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All you just said is why I think I'm glad I went with this one. Too much for me!! 
Which Controller?
- Thread starter texhorns98
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Looking around on Neptune's website for some information, I decided to compare the Apex and Apex Lite. Unless someone else can tell me different, it looks like the only difference is the Apex Lite doesn't come with a Ph probe. Yet, it's $130 cheaper! Not the first time I've seen something like this with the controller market. I think RK Lite had something weird with their pricing as well.
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Yeah, the pricing thing with RK Lite had to do with buying individual pieces vs. one of their packages. I think it was cheaper to piece them together yourself by like $50 or something.
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Just found out the RK Lite won't support the SL2 module (no salinity) and more importantly won't support the NET module! I have everything I need to run an Apex but the Apex itself. Has anyone run one without the display?
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Thanks Colin! I think I've decided to bit the bullet and get the Apex base unit. It will work with everything I have already. Then I can just sell the AC Jr. unit!
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Do you wish you would have kept yours? :sad:
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OK, now I have a dilemma!
Found an AC3 Head unit for $200 shipped. This will allow me to use what I have, sell the head unit for the Jr. and get my controller on-line.
Also found Apex Lite unit with display (nothing else) for $260 OR Apex Lite with energy bar and temp probe for $332.
What to do?
Found an AC3 Head unit for $200 shipped. This will allow me to use what I have, sell the head unit for the Jr. and get my controller on-line.
Also found Apex Lite unit with display (nothing else) for $260 OR Apex Lite with energy bar and temp probe for $332.
What to do?
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Hi, I am going to be buying a RKL soon, and after research noticed it does support the SLR and NET modules. I think all you need to update the firmware to the newest edition. Do a Google search or better yet call DA on Monday and see what they say.
Thanks,
Schwimm
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Schwimm,
It appears you're correct at least on the NET module support. In fact, they have that package available on their website! I'll send them an email to find out about the SL2 module compatibility. Note that there is a difference between the SL1 and SL2. The RKL for sure supports the SL1 module!
Two other points to note for you. Are you buying yours used? If not, the Lite units are quite hard to find right now! PLUS, you can go with an APEX Lite unit for around the same cost and have less equipment to deal with since their energy bar has 8 outlets and you'll need to banks of 4 with the RKL. The internet function is built into the APEX as well, where you'll need a separate module again with the RKL. Even further, the APEX unit uses AquaNotes and the RKL (and Elite, for that matter) have yet to release any software for their product. It's in Beta, I hear.
It appears you're correct at least on the NET module support. In fact, they have that package available on their website! I'll send them an email to find out about the SL2 module compatibility. Note that there is a difference between the SL1 and SL2. The RKL for sure supports the SL1 module!
Two other points to note for you. Are you buying yours used? If not, the Lite units are quite hard to find right now! PLUS, you can go with an APEX Lite unit for around the same cost and have less equipment to deal with since their energy bar has 8 outlets and you'll need to banks of 4 with the RKL. The internet function is built into the APEX as well, where you'll need a separate module again with the RKL. Even further, the APEX unit uses AquaNotes and the RKL (and Elite, for that matter) have yet to release any software for their product. It's in Beta, I hear.
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Hey, if you go to the DA site and click the RKL module page you will see it has as one of the features is the salinty probe (with optional SL2 module). I am going to call them on Monday just to make sure it is compatible or I am going to get the RKE.
Schwimm
Schwimm
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Yeah, I saw that. I sent them an email and will report back here if you don't want to bother calling them. I still think the APEX is a cleaner setup with less "stuff", but that's just my opinion.
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Here was the response to my email:
Hi Trey,
Yes, if you update your system to v1.11 for your head unit and 2.00+ for all of your other modules you can use the SL2.
Regards,
Jack Sullivan
Design Engineer
Digital Aquatics Support Team
Hi Trey,
Yes, if you update your system to v1.11 for your head unit and 2.00+ for all of your other modules you can use the SL2.
Regards,
Jack Sullivan
Design Engineer
Digital Aquatics Support Team
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The Apex Lite is missing the second pH/ORP port and the 4 variable speed ports that the regular Apex base module has. IMO, between the AC3 and Apex Lite, I would get the Apex Lite with EnergyBar for $332. The EnergyBar is worth $150 on its own. Also, check out the VERY active Neptune forum on RC for help with anything Neptune related.
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Scwaggs,
The DC8 and probes I have right now will work with the Apex system (confirmed). I guess I could get the unit, bar, and probe...keep my pH probe and then sell the Jr? The junior would sell better with the DC8, I'm guessing, no?
The DC8 and probes I have right now will work with the Apex system (confirmed). I guess I could get the unit, bar, and probe...keep my pH probe and then sell the Jr? The junior would sell better with the DC8, I'm guessing, no?
Was about to answer that and saw you had already beat me to it... IMO if you don't need control-by-internet, then the only thing the RKL is really limited by is the fact that it will only run four modules. My system really needs 12 outlets (though I'm managing on 8 for now), but I'd like to have an SL2 and the moonlight controller... not possible with 3x PC4s. The MLC is really just a neat toy, though, so it may get knocked off the list and keep this controller on my system longer.
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You are correct in that the DC8 will indeed work with the Apex. However, the DC8 uses the older technology and lacks some features that the EnergyBars have. In addition, without an EnergyBar, you will need to buy a 12V adapter to power the Apex (~$20) as the EnergyBars are what power the entire system. The features you get with the EnergyBars that you don't get with a DC8:
The ability to specify a fallback state for each outlet in the case that contact is lost with the main controller. (for example, you can specify to turn off you top-off pump if contact is lost so it doesn't keep filling if you accidentally disconnect something)
Longer, more reliable cable distances between the main controller and the EnergyBar (~10 feet for DC8, ~200 feet for EB8)
Monitoring of the current draw for the items plugged in to the EnergyBar and graphing of current draw over time from the Apex Display or the web interface.
Power monitoring and programming of events based on power state to the EnergyBar.
The EnergyBar is the power source for the Apex Display and Base Module. Without an Energy Bar, you need to buy a 12V adapter.
Easier setup with the EnergyBar as it is plug and play (the DC8 must be manually configured on the system. It isn't really hard but it is an extra step).
In addition, I think you may be better off selling the Jr. with the DC8. If someone ends up buying the Jr without the outlets, you can use still use the DC8 on your Apex for more power! Huh Huh HuH (in my best Tim Allen voice
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