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Mindstream Kickstarter Is Here!


TheClark

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If you want to get in early and have it by the end of the year, here is the chance!

 

Overview video shows the internals

 

https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/assets/004/193/382/6358343097af33d00427d1ab3082f7e2_h264_high.jpg?2015

 

 

 

The ten water parameters that will be tested and monitored by the MindStream’s replacement discs
mindstream-testing-disc.jpg

 

Join the kickstarter or read more here

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/859739753/mindstream-aquarium-monitor

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Almost too good to be true, I bet alot of people with controllers are going to be sitting in the sweet spot really soon.

All those but I see no Phosphates and Nitrates, I am still on board but was hoping to get rid of those tedious tests.

Is yours already on order Clark?

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Almost too good to be true, I bet alot of people with controllers are going to be sitting in the sweet spot really soon.

All those but I see no Phosphates and Nitrates, I am still on board but was hoping to get rid of those tedious tests.

Is yours already on order Clark?

 

hahah, not me.  I am very interested but not sure if I have 1000 bucks to drop.  Very interesting and big news for our hobby.  I imagine if it works well it would be great for tank service contracts, as an add on service.

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It becomes a matter of... is $40ish a month worth the time it saves to check all of those parameters?  What is the testing cadence that requires replacement that frequently? I guess the cost will be quantified based on how much time you will save using just one kit.  If you don't test as frequently, that cost can be reduced.

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I was a bit worried about it when I saw the pricing...$500 with one disk or $1000 with a year supply of disks? So it's going to cost $500/year to run this thing? Don't get me wrong, it's amazing if it works but holy crap!

 

Hopefully, the price comes down a little bit once it gets into production mode. Even if not, I bet a lot of people would pay for it.

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Here's what they say about pricing, once in production. Depending on the price of the replacement disc, it would be $360-600 per year for replacement discs.

 

"Pricing

We are currently wrapping up a multi-phase market research effort to better understand how to make the MindStream monitor the best possible product for you. We therefore have not finalized pricing for the monitor or the replaceable sensor discs. We are working to make our products as affordable as possible, while making sure we have the resources to provide the best possible customer service and continue with our ambitious research and development efforts. Our best estimation at this point for product pricing is as follows:

  • MindStream monitor and initial replaceable sensor disc: in the $700-900 range retail.
  • Replaceable sensor discs: in the $30-50 range retail.  We recommend that the disc be replaced at least every 30 days in order to maintain optimal accuracy."
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I have the same feelings about the cost of this thing. They're in an interesting spot as far as pricing goes with the only competition being existing test kits. I would definitely pay for the initial purchase if the disks were a bit cheaper. Maybe the disks will come in bulk packages that allow for cheaper long term use. Looks like a very well done Kickstarter though... I hope this makes it to the market soon and starts pushing other companies to keep up.

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I'll just sit back here and watch for a bit...

 

For that kind of an investment I want to see what some first adopters have to say after they've spent some time with it and see just how accurate the unit really is.

 

I'm not a fan of spending money on the notion of "it's amazing take our word for it" I'd rather pay a little more knowing exactly what I'm getting.

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 I hope this makes it to the market soon and starts pushing other companies to keep up.

 

From the sounds of things these guys have a laundry list of patents on the device and the technology itself so my guess is they're pricing it knowing they're not going to have any real competition in the foreseeable future.

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Biggest question is will they price themselves out of the market... 

I'd say probably not, given how well Ecotech's products sell, and they even have much cheaper alternatives.

 

And plenty of people will drop 900 bucks on an Apex controller, which provides some of the same kind of monitoring options. I imagine many people purchase an Apex largely for the ability to check on pH, temp, etc... remotely, which this thing will allow you to do.

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I'd say probably not, given how well Ecotech's products sell, and they even have much cheaper alternatives.

 

And plenty of people will drop 900 bucks on an Apex controller, which provides some of the same kind of monitoring options. I imagine many people purchase an Apex largely for the ability to check on pH, temp, etc... remotely, which this thing will allow you to do.

 

While I agree I think the $40 monthly costs to keep the unit up and running properly could be it's demise, I can see a lot of people purchasing these initially then selling once their over the monthly costs... I'm still open minded about it and I'm excited to see how good it really is. I won't be dropping that kind of coin on something I definitely don't have a huge need for until I see some real world results.

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I'd say probably not, given how well Ecotech's products sell, and they even have much cheaper alternatives.

 

And plenty of people will drop 900 bucks on an Apex controller, which provides some of the same kind of monitoring options. I imagine many people purchase an Apex largely for the ability to check on pH, temp, etc... remotely, which this thing will allow you to do.

The difference though is Apex will actually allow you to control something vs just monitor it. So in a sense to have true control they would either have to work together or you would have to be making your apex dose while monitoring the mindstream yourself. So it's hard to compare because you kind of need both to have full control.

 

Anyone catch how he said the sensor disks "can contain up to 10 optical sensors" and the price is going to range on disks from $30-50...Us reefers are going to be on the expensive end of that replacement cost (assuming they release a FW and SW version). Hope that's not the case but seemed fishy to me ;)

Edited by Blue Z Reef
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The difference though is Apex will actually allow you to control something vs just monitor it. So in a sense to have true control they would either have to work together or you would have to be making your apex dose while monitoring the mindstream yourself. So it's hard to compare because you kind of need both to have full control.

 

I agree. However, I think many people purchase Apex's because of its ability to conduct remote monitoring. I could be wrong here, but this is why I have considered getting an Apex myself. Most of my equipment components have their own "controllers," so that part of it is less important to me. As you suggest, I bet that this unit will be quickly made "Apex-ready" and used with the Apex as an ultimate controller/monitor. And, yikes, will that be spendy!

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While I agree I think the $40 monthly costs to keep the unit up and running properly could be it's demise, I can see a lot of people purchasing these initially then selling once their over the monthly costs... I'm still open minded about it and I'm excited to see how good it really is. I won't be dropping that kind of coin on something I definitely don't have a huge need for until I see some real world results.

I agree, let's get this into some reefers hands before everyone jumps on board. If there are going to be issues other than cost we will know within 6 months more than likely. I have waited this long what's another 6months to a year? If I knew 100% sure it is all its supposed to be I would drop the coin now. But for now I will wait with baited breath.

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Guest Bevo5

If this thing can talk to the apex then it's worth it for large systems for sure. Imagine something that can detect a major issue and then trigger the corrective action. That's kind of awesome.

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While initially I thought how cool this was and that it will be something I add into my arsenal of toys for my tank.....

 

Yesterday I was looking at my corals and thought OMFG how gorgeous are all these corals ;) Literally I sent pics to Rocky Mountain, Battle Corals, Cuttlefish and the list goes on, it was titled "Acro Porn" anyway back to my point/thought.

 

Say I had this "best thing since sliced bread" device and it gave a reading that made me want to "change" something and what if such change upset a certain coral that has looked terrific. Granted there is the converse and that change "may" be for the better, but what if......

 

So now I'm on the fence, maybe a great device for tanks that are so out of whack it helps point the reefer in the right direction.

 

Just a thought-

 

Now back to sending out more porn...... (Coral porn that is)

Edited by reefnjunkie
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