Wireless control for Radion

Edit Subject

Thanks for the feedback, we appreciate your input! :)

I think it is this way because the wireless communication between Vortech pumps and the Radon light are proprietary and not standard bluetooth, rf, etc.

Actually, i was thinking of a wifi/bluetooth/infrared receiver to be plugged in the USB port of the radion units, and a transmitter to be plugged in your computer. This will serve as an alternative to the USB cable, and will be independent of how the units communicate with each other.

That might work but is it really worth it? I mean, once you fiddle with the lighting scheme a dozen times and settle on something you'd probably not hook it up too often.

I agreed with Ralph Co.

I'm hoping Ecotech seriously looking into the matter. Beside Ralph Co mentioned issues, I personnelly feel that unplug and plug in the USB rubber cover is also very troublesome and it might accidentally drop it into the tank water if not properly holding tight.

I think that a wireless control would really benefit us especially when we regularly get new corals. When acclimating corals, it would really be troublesome to keep on plugging a USB cable every week or every a couple of days just to set a new program. Also, it would be very convenient if we could control the radion units at the comfort of our seats rather than getting a ladder just to reach and control the lights. I'm sure ecotech could squeeze in some more cool and useful features. Also, maybe they could pitch one for 2 or more units bought as a bonus since the lights are already really costly. :)

Perhaps a plug-in proprietary wireless USB is in the works like Vertex has. I trust Ecotech as they continue to improve their products as they always have. Some of the issues people are having is most likely something that could not be forseen as testing a product in-house and at beta locations is a lot differant than putting thousands of units in the field and receiving feedback. I can forsee the software being able to control the Vortech tech pumps more in the future.

I am just hoping they release a development kit for Radions like they did for VorTechs. That way third parties like Neptune could develop for them as well. Aquarium tech is the perfect environment to reap the advantages of wireless communications. An open development platform also fosters a community around a product. So far the guys running this venture are making great decisions.. IMO

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. We highly value the feedback from all of our customers!

I just hope that the next upgrade that HAS to be purchased, to utilize the radion units, would not come any time soon so that i won't regret rushing to buy it as soon as it came out. :P Free software upgrades are very welcome though! :)

By the way, is Ecotech planning to change any hardware component anytime soon, such as the LED clusters or other key components? My only concern is that it would really cost much again to upgrade multiple units for people with large tanks. :(

i support of some wireless device to control the lighting

Adding some notes to this one ...

An add-on network module would be ideal. What I'd want is a box that plugs into the Radion USB, and has Cat5 Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. It may also need power, or the PoE or USB power would be ideal. The module stays plugged in at all times. The benefits?

1: Able to connect from PC software without having to run a USB cable. The software should scan the local network to locate the module, or allow the IP address to be specified.

2: The module needs an integrated HTTP server, so that you could open any web browser and see the current state of the lights, adjust colors, change programs, and more. In truth, this could even negate the need for having to install Windows software, and it'll also make the lights managable from other platforms and even mobile devices.

3: The module also needs an integrated Telnet server, so commands could be sent pro grammatically. The use case? Here's one, I have a sophisticated home automation system, It "knows" of current weather conditions via RSS feeds, so it knows when it is cloudy or when there is a thunderstorm. With the network module I could easily have by home automation controller send commands as my local weather changes so that the Radions respond accordingly. Another use case? I have a dashboard that reports historical tank temperature, ph levels, and more, and I'd love to be able to programmaticly ping the lights to get their data, too.

Oh, and I do think that customers would pay for this. Put it this way, there are LED light fixtures tat cost a 3rd of the Radions. We pay a premium for these devices primarily for the flexibility and the control, and this is just additional control. Seems like a good fit for your products and customers.

--- Ben

A simple propritary RF module that you plug into the UBS port like the Vertex one would do the trick. I think Vertex charges around $50 for their module. It's not a big deal for me because I only have one light, the provided USB cord is long enough that I can sit in the sofa next to the tank and program it. I feel for those with huge tanks with limited access.

any udate?

grouping the radeons you can have one light on the tank while you program the group. why can't we have a little module that plugs into the desktop and remotely control the lights through the config utility.

I just setup two radeons on a tank that is suspended from the ceiling and the customer is in a wheel chair and would love to be able to have the ability to control his lights from his computer.

I think Bobby Brackett has the answer...An RF plug in for your computer that utilizes the RF already in your MP's and Radions would be the easiest and most logical way to get wireless capability

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, we appreciate the feedback.

a wireless hub works if you have a canopy...Im needing/wanting something that is small and can work on a rimless tank setup.

For a rimless tank setup what I would do is get an elbow usb connector....make sure it is the kind that has a mini usb male connection on one end and a mini usb female connection on the other. Then all you would do is run the radion's usb cable along the light holder down to the radion hanging assembly and into the usb elbow. I assume the rimless assembly you use has some sort of overhanging light holder. Then the USB hub could be somewhere behing the aquarium or underneath it and out of sight.

Hi Ecotech staff,

It has been more than 3 months since started this post regards to the wireless feature. I hate in waiting game..may I know how long do you need to consider to add on the wireless module/feature !

Please advice.

Thanks.

I believe 3 months is not even long enough for developing hardware products as opposed to softwares. Furthermore, we don't even know if Ecotech approved the idea yet. You may follow what yorgos suggested to enjoy wireless capabilities. I think it will really take a while before they produce a wireless capable device for the radion since a lot of factors must be considered such as how the device can be perfectly fitted to the radion units without any danger of falling, being hit by the corrosive saltwater or any other forces that may destroy the electronic device. Moreover, i think Ecotech will focus more on solving the problems that the users encounter, as well as incorporating new features/ideas that customers give regarding the software. When all of this is done, i think that's when they will finally consider venturing into this new device. :) Besides, radion is still too young and there's so much more potential for it's software, and adding new accessories might just increase the number of problems. Let's just patiently wait and think of new features for the radion's software instead, and I'm sure it won't be long before Ecotech surprises us with new wonders. I'm looking forward to controlling the radion units at the swipe of my finger (on my phone). I think that's the better marvel than just being able to control the units wirelessly through a computer.

James,

EcoTech Marine has a policy not to comment on products that may or may not be currently in development. With that being said, the Radion was built on a modular platform to ensure development and incorporation of future technology is certainly possible. Thank you for all of your ideas and feedback!

Dave - can you provide a link or exact string to search for what you found? I can't find Ultra X wireless usb pair anywhere. Thanks.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicatio...

I bought mine off ebay for about 23 but had trouble locating them today. Tiger Direct carries them but they're 39. Keep checking ebay and I bet they pop back up for around 20 or so

My radion is on the way, I ordered it last week and it should be arriving in 2 days. I have a seneye device connected to the net through a digicom usb hub server. I think the Radion can be controlled through it as well as the seneye. In this way it can be also controlled by any pc of the home Lan.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ultra-U12...

Its a dongle that plugs into the radion, another into your pc, provides wireless USB to USB connections. everything everyone is asking for in this thread is provided.

Works flawlessly.

While i agree that does work it's not what we really want. You then have to have something plugged into the Radion all the time or plug it in when you want to use it.

What we really want is a dongle that plugs into the PC via USB that uses the same RF as the radion and makes the computer act like the master for all programming etc.

This is a big problem, as a owner of two radion, I just notice that of of the rubber plug or the USB on one of my radion is missing. I have to use sellotape to cover it, for such an expensive unit,I think we deserve more. Not restricting to plug in USB that why we have smart phone and iPad.
Very impressive lights but I do think you guys are undermining it's capability.

agree a simple wireless interface via standard bluetooth would be good or even wifi allowing you to access the unti from a pc or a smart phone, for a smart product like the radion the interface is not that smart!

what can be done ecotech?

It would certainly be cool! :) Thanks for your suggestions everyone.