Reef Breeders Bricked

[SpyC]

See #84...

Thank you!

 

[SeaDweller]

boy am i glad the Photon V2's I have (and used in the past) operate with that stupid little controller, which is a pain.

Logan is a solid guy, his lights are solid.

 

[Resilient]

I just stumbled upon this. I have done firmware development. I can't possibly imagine not having a process to directly flash a new image to the hardware. Usually via a USB port, but I don't know if the Photon's have one. If not that, then a developer mode in the app (or even an app that you have to sideload in a pinch) that connects directly over WiFi to push a new image using a cert that we control.

Given the missteps they had in building the product, I think their way of handling the problem is alright, but I hope folks learn from this so they don't make hardware that can be functionally bricked based on a 3rd party dropping support. You should always have a contingency plan if your smart device requires an internet connection to maintain its feature set.

 

[BoaConservationist]

I think I can still use the old app if i get my old phone back. Its currently an hour away at work. So in the meantime I unplugged them. This is very very annoying at this price point. These kights a couple years old but were not cheap.

I looked online to see what lights are out there now. Nothing. Just same made in china junk. Nobody is doing t5 anymore?

(I still love t5 lol ) Arcadia Luminize has awesome t5 ho ballast/control system, look into this, sorry for your situation!

 

[js-3Design]

I just stumbled upon this. I have done firmware development. I can't possibly imagine not having a process to directly flash a new image to the hardware. Usually via a USB port, but I don't know if the Photon's have one. If not that, then a developer mode in the app (or even an app that you have to sideload in a pinch) that connects directly over WiFi to push a new image using a cert that we control.

Given the missteps they had in building the product, I think their way of handling the problem is alright, but I hope folks learn from this so they don't make hardware that can be functionally bricked based on a 3rd party dropping support. You should always have a contingency plan if your smart device requires an internet connection to maintain its feature set.

Thats why you never buy products from small companies that require you to use an app if youre not willing to lose control over the product at any time.
There are a lot of better solutions than this.
Because of this ill never buy from them. (Not to mention that as an european reef breeders is waaayyy more expensive than competion that dont need to be imported from the US)

 

[FishLvR]

For the record it was made right. Even with the holiday they got it in the mail immediately and it arrived quickly. They discounted the order. I was able to put the boards in. The worst part of it was the glue. The newest light worked immediately the older light took much fiddling. It finally worked.

I received an email apologizing and explaining what needed to happen for the new boards to work. I would have never mentioned anything if that would have been the first email I received. This email came from the owner.


The new app is OK. I guess.

I have bought many lights from these guys over the years. I bought several of their par lights and the original photon. I probably won't ever deal with them again.

Many people have mentioned to me, not just in this thread, that they are a small company doing the best they can and have lost money. I don't know why people air others financial issues on public forums. I highly doubt any of its true but either way I prayed for them and hope them the best.