upgrading from RKL to Apex worth it?

[WarDog]

EDIT: I also wanted to add that Neptune Systems REALLY needs to get cracking on their own WiFi module that is plug and play. Connecting an Apex system to your home WiFi network should be as easy as your cell phone. Even if it were $200 I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by e46er

i coud only hard wire it to a wireless computer. that involves 2 holes in the house 35' soffit coming down so prabably 30-35 pieces @ 15 feet long and 20 joists to drill.

I honestly don't know if wiring it to a wireless computer would work. As far as I know, it would need to go directly to your router.

If you have a viable route (T-bar ceiling in basement, easy soffit run) I would highly recommend this. You don't yet know how difficult it is to get the Apex working wirelessly.

[e46er]

haha oh no that was jsut to a wireless computer.
the router is the complete opposite end of the 3000 sqft house.
this is not a big selling feature at all

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by e46er

haha oh no that was jsut to a wireless computer.
the router is the complete opposite end of the 3000 sqft house.
this is not a big selling feature at all

Ah.

There are these things which are fairly new. HERE. You plug the Ethernet into them and they use the homes 110V wiring as a cable. Seems like sorcery to me.

But I would shoot off an Email to Neptune and ask if they think they could work.

The Apex is an amazing Controller, it just sucks they are so hard to connect wirelessly.

[hfp75]

For the longest time I was using a dlink dap-1522 bridge. Worked pretty good, like once a month I'd need to reset it. It basically grabs the wifi signal and supplies physical rj45 plugs. Simulates a hard line with a shared wifi bottleneck + wifi interference - instability.

In my house I now use powerline eithernet. It's pretty good, but it also has limitations. I find it more reliable for maintaining the connection, but the interference within the house wire really slows it down. Now, for the standard apex it would be fine - just don't hookup a camera to it. There might not be enough avail bandwidth for video/frequent pics. Powerline eithernet needs to be on the same side (pole) of the main power box & you won't know until you plug it all in, unless you remember how you wired your house. Mine is slow cause it's on different poles through the main power box. (An electrician could explain this better). I think for me it could work better if I plugged it into different plugs in the house - I only need a small amount of bandwidth though and don't care how many errors the powerline eithernet has to figure out.

Just remember there is nothing like a cat5e/cat6 cable for speed and reliability. It can be rather unsightly though if it's not in the walls. It's your choice.....

If you can't run cable, I'd use powerline eithernet, failing that I'd run a bridge.

To answer your question, if it's worth it, my apex is fantastic and I'm looking for another. I've never used a RKL.

[e46er]

Originally Posted by WarDog

Ah.

There are these things which are fairly new. HERE. You plug the Ethernet into them and they use the homes 110V wiring as a cable. Seems like sorcery to me.

sounds like witchcraft to me as well.

Originally Posted by hfp75

For the longest time I was using a dlink dap-1522 bridge. Worked pretty good, like once a month I'd need to reset it. It basically grabs the wifi signal and supplies physical rj45 plugs. Simulates a hard line with a shared wifi bottleneck + wifi interference - instability.

In my house I now use powerline eithernet. It's pretty good, but it also has limitations. I find it more reliable for maintaining the connection, but the interference within the house wire really slows it down. Now, for the standard apex it would be fine - just don't hookup a camera to it. There might not be enough avail bandwidth for video/frequent pics. Powerline eithernet needs to be on the same side (pole) of the main power box & you won't know until you plug it all in, unless you remember how you wired your house. Mine is slow cause it's on different poles through the main power box. (An electrician could explain this better). I think for me it could work better if I plugged it into different plugs in the house - I only need a small amount of bandwidth though and don't care how many errors the powerline eithernet has to figure out.

Just remember there is nothing like a cat5e/cat6 cable for speed and reliability. It can be rather unsightly though if it's not in the walls. It's your choice.....

If you can't run cable, I'd use powerline eithernet, failing that I'd run a bridge.

To answer your question, if it's worth it, my apex is fantastic and I'm looking for another. I've never used a RKL.

to be completely honest the entire reason im even contemplating switching is because I have a 2 week holiday planned over xmas and my only reefing friend who used to live 4 min down the street would swing by and check up on things every 3-4 days for me if i was out of town but this summer he moved about 40 min away, so if something was wrong and an apex would be able to tell me via email. I could get him to swing by and fix it , but every couple days to check isnt gonna happen.

[hfp75]

Originally Posted by e46er

sounds like witchcraft to me as well.

That is what I was referring to with Powerline eithernet....

[e46er]

Originally Posted by hfp75

That is what I was referring to with Powerline eithernet....

I knew that's what you were referring too but it still sounds like witchcraft.
Cheers for the replies guys!

[e46er]

I ordered it......

[e46er]

what a complete POS this thing is to try and set up.

i have 2 wireless mac computers both of which you cant update firmware so i cant get my fusion token FML
of course the only hardwired computer in the house is a POS windows ancient thing. AHHHHHH