Reef Angel Controller Experience/Opinions

[saltnureye]

Does anyone have some experience with this controller?
I was pretty well sold on the Apex and I know most here love the Apex, but the RA looks really cool and priced well for what you get.

The open source programming code is also a plus.  Essentially you can program this unit to do just about anything.

Service seems pretty good and from what I read on their forum there is a large community to also back it up.

$219 out of the box
Head Unit
PH monitoring
3 temperature probe
2 float switch ports
8 independently controlled outlets

Can connect to computer, has phone app status and ability control tank remotely with app.

 

[jeff.l]

Re: Reef Angel Controller Experience/Opinions

There was a review on can reef the user had nothing bad to say about it if I recall, great price.  Was personally going yp get one when I came across a great deal on an apex.

Sent by little green men....

 

[Neopimp]

I have never used it myself but I havent read anythign bad about them.  the open source thing is what I like the most... I find the apex is a little limited with conditional programs and stuff.. I wonder if the reef angel woudl be better in that sense

 

[spyd]

I've heard they are good controllers. You just need to be a little technically inclined for the open source programming. But, like Neo said, it gives you a lot more options.

 

[jones02]

Had one and sold it. Open source programming sucks. Power went out and deleted everything on me and left my ato running. Had it a couple months and I had 2 ports stop workinng and they wouldn't replace it for me. Sounded great when I ordered one till it was in use. Ended up going with a RKL+ and for the same price its way better IMO.

 

[saltnureye]

I was sold on the apex but because of budget was going to buy base unit then slowly addon the other modules.  I stumbled on the Reef Angel and its made me hold off until I research it a bit more.  The price and ability to do so much right out of the box is very attractive.  And so far I am finding very few negative review...a few here and there.

 

[Victoss]

Had one and sold it. Open source programming sucks. Power went out and deleted everything on me and left my ato running. Had it a couple months and I had 2 ports stop workinng and they wouldn't replace it for me. Sounded great when I ordered one till it was in use. Ended up going with a RKL+ and for the same price its way better IMO.

The ports not working sucks but sounds like you didn't code it properly which is why code did not run correctly upon booting. Either way you do need to have some knowledge or examples to look at when coding but saying open source sucks never helps anyone, for people who want full control over their unit you can't get better then open source (unless you build it yourself too but then it looks unprofessional) but it does take some patience.

So Salt if that sounds like something you want to do then I don't see any problem with the reef angel but if you don't plan on doing much programming then you may be better off with controllers already programmed to do a lot (although without actually testing different controllers I can't say if they can do much more then the preloaded code on the RA already  ???).

 

[jones02]

[quote author=jones02 link=topic=4185.msg38144#msg38144 date=1359480306]
Had one and sold it. Open source programming sucks. Power went out and deleted everything on me and left my ato running. Had it a couple months and I had 2 ports stop workinng and they wouldn't replace it for me. Sounded great when I ordered one till it was in use. Ended up going with a RKL+ and for the same price its way better IMO.

The ports not working sucks but sounds like you didn't code it properly which is why code did not run correctly upon booting. Either way you do need to have some knowledge or examples to look at when coding but saying open source sucks never helps anyone, for people who want full control over their unit you can't get better then open source (unless you build it yourself too but then it looks unprofessional) but it does take some patience.

So Salt if that sounds like something you want to do then I don't see any problem with the reef angel but if you don't plan on doing much programming then you may be better off with controllers already programmed to do a lot (although without actually testing different controllers I can't say if they can do much more then the preloaded code on the RA already  ???).
[/quote]

i posted everythign i want it to do on the RA forum and got the guys that work there to program it for me. if they did it wrong then shows how much customer support you get lol. they told me that when power goes out it "can" loose all programing. so iw as pretty pissed about that. and for the apex.. i was thinking on selling or just using my RKL on my new set up and getting a apex for my DT. i really just want to hjave a cam on it and watch it lol

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

Yu want to watch yur tank on cam from yur cell phone ..apex has that goin on...i watch my tank on the apex console screen on my ipad

 

[saltnureye]

I decided to bite the bullet and go with the Reef Angel.  I dont mind the programming part at all in fact is part of what sold me.  I have been wanting to learn how to program an audrino for a while so this will force me to learn.  I will let you guys know how it works out with a review and what kind of stuff its controlling.

 

[Poseidon]

I decided to bite the bullet and go with the Reef Angel.  I dont mind the programming part at all in fact is part of what sold me.  I have been wanting to learn how to program an audrino for a while so this will force me to learn.  I will let you guys know how it works out with a review and what kind of stuff its controlling.

ya that would be great... i would love to hear how it turns out, will prob decide whether or not to get an apex or a RA based on your experiance