Reef Controller

[TanksNStuff]

I got the RA + model, with a bunch of attachments (wifi, RF module for the Vortech, dimming module for my leds, and expansion module... which is required when you get more than one attachment.) If you have a basic setup and don't need all the attachments, you can get the basic RA model, but when you start using extra attachments and really customize your controller... you need the RA+ just because of the memory needed for the longer file size for your code.

I would say I'm above-average when it comes to being computer savvy, so it was a piece of cake for me. I didn't know anything about the coding language (Arduino) before I got it and although I'm not an expert yet, I got it doing everything I wanted it to do without too much trouble.

With that said, I see people on their forums every day who barely know how to control their smart phone... and with the help of the excellent community they make it work very easily. The owner (Roberto) is fantastic when it comes to customer support. He seems like he's on the forums 24/7 because whenever I ask a question, it gets answered right away. Most of the time you get a reply within 15 minutes!

Also, Olivier asked me a ton of questions about it before he bought his. I told him to let me know if he needed any help setting it up once he got it. I haven't heard a peep from him since then, so it can't be too hard if he figured it out. (J/K buddy!)

 

[fatoldsun]

I got the RA + model, with a bunch of attachments (wifi, RF module for the Vortech, dimming module for my leds, and expansion module... which is required when you get more than one attachment.) If you have a basic setup and don't need all the attachments, you can get the basic RA model, but when you start using extra attachments and really customize your controller... you need the RA+ just because of the memory needed for the longer file size for your code.

I would say I'm above-average when it comes to being computer savvy, so it was a piece of cake for me. I didn't know anything about the coding language (Arduino) before I got it and although I'm not an expert yet, I got it doing everything I wanted it to do without too much trouble.

With that said, I see people on their forums every day who barely know how to control their smart phone... and with the help of the excellent community they make it work very easily. The owner (Roberto) is fantastic when it comes to customer support. He seems like he's on the forums 24/7 because whenever I ask a question, it gets answered right away. Most of the time you get a reply within 15 minutes!

Also, Olivier asked me a ton of questions about it before he bought his. I told him to let me know if he needed any help setting it up once he got it. I haven't heard a peep from him since then, so it can't be too hard if he figured it out. (J/K buddy!)

George
How's the cost compared to the Apex - not the RA+ alone but once you start adding all of the expansion modules, etc?

 

[Mike S]

The Reef Angel controller is really easy to set up now that they have a setup wizard. I'm very happy with mine.

 

[trivan]

RC or Apex, either one is better then nothing. I think the best is to check out forums of the two, see what people are having and which "programming" makes more sense to you.

People have great things to say about each. I haven't seen too many jump from one to the other as once you have all the expansion modules, it's hard to switch.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[civictuner04]

i also have the reef angel +, i know NOTHING about writing codes or anything. for about a week of trying to study and getting frustrated with it until i found their wizard....10 mins later i had everything setup and running perfectly its really cool what the system does sun rise sun set for my leds monitor temp (let me know of a minor over heating issue while i was at work) and ph.....im slowly buying the attachments to have a complete system.

 

[jpelzer]

In terms of pretty, Reef Angel is not... Apex tries to be the Apple to RA's Linux... But they both have warts. Both will do what you're asking, they are both very capable. Apex ends up possibly looking nicer (cable-wise) because it daisy chains, an it also has a separate display, so you can mount that externally, with everything else hidden. I think the RA's screen is on the same unit where some of the probes connect.

Apex is retarded to program. They made everything super simple if you're doing something simple. For me, for my program that shuts a valve, empties a tank, refills the tank, and mixed the tank until conductivity hits a certain point, then reopens the valve... Well lets just say the program to handle that is more complex than it would be if the thing supported more traditional programs, vs outlet based cascade logic.

Support-wise, Apex came in and fixed an issue I was having with my conductivity module... They remotely connected, fixed it, and went off... All on a Sunday. I was impressed.