Cost differences between Apex and Profilux 4 & Fusion vs myGHL

[Clownfishy]

Having never owned an aquarium controller but about to purchase one, I have been doing quite a bit of research on the differences in functionality and costs of the GHL Profilux 4 and Neptune Apex. My shopping list includes -

• Controller
• 2 x Probe Holders
• Additional pH & Temp Module
• Additional Temp Probe
• Additional pH Probe
• Tunze Stream Cable
• Leak Detection Module
• 2 x Leak Detection Probes
• Additional Energy Bar

If I purchase either the Profilux 4 or the Neptune Apex from a combination of the UK (where I live), the US (where I visit often) and Germany (where I work occasionally), there is hardly any difference in price between the two. What is interesting is if I buy the Apex and its main components in the UK, it would cost me £216 (approx $303) more than if I were to buy the main Apex controller in the UK but the modules and probes from the US. Whereas if I buy the Profilux 4 from Germany (including shipping) rather than the UK I only save £64.50 (approx $91).

The biggest problem the Apex has for non US residents is that Neptune are still shipping the old power bar which is just INSANE as you are paying full price for the product but losing one of the biggest benefits of the Apex 2016 model. They have also stated that they have no intention on shipping the new power bar outside the US.....go figure!!!!! The biggest problem I have with the Profilux 4 is that the cloud based software looks like it was designed in the 1990’s! I am really torn between the two as they both have benefits and drawbacks.

Therefore, does anyone on here have a Profilux 4 and are using mainly the myGHL cloud software and the Android app? If so, what are your thoughts on this software and can you manage most of the configuration, firmware upgrades and monitoring through these apps? I do not want to use their Windows software as I run Linux and Mac and really do not want to setup virtualbox just to configure an aquarium controller.

Many thanks for any contributions.

 

[Lasse]

As I know for P4
- At the moment - you need the computer program I order to backup your settings, data, sensor settings and for firmware updating. All configurations can be done with the app and the inbuild interface. I do not use My GHL



Sincerel Lasse

 

[Lasse]

Forget - as I know for the moment - you need the PC software in order to configure the programmable logic too.

With P4 - you do not need an extra pH card if you want to have two pH probes and not plan to use a redox probe. Two of the ingoing BNC connections can be configured as pH or redox measurements (with inbuilt software). It means that you can use 2 pH controllers with the standard equipment

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Clownfishy]

Many thanks, I want to use the orp probe so I guess I need the additional module. Is it true that GHL will soon be releasing a new web server for the Profilux 4 that will allow you to do all these things by accessing the web server?

 

[Bob Escher]

Although you lose some functionality with not having the EB832 you can use EB8’s or what energy bsrvthey offer in the UK with the APEX2016

 

[Clownfishy]

Although you lose some functionality with not having the EB832 you can use EB8’s or what energy bsrvthey offer in the UK with the AOEX2016

Agreed but I want to measure the amps to confirm if the heater is on or off but not sure I can do this with the old power bar?

 

[Bob Escher]

Your right but does the GL 4 do that?
I supposed you could buy the Eb832 here and plug it into a transformer.

 

[Clownfishy]

Your right but does the GL 4 do that?
I supposed you could buy the Eb832 here and plug it into a transformer.

Yes it does. I was thinking of the transformer option but not sure if that is something that is supported?

 

[acabgd]

Funny you have asked about Apex vs GHL4 as I'm also in Europe and also looking at the same issues. Please share whatever you learn further.

 

[Clownfishy]

Most of it is listed above and i am learning towards the Apex but it annoys the hell out of me that they have not updated the powerbar in every country with the exception of the US. It's the one thing that is holding me back as GHL are sooooooooo slow to get to grips with their Cloud approach.

 

[Bob Escher]

Yes it does. I was thinking of the transformer option but not sure if that is something that is supported?

Why wouldn’t it be it’s basically a power outlet

 

[Lasse]

GHL does not works with modules - they work with extension cards and Extension boxes.

Ports for P4

Ports for expansion box 2

They will release a Web interface - yes - but I do not know what you can do with it.

You can see on the App if sockets is on or off

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Jason mack]

Apex Neptune is a dutch company , they are based in a place called Berkel en Rodenrijs near Rotterdam !

 

[Bob Escher]

Apex Neptune is a dutch company , they are based in a place called Berkel en Rodenrijs near Rotterdam !

But the company that builds the APEX is called Neptune Systems based out of CA USA

 

[Jason mack]

But the company that builds the APEX is called Neptune Systems based out of CA USA

 

[chefjpaul]

Um. No.

Are you aware of Curt Pansegrau?

I belive this is a dealer.

 

[PmCarbrey]

https://www.neptunesystems.com/contact-us/

 

[phea2]

The Neptune system Europe is only a dealer. Neptune is an American company.

I was torn between the apex and the GHl as well but went for apex only because they have the phone app that’s super easy to use.

Apex can’t sell the Eb832 outside USA because it doesn’t comply with laws outside the US. It’s the same thing with iphone and Samsung phones in the US vers anywhere else. So it’s nothing to do with USA but something to do with laws outside of the US.

 

[markstubb]

Although you lose some functionality with not having the EB832 you can use EB8’s or what energy bsrvthey offer in the UK with the APEX2016

The UK EB6 doesn't have current monitoring built into it.

I run an EB8, and EB832 and an EB6 here in Malaysia on 220v mains. The EB8 and EB832 are running on a transformer. Apex2016 head, lots of modules. It works OK, but I can't put my transformer on a UPS as the transformer makes the UPS go bonkers when the switchover happens, so only my EB6 is on mains with the UPS.

Most all of my equipment is DC with power bricks, so it all runs on 110 or 220 anyway.

There has been discussion on the electronics and the conversion of the 110v power with a transformer as most transformers only change the voltage, and not the frequency, so running a 110v powerbar off of 50hz 220v power can potentially cause issues, although I haven't seen any.. yet.