New Controller - Apex Jr from Neptune Systems

First Look: Neptune System's new Apex Jr controller! — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

This looks pretty sweet! For $149.99, it's a good controller to start with, and is pretty much as expandable as the regular Apex controller. It lacks a display, which is fine, because I think that using the web based or smartphone based software is the best part of using the original Apex.

It can't come out soon enough... release date is May. Since I don't have a controller yet, I want to put my order in now!

 

hmm...I like that.

 

OK so I am sure a lot of you guys have controllers so it says you will have a temp probe and add up to four others. So what they are saying is when your temp goes above a preset temp you will get a text or e-mail saying dude get your azz home and save your tank. If this is all true then a controller just moved up on my list.

 

this controller doesn't have wifi so it will have to have a ethernet line run to it. or you will have to buy a wireless gaming adapter i believe. they are about 50.00. cheap price for the controller though. im guesing it to compete with the reef keeper light.? the one that sells for less

 

It says in the write up that it already has a wireless card. Neptune did not want to go that route with the Apex because that tech moves so fast... but they have to if they are going to put out a web based module.

They had the AC Jr that competed with the RK lite and it was no cheaper after all the add ons were figured in.

 

No... controllers take care of it for you. What would the point be of it just telling you to come home? Controllers controll everything on your tank that can be turned on or off. Yo uget alerts if something is terribly wrong.

For temp you just plug your heater in and turn it all the way up. Apex turns it on and off to maintain temp. Mine was maintained to .3 degrees 24/7

 

i didnt see it saying wireless card all i seen was Built-in Ethernet port and web based. thats not wireless.

also it says it does what the apex does. well the apex needs a gaming adapter to be wireless. i spoke to someone at apex a few weeks ago about this. since i was looking to purchase a apex

 

the controller includes an embedded webserver for web-based interface.

That means you do not need the gaming adapter.

 

A webserver is different than a wireless adapter. It sounds like this still needs a wireless adapter.

 

I was wondering when the AC Jr. was going to get booted. This is a pretty smart move. The Apex already has Android apps plus iphone too. Don't know if this means Neptune will be doing it's own apps. I did not interface with my display that much. All the programing was done on the computer and I checked it at work from time to time. Didn't have my droid at the time but would have just used that. You could always buy extra displays for remote or multiple tanks... so this really is a pretty smart move.

Sorry to all the RK fans... but Neptune is still the king in controllers and continues to advance them at a much faster pace with better features. The Vortech wireless module being a good example. RK has had the board from the same time Neptune got it but has done nothing with it.

Now we will just have to figure out limitations of the Jr like controllable outlets and expandability.