ecotech Quiet Drive review

[kamloops_reefer]

these guys have taken their time on this

I as well would like to see the short pulse mode as well as know what ecotech has in store to support legevity of their products. I.E. make them serviceable by hobbiests or sent back to the manufacturer to get new bearings etc. put inside.

[Craigdillman]

Honestly after installing the maxspec Gyre I don't think I'll have another vortex in my tank for a while it's that good

[lastlight]

Looks like the controller is $100 USD. This benefits mp10 and 60 owners but I think other aspects of the mp40 are dated enough to benefit from new dry and wet sides too.

The gyre is cool there's no doubt. But for how my tank is setup and scaped I love my vortechs.

[Scythanith]

You all just need a fishroom All the sound is in the back room!

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Scythanith

You all just need a fishroom All the sound is in the back room!

So your powerheads are in your fishroom ?

[gregzz4]

The MP10QD upgrade is now available in Canada and is going for $75-90. Thanks Canuck Buck

I broke down today and bought an MP10wQD
I'll replace one of my ES units on the DT and put the ES on my QT/Frag tank for now

I won't be doing the switch tonight but hope when I do I am impressed

[gregzz4]

First night with the new MP10wQD ...
I installed it in my 20g QT/frag tank. I'm doing this to break it in, and maybe help the frags some as they've been suffering with a MJ400 and MJ600 running 24/7.

Initial impression is somewhat biased as it's a brand-new wet/dry side pair. But I'll say the ramping sound is definitely improved enough to warrant the purchase. The sound is quite different from the other 3 ES units I own. This of course must be from the more fluid/continual signal the dry side is receiving from the new driver programming.
On 100% the new unit is amazingly quiet, but I can't compare it to my others at this time, so I'm only stating this from personal feelings.
I'm interested to see what will happen if I install an upgrade on my quietest 'used-to-be' master. My previous master is now known as 'right' as I'm using ReefLink to program and control all my pumps. ReefLink doesn't use a single pump as a 'master'. You have total control over all your pumps. PM me if you need help with this as it's way too much to try and cover here.

I wish EcoTech would be more consistent with their products as I've never had to touch the dry side on my main unit over the 3 years I've had it running. And it's still the quietest piece out of all 3 units - even after bearing changes on the others.
I'm waiting for the break-in period of a week or so (barring free time) to compare this new unit with my workhorse dead-quiet stock unit.

I have 5 wet sides that I rotate on 3 MP10wES units. I lube the wet sides with Lifegard silicone and it's always made a big difference.
The new wet side that came with the QD unit was very difficult to spin by hand.
When I dis-assembled it I found it was lubed, and the lube felt similar to what I use, so I suspect they've used something similar to help with the 'break-in' period.

That's all for now.

I'll be back with more info as it's pertinent.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

So your powerheads are in your fishroom ?

Anyone else feel like this might be orchestrated?

Must be nice to develop a product with some well known shortcomings and then release an upgrade to fix it for top dollar...

It's always good if you can get your customers to pay for the same product twice.

[toytech]

That's called manufactured obsolescence , everyone does it . Buy a domestic brand car see how long it feels new for , same thing . I do think a lot of expensive R&D went into the new driver its the most expensive part , the actual physical parts are a fraction of what you are paying for . The noise was the only reason I didn't but an mp10 , will probably get one now despite the other problems .

[Plainswalker]

Originally Posted by gobytron

Anyone else feel like this might be orchestrated?

Must be nice to develop a product with some well known shortcomings and then release an upgrade to fix it for top dollar...

It's always good if you can get your customers to pay for the same product twice.

I doubt it was orchestrated, but if it was, then kudos to them because it worked.

It could be something as simple as having a laundry list of innovations they have in a pipeline, and that they were planning to release anyway, and moving the timeline up/down in response to market competition. I don't think it's a coincidence that they released QuietDrive soon after the Gyre hit the market.