Neptune Black Friday - Am I Missing Something?

[MjOB]

I'm looking to buy the Apex for my system. I figured I'd go all in and was looking at the Dream Bundle. I'm used to "Bundles" being cheaper, so expected such, and since it's not I feel like I'm missing something so looking for guidance here.
I can get the Trident & Apex Controller "Dream Bundle" for $2,389.10.
This includes: Apex, Trident, 2x month reagent, 2x Energy Bar 832, pH probe, Temp Probe, ORP Probe, Salinity Probe, 1x DoS Fluid Metering Module, 1x Automatic Feeding System, 1x Leak Detection Kit, 1x Flow Monitoring Kit, 1x Display Module, 1x Magnetic Probe Rack, and Calibration Solution.

If I break those apart though:
Apex (with 1x Energy Bar 832 and same probes): $744.95, Trident: $539.06, 2nd Energy Bar 832: $251.96, DoS Fluid Metering: $269.96, Automatic Feeding System: $89.96, Leak Detection Kit: $134.96, Flow Monitoring Kit: $179.96, Display Module $89.96, Magnetic Probe Rack: $40.46, Calibration Solution: $6.17
Grand total of $2,352.79

That comes out to be a $36.31 discount buying individually, which I would have expected the "Bundle" to be the discounted choice. Am I missing something? (To note, buying separate was cheaper before Black Friday as well, so I don't think it actually has to do with Black Friday and why I'm worried I'm missing something)


Also, since I'm looking to buy each thing individually - am I correct the Flow Monitoring Kit and the Leak Detection Kit both have a 4 port FMM, so it'd be redundant to buy both full price? Instead of buying the Flow Monitoring Kit for $179.96 + Leak Detection Kit for $134.96 (total $314.92), if I'm looking to get two 1" Flow sensors, I should just get the FMM Module for $89.96, two 1" Flow sensors $53.96 each, and two LD-2 Solid Surface Leak detectors for $26.96 each for a total of $251.80 and save an additional $63.12, right (but only be getting 1 FMM module)?

 

[Gtinnel]

Generally with the Neptune bundles they cost the same price as buying the components individually. I wouldn't have thought the bundle would've cost more though.

As for the FMK and LDK I don't have either so I can't say for a fact, but I'm almost positive you are correct.

 

[Gtinnel]

Are you sure the individual price being cheaper isn't because the Apex is only discounted by 15% instead of the 10% that most Neptune stuff is on sale for?

 

[elcapitan1993]

That’s just how Neptune prices things because of the greed, this is why I’m selling all my apex gear right now actually because I can’t take how much of a greedy company they are, there is more to it than that but that’s the biggest thing for me, I can’t believe I’m paying 100$ every 6 months for reagents for the trident

 

[MjOB]

Are you sure the individual price being cheaper isn't because the Apex is only discounted by 15% instead of the 10% that most Neptune stuff is on sale for?

No, before Black Friday I had that each individual component came out to be $2,581.40 whereas the bundle is $2,654.55 normally.

 

[elcapitan1993]

No, before Black Friday I had that each individual component came out to be $2,581.40 whereas the bundle is $2,654.55 normally.

I paid 1400$ for the apex and trident bundle if I would have purchased separately I would have saved 0.00$ it was the same price, I’m surprised it’s lower to purchase those separately

 

[Gtinnel]

No, before Black Friday I had that each individual component came out to be $2,581.40 whereas the bundle is $2,654.55 normally.

Strange I don't know then. I had never individually priced out one of the bigger bundles, but I know the smaller ones were always the same as the individual components when I checked.

 

[MjOB]

With smart phones, is there really any benefit to the display module?

 

[Gtinnel]

I didn't get a display but I've read that with the pmk it will update the par quicker than it does going through local. But for the most part there isn't afaik.
There was even a YouTube video where Neptune Systems just recommended getting a cheap tablet as a display.

I mounted a tablet to my stand but honestly I always just use my phone.

 

[Jeffcb]

With smart phones, is there really any benefit to the display module?

No but it looks cool hanging on my cabinet door. Mounting bracket sold separately lol.

 

[JeffB418]

That’s just how Neptune prices things because of the greed, this is why I’m selling all my apex gear right now actually because I can’t take how much of a greedy company they are, there is more to it than that but that’s the biggest thing for me, I can’t believe I’m paying 100$ every 6 months for reagents for the trident

And just wait for the post Black Friday sale price increase where some products are going up almost 17%. Lfs told me 6 month reagent kits are going up for sure too.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Are you sure the individual price being cheaper isn't because the Apex is only discounted by 15% instead of the 10% that most Neptune stuff is on sale for?

Apex prices went up before black friday and now are on sale for about as much as the were earlier this summer.

 

[Jeffcb]

And just wait for the post Black Friday sale price increase where some products are going up almost 17%. Lfs told me 6 month reagent kits are going up for sure too.

My LFS told me the Red Sea rep told him their tanks will increase 50% soon.

 

[Yazannreef]

Get your self a second hand components for half the price. I managed to get it all for $1200. Just my opinion

 

[JeffB418]

Apex prices went up before black friday and now are on sale for about as much as the were earlier this summer.

Yeah all the main apex systems went up, all probes, pmup, ATK, and a couple of other things went up a few weeks ago. The rest of the price increases come in 2 weeks. Does look like tho items that went up a few weeks ago won’t be going up again. But Neptune wasn’t clear to the public on that one…

 

[Gtinnel]

Yeah all the main apex systems went up, all probes, pmup, ATK, and a couple of other things went up a few weeks ago. The rest of the price increases come in 2 weeks. Does look like tho items that went up a few weeks ago won’t be going up again. But Neptune wasn’t clear to the public on that one…

I knew the cost of the system went up but I wasn't aware anything else did. I also didn't know they are going to have another price increase for everything else. Glad I just got my wav starter kit then.

 

[JeffB418]

I knew the cost of the system went up but I wasn't aware anything else did. I also didn't know they are going to have another price increase for everything else. Glad I just got my wav starter kit then.

early nov hike was:
Apex El went from $499 to $559
Full apex $799 to $879
ATK from $199 to $224
Salinity probe went from $124 to 149
Orp probe $84 to $94
Ph probe from $74 to $84
Par kit from $299 to $324
PMUP went from $39 to $44 without power supply and $49 to 59 with power supply
Mag probe rack went from $39 to $44

 

[Gtinnel]

early nov hike was:
Apex El went from $499 to $559
Full apex $799 to $879
ATK from $199 to $224
Salinity probe went from $124 to 149
Orp probe $84 to $94
Ph probe from $74 to $84
Par kit from $299 to $324
PMUP went from $39 to $44 without power supply and $49 to 59 with power supply
Mag probe rack went from $39 to $44

I noticed the system increase but not the others. I guess I was only paying attention to the things I want which were the Wav, LSM and AFS. Maybe I need to buy these sooner than later.

 

[laxer23]

You could take a look at the Hydros. It has great reviews on here, it's the controller I'm going to get as soon as they release the pro pack. It's just not getting the publicity from BRS for obvious reasons.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

You could take a look at the Hydros. It has great reviews on here, it's the controller I'm going to get as soon as they release the pro pack. It's just not getting the publicity from BRS for obvious reasons.

That would be my thought too. Hydros is the same type of chinese gear, but priced much cheaper... I did like "coding" when i had an older neptune, though, and i don't care for my GHL's "no code" software. People seem to like the Hydros "no code" software it seems.

GHL has gear that feels very solid and to date none of mine has failed. I have a squeaky doser, but haven't touch it and it seems fine. I swear at the GHL software and app daily and programing and setting up is mind numbingly slow and frustrating. The hope (prayer) among many users is that the supposedly solid GHL hardware is worth the software hassle and frustration.

I wouldn't look to BRS videos for any type of worth while controller comparisons--you won't find any and anything they say is ridiculously pro Neptune and has been for a long time.