Thank you for the suggestions. I added all to the tracker. I will not be the one to dismiss any idea, I'm just compiling everything so RK can take our many various inputs and do as they see fit.I have a few suggestions I'd like RK to consider. Firstly, my friend Mark Twayne, who is a developer and was granted API access to build his system, offered to build mine as well. I applied for this last week. It would be great to have a portal for this process instead of waiting. I understand that RK would have to cover the cost for AWS, but this will definitely attract more potential clients.
Secondly, regarding device features, I hope I'm not suggesting features that are already planned for future upgrades, but it would be better regardless, it would be best to have a dimming or off switch for the device's LED that could be controlled via the app, or a physical on/off switch.
I understand the reasons for using 3D printed parts for cover-ups, but I'd recommend considering stainless steel or aluminum for a more professional look.
Additionally, a larger testing chamber that could accommodate probes like temperature, salinity, and pH, as shown in RK's RAP, would be a significant improvement.
Furthermore, concerning communication, RK's current devices have communication ports, but we've been eagerly awaiting the doser for some time. In my opinion, a device that is being showcased in all showrooms for several years should have already been available in the market by now. I know a beta user who has had it since COVID, and it's still running without any issues.
Now, regarding values and certain tests, many users, including myself, use the RB lab to test nitrates and phosphates as fixed parameters. In my experience, for these two parameters, I trust Hanna's test kits, which unfortunately are not available for use with the RB lab. My second choice is Salifert, but it's not available for Nitrate or Phosphate testing with the RB lab. This leaves me with the Redsea phosphate test, which, in my opinion, is quite unstable, along with TM or API Nitrate tests. Adding Hanna's and Salifert tests would be more important, in my opinion, than adding new parameters and tests that we see updated semi-weekly in the tests tab.
Lastly, regarding the dosing syringe, while it eliminates the need for frequent chamber calibrations, why not consider replacing both syringes with stepper pumps for collecting and draining water and reagents? This change could make the device smaller in size, and the tests would take only a few minutes. I believe this is something RK should seriously consider.
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestions. I wish RK all the best and want you to know that I'm a very satisfied customer. In the case of new products, I would certainly be a loyal customer, which is why I'm sharing these ideas. I'll continue to provide more ideas whenever they come to mind.
I feel your pain on the API access. It was at least mine and one others main points that made the Bot viable for our ecosystems. Myself and the other member have both applied for access back in August and have yet to hear anything official from the email request, it was just never answered, bad on RK (the company, not the forum member) in that sense. Until bringing up in the forum Reef Kinetics and via @HadyOsaily in DMs answered that it was undergoing some change, or update or something. It is frustrating when so many other devices provide API support out of the box and doesn't require you to request it.
As RK already replied, I closed out the stepper pump suggestion, but listed it regardless. Maybe the idea will lead to some other kind of ingenuitive idea. @Reef Kinetics While it would be a major design change and couldn't be implemented in the current Bot, but maybe something along the lines of each reagent has it's own pump and instead of the syringes on the carriage that moves, the testing chamber moves below each reagent so that it could be pumped into the chamber. Would minimize the need to rinse syringes. Hardest part would be getting the steppers to drop exactly the precise amounts required for each test.
My idea if they was going to add probe capability it would be via connector or breakout board that will sit in your sump or some other container connected to your system. That way they can keep read all the time vs having to pump water through the Bot. Regardless good idea and was added.
Again, thank you and these are all great ideas, even if they aren't feasible or implementable, at least they were pitched and answered. Possibly giving them ideas for future updates or future products.