I feel for you RKE owners

[rckrzy1]

Wow For $119.95 you can now connect your RKE to an ethernet and do what us AC3 have been doing for a while with out having to pay to add another module.

I am so glad I bought the AC3 and not waited to be ripped by DA.

 

[toaster77]

anybody here have a ReefKeeper Elite and care to comment?

Debating whether to get a RKE or AC3, but seems like a good point brought up

 

[tamu]

I have neither.

But, if you would look at the pricing between the two there is not a lot of difference. By the time you add the extra modules to the AC3, it is almost a wash. The RKE seems to be more modular to me. You can buy only the modules you need.

Just my opinion, but I will probably go with the RKE, because it is new and there is a strong development push behind it. The AC3 has been around a long time and in my opinion is not going to grow like the RKE. (just my opinion) Both are good controllers though.

Neptune sells modules that are $150+ as well, so I guess both are companies are rip-offs!

 

[Guest]

Ac3 has more expandibility than rke you can run either dc8 or x10 modules

There is a program for the iPhone that I can check the status of my tank and turn on my equipment from my iPhone anywhere I do not need a laptop

 

[tamu]

Is that true?
I could be wrong, but reading specs off their websites, it looks like the AC3 can control 24 devices, while the RKE can go up to 250.

Also, that iphone app was not developed by Neptune, just someone who was creative enough to do it on their own.

 

[mo]

@tamu wrote:

Do you really need / want a single device controlling your 250 devices?
"Eggs in one basket" comes to mind here....
But, that said, I know on the AC3 you can run 7 Expansion Modules which monitor/control pH, ORP, and temperature.
AND
Up to 5 DC8s can be daisy chained together for up to 40 switched outlets. So it looks like, and I believe it does control / monitor more than 24 devices.

@tamu wrote:

Yep, and has anyone developed a app for the RKE to be controlled by the Iphone yet?

 

[tamu]

You don't even need 24, just pointing it out.

The point about the iPhone app is that it wasn't an innovation by Neptune, just someone with the initiative to do it on their own.

I know they are both great controllers. There are many more thousands of ACs in use. There is something to say about leaving the AC's telnet port open so that people with scripting knowledge can get in and do their own custom things.

It would be some kind of accomplishment for someone to come out with an iPhone app for the RKE, since internet access is not even out for the unit.

 

[Guest]

rke looks like a good product only thing i dont like is once you fill up the power strip you have to buy another one if you need to run one more timer while ac3 if you use up the dc8 and you need to add one more timer i can run down to fryes and pick up a x10 module.

another thing right off the bat if you run a calcium reactor with rke you have to buy another monitoring module as ac3 can monitor two ph at the same time as the second one is a ph or orp port.

dont get me wrong rke is a great product it is like comparing bmw to mercedes you just need to find which one suits your taste. If you want something that you can just use the controller to setup the timers or if you want something more hands on to setup up you equipment.

the ferrari of controllers is the profilux now that is one bad boy controller


dont quote me on this but i thought the net module needs to be hooked up to a computer to be always on it is not a web server like ac3 where it is a stan alone....i thought i read something about it when they were doing preorders of rke on rc

 

[rckrzy1]

@tamu wrote:

Exactly, DA is a day late and a dollar short , and for the low price of $119.95 you too can have internet.

 

[tamu]

Good points kuyatwo.

The X10 option is nice. You are correct that they are both great products. The NET module has a built in web-server. No computer needed.

I guess I don't see the major rip-off here. People that are not interested in a network device don't have to pay for it with the RKE. They are not paying extra for something they are not going to use.

AC3 w/ Temp probe $279.95
Std pH Probe $39.95
DC8 $142.95
AquaNotes 3 $69.95
<hr class="bbcode_rule" />
$532.80

RKE System $465.95
NET Module $119.95
myReef FREE (not yet available)
<hr class="bbcode_rule" />
$585.90


Grand Total Difference of $53.10.

 

[rckrzy1]

@tamu wrote:

Why would you BUY aquanote ? It comes with a lite version that does more than enough. That now puts the diff at more than $100

 

[tamu]

The AC3 comes with a webserver, therefore, add the NET module to the price of the RKE. The myReef software has features that only the full AquaNotes has, therefore, add AquaNotes to the package.

I was trying to compare the major components of the two systems as equally as possible, and point out that DA is not such a huge rip-off and waste of time as you stated. (plus $119 NET module is list from DA, so it will more than likely be cheaper elsewhere).

Both are good controllers and both are very expensive. 'To Each Their Own'

 

[mo]

Yep, I see what you're showing and trying to compare apples to apples.
So if someone buying a high end controller does not want network access ( either telnet or web ) they will save $120.00 with the RKE. I'm thinking the majority of shoppers for high end controllers will / do want network access with the freedom to receive email/ pager / cell text alerts and the ability for access to control and configure the unit via a web browser or telnet software.
However, it is a little more pricey for a non-mass user tested piece of hardware and related software like the RKE if you want network access.

The other thing not being taking into account regarding the prices is DFWMAS members like myself have been part of group buys with Reef Geeks and have received 10 to 15% discounts on the Neptune Systems products. I'm not sure, but am thinking no group buys have been run as of yet on the RKE product.

I too think it may be a very nice controller overall however, I'm not really comfortable with running my 37 devices on a unproven product.. :wink:

I hope you do not take my point as bashing as it's absolutely not meant that way. Just a little more food for thought.

 

[tamu]

Great points. Not bashing at all. The RKE did have growing pains when it first came out, and they are very committed to the unit. I read their support forums and DA has a very active interest in their customers issues and feature requests. They have created very good and well respected controllers in the past and I don't think they will settle with anything less with this one.

I keep a close eye on my tank, so I think I won't mind taking a slight risk in order to have a product that has very active development by the manufacture. For Example...the NET module will NOT allow you to turn devices on/off when it comes out in Feb. But again, it doesn't concern me since they have already stated they will be actively working on improving the module to allow that control.

Again both great controllers.