本帖最后由 eKoral智能控制 于 2018-5-30 23:32 编辑
MACNA 2017: EKoral Aquarium Controller 如今的智能水族控制器市场已经是少数几个品牌的天下，新进的品牌几乎已经没有立足的空间。 许多厂商都曾经尝试过，不过最后大多都壮烈牺牲了。但并不是因为现有品牌有垄断市场的恶劣行为，而是现有品牌如 Apex和GHL受到消费者的信任和支持。若新进品牌想要成功，就必须带给市场一个有冲击性的商品，要有崭新的硬件设计及支持云端的功能。2017年的MACNA展会就出现了这样的一个商品—eKoral。
In an aquarium controller market dominated by a handful of devices from just a few manufacturers, it is extremely hard for a new company to establish its name and to compete with a new, unknown product. Many have tried, most have failed. It’s not because there is some kind of tightly-regulated monopoly where new competitors are swept under the rug, but rather, the existing aquarium “computers”, like Neptune Systems’ Apex, GHL Profilux, and a few others are excellent devices people swear by for functionality and reliability. To achieve any amount of success, a newcomer to the market needs to bring a complete, almost ready to hit the shelves device that’s backed with its own hardware and infrastructure cloud based interface. One such device was presented at MACNA 2017 – it is called EKoral, it comes from Taiwan, and the least I can say about it is- it is really interesting!
从基本面来看， eKoral的外观和操作与市面上的智能水族控制器大同小异。eKoral的主机称为eK Core，负责联结包括pH、温度、ORP和盐度的电极。还有一个6孔6控的10A智能排插eK Power 6。以及如水位侦测器和相机的配件。主机的外观设计非常典雅，黑色的铝合金盒配有LED指示灯及配件插孔。最难能可贵的是它还内置WiFi和蓝牙进行并支持云端更新，以及开放第三方产品的兼容使用。
In essence, Ekoral looks and operates like any other full-fledged aquarium controller. It has a base unit, called eK Core, to which all the peripherals connect to, a set of probes for measuring pH, temperature, ORP and salinity, a power strip named eK Power 6 with 6 independently controlled, 10Amp rated outlets, and a few accessories like a camera and water level sensor. Ekoral Core is an elegant box with indicator LEDs built in front and all connection ports located on the bottom. It also has built in WiFi and Bluetooth for updates, wireless communication with third party devices, and for syncing with eKoral’s proprietary, cloud-based control platform. 在与他们的公司代表的对谈里，我了解到他们产品设计初衷是希望提供一个强调友善的人机接口，尽可能地消除程序设计的控制器，将所有必要的侦测器和探棒包含在产品中，并希望可以更容易被第三方水族用品制造商采用，将eKoral列入兼容的智能控制器里。
实质上， eKoral已经与很多知名品牌合作，如Reef Octopus,Kessil, AquaticLife, Tunze等。eKoral的智能控制器已经能支持这些品牌大部分的商品。
During my conversation with eKoral representatives, I learned that the basic idea behind their product was to invent a controller that eliminates as much programming as possible, has all the necessary sensors and probes included in the package, and is built on an infrastructure that can be expanded and easy to adopt by third party manufacturers who wish to include eKoral to the list of supported aquarium controllers. In fact, EKoral’s compatibility certificate program for third party devices already has an impressive list of products that are guaranteed compatible with eKoral controller. Brands like Reef Octopus, Kessil, AquaticLife, Tunze, and others all have at least one device in their catalog that are certified to communicate with eKoral.
我没有太多时间测试他们的软件。不过从我短暂的测试过程，可以看出软件的设计非常人性化，操作起来非常容易，而且有教学步骤。软件内的信息也非常丰富，水质侦测的图表及数值都一目了然。
eKoral的水位侦测器非常值得提出来探讨一下。有别于以往水位侦测都是利用浮球的方式测量，他们利用超声波技术侦测水位，提供使用者一个持续性的量测数值，并可长时间记录水位的变化。
很高兴能够看到一款功能齐全的智能水族控制器加入市场，因此，eKoral获得了我们 2017“最佳产品”奖。 I did not play with the cloud based interface for very long, but at first glance, the platform looked intuitive and easy to follow. There are basic functions like programming the outlets and sensors, done in a simple visual form with sliders and step by step instructions, as well as dedicated tabs for probe readings graphs and power usage charts.
One unique gadget eKoral features is a water level sensor that sits above the water line and uses ultrasound to monitor water level, as opposed to an optical element or a float switch seen in other water sensors. The latter can only tell when the water level comes in contact with their inner mechanism, but eKoral Sensor monitors the water level constantly and can record changes in the tank’s water column throughout the day.
eKoral comes out in the month of October and will be sold in three levels: Basic, Pro, and Elite. I didn’t receive any details about what’s included in each version and in terms of pricing; only the mid-level Pro version price, which is $899, has been revealed.
It’s good to see a new player in the aquarium controller market coming out with a complete, fully functional product. For that reason, eKoral received our “Best of Show” award.
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发表于 2018-6-9 19:30:36
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来自： 中国河北石家庄
发表于 2018-5-30 18:56:16
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来自： 中国广西
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发表于 2018-5-31 23:26:11
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来自： 中国台湾
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