Review: Ink Bird Itc-306t Temperature Controller
Ink Bird ITC-306T Temperature Controller
I was sent an Ink Bird ITC-306T Temperature Controller at the request of the manufacturer and asked to provide a review of the item. Despite being a freebie, I'll provide an honest opinion.
General outline: The ITC-306T handles heating only, it doesn't do cooling (so ignore the Cooling option on the picture in the link below). It has a timer function so you can run different temps between day and night if required.
The box: The box was appropriately sized, well packed and looked professional unlike some of the generic Chinese product we see on the market.
Shipping: I received the item within a couple of days of agreeing to review it. It was shipped within Australia, so there was product in the country ready to go.
Build quality: Out of the box, I was surprised at the build quality - it was sturdy enough, and of better quality than I was expecting. The cable quality is more than adequate, and comes with insulated Australian plugs. There is a mount lug on the top of the unit, and a couple of mount points on the back of the outlet so it too can be mounted if required. Main unit is a fraction large, but it does have pretty decent sized display, so if you like to be able to see the tank temp from a distance, or don't handle small displays, then this is a plus. No idea if its electrically certified to use here, but certainly it looks like it would (obviously if that's of concern to you, do your due diligence)
The Manual: The manual is surprisingly well written, certainly a lot better and legible than the usual poor photocopied translations we normally receive. You don't really need it for long.
Operation: Pretty straight forward - set your temp and off you go. You can calibrate it if the temps are a little out, etc. Fairly obvious stuff once you use it.
My experience: Out of the box I plugged it in, set it then moved it. The settings vanished - as it turns out if I had read the manual properly first, I'd have realised that the unit contains a capacitor that needs time to charge before it can store settings.
Once hooked up to my tank, I found the temp to be about 1C higher than the reading I was getting from my Seneye, at about 5cm from it. I calibrated the ITC-306T to about the same temp, then monitored it - so far its been about where it should be.
Overall: Honestly, I was expecting something pretty budget. What I received was a retail product, well packaged, sent and received quickly, with good instructions, was easy to use, and does exactly what it says it does. If you need a controller that's completely self contained, and doesn't require any 240V DIY (like the popular STC-1000s), then this is a great alternative. Retails for about $50, but the dealer is offering a discount to the group for $42.49 with free postage.The link tells you its for a FB promo (on Victorian Marine Aquariuim Buy Swap Sell actually), but no reason you can't take them up on that offer anyway.
Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in the product or manufacturer; I have done no due diligence on the product; I've provided nothing more than my honest opinion of the product.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/223255771991
I was sent an Ink Bird ITC-306T Temperature Controller at the request of the manufacturer and asked to provide a review of the item. Despite being a freebie, I'll provide an honest opinion.
General outline: The ITC-306T handles heating only, it doesn't do cooling (so ignore the Cooling option on the picture in the link below). It has a timer function so you can run different temps between day and night if required.
The box: The box was appropriately sized, well packed and looked professional unlike some of the generic Chinese product we see on the market.
Shipping: I received the item within a couple of days of agreeing to review it. It was shipped within Australia, so there was product in the country ready to go.
Build quality: Out of the box, I was surprised at the build quality - it was sturdy enough, and of better quality than I was expecting. The cable quality is more than adequate, and comes with insulated Australian plugs. There is a mount lug on the top of the unit, and a couple of mount points on the back of the outlet so it too can be mounted if required. Main unit is a fraction large, but it does have pretty decent sized display, so if you like to be able to see the tank temp from a distance, or don't handle small displays, then this is a plus. No idea if its electrically certified to use here, but certainly it looks like it would (obviously if that's of concern to you, do your due diligence)
The Manual: The manual is surprisingly well written, certainly a lot better and legible than the usual poor photocopied translations we normally receive. You don't really need it for long.
Operation: Pretty straight forward - set your temp and off you go. You can calibrate it if the temps are a little out, etc. Fairly obvious stuff once you use it.
My experience: Out of the box I plugged it in, set it then moved it. The settings vanished - as it turns out if I had read the manual properly first, I'd have realised that the unit contains a capacitor that needs time to charge before it can store settings.
Once hooked up to my tank, I found the temp to be about 1C higher than the reading I was getting from my Seneye, at about 5cm from it. I calibrated the ITC-306T to about the same temp, then monitored it - so far its been about where it should be.
Overall: Honestly, I was expecting something pretty budget. What I received was a retail product, well packaged, sent and received quickly, with good instructions, was easy to use, and does exactly what it says it does. If you need a controller that's completely self contained, and doesn't require any 240V DIY (like the popular STC-1000s), then this is a great alternative. Retails for about $50, but the dealer is offering a discount to the group for $42.49 with free postage.The link tells you its for a FB promo (on Victorian Marine Aquariuim Buy Swap Sell actually), but no reason you can't take them up on that offer anyway.
Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in the product or manufacturer; I have done no due diligence on the product; I've provided nothing more than my honest opinion of the product.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/223255771991
