Jestersix

RKE/L or Apex or other?

Gomer

Gomer

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Ok, it's about time I migrate my electronics out of ghetto fabulousness. Multiple Power strips and multiple timers need to be retired.

Without going into a diatribe about what I want and what I need and what is useless to me, I thought I'd focus on what unique features people have actually found useful and what unique quirks are problematic etc..practical stuff, not theoretical :)

So, RKE/RKL/Apex users, what do you hate and love about your controller that the competitor can't do (do well)?
 
I think a diatribe about what you want and what you need would be quite necessary to help steer you towards a controller.

If you're only going to run it as a timer replacement for lights, dosing pumps, etc, then the cheaper RKL might be the best bet.

As to the RKE, I hate the programming aspect of it, I dunno I feel more comfortable with typing the program myself as opposed to using a menu driven mode. My AC3, I simply can program (through the ethernet :D) turn plug on at X:XX off at Y:YY, on again at Z:ZZ off at Q:QQ, however with the menu driven RKE, ok program lights, on time... off time... wait where's the option to turn them on again? GRUMBLE!!!!!! I'm sure there's a work around, but it's not obvious at all. Now this may be the same with the Apex as well, I'm not sure.

That being said look over in the RC vendor forums seems there a bit of some fanboys from both sides in both forums (Curt included :D) arguing about what makes their product better... however the RKE seems to be resting on the laurels of "We did it first, they copied us, so ours must be good" so it looks like the Apex has more features.
 
The RKE's Net module is separate adding another $100 ($590) while the Apex has the Ethernet connection in its base system for $495. I can get online and do all my programming bypassing the need to do it all on the display and I do not have another module to add.
 
RavieReefer said:
The RKE's Net module is separate adding another $100 ($590) while the Apex has the Ethernet connection in its base system for $495. I can get online and do all my programming bypassing the need to do it all on the display and I do not have another module to add.
Click to expand...

However it is not kitty proof! :D
 
Here is a Copy/Paste from Neptune Systems Forum...

There is really no comparison between the two controllers. The RKE is inferior in just about every aspect. Here are some features in which the Apex system is better:

Looks better
Very attractive mechanical design
High Quality Display with excellent clarity/contrast.
- Costs less.
- Easy to use configuration wizards.
- Most expandable controller - up to 240 modules, thousands of outlets, hundreds of probes.
- backwards compatible with older AquaController accessories.
- More features - Some include:
more flexible/sophisticate configuration
season lighting control
season temperature control
- Integrated Ethernet (Optional $$$ on RKE)
- Monitoring & Control & configuration on the webserver.
- Only controller with web browser based configuration.
- XML support
- multiple head unit displays - not possible on RKE
- multiple sound alarms.
- Includes 6 digital inputs vs 2 on RKE.
- Galvanic Isolation on probes result in accurate readings. RKE has no isolation and has major interference issues.
- Includes built-in variable speed pump control. Not possible on RKE
- Includes built-in 0-10V light dimming. Extra on RKE
- Can name outlets, and modules - not possible on RKE
- ORP input is modal - can be ORP or pH input on Apex - not possible on RKE
- Default outlet state on Apex. On competition of a communication error occurs all outlets
just shut off - RKE just shuts everything off
- State of the Art 32 bit processor - not an 8 bit slow processor like RKE.
- 5 times faster than competitor's controllers
- 16 times more code space - much more expandable for future enhancements.
Not code space limited like the RKE
- 16 times more storage space for datalogs than the RKE.
- Bus interconnect can be starred or daisy chain configuration.
- Has Power failure detection/alarms/control - not possible on RKE.
- EB8 has power failure detection/alarms/control - not possible on RKE
- Don't have to disassemble controller to perform firmware upgrades
- Reliable/High Quality buttons (No unreliable capsense)
- Lowest cost per outlet control options
- Robust communications protocol Bus Interface with error correcting.
- EnergyBars have built-in AquaBus hubs - On RKE must purchase add-on.
- Built in virtual outlets. On RKE must purchase announced but not shipping PC1.
- Cable lengths can be much longer than RKE.

Curt


These are his selling points. Thread is here. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1686202
 
Well, it may not be on the item, but some places have blanket 10% off your first order or something like that. Was doubtful, but it didn't hurt to ask :-D
 
Back orders have yet to be filled all the way so I doubt Neptune would discount them :)
 
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