EcoTech ReefLink Review

Gary

Gary

Active member
So it's been just under 90 days since I first got my hands on the ReefLink.

What does it do? Currently, it provides a wireless connection between your EcoTech Marine Radion and your PC.

So what does this mean? It means you can toss that old USB Cord and the headache that goes along with it every time you want to make a programming change to the lights.

Let's first talk about the good things, so I'll break this up into a Pro/Con section that add my own experience setting it up.

Pros:

Easy Setup
WiFi - No longer needing to use the USB
Easy to read lights on the module for quick trouble shooting
Cat5 Support
Mobile Support
OSX Support

Cons:

No Pump Support

Now I understand that some will argue my con, but it does not exist yet, I understand it is coming out soon, but it is not there yet.

My personal experience with it has been great, from the moment I took it out of the box, and plugged the usb to my PC and to the ReefLink, the few steps needed to setup the connection was a breeze. I had it up and running in under five minutes, and it is a beta unit! The future enhancement of using it to control the vortechs will be an awesome upgrade.

Thinking Ahead: My favorite part about the ReefLink is how unique it is. The way EcoTech took the product and built it, there is no end in sight. It has so much going for it, I can easily see this becoming a full fledged controller in no time. Best part is, with the way EcoTech builds everything, you can bet it all being WiFi. I can't wait to see where this road leads.

My overall review, outstanding.

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So I re posted the entire review since my last thread no longer exist from November.

I'll fix the pictures shortly.
 
So now as of late last week I got my hands on the beta for VorTech controls. I didn't actually play with it till Sunday. So far upgrading the pumps to the new firmware could of gone a bit smoother, however I'm pretty sure the cause was on my end. (Damn you AT&T UVerse for your crappy wireless router!)

However, once I got both pumps setup I went right in to syncing my pumps. Below you will find a image of a profile I made up that mainly consist of one period of rapid movement to stir up my barebottom tank, and the rest of it being reefcrest mode then night mode. The best part is I can actually make the profile as long or as short as I like, and Sync the pumps for different phases. IE: I don't have to have a master slave for each time slot.

However, my fav part so far was the feed mode. You can set it for however long you want, and you can change the power of the pumps during that time. (I put mine to "barely moving" as they call it.)

So far I like the app, it needs to have a few issues correct with how stable it stays connected to the ReefLink, I feel like sometimes I need to shutdown the app completely and restart it to get it to work. Again please keep in mind this is a beta release and I would say that it's probably more an alpha release. EcoTech has been putting out almost daily updates, and even putting out updates on the weekends. They support multiple languages and such.

Overall my experience with it are very positive and I expect it to get to the point that I would expect from a top of the link provider. Like you all, when I buy a top of the line product, I expect top of the line service, support, and well PRODUCT. This in my opinion will be there as soon. I'm confident that at release it will work flawlessly.

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thanks for this post - do you also use a controller like the apex? If this device was $100 and not $200, I'd probably pick one up.
 
Yes, I also have a Apex.

I use the reeflink for my Ecotech products and the Apex for the rest. I plan to get the modules to do the EcoTech stuff from the Apex just to compare the two for fun since I love the nerdy side of reefing.
 
Gary said:
Yes, I also have a Apex.

I use the reeflink for my Ecotech products and the Apex for the rest. I plan to get the modules to do the EcoTech stuff from the Apex just to compare the two for fun since I love the nerdy side of reefing.
Click to expand...

Did you ever end up getting the apex for your ecotech stuff? If so I'd love an update.
 
100LL said:
Did you ever end up getting the apex for your ecotech stuff? If so I'd love an update.
Click to expand...

I did, and I do like it. However the only issue I have is that sometimes they modes will get stuck. By that I mean, sometimes the Vortech will go into some random mode, I only notice it when it's crazy like export mode, and I notice my lights sometimes will still be on at 1am. I end up unplugging the WXM module and reset it, problem fixed for a few days. I have yet to try to research the issue or correct it other then double checking my programing which is fine.

I'm currently in the middle of a RMA with my headunit, my ethernet stopped working after removing the cable once. :(
 
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