New CoverStar LCD Touch Pad

[wgipe]

Our pool build was finalized last year, which included a CoverStar cover with a WiFi Touch Pad. We had lots of problems with connectivity, false over-current messages every time the cover was opened or closed, etc. and CoverStar Central graciously offered to replace our Touch Pad with the new one they were developing as soon as it was released. I can't seem to find much about it online yet, so I've attached a few pictures here. It arrived today, and I just finished installing it. I must say it is an enormous improvement over the previous version. It appears that it still may be in beta based on the firmware upgrade procedure, but I would highly recommend waiting until it is available if you are planning a build this year. Any questions, I'd be glad to answer what I can.

 

[Foxer]

Does this let you open the cover with an app?

 

[wireform]

I can't see how this can be app operated. The keypad needs to be mounted in a manner that to operate it you need a direct line of view for safety so how would this even be safe to work with an app.

 

[wgipe]

Does this let you open the cover with an app?

It does not for the reason wireform stated.

 

[gingrbredman]

That looks like a pretty sweet updated version. Luckily, I haven't had the issues you had with the keypad, but would upgrade to that for sure if I needed one.

I am guessing the same process to add users and update via the web portal? Have you tested the notifications since installing it? Guessing the errors you have seen are gone now?

 

[wgillette]

Do you know how they refer to this new model of touch pad? I'm getting my cover installed now (they have to come back to install the touch pad). I just checked and I have the old one. I'd love to see if I could get the new one instead.

 

[wgipe]

Here's a pic of the box. Looks like it's Touch Screen Pool Cover Controller". Strange that there is still nothing out there on their site about it other than a random picture.

 

[wgillette]

Thanks Wes. I found it online here: Touch Screen Pool Cover Controller for $895, so it's definitely a price upgrade over the current touch pad. I'll wait and check in with you in a few more months to see how it's working for you.

Wes

 

[Foxer]

I just got my cover installed yesterday. They brought the wrong keypad, but I asked about the touch one when I ordered it and I want to say it was $4-500 more than the Wi-Fi touchpad I’m getting.

 

[wgipe]

I just got my cover installed yesterday. They brought the wrong keypad, but I asked about the touch one when I ordered it and I want to say it was $4-500 more than the Wi-Fi touchpad I’m getting.

Given my experience, I'd either pay the difference and upgrade or save a few bucks and drop back to the standard non-connected pad. The wifi chips etc on that old version is so old I had no choice but to set up a dedicated open 2.4ghz network to get the stupid thing to connect, and even then it was spotty at best.

 

[Foxer]

Hmmm... that is interesting, thanks for the info. They're coming back this friday to install it, so I guess I'll see how it goes. The main benefit I wanted is to know when my kids were opening/closing the pool. I can set up a separate network for it if I have to, I just don't want to be fighting it constantly, which is sounds like may be the case.

 

[gingrbredman]

I do like the notifications of the pool status from the wifi enabled keypad, but I also agree, it is spotty, at best. Sometimes it works, and I will get notified, and other times, like just last night, I got six messages in a row that my pool was closed. More times than not, it is not just one message about the opening or closing of the pool; it is either nothing, or mostly it is five or six or eight messages in a row, to both the numbers we have programmed.

 

[wgillette]

Oh boy, great. This sounds like fun. We wanted the touch pad for the same reason - knowing when the pool was open when the kids were around.

 

[wgipe]

I do like the notifications of the pool status from the wifi enabled keypad, but I also agree, it is spotty, at best. Sometimes it works, and I will get notified, and other times, like just last night, I got six messages in a row that my pool was closed. More times than not, it is not just one message about the opening or closing of the pool; it is either nothing, or mostly it is five or six or eight messages in a row, to both the numbers we have programmed.

This is exactly my experience with the old one. The new one has been very reliable. It sometimes takes 10 minutes or so to notify me (most times it's within a minute), but it has been very reliable. I also like that the firmware on the new unit can be upgraded so as issues are identified they can be resolved.

 

[Foxer]

I'll also have a camera out there to actually see the pool, so that will help. I don't know that I want to spend the extra money for the new version - this pool has been expensive enough already!

 

[an1vrsy]

I have a Cover Pools auto-cover. Nothing fancy, I must insert a key and turn it to open or close my cover. I don’t remember options other than the manual key.

I read above the wifi remote (for lack of a better term) to open must be line of sight. So you have to see the pool to open the cover via wifi? Is there a benefit I can’t imagine via wifi vs manual open?

 

[wgipe]

I'll also have a camera out there to actually see the pool, so that will help. I don't know that I want to spend the extra money for the new version - this pool has been expensive enough already!

Truth. It's a money pit. A super fun, super worth-it money pit. We forgot about every little issue and extra cost after a week of watching the kids live out there. Totally worth it - hang in there!

 

[Foxer]

The wifi does not allow you to open/close the cover. All it really does is send you notifications when someone opened or closed it. Instead of the key, it has a keypad you type a code into and you can multiple codes for different people. Their manuals say that you need to be line of sight to the entire pool, but that's just a safety thing.

 

[wgipe]

I have a Cover Pools auto-cover. Nothing fancy, I must insert a key and turn it to open or close my cover. I don’t remember options other than the manual key.

I read above the wifi remote (for lack of a better term) to open must be line of sight. So you have to see the pool to open the cover via wifi? Is there a benefit I can’t imagine via wifi vs manual open?

You can't control it by wifi. The wifi touch pad just sends you a text message when someone opens it, and you assign a unique code to each kid, so we know if and when a kid opens the pool and whether or not they recover it when done for safety.

 

[Foxer]

Truth. It's a money pit. A super fun, super worth-it money pit. We forgot about every little issue and extra cost after a week of watching the kids live out there. Totally worth it - hang in there!

Haha, yeah, I (mostly) knew what I was getting into. We've been in the pool the last few days after filling it last week, and it's been super fun!