Ai Prime 16 HD "Reef" not WiFi capable??

jphilip813 · May 17, 2021

So hold up...I am setting up a nano tank and just purchased the Prime 16HD from AI locally here in Baltimore yesterday (Sunday) and I am getting and reading conflicting information...these lights only connect via BLE (bluetooth) connected capabilities? If so, what a waste....atleast from my perspective...No control once I leave the BLE range..(house)...Please tell me this is not true...

PeterB113 · May 17, 2021

Yea Bluetooth only.... I thought the same too I wanted to be able to use the app when I'm not home

jphilip813 · May 17, 2021

PeterB113 said:
Yea Bluetooth only.... I thought the same too I wanted to be able to use the app when I'm not home

Are you SERIOUS? Like Who in their right mind thought this was a good idea at AI?

mexi757 · May 17, 2021

I know that pain!

DinoMagnet · May 17, 2021

Yup BLE only.

Nick Steele · May 17, 2021

Supposedly there is a chip inside for WiFi that isn’t activated yet and should be in the future but that was told awhile ago so I’m not too sure on that.

jphilip813 · May 17, 2021

Nick Steele said:
Supposedly there is a chip inside for WiFi that isn’t activated yet and should be in the future but that was told awhile ago so I’m not too sure on that.

I just emailed them (Ai) asking them this question...I tell you what...this thing is going back once I get the official answer from them...Its 2021...everything is WiFi enabled now a days...$209??? and no Weefee?

mherb24 · May 28, 2021

jphilip813 said:
I just emailed them (Ai) asking them this question...I tell you what...this thing is going back once I get the official answer from them...Its 2021...everything is WiFi enabled now a days...$209??? and no Weefee?

Did you get a response from AI? I am looking at lighting for my tank, stock light just doesn't cut it. Did you return? If so what did you go with?

Siberwulf · May 28, 2021

So this was a grump thing for me, too. I've been running three of them, plus a AI fuge for a couple months now, and frankly, haven't had the need to even connect to them. I've got them hooked up to my Apex in a way that when the temp gets too hot, it just turns off the outlet. Everything else did through BLE.

TLDR: Thought the same thing as you. Ended up loving it enough and it's not an issue.

Acros · May 28, 2021

Funny thing, my Jabeo powerheads are WiFi controlled, but not my $410 XR15.

TxReefer21 · May 28, 2021

All we got for now

NeonRabbit221B · May 28, 2021

How often are you needing to change your lighting that Wifi is that vital? Seriously can remember the last time I needed to remotely change a setting on my lights when I was not in front of my tank. lol

jurgenph · May 28, 2021

i have older ai hydra 26hds, with wifi, and they have always been a pain to get the initial wifi setup/pairing done.
once i got past that, they work great, but i've had to go through many factory resets and setups before both my lights played nice over wifi.

would have loved if they were bluetooth instead of wifi. i never had the need to fiddle with my lights when i'm not home.

J.

indiana812 · May 28, 2021

My problem with this is that I have to either have someone else present the settings for me, or I have to tweak them on my iPhone which is mega inconvenient considering the small screen big fingers.- PLUS today the app wasn't working so I was **** outta luck! I had to completely disconnect the light and start all over.

I exacted to be able to sit down on my computer and tweak the settings individually that you can do on your iPhone / tablet.

*Why don't you just get an iPad?* - Because I spent $200+ on this dang light and I will not be buying an iPad to tweak the settings that this product should already come with!

It really is an incredible light, so i also didn't return it - but serious....$200+ for a light that you cant control via WIFI has to be a joke...

DarthChaos · May 28, 2021

I've always been curious about this......

How many times, are you away from home - that you NEED to adjust your lights? I mean......you know, you can run a schedule that turns them on/off, by themselves right?

I set my lights over a year ago.....haven't gone into the AI app since.

NeonRabbit221B · May 28, 2021

So the web app version is no longer functional? Its 100% app driven now?

NeonRabbit221B · May 28, 2021

Funny thing I guess cause I didn't put 1 and 1 together to know that I could access the web application off my network. I assumed it was hosted locally only or something.

....My point still stands but I am sorry you can use the web app.

zoaprince · May 28, 2021

OP, I'm genuinely interested why you would want to mess with your lights when outside of your house

jurgenph · May 28, 2021

i don't own a bluetooth only AI light, but myai web should still sync to/from the app.
but someone confirm that i'm not making it up

J.

indiana812 · May 28, 2021

Chaos2034 said:
I've always been curious about this......

How many times, are you away from home - that you NEED to adjust your lights? I mean......you know, you can run a schedule that turns them on/off, by themselves right?

I set my lights over a year ago.....haven't gone into the AI app since.

You are correct for someone who has been in the hobby for many years and understands the process behind every function of the light spectrums.

However, I am just getting back into the hobby and I am not 1000% confident on the lighting spectrums + intensity (especially since this is my first time with a 14 gallon biocube).

I am very glad that you don't ever have to mess with your lights, that is amazing!
I am always tweaking mine in hopes to counter-act another situation happening in my tank.