For quite sometime I have been using the Elos Osmocontroller II on the 2 office aquariums (a system mini and a system 160) and I love these top off controllers. From a users stand point there is little that needs to be done with these, provided it is set up right from the beginning. Prior to Elos entering the US market, Elos had various different level controllers and I really felt the osmocontroller II was hard to beat because it just works. About a year ago, in a talk with Nick in Italy, we discussed a new osmocontroller that was being tested and I was immediately against it. Well that was until I got a sample of the proposed new unit. The new Osmocontroller Digital immediately impressed me. When I received it the first thing I noticed was the new "main unit".
It was small with slots on each side of the case to easily mount it , it had colored LEDs and a "M" (manual) button that is now flush with the rest of the front. In general, a very clean small unit that gave visual feedback that the Osmocontroller II did not.
The next thing was the probe. Dealing with getting the patent applications done with our attorney, I got to know a lot more than I probably cared to about the probe and the controllers interaction with the new probe but the main benefit is a probe that is very small, USB connectable and best of all has NO MOVING PARTS. As we all have seen in the past, most if not all level controls use some form of a float switch, either as a back up to a sensor or the main part of the level control. Even the previous osmocontroller II uses a float switch as the main level indicator and uses the microprocessor as the "back up" system to ensure the float, among other things, is working properly at maintaining the proper level. Inherent with all float switches is the ability for them to "stick", be effected by small waves, be effected by magnets near them and their need to be cleaned periodically. With the previous version of the Osmocontroller we addressed these issues by monitoring the float switch with a microprocessor that would alarm if anything from, a wave, a snail crawling on the float, the pump, etc. was going wrong. After selling many of these units with our systems and individually I can say, the osmocontroller II is a fantastic level controller, which is why I was so skeptical about the change. Now with the new Osmocontroller Digital we greatly improved this float to a patent pending probe with no moving parts. While the microprocessor is still the "watchdog" for the system, it now has a lighter workload.
The only thing that I could really say bad about the previous osmocontroller is that it had no visual indicators, only audible indicators and that made it difficult to check at a glance if it was working properly and on the occasion that you need to adjust it you had to listen for beeps. Thankfully it was and has been very reliable, so most do as I do with my Osmocontroller II and simply take it for granted and it just continues to work.
So now with the new probe, that has no moving parts and needs no cover, we have greatly improved on what could be the "weak link". On top of the probe, we have added a much improved interface for your level controller that is both smaller and easier to mount but also much easier to check at a glance to make sure your level controller is working as it should be. Aside from the functionality, the unit and the new probe just looks very cool.
The Osmocontroller Digital sells for $194.99 and comes with the power supply (that now has a separate power supply, no "wall wart"), the main unit with pump (that can be easily removed and replaced), USB connectable probe, mounting part for the probe with zip ties, instructions and an elos warranty card. We will receive these later this month or the first week in August in a small quantity, with more available in September. Contact your Elos dealer or us for information on ordering information.
