Terrible Profilux performance

[JoeinLA]

Gerard, I’m not sure if you realize how incredibly insulting and defensive your posts are coming across as? Is this the user experience you want for those who buy a product that you seem so keen on supporting?

this is my last response to your posts. I’ll let future readers take these experiences and comments as they will.

Peace!

 

[gerard_zzz]

Gerard, I’m not sure if you realize how incredibly insulting and defensive your posts are coming across as? Is this the user experience you want for those who buy a product that you seem so keen on supporting?

this is my last response to your posts. I’ll let future readers take these experiences and comments as they will.

Peace!

I suppose you only want to read how bad GHL is. That is a pity. Every other comment is not accepted by you. And please do not wish me peace if you do not mean it :)

 

[rtparty]

Gerard must be the G in GHL...LOL

To even try and defend how p1ss poor GHL's software is laughable at this point. It is well documented and known industry wide it's a very poor design and not user friendly in the least.

Only GHL employees, fanboys, and influencers even try to defend it. It is almost 2022. Coders are a dime a dozen these days and it wouldn't cost GHL all that much to start over and properly build the UI.

GHL could have taken over the controller market a decade ago if they built better software. They have the best hardware in the game but it's pointless when so many can't even get connected to the stupid thing. My Mitras was unbelievably built and a fantastic piece of hardware. The software on the other hand was the worst I've ever used. Finally sold it off after months of fighting it and getting nowhere with GHL.

 

[csund]

Not sure how to quote but this is in reponse to the above comment “So it was no problem of the Profilux but a lack of network-knowledge. that is good to hear. So now you can enjoy your Profilux as many others. :)”

I think the level of ‘“network knowledge” required to properly set up the Profilux is sufficiently and atypically high as to be an inherent barrier to use by your average user. It surprises me how many seem to want to defend the incredibly poor design of this system. Not sure what vested interest one might have in actively being satisfied with or otherwise supporting software that creates a horrible user experience.

frankly, I wouldn’t recommend this product nor would I have kept it if I could have returned it.

I have zero network knowledge or IT experience but I do enjoy finding solutions to problems. I know that ranting in a public forum is not the way to find those answers. The ppl that would being willing to help are now turned off by you. The software with a few hours of patience is actually very easy to figure out. I’ll admit it was daunting at first but I told myself that there are hundreds of thousands of ppl around the world successfully using ghl and I’m not going to be the one that can’t! It really boils down to your state of mind, if you don’t want something to work - it won’t.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

I have no idea why anyone want to jump to ghl's defense about its usability or software or connectivity setup. It's plainly subpar thats just what it is.... if people complain enough then maybe it gets fixed.

I say users with the issues complain--really stating a reality--all they want.. i have no brand loyality nor product purchase defense whatsoever.

And my problems have nothing to do with my home network wifi.

Just for the hell of it, i had my cell phone broadcast a wifi hot spot, and connected the ghl to it.

No difference. Myghl app loads sometimes. Restart app, etc., tile super slow to load.

Reminds me of the ecotech wifi thingy.. (which i should not have bothered buying, you have down grade current vortechs to use or use the old pumps) just not reliable... mobius is a lot better. This happened because people raised the issue and complained.

The only thing that is working--and i am pleasantly content about--is that i can get a dedicated tablet to connect directly. Just not going to use my ghl...

I would not recommend ghl by a long shot. The point of a controller is to make life easier, the hobby more enjoyable, and to protect your tank.

It might do the latter. But unless you want to spend your time geaking out in videos and instructions for days on end, and somehow in your life have time for that, you won't "learn the logic". Even if you do, by the time you have to reprogram things you'll have forgot.

Basically, when someone asks me if they should get a ghl, this is my response:

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Interesting. When I bought the 2016 Apex I had to open a ticket to get it working. To have the issue fixed I had to schedule for them to fix it virtually. It also REQUIRED an apple computer or I would have needed to mail the head unit into Neptune. Fortunately my gf had an apple computer and was eventually.

I do think that GHL is probably better suited for the advanced user. The software is slightly daunting when you first start using it. If you choose to learn the logic it turns out to be pretty simple. There is definitely a level of satisfaction you feel setting something up so easily that so many struggle with. There are two other options for ppl that prefer the ease and functionality of consumer level products.

Could you even imagine the forum post you would have made if they told you you were required to have an apple computer to get their product up and running.

No doubt i had satisfaction getting the tablet to work and learning the software to the degree i have...

I've climbed mt Everest of aquarium software! Hahaha.

But i thought it would be no harder than say my previous aqua controller jr to learn it... it was way harder..

I still am lost mostly. And thats many days of using. Probably just an idiot, but i dont struggle with other software.

Hardware has not failed. One dose head squeaks. But not failed and seems reliably built. Thats may make ghl worth it to many.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

I have zero network knowledge or IT experience but I do enjoy finding solutions to problems. I know that ranting in a public forum is not the way to find those answers. The ppl that would being willing to help are now turned off by you. The software with a few hours of patience is actually very easy to figure out. I’ll admit it was daunting at first but I told myself that there are hundreds of thousands of ppl around the world successfully using ghl and I’m not going to be the one that can’t! It really boils down to your state of mind, if you don’t want something to work - it won’t.

Maybe. I tend to think plug and play is the standard for wifi connectivity nowadays.

 

[169468]

So it was no problem of the Profilux but a lack of network-knowledge. that is good to hear. So now you can enjoy your Profilux as many others. :)

Why should you need network knowledge for an aquarium computer? How many people have iPhones with zero network knowledge who have no problems connecting to them to their home Wi-Fi?

As an example of GHL WiFi. Often when I try to connect wirelessly to any of my GHL devices using GCC, often it does not connect. When it comes up with the ‘would you like to check network settings’ I just click cancel and try again. Usually, after 4 or 5 attempts, it connects without me having done anything.

I have no idea if a network specialist could come in and find some anomaly to fix, but it is beyond me. As a comparison, my Hydros connected first time and every time. I love the GHL dosers and will stick with them despite the connection issues, but I’m seriously considering swapping the Profilux for something else.

Presumably GHL have network specialists? They should be fixing this and not the end user.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Just as an aside, i had a new heat pump and furnace installed this week. It's a honeywell thermostat. Just plain Jane thermostat. It has wifi.

Pushed three buttons, selected my wifi network, entered a password, and well connected. App works great on my phone.

Just saying GHL-- get your sh *t together....

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Dedicated tablet lost connection during water change... could not get ATO off and outlet was not in sump but in cabinet, was rearranging dosing tubes, etc... got wet.

Its 3am. Just finished cleaning the mess and drying out crap, mag stirrers, etc.

Annoyed.

 

[169468]

Nowhere near as dramatic as that, but I was setting up my doser last night.........

Connected to the doser via the GHL connect app. Worked perfectly and I saved my change (I have now got into a habit of clicking save after every change, as there is no prompt to do so :mad: ). I then tried to make another change and the app froze; I had to shut down the app, open it, make the change and save it again for it to work.

This morning I connected via GCC. It connected straight away but after about 30 seconds I get 'communications error' and the software crashes and closes down.

If this was a piece of budget equipment then that would be fine, but this is supposed to be high-end stuff (it certainly has a high-end price).

As I mentioned on the ION Director thread, I don't think GHL will do anything as a result of what is read on forums. They must know about these issues as they have been going on long enough but, for some unknown reason, they don't see the need to fix anything.

This leaves me in the position of having to fight with the connection issues (and crappy software in general) or give up and move on to something else. I'm going to take the mid-way solution and stick with the dosers but offload the Profilux when a suitable time arises. My second tank is already on Hydros.

If anyone can come up with a controller with GHL's hardware (assuming the WiFi problems aren't hardware related) and Hydros/Neptune software, then it would be the controller to have.

 

[Lasse]

I have the same P4 as all others with newest firmware for both P4 and WiFi

I use an Blue Cave ASUS router placed around 4 meters from my cabinet in the same room.

I have created a guest network especially for Profilux using the 2.4 Ghz band

My connection with GCC and TCP/IP take around 10 sec to load. Inside the GCC - lighting speed when loading between the pages

If I connect locally with my web browser - it takes around 8 sec to load this with Chrome

If I use myghl.com to connect with my web browser - It takes 8 sec to load this

Since a month ago - both the Logg book and graphs are much faster to load compared with before. When I am at home - I use the inbuilt web browser and/or GCC. They are fast and most of things can be done even if I have no internet connection.

My things works as they should - so I must do something wrong because "everyone" know the "crappy" software of GHL and I have not notice this at all the last years.

And to say that GCC is a crappy software - these persons does not know what they are talking about. It is free. advanced and easy to work with.


Sincerely Lasse

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Not my experience... happy for you.. but definitely not my experience...

Ghl is anything but easy....

The honeywell thermostat... 15 seconds connected to internet... ghl, days..

 

[169468]

I have the same P4 as all others with newest firmware for both P4 and WiFi

I use an Blue Cave ASUS router placed around 4 meters from my cabinet in the same room.

I have created a guest network especially for Profilux using the 2.4 Ghz band

My connection with GCC and TCP/IP take around 10 sec to load. Inside the GCC - lighting speed when loading between the pages

If I connect locally with my web browser - it takes around 8 sec to load this with Chrome

If I use myghl.com to connect with my web browser - It takes 8 sec to load this

Since a month ago - both the Logg book and graphs are much faster to load compared with before. When I am at home - I use the inbuilt web browser and/or GCC. They are fast and most of things can be done even if I have no internet connection.

My things works as they should - so I must do something wrong because "everyone" know the "crappy" software of GHL and I have not notice this at all the last years.

And to say that GCC is a crappy software - these persons does not know what they are talking about. It is free. advanced and easy to work with.


Sincerely Lasse

It’s not really ‘free’. It is part of the GHL package.

I know exactly what I am talking about but thanks for your patronizing attitude.

I’m glad it works for you; it doesn’t work properly for me (and many others).

 

[169468]

Another example. When I set up my first doser and scanned for networks, it didn’t find any. Nothing. Zero. Nada. At the same time my iPhone found about 20 (I live in an apartment block).

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

I have the same P4 as all others with newest firmware for both P4 and WiFi

I use an Blue Cave ASUS router placed around 4 meters from my cabinet in the same room.

I have created a guest network especially for Profilux using the 2.4 Ghz band

My connection with GCC and TCP/IP take around 10 sec to load. Inside the GCC - lighting speed when loading between the pages

If I connect locally with my web browser - it takes around 8 sec to load this with Chrome

If I use myghl.com to connect with my web browser - It takes 8 sec to load this

Since a month ago - both the Logg book and graphs are much faster to load compared with before. When I am at home - I use the inbuilt web browser and/or GCC. They are fast and most of things can be done even if I have no internet connection.

My things works as they should - so I must do something wrong because "everyone" know the "crappy" software of GHL and I have not notice this at all the last years.

And to say that GCC is a crappy software - these persons does not know what they are talking about. It is free. advanced and easy to work with.


Sincerely Lasse

I am at about 45 seconds to over a minute if at all to load tiles in browser. Tiles take a lot of time too. I dont particularly think 8 seconds is all that fast this day and age... i mean bigger websites load in less than 1/2 second. Why the lag at all. Apex does not have that...

 

[ingchr1]

Put me in the category that it works properly for me.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Put me in the category that it works properly for me.

I am not saying it cant work perfectly for people. I am saying it takes too long to set up internet wifi, doesnt connect reliably for some, is far harder software to use and learn than the competition, and that's on GHL for not polishing what could be a great product for all users.

I found an aqua controller jr, over a decade ago, much easier to program and use.

People should not believe GHL when they day anything about the setup is simple and easy. That's not true.

Granted, you learn it, you master it, you might love it. But its a long hard road to there for most, and not something that is not remotely "plug and play".

 

[csund]

Put me in the category that it works properly for me.

Welcome to the group of successful ghl reef keepers!!

I checked mine the other day at 10k feet, worked flawlessly. This morning driving on hwy 38 from Reedsport, no cellular just 3G loaded right up. Couldn’t be happier!

 

[csund]

Not my experience... happy for you.. but definitely not my experience...

Ghl is anything but easy....

The honeywell thermostat... 15 seconds connected to internet... ghl, days..

Dude

Imagine

Honeywell powered reef tank

DO IT