I respect your answer but you feeling 100% confident in a Reef Angel and Apex does not equate to it being 100% reliable. Let me ask you something that was mentioned on another forum as the comparitive standard with controllers. If your loved one was in the hospital in a serious condition and hooked up to numerous devices like respirators etc. would you want that loved one hooked up to a brand of devices that had a reputation for giving bad readings or parts suddenly dying? Because your fish and corals are pretty much in that same position!
I'm not 100% sure the direction you are going with this but let me just say that in my opinion it isn't the same thing. Hobby grade controller / monitor be it GHL, RA, or Apex are not built or have the certifications life support systems do. Having said that I believe you are trying to say that one of the mentioned products is better built maybe or has a 100% reliability rate (would not be a true statement). Or that the RA is not in the same ball park which again wouldn't be a fair assessment. Maybe you run Abyzz controllable pumps but I do not(reference due to price and hobby word on quality). We agree on taking care of the animals. We don't agree here so no harm no foul.
This argument came up on another forum years ago when one of the companies introduced lightning and storm effects. Yes seasonal changes in temperature and lighting may be natural events but that does not mean they have any noticeable benefit to a reef tank. Most argued that it was just gimmicky. The only good reason one would want to adjust these settings is to induce spawning. In most cases this is not a good thing to happen in a reef tank.
I know! I had two occasions when my corals spawned and let off a crap load of eggs and sperm. It sent my skimmer overflowing and probably kicked the Ammonia and Nitrate levels up. Yes it was cool to see but the after effect was not good.
It was just an example. There are others such as sunrise, sunset, geo locations, weather, control of wave pumps with patterns to include nutrient transport, etc. Custom libraries allow this to happen if it is the route one wants to go. And yes, I've had my rose bubble tips spawn as well as snails during a couple of these windows in my tank.
As for using open source mods. That is the last thing I would want on my controller.
I would have no idea if the programmer introduced some bug that might make the controller spass out under certain conditions that he never tested for.
Then the RA or a Pi would not be for you. Again, not a big deal. But the reason for bringing it up in the first place was the comment along the lines of "if people didn't use other controllers" or however it was said. People may have. Maybe not. Does it matter and what does that bring to the table?
You have a list of needs. You shop around. You read reviews. You make a purchase. Some people have issues, some do not. Others, the silent majority go unheard. This post does not mean apex is unreliable. My experience with it does not negate what the OP experienced. It does, however, provide a thread in which case I can:
1. Express my experience
2. Express to the other hobbyist any support that I can
3. Wish them nothing but the best experience if they switch products
4. Answer any questions that I may be able to if they ask with regards to Apex
So back to my original point. I've used other controllers. I've used Apex. I've had success with both. Both have been reliable. Per my comment above that does not negate the OP's experience. Since they asked though my answer is no. I've not experienced reliability issues. Even with a 3 x the normal power entering my main circuit breaker panel blowing out 2 refrigerators, AC, Thermostat, toaster, tea pot (what the heck is a Irishman to do with no tea pot!!!), and solar inverter...go figure.
I believe I'm not adding any value to the thread with this post but felt I would answer. I hear you with the care of animals. We agree 100%. The controller part? Meh, probably not. Doesn't mean I wouldn't break bread with you
