Archon Users

[Big B]

Hey all,
I am thinking about upgrading from my RKE system to the Archon. A couple things about my situation are, I do not have internet access at my house, we live way out in the country. Also, I really like having the head unit where I can see info such at temp and ph with a quick glance as I am passing by the tank. I hate that the Archon doesn't have a head unit that displays current info. I am assuming that anytime that one would need to access the system or see details of your tank you would need to power on a tablet or computer and then connect to the wifi signal, open the Archon progam and finally access your info.

To me this seems like a lot of steps to see what the ph of my tank is. Also seems like a lot to access a standby mode. Right now I walk up to the head unit and push two buttons and I am in the standby mode I use the most. Am I missing something here?

Im sure that I could use my Iphone as well but again it seems to me you have to go through a few steps before I can access info or standby's. What do you all use and is this how it is?
Thanks

 

[pickupman66]

Big B,

I have been one the Archon since it was Beta Launched. Since that time, it has really improved. that said, to be able to read your tank, you would either need to be connected to a Wifi network and have the Archon connected to that same network. Open Firefox and go to the Archon IP (saved as a favorite or a tab) and then you can enter credentials (saved of course) and you can then operate the controller. WIFI does not have to be connected to the internet, but if you want updates, you would need it to be. If you dont have wifi, you can just connect to the Archon Broadcasted SSID and login that way as above to read your system. Others have setup buttons or a switch on their stand that can activate the standby.

others have setup an old tablet as a display screen. I plan to do this myself with an old Kindle tablet. With your Iphone once you have that network saved, just turn the wifi on in phone settings and it should auto connect.

Now all that said, I had to turn off my ATO pump from the office today because the top off bin was empty. I opened my phone and then FF app. the page was already open in a tab so it refreshed and I went to the outputs and turned it off. took me about as long as it used to with my RKE. (Outs...pc4#3...channel3...function... off...save...fn...save)

 

[BlueZreef]

As Pickupman66 says, you have to connect to it via wifi. I have had one since they first released and though there have been improvements I would never recommend one to another reefer. I really wish I just did apex instead. I was in a similar boat to you with some equipment already, but if I were you, I'd sell it and buy an apex gold.

When I was initially reading on it before buying there had been promises of making existing head units work for displays. After many months I posted about it on the forums and they dismissed it as "not a priority." Biggest issue I've had with the dang thing was connectivity so it was a huge priority to me! I know what you mean, you want to just click a button to go to standby or switch a pump off instead of getting your phone out, logging in to the unit on a web browser, then making changes. It's a pain and a major issue with the system. Overall it was a pain to deal with and customer support was limited at best. There are so many more apex users that can help with issues that I'd just go that route instead

That's my .02 cents, some might disagree but look at how many more users are on apex. I do like RkL for simple setups though.

 

[Big B]

Thanks for the info guys, BlueZreef I have thought about the Apex a lot but I wonder how big of deal it would be to run that system without any internet connection at all in the house?

 

[BlueZreef]

I guess I would ask what you're trying to accomplish by upgrading? If you don't have wifi, there isn't really any benefit over your RKE

 

[Big B]

Well that's a good question. I have hopes of getting internet in the near future, we are waiting on our phone provider. If this happens I want to take advantage of it. I have been having issues with false alarms with my RKE as well at the myreef program on my laptop which has got me looking at different setups. I guess Im trying to get all my research done in case something pops up. If I was to jump on a different system I want to make sure that it functions with or with out internet.

 

[pickupman66]

All controllers on the market now will need internet for updates and such. But they can also function without it.

Whereas an Xbox one must have internet to even be able to use it. (Stupid 1gb update out of the box to function). Yea I don't like it at all.

 

[Terence]

All controllers on the market now will need internet for updates and such. But they can also function without it.

This is factually incorrect. The Apex Classic and Apex Jr can have firmware updates to them without an internet connection or a LAN for that matter. And while a connection to the internet makes the process stupid simple on the new Apex, it too can have its firmware updated directly without it.

 

[pickupman66]

Terence, semantics. Still need to download said update somehow. Even the rke needs to be updated but it is the my reef program that is used to download them.

 

[Terence]

If we are talking semantics, does receiving a thumb drive via snail mail constitute a "download"

 

[Terence]

As an extreme, I would say that Ted Kazinski could have had an Apex on his cabin aquarium and picked up his firmware at the post office on his weekly visit.

 

[pickupman66]

Lol. True. True. Archon can also work that same way if necessary as new files can be placed on its USB and then it can intake them as well.


But having internet just makes it easier. As a society we are becoming more and more broadband dependent. I live in a rural are just outside of a small town. In town they have U-verse and Xfinity about a mile from me. My house has only a 2mbps max connection or satellite available.