Introducing the Hydros Maven

[beesnreefs]

I don't see why Hydros would loose customers over that. The Hydros collective at this point can already integrate the Focustronic devices into the system and use their testing data for automated dosing. If anything it just gives current users another option. That's one of the better things about Hydros....They play nice with others, as long as the others provide that ability. So far they work well and have integrated control with Focustronic, Kamoer, Sicce and numerous different flow pumps, I am even using the 0-10v control to operate the dimmer on my Dimmable T5 that only offers control compatibility through Apex.

The way the Hydros system operates allows for a much broader spectrum of equipment from many more manufactures. It's like the difference between Apple and PC. Apple offers vertical Apple integration(Apex). PC works with everyone else and integrates some Apple compatibilities as well(Hydros).

Hydros has made it through it's infancy and is starting to come into their own. They have a better networking system between the controllers(CAN bus) and are adding new products regularly. At this point I don't think it is Hydros that should be worried about loosing customers.

You're right, they won't necessarily lose controller customers. But the Focustronic ME is a direct competitor to the Maven. I imagine people who have been holding out on the Maven seeing the ME released might pull the trigger on the ME....if they buy an ME, they won't be buying a Maven when/if it comes out.

I know this because that applies to me. If the ME is released and available before a meaningful update on the Maven comes from HYDROS, I will very likely buy the ME.

I'll still use my HYDROS collective....but I won't be buying a Maven if I have an ME

 

[cowfootball]

At ReefStock Denver, Eric Tang with Focustronic said the Mastertronic Essentials should be shipping to suppliers this month. If true, and it comes out before we get any real, informative updates on the Maven, I wonder if HYDROS is about to lose a bunch of customers

I, for one, am strongly considering the Mastertronic Essentials now

The Mastertronic has the bonus that they've been doing water testing for a while now and hopefully their products have less teething issues.. we'll see.

 

[beesnreefs]

The Mastertronic has the bonus that they've been doing water testing for a while now and hopefully their products have less teething issues.. we'll see.

Yes, and they seem to have learned from their experiences. The ME will be using a dropper system instead of pumps. This is supposedly more accurate and less likely to fall out of calibration.

 

[areefer01]

supposedly more accurate and less likely to fall out of calibration.

Maybe but I'd wager the jury is still out since that doesn't have anything to do with the sample or other internal lines not to mention the test chamber. This is why some automated systems, including the Maven, have a cleaning task or have a recommended service interval.

 

[JeffB418]

Yes, and they seem to have learned from their experiences. The ME will be using a dropper system instead of pumps. This is supposedly more accurate and less likely to fall out of calibration.

have yet to see an actual built version, but the specialized combo dosing assembly is interesting to me. one main drive shaft for all reagents, then a second assembly that picks which assembly is activated. This seems like a completely custom assembly and quite complex. I have reservations on the complexity. Id love to see this assembly in real life.

 

[n2585722]

You're right, they won't necessarily lose controller customers. But the Focustronic ME is a direct competitor to the Maven. I imagine people who have been holding out on the Maven seeing the ME released might pull the trigger on the ME....if they buy an ME, they won't be buying a Maven when/if it comes out.

I know this because that applies to me. If the ME is released and available before a meaningful update on the Maven comes from HYDROS, I will very likely buy the ME.

I'll still use my HYDROS collective....but I won't be buying a Maven if I have an ME

There is nothing saying whether the ME will talk to the Hydros system. Just because the others do does not mean the new one will when it comes out.

 

[dank.reefer]

There is nothing saying whether the ME will talk to the Hydros system. Just because the others do does not mean the new one will when it comes out.

The way the Hydros system communicates to the Focustronic currently is by logging into your cloud account and simply reading the data straight off of your account. So unless Focustronic decides to write some sort of specific code to stop you from giving your account data to a third party I do not see how it would be any different. That would make little sense for Focustronic to lock them out at this point as that would narrow their market of potential customers. Not that that hasn't been done in the past it just would seem counter productive.

 

[n2585722]

The way the Hydros system communicates to the Focustronic currently is by logging into your cloud account and simply reading the data straight off of your account. So unless Focustronic decides to write some sort of specific code to stop you from giving your account data to a third party I do not see how it would be any different. That would make little sense for Focustronic to lock them out at this point as that would narrow their market of potential customers. Not that that hasn't been done in the past it just would seem counter productive.

The Hydros also has to be setup to process the data and place it into the correct inputs also. So that would require changing the app and firmware. Not sure how long that would take though.

 

[n2585722]

The razor at work…

You are Hydros’ absolute single biggest fan. You basically run their entire support forum. You have a technical background. You have a relationship with them of some sorts where you have been asked to beta test (your words) other Hydros products. (nothing wrong with any of that).

If there are beta testers, there is absolutely no doubt that you would be at the top of their list.

So you have a beta unit and can’t say a peep due to NDA… or they simply don’t exist in any reasonable form to be beta tested yet….

At least that is my take, not that it matters one bit.

I don't have one but that does not mean there is not someone that does have one. I do not get everything that they come out with to test. I have not seen one other than on videos or photos that have been released. Also anything I do test for them I would not make comments on other than information that CoralVue has already released. It is up to them to make those announcements since it is their products. I guess I do have a technical background. I started repairing consumer electronics device in the mid 70's. I built my first computer in 76. That was my project and not for work though. I did get a job at Motorola repairing and maintaining ion implanters in a semiconductor factory. Here are couple of photos of each side of the linear accelerator section in one of the high energy implanters. The extraction voltage can go up to 100kv on the tool and then the linear accelerator uses RF energy to accelerate the ion's. Each of the large canisters is equivalent up to 80kv of energy each. That can be up the equivalent up to 800kv since there are 10 of those on this tool. So that would be a total of 900kv of energy counting the extraction voltage. The more energy used to accelerate the ions in the beam the deeper they will penetrate into the substrate. If you tune up on double or triple charged ions that is the equivalent of use double or triple the energy. Of coarse ions cannot exist long enough in atmosphere so the ion beam is in a vacuum. The two smaller canister in the top photo is molecular turbo pumps. There is also one of those in the source section. In the chamber section there is two cryopumps to supply the vacuum for that section.

 

[Scottiemac]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the Mastertronic Essential. We talk about their experience in testing, and if this was simply an improvement on the original Mastertronic I would agree.

However, this is an entirely new methodology that they have no experience with. As an analogy, just because Chevrolet has been building cars for over 100 years doesn't mean their first electric car isn't going to feel growing pains.

My Mastertronic currently has the sole purpose of hanging on the wall to cover the holes I drilled to hang it.

 

[n2585722]

Sorry wrong thread.

 

[dank.reefer]

Error made in new app

 

[JeffB418]

The way the Hydros system communicates to the Focustronic currently is by logging into your cloud account and simply reading the data straight off of your account. So unless Focustronic decides to write some sort of specific code to stop you from giving your account data to a third party I do not see how it would be any different. That would make little sense for Focustronic to lock them out at this point as that would narrow their market of potential customers. Not that that hasn't been done in the past it just would seem counter productive.

One thing to note, the newer alkatronic pro does not work with Hydros unfortunately currently. The new pro version doesn't post the test data to focustronic servers like the older device does, so Hydros cant get the data. If the new MT uses this new architecture, then I wouldn't expect compatibility either unless focustronic changes that on their side.

 

[JeffB418]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the Mastertronic Essential. We talk about their experience in testing, and if this was simply an improvement on the original Mastertronic I would agree.

However, this is an entirely new methodology that they have no experience with. As an analogy, just because Chevrolet has been building cars for over 100 years doesn't mean their first electric car isn't going to feel growing pains.

My Mastertronic currently has the sole purpose of hanging on the wall to cover the holes I drilled to hang it.

Mine has slightly more functionality... its holding up the shelf that my Trident NP and X10/iV is sitting on... best $1300 shelf everaaaaa

 

[Reef Puncher]

Do i neeeeed a Maven....no. do i want a Maven. yes. their customer service is top notch and their products are so solid. i test alk and phosphates once a day, sometimes ill skip a day. it only takes me 10 min. but id rather not have to spend that ten min, and id like to know my numbers at a glance.

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

Do i neeeeed a Maven....no. do i want a Maven. yes. their customer service is top notch and their products are so solid. i test alk and phosphates once a day, sometimes ill skip a day. it only takes me 10 min. but id rather not have to spend that ten min, and id like to know my numbers at a glance.

This is kind of where I'm at to. I have gotten in the habit of testing nitrate and phosphate daily, at least on my main, and the idea that I might get a little relief from that would be nice.

Although I'm sure I would crosscheck them at least once a week for accuracy. at least for a while

When it comes to testing all three systems, sometimes 4, if I'm feeling really ambitious and test the QT, if I didn't have to sit in front of my little Hanna eggs for 20-30 minutes at a time, I wouldn't be sad about that.

So when it's available, I have no doubt I'll at least get one for my main and if it seems like it's relatively user-friendly, I'll probably put them on all my systems.

 

[Scottiemac]

Do i neeeeed a Maven....no. do i want a Maven. yes. their customer service is top notch and their products are so solid. i test alk and phosphates once a day, sometimes ill skip a day. it only takes me 10 min. but id rather not have to spend that ten min, and id like to know my numbers at a glance.

Another factor is consistency. When we test by hand there's always going to be a slight difference. Using Hanna, maybe we put slightly less water in the curvette. Maybe we don't get all of the powder in there.
With the Maven it should be consistent every time.

 

[areefer01]

Another factor is consistency. When we test by hand there's always going to be a slight difference. Using Hanna, maybe we put slightly less water in the curvette. Maybe we don't get all of the powder in there.
With the Maven it should be consistent every time.

I recall a member here or somewhere doing a test on the reagent, packet, and cuvette fill vs results. Human factor is something to consider. Just went through this exercise the other day.

 

[Reef Puncher]

This is kind of where I'm at to. I have gotten in the habit of testing nitrate and phosphate daily, at least on my main, and the idea that I might get a little relief from that would be nice.

Although I'm sure I would crosscheck them at least once a week for accuracy. at least for a while

When it comes to testing all three systems, sometimes 4, if I'm feeling really ambitious and test the QT, if I didn't have to sit in front of my little Hanna eggs for 20-30 minutes at a time, I wouldn't be sad about that.

So when it's available, I have no doubt I'll at least get one for my main and if it seems like it's relatively user-friendly, I'll probably put them on all my systems.

one maven can do two systems

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

one maven can do two systems

wait whuuu???? that is excellent news I didn't know that.