "Input" from the PC4 that happened while I was away, once again became the "PS Foam" that it should be. After that, I did the update and now the "Fuge Light", which has been working fine, is working weird. (see pic)

[janes_mw]

Originally Posted by cardinalfish78

Latest problem surfaced right after the last hardware update. When I returned home, I did a reset on the PC4, and the "Input" from the PC4 that happened while I was away, once again became the "PS Foam" that it should be. After that, I did the update and now the "Fuge Light", which has been working fine, is working weird. (see pic)

Ya, my T5 light acts strange as well. Last night in the middle of the night, it was on. The Output showed as "on" as well. I selected "off" then selected "auto" and refreshed the page and things went back to normal. But, yes, light function seems to be a little buggy.

Also, I notice that the graph display (at least on temp and pH) do not reflect the current numbers listed on the inputs.

[Pickupman66]

This is something we are working on. Hopefully a resolution soon.

[janes_mw]

Skimmer just shut off for no reason as well. No alarms, floats or anything. Just reset and now working.

[n2585722]

Originally Posted by janes_mw

Skimmer just shut off for no reason as well. No alarms, floats or anything. Just reset and now working.

The controller may have reset for some reason. If so then the skimmer would have a delay before restarting.

[Harry_Y]

Originally Posted by mikeatjac

I have read this whole thread! Omg does the manufacture help at all? I was going to try but??????

The support from the manufacture is pretty much Non-existent.




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[janes_mw]

[QUOTE=Harry_Y;24010440]The support from the manufacture is pretty much Non-existent.


Not really true. I talk with Eric (main guy at DA for Archon) about once a week and if I need him, he is right there for me. What you have all been reading is a product that was probably released about 6 months earlier than it should have been, but most of us have been working with DA to make the Archon a nice controller at a very good price.

Have I had my frustrations and disappointments? of course, but in every case DA has worked though the issues. Right now, there are only a couple very minor outstanding issues. I have had Neptune, RKE, Reef Angel, and Archon. Trust me, they all have issues. To be honest, the RKE was the most rock solid performer of all. That is why I am putting my trust in the Archon.

anyway, I mumble .

mike

[Harry_Y]

[QUOTE=janes_mw;24010526]

Originally Posted by Harry_Y

The support from the manufacture is pretty much Non-existent.


Not really true. I talk with Eric (main guy at DA for Archon) about once a week and if I need him, he is right there for me. What you have all been reading is a product that was probably released about 6 months earlier than it should have been, but most of us have been working with DA to make the Archon a nice controller at a very good price.

Have I had my frustrations and disappointments? of course, but in every case DA has worked though the issues. Right now, there are only a couple very minor outstanding issues. I have had Neptune, RKE, Reef Angel, and Archon. Trust me, they all have issues. To be honest, the RKE was the most rock solid performer of all. That is why I am putting my trust in the Archon.

anyway, I mumble .

mike

You must be one of the lucky few, They have ignored my e-mails and calls.
They also seem to have ignored that fact that I was a paying customer.

My RKE worked but I would not quite call it a rock solid performer.
The RKE is very susceptible to RF interference (like from Ballast etc).
The SL2 had issues right from day one that at least for me they
never resolved (so that was a waste of money).

I used to recommend DA's products but stopped when I got tired
of people calling me to complain about how bad the support was.

Additionally I have seen the Archon interface and it is slow and rough.

We all have a tendency to defend our purchases, and for a time I also did.
But there also comes a time when you finally realize that it's a poor
performing product and that there are better options out there.

When I first set up my current tank I was tight on cash and cut corners.
So I understand the appeal of saving money, but I recently had to
re-buy a lot of gear to correct those earlier cuts (so I paid twice).

I'm just laying out the facts so others can make an informed choice.




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[janes_mw]

[QUOTE=Harry_Y;24011295]

Originally Posted by janes_mw

You must be one of the lucky few, They have ignored my e-mails and calls.
They also seem to have ignored that fact that I was a paying customer.

My RKE worked but I would not quite call it a rock solid performer.
The RKE is very susceptible to RF interference (like from Ballast etc).
The SL2 had issues right from day one that at least for me they
never resolved (so that was a waste of money).

I used to recommend DA's products but stopped when I got tired
of people calling me to complain about how bad the support was.

Additionally I have seen the Archon interface and it is slow and rough.

We all have a tendency to defend our purchases, and for a time I also did.
But there also comes a time when you finally realize that it's a poor
performing product and that there are better options out there.

When I first set up my current tank I was tight on cash and cut corners.
So I understand the appeal of saving money, but I recently had to
re-buy a lot of gear to correct those earlier cuts (so I paid twice).

I'm just laying out the facts so others can make an informed choice.




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Really not trying to justify my purchase with anyone so don't put words in my mouth or analyze my writing. I happen to have a 300 gallon SPS reef that is fully controlled via Archon. Salinity monitor, CaRx control and monitor, Skimmer with overflow control, DC interface to wavemakers, pH monitor, temp monitor, Lighting control and timing, Zeovit control, ATO with high and low alarms, Sump high and low alarms, temp alarms, pH alarms, salinity alarms, email and text notifications, wireless without additional box, and sure I am forgetting somethings. Like I said, I have had the others also so I CAN compare. They all have warts.

[shellsea]

I must be one of the lucky few as well. I agree with Mike. DA has stepped up when needed for me and the beta test guys r great. the Archon keeps getting better and better.

[Pickupman66]

I dont see the interface slow and rough. Seems to be better than my reef is and works great for me. Only latency I see normally is when I am remote in. And just as a note, the videos I made were all done remotely.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by Pickupman66

I dont see the interface slow and rough. Seems to be better than my reef is and works great for me. Only latency I see normally is when I am remote in. And just as a note, the videos I made were all done remotely.

This is a curious thing. I am not sure why some people experience high latency and others do not. That was my number one issue with the Archon. The interface was extremely slow for me and not stable while on my home network and nearly unworkable from outside. Same issue I had with the net module. I don't doubt the issues it has will be resolved eventually but I needed something that was quick to access and react both from within and outside of my home network.

[Pickupman66]

Please don't take this wrong but if you had latency issues with both devices it could be an issue with your router.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by Pickupman66

Please don't take this wrong but if you had latency issues with both devices it could be an issue with your router.

No there is nothing wrong with my router. Also I hard wire the controller in. It would have to be a very old router indeed to be too slow to handle the minimal data of the archon or reef keeper via Ethernet. It is an AC router. I have no problems with the current controller nor any of the many internet connected devices in the house.

[Pickupman66]

Hmmm. Very interesting. Not really sure then. I know we have some big things on the near horizon.


I do know that on some pages there is some latency as it is updating data constantly. This is most seen on the home page and outputs when you have a lot of devices. Recent updates have improved this considerably.

[shred5]

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

No there is nothing wrong with my router. Also I hard wire the controller in. It would have to be a very old router indeed to be too slow to handle the minimal data of the archon or reef keeper via Ethernet. It is an AC router. I have no problems with the current controller nor any of the many internet connected devices in the house.

I was thinking the same thing he was when I read your post. It could be some incompatibility too with something on your network like your router.

But if you hook directly into the unit and still have the issue it could be the computer or something on that computer.

With the apex when I log directly into it with explorer on my lap top it will sit there but with Firefox all is good.

I am not sticking up for DA because I have been following this thread from the beginning and this thing is not ready for market. I ended sticking my Apex on my aquarium after waiting months. I am in the process of setting another aquarium up but I am going to move the apex to it and put my DA RK lite back in service on the other tank.. I was hoping there was signs of improvement and put the Archon on the new tank instead of having to mess with moving the apex.. While it seems like it might be getting close it is not there. It might be for the beta tester who work with it all the time but this thing sounds like a nightmare to get going for someone else.

I am now at the point I am worried about the future of this unit. There is allot of competition coming up.

I had high hopes and my DA RK has always been a solid unit. Never a issue (knock on wood) since I am putting back in service.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by shred5

I was thinking the same thing he was when I read your post. It could be some incompatibility too with something on your network like your router.

But if you hook directly into the unit it may be your computer and still have the issue it could be the computer or something on that computer.

With the apex when I log directly into it with explorer on my lap top it will sit there but with Firefox all is good.

I am not sticking up for DA because I have been following this thread from the beginning and this thing is not ready for market. I ended sticking my Apex on my aquarium after waiting months. I am in the process of setting another aquarium up but I am going to move the apex to it and put my DA RK lite back in service on the other tank.. I was hoping there was signs of improvement and put the Archon on the new tank instead of having to mess with moving the apex.. While it seems like it might be getting close it is not there. It might be for the beta tester who work with it all the time but this thing sounds like a nightmare to get going for someone else.

I am now at the point I am worried about the future of this unit. There is allot of competition coming up.

I had high hopes and my DA RK has always been a solid unit. Never a issue (knock on wood) since I am putting back in service.

The problem is not the router or the computer. This issue was seen using a few different routers and I use 3 different computers and my phone to access each system. The connection was slow every time on every device. Also like I mentioned have a bunch of other equipment in the house that has never had this problem. That is why I find it very strange that other people report the Archon responding quickly. Perhaps mine was just a bum unit.

[Harry_Y]

I'm sure the're communicating with the beta testers, but whats the regular Paying customer to expect?


I'm not bashing them, I'm just very disappointed with them.


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[Pickupman66]

Harry, do you have an archon?

[n2585722]

Originally Posted by Pickupman66

Harry, do you have an archon?

No he has an Apex.

[FlyingFishSKYw]

I'm a regular paying customer and have had great service and response from DA.

Sure, there have been some growing pains, but things are humming right along now.

I've got a fairly simple setup with my Archon monitoring pH and temp, controlling my ATO, simple on/off lighting, and a pair of SpectraPure dosing pumps for an auto water change system.

Future plans call for full Archon control of a couple LED fixtures, maybe some two part dosing and salinity monitoring (maybe a software upgrade to us the other pH/ORP port for salinity?). Oh, and Gyre control. This will all be for the 75 gallon tank sitting in my garage!

[janes_mw]

Danny/Lindsey - what's the latest versions? I am at SW 1.09.37 and HW1.08.10.

I see update available so do you know what diffs from SW version 37? Hoping HW is latest as I get scared when that needs updating

mike

[n2585722]

My system has the following

Software version is: 1.09.39.
Hardware version is: 1.08.10.

I am not sure what the current non beta version is. It may be the same by now.

[Pickupman66]

Iirc, the versions Danny posted are the current for all users. If you are not on this same software there may be a website update too. I know there were some changes in the main.js and the system page.

Difference to version 39 is timer fixes.

[janes_mw]

K, thxs!!