This will cause some stir with used Apex Pricing

[vetteguy53081]

This just came out.................

New from Neptune - Apex EL
New from Neptune Systems. The Apex EL. EL (Entry Level). A lower cost option to the Apex WFI often referred to as gold. This system will give you access to the Apex world for under $500 bucks. You get everything you need to get started with all the great expandablility options Neptune Systems has to offer.

The ApexEL makes keeping your aquarium easier while also monitoring key parameters such as temperature, pH, and the health of your connected equipment, for under $500*


APEXel – THE ENTRY LEVEL APEX

• Lower cost version of its big-brother Apex
• Prevents catastrophes by monitoring temperature and pH in your aquarium, takes corrective actions for you, and alerts you via your smart phone when things go off track.
• Monitors your equipment – ensuring it is operating correctly at all times – and lets you know when it’s not.
• iPhone, iPad, or Android app controlled. Also works on PC or Mac using any common web browser.
• Tracks your manual test results, maintenance, livestock purchases, and tank observations and helps you correlate issues in your aquarium to the things that are happening inside.
• Manages the full operation of equipment (lights, pumps, filters, ATO, etc.) on your tank with simple setup “Tasks” and an easy to use app.
• Takes the place of many costly and cumbersome discrete components such as light timers, heater controllers, pump controllers, etc.
• Expandable – Add more monitoring and control features as well as specialized Apex-ecosystem hardware as your needs require
• Gives you the peace of mind to know how your aquarium is doing, instantly, from anywhere in the world.

The ApexEL is a self-contained monitoring platform built for reliability – for when things go wrong – It’s not just a toy to play with when everything is A-OK.

 

[ngvu1]

This looks like the new "Apex Lite".

No VDM, no ORP????

 

[juicemanatx]

Not really, it’s $40 less that the Gold. Unless people are trying to sell a used one for more than $350 IMO

 

[vetteguy53081]

This looks like the new "Apex Lite".

No VDM, no ORP????

Remember, it's an entry level unit with the features(new plug in and Wi-Fi and more

 

[ngvu1]

If you compared the classic and the classic lite, this is 1 to 1.

Remember, it's an entry level unit with the features(new plug in and Wi-Fi and more

 

[vetteguy53081]

If you compared the classic and the classic lite, this is 1 to 1.

Classic has the eb8 which is congested with outlets and no built in Wi-Fi

 

[juicemanatx]

Classic has the eb8 which is congested with outlets and no built in Wi-Fi

He’s saying Classic and Classic Lite are the same type of release as this “Lite” Version and and the full current APEX.

 

[vetteguy53081]

He’s saying Classic and Classic Lite are the same type of release as this “Lite” Version and and the full current APEX.

Ah, yes

 

[roberthu526]

This is good strategy for pushing sales but sucks for us who have bought the full package. ORP problem is pretty useless and salinity probe is rarely accurate. What they are saying is we paid an extra $300 for two probes that are not really necessary.
It is what it is but I will never buy new Neptune products.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is good strategy for pushing sales but sucks for us who have bought the full package. ORP problem is pretty useless and salinity probe is rarely accurate. What they are saying is we paid an extra $300 for two probes that are not really necessary.
It is what it is but I will never buy new Neptune products.

Couldn't have expressed it better

 

[Raptor72]

Can’t wait to get mine!!

[emoji857]

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can’t wait to get mine!!

[emoji857]

Affordable

 

[gcrawford]

Happy with my classic, bought used years ago for $300. The new one seems toy like to me....

 

[tiggs]

This is definitely the second coming of the Apex Lite. Although at this price point, I still think the best move is getting a preowned Apex Classic Gold. You can find them pretty much every week on here for $350-$400 with extras and have a full system. I guess it comes down to how much someone cares about 1link ports, individual outlet consumption monitoring, and built-in WIFI.

The other bit to consider is the Trident and whatever new things come out that aren't compatible with the Classic. Although you always have the option to upgrade your head unit and by the time you sell your Classic head unit and PM2, you'll still be a couple hundred bucks ahead.

 

[ycnibrc]

I don't trust any controller past 5 years. It's best to unload the old Apex and pay the difference to get the new one. Electronic equipment don't last forever especially in the humid salty Aquarium environment. This is a piece of equipment which if it fail it could crash your tank

 

[roberthu526]

This is definitely the second coming of the Apex Lite. Although at this price point, I still think the best move is getting a preowned Apex Classic Gold. You can find them pretty much every week on here for $350-$400 with extras and have a full system. I guess it comes down to how much someone cares about 1link ports, individual outlet consumption monitoring, and built-in WIFI.

The other bit to consider is the Trident and whatever new things come out that aren't compatible with the Classic. Although you always have the option to upgrade your head unit and by the time you sell your Classic head unit and PM2, you'll still be a couple hundred bucks ahead.

Trident is no where close to be released. It hasn’t even been through user testing yet. I believe Neptune announced it last year before they had a clue when it was going to be ready. They probably figured with the large user base they can claim the market just by putting the words out. And it was also another good strategy to push sales on the Neptune Apex 2016. Once people get on board they don’t need to worry about when to push the Trident out because most people are just going to wait for it. Now look at what they have done. Pushing the release of trident by over six months and pushing out the EL version of the controller that most people should have bought if they had the option at the first place. ORP & salinity probes are anything but accurate from day one and that is pretty much common sense in this hobby. Now I am guessing Neptune are finally low on their inventory on these probes they can comfortably push out these EL version.

Again I would quit this hobby before I buy another new Neptune product.

 

[biecacka]

Alkatronic looks better and better each day compared to the upcoming trident

Corey

 

[tiggs]

I don't trust any controller past 5 years. It's best to unload the old Apex and pay the difference to get the new one. Electronic equipment don't last forever especially in the humid salty Aquarium environment. This is a piece of equipment which if it fail it could crash your tank

I'd argue that if a controller crashes anyone's tank, they simply didn't design their system correctly with enough redundancy and failsafes. Sadly, too many people are looking at the controllers on the market as a magical insurance policy that will protect them from anything and that's simply not the case. An argument can definitely be made for buying new and I respect that, but there's nothing wrong with buying preowned for value and upgrading components as you see fit. This is especially true if the Apex 2016 only features aren't as important to you. In my case, I'll upgrade my head unit when the Trident comes out. Until then, I have no reason to.

 

[ca1ore]

I'd argue that if a controller crashes anyone's tank, they simply didn't design their system correctly with enough redundancy and failsafes.

Absolutely correct! If my apex died, it would be most inconvenient (and irritating) but it would not be catastrophic.

 

[ca1ore]

Trident is nowhere close to be released. It hasn’t even been through user testing yet.

Do you 'know' this .... or just speculation?

I believe Neptune announced it last year before they had a clue when it was going to be ready. They probably figured with the large user base they can claim the market just by putting the words out.

I'm generally not a fan of conspiracy theories, but there's probably some truth to this. I'd imagine by announcing early (and they did have a 'working' demo) they hoped to dissuade the apex user base from adopting earlier-to-market alternatives. I don't view alkatronic/KHGuardian/Trident as essential, thus I am quite happy to wait.

And it was also another good strategy to push sales on the Neptune Apex 2016. Once people get on board they don’t need to worry about when to push the Trident out because most people are just going to wait for it.

Sorry, how exactly did they 'push' sales on the 2016 apex (other than running 10% events - which they do regardless)? If they really wanted to push 2106 Apex, they would have discontinued the classic. I'd imagine sales of Trident were a key part of Neptune's sales targets - so inconvenient for them also.