Vortech & Tunze killers

[Mando77]

Just read this. Blows me away. Don't see how Vortech and Tunze can compete with this. I have always wondered why in the world Voretch cost so much. The product is way over priced. We are talking about plastic, magnet and a simple computer. Even though this product is made in China I am glad to see something like this.

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2013/03/19/jebao-wp40/

[Coral Hind]

Wow, they totally copied Tunze's design on that one! I would think Tunze would go after them legally for that.

[steveoutlaw]

Vortech and Tunze cost so much because of all the RD&E that goes into them. Somebody didn't just buy some plastic and magnets and all of a sudden there was a Vortech. They have to pay their bills.........it's free enterprise at its finest.

[Guest]

I like vortech and have their products, but now way to justify $450 for something that only moves water. I give them credit for RD, but by now they have to be laughing at everyone for buying their products. If it were not for stupid patent laws vortech would have be an after thought by now. I say open the doors for more compition and let companies fight to make better products. I honestly can't wait to see the Jabeo hit the market.

[wade]

http://wamas.org/forums/topic/55518-possible-tunze-stream-and-ecotech-vortech-kill/

[howaboutme]

Vortech and Tunze cost so much because of all the RD&E that goes into them. Somebody didn't just buy some plastic and magnets and all of a sudden there was a Vortech. They have to pay their bills.........it's free enterprise at its finest.

 

And...they've been out for some time. Parts get cheaper, manufacturing gets more efficient. Some of that should be felt by the consumer. The problem is...Ecotech products are considerd a luxury item/brand. People will pay to have luxury. Why do people buy Tumi when a Samsonite will do? Or (insert another analogy like cars).......

[wade]

I've still not seen anything develop (Chinese knock-off or domestic) that can really compete with the Vortech - they all still have (oftentimes not UL tested) electrical cords and bulk going into the display tank. The idea was so novel, they deserve to run with it. And as to production getting cheaper... it only gets cheaper with volume, not time. Many specialized machine parts don't even drop with volume (machine run time remains fixed).

[trockafella]

As long as a cord goes into the tank its NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING A VORTECH KILLER.... Im sure there customer service is top notch too, probably blows away ecotech there too... Another crappy cheap chinese junk product.

[scott711]

As long as a cord goes into the tank its NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING A VORTECH KILLER.... Im sure there customer service is top notch too, probably blows away ecotech there too... Another crappy cheap chinese junk product.

 

Ecotech has a patent on that technology(magnet on each side of tank driving the pump), so it can't be copied legally.

[wade]

Considering the linked item looks just like a Tunze... I don't think they legally are in the clear on it either. Perhaps. But not necessarily.

[howaboutme]

As long as a cord goes into the tank its NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING A VORTECH KILLER.... Im sure there customer service is top notch too, probably blows away ecotech there too... Another crappy cheap chinese junk product.

 

Very true..the cord outside of the tank is a nice invention. The question each consumer has to make is is it worth an extra $400 or so?

 

and...don't you have to replace the water side every couple of years? How much is that? For the price of an MP40, I'd expect not to have to replace anything after just a couple of years.

[Der ABT]

ive had an mp40 for like 3 years now, same wetside....only time it breaks is when i clean something and its usually a plastic piece.

 

i know you can do the bearing replacement and its suppsoed to quiet them down but luckily i havent had any really need that yet.

 

dont understand buying the 400 mp40 vs buying a used one at 300-325....just to have a newer controller that is NOT needed.

 

they are nice and have a very different flow than most

 

Tunze...i have 2 6080s that are about 10 years old and still going strong....its amazing how long those things will work for.

[roni]

Nothing beats a Tunze for longevity, performance and ease of maintenance. I have to clean my mp60s every 2 months or they fail. I still haven't cleaned my 6155 (1.5 years)...which probably means I should

[BowieReefer84]

Nothing beats a Tunze for longevity, performance and ease of maintenance. I have to clean my mp60s every 2 months or they fail. I still haven't cleaned my 6155 (1.5 years)...which probably means I should

Agreed. Moving to Tunze has been great.

[jaddc]

Econ 101 and capitalism folks.

 

Companies will always charge as much as consumers are willing to pay. As long as hobbyists will pay $$$$ for a cleaner look, then why would Ecotech lower their prices? Is that not the American Dream? Invent something or have a specialized skill and then make as much money as the free hand of capitalism will allow?

 

Ecotech will lower prices only when someone else takes the time and resources to make a similar product (no cords in the water). Until then, the owners are living the American Dream so we can't fault them for that -- or are you a (dun dun dun) socialist?

Edited March 20, 2013 by jaddc

[trockafella]

I have nothing against Tunze, ive owned them as well.. Imo I pay for the cleanliness and capabilities of the Vortech.. Sure 400(for an MP40, 235 for an MP10) sounds like a lot, but in the grand scheme of a reef tank it really isnt that bad. They last, they can be repaired, they have great customer service and they dont have ugly cords coming out of the tank everywhere. I see people spending $100+ on tiny frags that might die, 400 for a great piece of equipment that will last for years, seems like a fine deal to me..

[flooddc]

Ecotech has a patent on that technology(magnet on each side of tank driving the pump), so it can't be copied legally.

They have multiple patents pending??

Companies infringed on patents on daily basis. There are lots and lots of monies and yearssss involved (lawyers!!!) to settle.

Edited March 20, 2013 by flooddc

[flooddc]

Sorry to hi-jack your post!

ah! found one of their patent. I supposed this is the reason why it's hard for them to pursue another company when someone else is breathing down they neck!

http://glassbox-design.com/2011/ecotech-marine-patent-reexam/

[steveoutlaw]

I've used Vortechs and I've used Tunze. It's all opinion, but to me the Vortechs were loud and their customer service sucked (to the point of not honoring a warranty request filed 1 day after warranty expiration). I've owned MP10s and MP40s and both of them continuously whined. In fact I've never seen a Vortech on a tank that didn't make that whining noise. My Tunzes are silent.......to the point of having to put your ear up to the magnet to get any hint of noise. Wire's in the tank simply aren't a big deal to me, but as I said before, it's all opinion. Folks are going to buy what they like.

[howaboutme]

Sorry to hi-jack your post!

ah! found one of their patent. I supposed this is the reason why it's hard for them to pursue another company when someone else is breathing down they neck!

http://glassbox-desi...-patent-reexam/

 

Thanks for the research.

 

Kind of reminds me of Apple and Samsung but to a lesser extent of course. Samsung is now number 1. We'll see if Ecotech (and Tunze) will respond to the stuff happening from abroad by 1) litigation or 2) lowering prices.

[MBVette]

Steve. That sucks about the warranty, I have had a few issues with my old ones (before the tank fire) and they fixed things long after the warranty.

 

I won't argue mp40's make a little noise. But honestly my pump and skimmer hum as well, and they are not loud e ouch to bother me. But they are going to be louder than a tunze bc the tunze's motor is inside the tank where the water will defuse the sound where the mp40's is outside the tank so of course you will hear it.