Thinking about switching to Neptune Apex

[PapaFishRocks]

Didn’t BRS merge with Neptune Systems?

That would explain the split of CoralVue and BRS.

 

[n2585722]

Didn’t BRS merge with Neptune Systems?

That would explain the split of CoralVue and BRS.

In a way they did. Both BRS and Neptune are owned by the same company. Also EcoTech I believe is also owned by them.

 

[SnowyFox]

I'm a software engineer by day, so I went with Apex for the programming aspect of it. I was actually a bit surprised at how limited the programming was on the Apex when I first got it. I made an incorrect assumption that I could write my own scripts on it to integrate with some 3rd party devices, but it just doesn't seem to have that ability.

Also assumed that I could use their I/O breakout connector to do actual I/O to send signals to an ESP32 / Arduino, but their definition of I/O is actually just Input only, and is missing the Output side entirely, which was unfortunate. Had some interesting ideas I was really looking forward to exploring with that.

Maybe someday Neptune will allow independent 3rd party developers to have some form of API level access...

Being able to use an ethernet connection was also a big plus for me with the Apex. Living in a high density residential environment with a lot of neighbors, the less I have to rely on WiFi directly the better.

 

[Bones06]

I could use a coke now...

Pepsi all the way ;)

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Pepsi all the way ;)

Eh I could go either way.

 

[Jimbo327]

If you have Hydros, I would stick with it. I think Hydros use better quality components in their units. I think their wave engine is much better than the MXM (which I also own).

I'm currently using APEX because Hydros didn't exist before, and I was already too invested in all the gear I bought. But I did take a few of the APEX AFS and DOS, and I thought the components were low quality...and thus quite loud. I think with the emergence of Hydros, APEX did step up a bit like the new DOS which is much quieter.

 

[RoanokeReef]

If you have Hydros, I would stick with it. I think Hydros use better quality components in their units. I think their wave engine is much better than the MXM (which I also own).

I'm currently using APEX because Hydros didn't exist before, and I was already too invested in all the gear I bought. But I did take a few of the APEX AFS and DOS, and I thought the components were low quality...and thus quite loud. I think with the emergence of Hydros, APEX did step up a bit like the new DOS which is much quieter.

How is the wave engine better than the MXM? It doesn’t even work with AI or Ecotech.

 

[n2585722]

How is the wave engine better than the MXM? It doesn’t even work with AI or Ecotech.

I control my MP10's with my WEv2 but they are pre Mobius pumps. I used the RF module out of my Reeflink in the WEv2. They are in the second row of outputs. The tiles represent same side, back and opposite side. The WE acts as the master pump and the actual pumps are slaves to it and you set the position when you pair the pump with the master pump which is actually the WEv2.

 

[RoanokeReef]

That’s neat and I don’t know that but it doesn’t work off the shelf anymore with new equipment I assume ?

 

[BeanAnimal]

That’s neat and I don’t know that but it doesn’t work off the shelf anymore with new equipment I assume ?

No - and you can't revert to old firmware, and new hardware will not run old firmware. So non-mobius MPs are pretty much unobtanium.

 

[n2585722]

That’s neat and I don’t know that but it doesn’t work off the shelf anymore with new equipment I assume ?

No it does not but EcoTech, AI, Apex and BRS are all owned by the same company now so that probably has something to do with the new devices not being compatible now.

 

[tzabor10]

My experience is like

 

[n2585722]

My experience is like

Are you sure that is not an internet issue? I used to have my internet drop out multiple times a day. About a month ago It got so bad that it was off for hours at a time then it just started working again and I have not had an issue since. I guess what ever was causing it Spectrum found and fixed once it got bad enough. Of coarse during the internet outages my Hydros app would not connect in normal mode. I had to use the emergency mode and that will only work if I am at the location with the controllers. At lest there is a backup though.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Chances are it’s a WiFi issue. The WiFi is terrible in the Apex. Get a bridge or hardwire and it will be rock solid.

 

[CBonito]

Just stick with one. They both accomplish the same thing. They both have quirks and issues. They're both a lot better than manual labor. They're both better to have than to not have.

 

[BeanAnimal]

My experience is like

Make no mistake - the Hydros is 100% dependent on the cloud for programming. It will continue to run if the cloud is not available, but programming can't be changed. You can access it via "emergency" mode for some local reporting I think.

I don't know if Apex has a full featured local interface or not.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Make no mistake - the Hydros is 100% dependent on the cloud for programming. It will continue to run if the cloud is not available, but programming can't be changed. You can access it via "emergency" mode for some local reporting I think.

I don't know if Apex has a full featured local interface or not.

It has a full local interface

 

[n2585722]

You can

Make no mistake - the Hydros is 100% dependent on the cloud for programming. It will continue to run if the cloud is not available, but programming can't be changed. You can access it via "emergency" mode for some local reporting I think.

I don't know if Apex has a full featured local interface or not.

see all inputs and outputs in emergency mode. They are all on a single page instead of multiple pages if you have multiple pages setup. You can override an output to off, auto or on. In auto the controller has control of the output. In either on or off it is forced to that state until you change it again. You can also initiate a mode also. So you can put it in feed mode or some other mode you have setup if you need to do that.

 

[BeanAnimal]

You can

see all inputs and outputs in emergency mode. They are all on a single page instead of multiple pages if you have multiple pages setup. You can override an output to off, auto or on. In auto the controller has control of the output. In either on or off it is forced to that state until you change it again. You can also initiate a mode also. So you can put it in feed mode or some other mode you have setup if you need to do that.

so limited control, but no programming changes.. and I assume that whatever manual outputs are set during "emergency" mode are reset when the device goes back online?

 

[n2585722]

so limited control, but no programming changes.. and I assume that whatever manual outputs are set during "emergency" mode are reset when the device goes back online?

I think they will stay in the mode you override them to. I have some outputs that are overridden and they have stayed in that state when I loosed internet or wifi and use the emergency mode. Once communications is restored and back to normal they are still overridden. I have not tried to override one while in emergency mode that was still override when the issue with communications is resolved but I have to assume it should. Now updating firmware and the app it is best to go back and make sure they are still overridden after the update completes. It most cases during an emergency condition you will not need to change any of the settings since normally the condition does not last that long.