Long awaited release of the ReefKeeper Elite (RKE)..

Well, folks have been waiting patiently for this controller (RKE) for some time. They even anxiously submitted their emails just to be notified of a pre-order. I was one of ‘those people’. So Wednesday night, I get an email from Scott (at Digital Aquatics), telling me that I should run to his website to pre-order this controller. Now normally, I would wait for at least 6 months after a release to puchase that product. But knowing that they have released ReefKeeper 1 AND 2 before, it was a just a matter of transition. Here are the specs:

Ethernet Capable

Wireless Communication

Upgradeability

NEW – Advanced 11 button CapSense interface

NEW – 128 x 64 Graphical display (w/RGB backlight and 30 background colors)

NEW – More then 250 Programmable Channels

Multiple Mounting Options

NEW – Home Screen (w/easy to read icons and data)

Simple menu system for easy configuration

Night Mode – Independently Programmable

NEW – 64 Alarms

NEW – Data Logging

NEW – Data Graphing

Metal Halide control with “Sure-On”

NEW – Light Timer with Weekday/Weekend schedules and safety temp cut off

Moon Light Controller (optional)

NEW – Multi-timer function

NEW – 64 Dedicated Timers

NEW – 2 Standby/Feed/Service modes

Control Functions

Sumps/Skimmers pump control

Wavemaker A/B and C/D pump control

NEW – Top-off pump control

NEW – Key Lock

Battery Backup

NEW – Audible Feedback

Splash-proof Faceplate

Upgradeable Firmware

And this is all for just 490$ US. Bad deal, I think not. It sure trumps a lot of stripped down controllers for a lot more money.

As a result of this release, or pre-order, many users of other controllers (such as Profilux or Aquatronica) are engaging in a ‘friendly’ verbal war. Scanning the ’sites I found many are either bitter, or trying to justify their purchases. It is sad really, as it is supposed to be your purchase for your tank. So I hope you did research for your tank before getting the controller. “But Profilux has a dimmable T5 or T8 controller”. Unless you have these lights, this controller feature is useless. Buy your controller for the need of your tank, not because it has all the bells and whistles.

So the wait will be on for the shipment of these units. I am very eager to see what i can come up with for it to control… automatic waterchanges anyone??

Related posts:

1. Digital Aquatics: Begins Work On The TPC
2. Reef Keeper Elite Bulks Up
3. Digital Aquatics’s RKE NET Module
4. STN and The Real Issues, part 3
5. Got my RKE. Have you got yours?

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