Apex classic or apex?

[justingraham]

Today I bought an apex classic. I researched everything did my homework so to speak over getting the classic over the new apex. So I have a question for u guys before I open up the package is the classic worth the extra 300 dollars? I plan on getting two wavs and mabye 2 dos but that's down the line. I will get an orp probe but I really don't need a salinity one and from what I read it's not accurate in the sense of a refactometer but accurate in apex conversion. So is there something that makes the new apex worth 300 that I'm missing?
Thanks Justin

 

[Antics]

I think the only (big) differences are the new Apex has a better power bar, a redesigned hub, and native wifi? Forgive me if I'm mistaken, I'm not super knowledgeable about the apex. I'm thinking about buying one in a couple weeks though so I'd love to hear other opinions.

 

[justingraham]

So is all that worth the 300 more or not that is the question and it's not like I can't add it down the road if I want it. I never had an apex either and I'll prolly be on here tomorrow asking for help how to set it up so yea just wondering if I made a mistake before I take the wrapping off and can't return it

 

[rizorido]

I think it's worth it! The function of monitoring the Power outlets wattage and Amps is unique to Apex 2016. It tells you if your equipment are really on or off( vs supposed to be on) and shows you if your pump/ heater is malfunctioning( drawing more Amps) if your light is broken ( programmed on but not drawing amps) etc

 

[rizorido]

These are all extremely useful functions that the regular apex it any other reef controller does not have

 

[Antics]

I think it's worth it! The function of monitoring the Power outlets wattage and Amps is unique to Apex 2016. It tells you if your equipment are really on or off( vs supposed to be on) and shows you if your pump/ heater is malfunctioning( drawing more Amps) if your light is broken ( programmed on but not drawing amps) etc

That's definitly interesting. Does it have a function similar to kill-a-watt to measure power/energy consumption/cost?

 

[rizorido]

Yes has that too! Shows you in $ the power consumption of each piece of equipment hooked up

 

[justingraham]

Ok thanks @rizorido i knew about this interesting monitoring of the power. And although it is awesome cause it is I don't need it I really don't. If my heaters not working my temp will be cold correct? I mean if I was a baller I'd get it I would. But 300 clams is a lot of money. For something to tell me my equipment isn't working when I have eyes for free. But it is pretty awesome and as a tech geek it's amazing. But once again I'm looking for something that hasn't been said a million times on the Difference. Like i honestly don't know but something I'm completely missing out on .
Thanks for ur help much appreciated

 

[rizorido]

Your eyes are not there when you're away... That's the whole idea of the Apex .. Letting you know what's going on while you're away... We all have eyes!!

 

[justingraham]

Haha right I get that I'm just thinking like my heaters not working my water would be cold I like it don't get me wrong I really do but I want to open my apex now not in two weeks afterthought next paycheck

 

[justingraham]

I mean I can still run fusion correct and it will still tell me the power consumption correct? It just won't tell me the exact power consumption for each outlet only the bar is that correct?

 

[Antics]

I mean I can still run fusion correct and it will still tell me the power consumption correct? It just won't tell me the exact power consumption for each outlet only the bar is that correct?

I think your version of the apex would tell you "hey the tank is cold" as opposed to "hey, the heater was supposed to turn on (or off) but it didn't". In some scenarios, the message is different but the alert conveys the same information. In other situations, the ability to know something has failed or likely to fail can be advantageous. For example, if your return pump is using X number of watts for days/weeks/months like clock work, and all of the sudden you notice its slowly trending up or down, it could make you suspicious of the pump and make you check it out to see if it needs cleaned, or the impeller is worn, etc.

Is this worth 300$ to you? I don't know.

 

[justingraham]

That is a very good point
I did not think of it that way
Thank u sir
And I guess I will let u know

 

[Salty1962]

If your going to add Wavs and DOS down the road, I'd go with the new Gold. The new power bar has the 1Link built into it. You'd pay an additional $150 just for the 1Link alone. You have additional control ports on the new power bar as well. If I had the budget, I'd go with the new one. I believe they have most of the teething issues cleared up with the new system. The ORP and Salinity probes are good indicators of your systems health. The wireless capabilities of the new system keep you from spending additional $$ for a stand alone wireless device. Just my $.02.

 

[Waboss]

These are all extremely useful functions that the regular apex it any other reef controller does not have

Well, not really on the "any other reef controller does not have" part anyway. I believe (unless I'm mistaken) that GHL's profilux controller has individual socket monitoring as well on their PAB power bars. I'm not bashing Apex's though, I have one and am very happy with it.

Like @Salty1962 said though, if you're adding WAV's and DoS's down the road, I'd just get the 2016 model if funds allowed for it.

 

[justingraham]

Hey salty thanks for ur knowledge
So my answer to that is cause I did look into it I would like to get the wavs first. The package deal is 500 two wavs and the 1 link. The wav alone is 200 so that's 400. Only a hundred off. Also to justify this to the wife who is very great to me I would like to get the leak detector. With the new apex does that have the connection for that on the bar so I wouldn't have to get the module? I'm searching the Internet and I can't find that info anywhere.

I mean what it comes down to is that I wanted a new toy I went out and got the apex classic cause I did research it and I came up with the classic for what I need from my tank. And then before I opened it I got scared and I'm just making sure I'm making the right decision before I can return it.

And from what everyone is saying is that 300 isn't that bad I'll just have to return it and wait for my next paycheck

 

[justingraham]

And thank u waboss as well

 

[justingraham]

Also I'm a hard wire anyway I mean it's a nice feature but everything in my house is hard wired I set up my own gigabyte network because no wireless is going to be faster then wired. So that's not even a selling point for me honestly sad but true I like wires (hidden of course)

 

[Waboss]

Well, it does have the 1link built in, so you wouldn't need that module when you added your WAV's. As for the leak detector, I'm pretty sure you'd still need to pick up the ALD module to connect the sensors to.

 

[justingraham]

Well, it does have the 1link built in, so you wouldn't need that module when you added your WAV's. As for the leak detector, I'm pretty sure you'd still need to pick up the ALD module to connect the sensors to.

What do u mean the new apex has it or the classic one? I have the classic literally in my hands right now reading the back of the box