Reefbreeder Paywall Feature good or bad?

[BryanM]

I think its quite obvious from this thread that Vintage Reefer is either a ReefBreeder Alt account or someone on the payroll.

I suppose you could say that about me as well, you'd be wrong twice.

As I've said before I don't care for subs either, but I understand the thought process behind it.

Had reefbreeders put functionality that was including originally behind a sub I'd be livid... I suspect @VintageReefer would be too. But that didn't happen and no one is forcing anyone to pay a monthly fee for things that were including in the light.

 

[VintageReefer]

I suppose you could say that about me as well, you'd be wrong twice.

As I've said before I don't care for subs either, but I understand the thought process behind it.

Had reefbreeders put functionality that was including originally behind a sub I'd be livid... I suspect @VintageReefer would be too. But that didn't happen and no one is forcing anyone to pay a monthly fee for things that were including in the light.

100% agree. If they moved anything existing behind a sub, or limited things I can do without a sub (example if they decided you can save 1 schedule free and saving multiple schedules required a sub) you can bet confidently I’d be upset

 

[fish_collector]

I think its quite obvious from this thread that Vintage Reefer is either a ReefBreeder Alt account or someone on the payroll.

For the casual reader that’s certainly how it appears.

To continuously defend a company is an odd thing, unless one is getting some type of compensation. A regular hobbyist would have walked away from the conversation well before now.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Please everyone do not engage in comments towards one another that would be deemed "personally demeaning."

Everyone has the right to debate their own opinion. We do not have the right to belittle someone for it.

Thank you.

 

[BryanM]

To continuously defend a company is an odd thing, unless one is getting some type of compensation. A regular hobbyist would have walked away from the conversation well before now.

Why would this be?

I like the product. I own the product.

It is one of the best reef lights on the market.

I have not been as vocal, but I clearly defend them, and also understand the logic behind trying to recoup development costs for new features.

Could I have seen this backlash - Yes, people have a very difficult time with subscriptions, though I bet most of the people here have a Hulu or other sub. I pay for Apple Music, I got "flamed" for paying for a Triton method sub as well.

 

[keagan]

For the casual reader that’s certainly how it appears.

To continuously defend a company is an odd thing, unless one is getting some type of compensation. A regular hobbyist would have walked away from the conversation well before now.

I can see any light company having a fan club I've been guilty of this. However I was curious when I read your comment and noticed one of the three yes answers on the poll seems fake. Someone made an account just to vote yes and say they love the paywall.

 

[js-3Design]

100% agree. If they moved anything existing behind a sub, or limited things I can do without a sub (example if they decided you can save 1 schedule free and saving multiple schedules required a sub) you can bet confidently I’d be upset

Don’t worry,

If backlash isn’t severe enough, if enough people subscribe, they’ll definitely do that.

 

[rtparty]

This is not simply, “Hey, let’s charge a nominal recurring fee and earn a bit of extra money.” It is the handwriting on the wall that there is trouble on the horizon for many of these companies. There are too many products with overly long life cycles that fail to generate sufficient revenue, combined with too much competition and too few users. Something has to give.

I don't think people understand or are ready for the dominoes that will fall

 

[rtparty]

I can see any light company having a fan club I've been guilty of this. However I was curious when I read your comment and noticed one of the three yes answers on the poll seems fake. Someone made an account just to vote yes and say they love the paywall.

Just go look at the "Best Of" threads and voting. This should NOT shock you in the least

 

[Rocks reef]

Just go look at the "Best Of" threads and voting. This should NOT shock you in the least

Very true!!

 

[JonoH]

Personally i dont think anything should ever be behind a paywall or subscription - technology advances, prices rise, but if you pay for a fitting then you should have access to the updates and upgrades - imagine if Apple started charging to update to their lates OS...

But in the end, I'm in Australia...and reef breeders do not care about making their products accesible to us here so...

 

[fish_collector]

Why would this be?

I like the product. I own the product.

It is one of the best reef lights on the market.

I have not been as vocal, but I clearly defend them, and also understand the logic behind trying to recoup development costs for new features.

Could I have seen this backlash - Yes, people have a very difficult time with subscriptions, though I bet most of the people here have a Hulu or other sub. I pay for Apple Music, I got "flamed" for paying for a Triton method sub as well.

I’m not going to go into details about why.

I have no interest in anything Reef Breeders sells, its threads such as this and many others on the internet that have steered me away. I don’t care for the fact that if RB decides to close up shop, the app and their server will cease to function as well so what happens to a meridian at that point? Will it work without the app? Does it become wall art? Radion too for that matter. That’s why I feel Reefi is such a good product, it operates on its own without an app or any other outside influence, the user interface is part of its firmware from the onboard WiFi. If anyone wants to trash Reefi feel free to do so.

I have no ill will against Vintage Reefer, in fact if he’s ever in Phoenix we could sit out on the patio, sip iced tea and watch the sun set while pondering why life is so short.

 

[VintageReefer]

I don’t care for the fact that if RB decides to close up shop, the app and their server will cease to function as well so what happens to a meridian at that point? Will it work without the app?

Yes, it can be programmed and controlled via WiFi, local Bluetooth connection, or with optional manual controller

I have no ill will against Vintage Reefer, in fact if he’s ever in Phoenix we could sit out on the patio, sip iced tea and watch the sun set while pondering why life is so short.

Sweet tea and it’s a deal

 

[14 foot reef]

Good thing @JTsucks voted "Good" ....... LOL
I think it was odd R2R started this poll. I'm not sure how they thought this would be an educational pole for reefers in the hobby. None of us want to ever pay REEF TAXES, ever !!!!!!

 

[Marco_99]

Good thing @JTsucks voted "Good" ....... LOL
I think it was odd R2R started this poll. I'm not sure how they thought this would be an educational pole for reefers in the hobby. None of us want to ever pay REEF TAXES, ever !!!!!!

R2R DIDN’T start this poll, a member did. I think the member started the poll out of curiosity and the results are probably not too shocking.

 

[cwerner]

How many times do consumers have to go through this process before they wise up?

1. Company releases features for a "subscription"
2. Company eventually moves existing features behind the "subscription" as well.
3. Eventually you'll be paying a monthly fee for the "license to use" the product rather than owning the product itself.
4. You will own nothing and be happy.

If anyone wants examples look at the automotive, gaming, business software, etc. industries. From what I can see it has NEVER NOT ended up this way eventually. You can also be dang sure that other manufactures are following this closely to see if they can get away with it and will follow suite quickly if the uproar is not loud enough. From their perspective it is a no-brainer money-making machine. Companies are not your friends and never should be thought of as such.

 

[jt0117]

R2R DIDN’T start this poll, a member did. I think the member started the poll out of curiosity and the results are probably not too shocking.

I started this as it was not clear the real divide unless we had numbers

 

[SpSDrew]

I fear this is just the start of a snowball problem that would require subscriptions just to keep my coral alive. I own a lot of meridians too and debating keeping or switching to ATI at this point.

Honestly the premium features are basic features anyways. Next will there be a fee to run my lights at 100% or else I only get them at 80% like RB does with their manual or WiFi bars?

Regardless the general consensus is that RB made a horrible business move with this premium subscription and will likely see an impact of future buyers thinking twice before purchasing their next light.

 

[fish_collector]

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[TelegrahamTested LLC]

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Did you delete this post? If so, why? I ask because I see your original comment in email. Thanks.