Apex Trident

[Da Ghost]

i do not think that was the intention (get more people to buy the Apex 2016) but i do agree that it damages customer loyalty toward a brand when there is complete silence. Understand for APEX to come out now this late and say we goofed and it will take X time will only open the flood gates of competition for others who have been looking at the same tech. So sadly you have look at from both sides. I am annoyed, but not annoyed enough yet that I will use something different even it it became available tomorrow. So in that regard I do think APEX needs to trust in Brand loyalty and provide us an update. I think most people who have an APEX will be more inclined to keep the system and wait some more. Heck we have all been testing 'manually' before the announcement, so we shall continue a lil longer.

 

[strike2867]

Understand for APEX to come out now this late and say we goofed and it will take X time will only open the flood gates of competition for others who have been looking at the same tech

I'm confused, why would it open the flood gates? The competition has already been looking at the same tech, especially with the Alkatronic and several others already released. Maybe it would make the competition more ambitious to release early and come to the market first.

 

[Da Ghost]

Maybe a poor choice of words to say flood gates. But consider how many companies may not have fully invested in R&D knowing or believing that APEX was sooooo close. I know I would not have invested at that point as much. So in essence by claiming to have that ‘eureka’ moment early May have bought them some additional time to perfect or get going the product. Where are we now on the wait game.

 

[DUMBO]

At this point I just want an update. I’m good to wait but just tell me for how long.

 

[strike2867]

At this point I just want an update. I’m good to wait but just tell me for how long.

Let's say they tell you 1 year. If that were the case, personally, I'd order the Alkatronic.

 

[strike2867]

Maybe a poor choice of words to say flood gates. But consider how many companies may not have fully invested in R&D knowing or believing that APEX was sooooo close. I know I would not have invested at that point as much. So in essence by claiming to have that ‘eureka’ moment early May have bought them some additional time to perfect or get going the product. Where are we now on the wait game.

Or it could mirror what happened with hybrids and electric cars. Look at how many companies are now jumping into the water now that Tesla has shown it's possible to swim.

 

[DUMBO]

Let's say they tell you 1 year. If that were the case, personally, I'd order the Alkatronic.

Main thing is that I like the simplicity of having an all in one system, but yeah, waiting too long will make me pull the trigger on something else.

 

[wesman42]

I just honestly can't wait until Neptune has some REAL competition. They have an effective monopoly on the market for modular controllers....even sent digital aquatics (which was FAR more affordable) bankrup.

 

[strike2867]

I just honestly can't wait until Neptune has some REAL competition. They have an effective monopoly on the market for modular controllers....even sent digital aquatics (which was FAR more affordable) bankrup.

I had no idea they went bankrupt. I've had a Reefkeeper Lite for almost a decade now. Starting with a 90 gallon, 210 gallon and now a sad 30.

 

[Hitch08]

Maybe a poor choice of words to say flood gates. But consider how many companies may not have fully invested in R&D knowing or believing that APEX was sooooo close. I know I would not have invested at that point as much. So in essence by claiming to have that ‘eureka’ moment early May have bought them some additional time to perfect or get going the product. Where are we now on the wait game.

I had the same thought. A number of other companies were getting a fair amount of buzz in the Spring. I'm having a tough time not thinking that they made their announcement in order to....take some wind out of those sails. It caused people interested in this type of product to, at the very least, pause to consider Neptune's product. BRS added a photo and description to their online products, with an ability to "Notify Me When In-Stock." The "announcement" wasn't ignored.

 

[strike2867]

I had the same thought. A number of other companies were getting a fair amount of buzz in the Spring. I'm having a tough time not thinking that they made their announcement in order to....take some wind out of those sails. It caused people interested in this type of product to, at the very least, pause to consider Neptune's product. BRS added a photo and description to their online products, with an ability to "Notify Me When In-Stock." The "announcement" wasn't ignored.

Yes, several sites have added that now. I assume that's coming from Neptune, not BRS making things up.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

It really seems like they've kept people in the dark about this. Most unfortunate since transparency (in my company's experience) typically leads to more engaged and excited customers, even if that means announcing setbacks. Telling your customers "we can't release now because we are having trouble producing x part" or whatever typically gains more sympathy and engagement than announcing a release date, failing to meet it, pushing the deadline, and then remaining silent.

I'm sure they're hustling on their end and, of course, aren't exactly a big company. So reading all these threads, keeping tabs on social media, making good product decisions, and keeping people happy isn't exactly easy. That said I don't believe it's responsible or beneficial for their business AT ALL to keep their customers, who are already VERY bought into the ecosystem, in the dark. It stings for the existing customers and looks very bad for prospective customers (like me) who then question longevity and support of their products.

I'd question the logic of Neptune (if that is indeed the intent (doubt it)) of making such an announcement to set back their competition and then failing seemingly repeatedly to deliver. In my opinion people who are bought into the ecosystem are going to be willing to keep waiting as switching over is not a cheap endeavor -- a captive audience of sorts. If they are focused on customer acquisition then it's a poor move in general; something I think their marketing would be well aware of. If not, yikes.

Just my 2c.

 

[strike2867]

I checked out their Facebook page. More than half the comments are about when the trident will be released. Not a single reply from Neptune, just all ignored. Strangest thing, it's almost as if Neptune themselves doesn't know, or the answer is just never. But then why would they have stores list it as coming soon on their sites. Looked like it was sitting on their table in the reefapalooza pictures. Would hate to be the guy manning that table and not having an answer to the same question everybody is asking.

 

[Water Dog]

Knowing what I know now, I would have gone the Profilux 4 / KH Director route when I decided to retire my Apex Classic. instead of the 2016 Apex that I currently own. Consider me one of the ones who are wary about Neptune’s motivations when they announced the Trident at MACNA - NOLA in 2017 and that it’d be ready for Q2 2018.

 

[Muttley000]

Knowing what I know now, I would have gone the Profilux 4 / KH Director route when I decided to retire my Apex Classic. instead of the 2016 Apex that I currently own. Consider me one of the ones who are wary about Neptune’s motivations when they announced the Trident at MACNA - NOLA in 2017 and that it’d be ready for Q2 2018.

This is me! One well known online vendor tried to sway me GHL as the 2016 was my first controller.

I checked out their Facebook page. More than half the comments are about when the trident will be released. Not a single reply from Neptune, just all ignored. Strangest thing, it's almost as if Neptune themselves doesn't know, or the answer is just never. But then why would they have stores list it as coming soon on their sites. Looked like it was sitting on their table in the reefapalooza pictures. Would hate to be the guy manning that table and not having an answer to the same question everybody is asking.

I speculate (and it is nothing more than that, I have no more information than anyone else) that it is a major problem. If it was a small understandable delay I think they would read all of these threads and tell us the truth. I would not be totally suprised if we were still posting this thread a year from now at this point.

 

[roberthu526]

At this point I just want an update. I’m good to wait but just tell me for how long.

I can give you an update: Trident will be available by 2030.

I hope you see it’s a joke. Just like Neptune told us Trident would be available early 2018.

 

[Hitch08]

Yes, several sites have added that now. I assume that's coming from Neptune, not BRS making things up.

To be clear, I love BRS. Have had numerous great experiences with them. All that I was trying to say was that they John Q. Customer wasn't the only one who believed that something was imminent and moved forward accordingly.

Knowing what I know now, I would have gone the Profilux 4 / KH Director route when I decided to retire my Apex Classic. instead of the 2016 Apex that I currently own. Consider me one of the ones who are wary about Neptune’s motivations when they announced the Trident at MACNA - NOLA in 2017 and that it’d be ready for Q2 2018.

^ This is yet another example. I think too many gave Neptune more credit than they deserved.

 

[Zaireguy]

I wonder how the possible release of the reefbot will affect things in November if they make the target date

 

[Da Ghost]

I just read about ReefBot--where have I been--have to admit it looks pretty interesting especially since it will test more than just the holy trinity. cost is a bit more than I would like but seems like it will do a touch more of the tests (liquid) that I perform regularly. I guess now we sit back and wait to see which one is going to sendup under the Christmas tree. :). Stronger possibility I will sit on the side like till both are released and then buy after the reef community has spoken.

 

[strike2867]

I was at http://www.aquariumextravaganza.com/. I talked with the representatives from Neptune. They replied, somewhat aggressively, the release date is end of this year/beginning of next year. They're currently figuring out the manufacturing process. He said they are tired of answering this same question, so they keep quiet. According to him they've answered at shows and posted videos online, but people just keep asking.