Reiff Cellular Remote Control

[Reiff Preheat Systems]

First visit and post.  A customer told us about this thread and suggested we respond.

 

Last year we tested some of these devices and recognized how they tremendously improve the convenience of using our preheat systems.  We investigated a dealer arrangement with some of the other cell switch suppliers.  We found none that were satisfactory.  Wattage capacities were too small to handle a twin.  No LED's to indicate the switch and network status.  Price too high. Etc. So we went to the major manufacturer of the devices and they custom built a model to our specifications.   We buy a lot of them so we get a good price, then we resell them at our cost to our customers who purchase or have purchased one of our preheat systems.  The manufacturer, being much more knowledgeable about their product than any reseller can be, handles the tech support and 1 yr warranty, just as would be the case if you buy something like this from Amazon.  Their servicing of our customers who needed it (about 5%) has been prompt and sincere.   

 

The customer referred to in Canada, sent his switch back to us because he thought it was defective.  We set it up properly and thoroughly tested it and found no problem with it, and sent it back at his request.  He still could not get it to work, so bought another brand.  He then requested a replacement of ours, which the manufacturer handled.

 

We do not have an APP.  You put the switch's phone number into your phone's contact list with the name "Cell Switch".  Call the switch and it goes on, and sends you a confirming text "RELAY ON".  Call it again and it goes off, and sends a confirming text "RELAY OFF".  Not sure how an APP would simplify that.

 

If any of our preheater customers who want a remote control feel that another product offers something ours doesn't, by all means they should choose the product that best meets their needs.  We are only offering ours to provide a more affordable option, to encourage use of the devices and make our preheat systems easier to use.  We will not try to convince someone to get ours instead of some other brand.  We make nothing on it, so we don't really care what brand you get.  In fact, we even put links to other units in our web site to make it easy for our customers to shop around and find the one they like the best.

 

We do ask that our company or product not be denigrated simply because tech support and warranty on this item is through the manufacturer rather than us.  The vast majority of comments we get are appreciative of the fact that we use our buying power to get them a $300 switch for $89, and they have no problem accepting the manufacturer's service in return.  If you want someone else to install your SIM card, and you want 24/7 phone support, our switch is not the best choice for you.  If you can follow the illustrated instructions in our web site for installing the SIM yourself, and on-line tech support is ok, then you can save some loot with ours.  Your choice.  As Nobel economist Milton Friedman said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

 

Thanks for reading.    

[Marauder]

First visit and post. A customer told us about this thread and suggested we respond.

Last year we tested some of these devices and recognized how they tremendously improve the convenience of using our preheat systems. We investigated a dealer arrangement with some of the other cell switch suppliers. We found none that were satisfactory. Wattage capacities were too small to handle a twin. No LED's to indicate the switch and network status. Price too high. Etc. So we went to the major manufacturer of the devices and they custom built a model to our specifications. We buy a lot of them so we get a good price, then we resell them at our cost to our customers who purchase or have purchased one of our preheat systems. The manufacturer, being much more knowledgeable about their product than any reseller can be, handles the tech support and 1 yr warranty, just as would be the case if you buy something like this from Amazon. Their servicing of our customers who needed it (about 5%) has been prompt and sincere.

The customer referred to in Canada, sent his switch back to us because he thought it was defective. We set it up properly and thoroughly tested it and found no problem with it, and sent it back at his request. He still could not get it to work, so bought another brand. He then requested a replacement of ours, which the manufacturer handled.

We do not have an APP. You put the switch's phone number into your phone's contact list with the name "Cell Switch". Call the switch and it goes on, and sends you a confirming text "RELAY ON". Call it again and it goes off, and sends a confirming text "RELAY OFF". Not sure how an APP would simplify that.

If any of our preheater customers who want a remote control feel that another product offers something ours doesn't, by all means they should choose the product that best meets their needs. We are only offering ours to provide a more affordable option, to encourage use of the devices and make our preheat systems easier to use. We will not try to convince someone to get ours instead of some other brand. We make nothing on it, so we don't really care what brand you get. In fact, we even put links to other units in our web site to make it easy for our customers to shop around and find the one they like the best.

We do ask that our company or product not be denigrated simply because tech support and warranty on this item is through the manufacturer rather than us. The vast majority of comments we get are appreciative of the fact that we use our buying power to get them a $300 switch for $89, and they have no problem accepting the manufacturer's service in return. If you want someone else to install your SIM card, and you want 24/7 phone support, our switch is not the best choice for you. If you can follow the illustrated instructions in our web site for installing the SIM yourself, and on-line tech support is ok, then you can save some loot with ours. Your choice. As Nobel economist Milton Friedman said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Thanks for reading.

I think the visceral response you saw here towards your offering was based on the disclaimer posted above from your website. Regardless of whether you support the product directly or through an OEM arrangement, the verbiage used to describe your responsibilities was done poorly. Made it sound like you were distancing yourself. And no consumer wants to be caught in that scenario (i.e. Who will support me?).

It would have been more effective from a marketing perspective if the "disclaimers" weren't there and a clear support statement was. "We are providing support for this product through the manufacturer. You can reach them by calling XXX or emailing YYY".

As for the app. The problem with just using the telephone number is getting confirmation that it went through. The app does that by sending back a text message showing me the status of the switch. I can also query both the switch status as well as the signal strength to the switch. Another thing SwitchBox does is block errant calls. After I installed it, I did not set up a "white list" and came to the airport several times to find the pre-heater running. A quick email to SwitchBox and they pointed out the part of the instruction I didn't read about how to do block callers other than me. Seems my pay as I go number might have been previously owned by a popular person.

As for your product; I purchased the Turbo XP and do love the quick and uniform heating. Certainly beats lugging out propane tanks, ducts and torpedo heaters.

[Reiff Preheat Systems]

What's posted above from our web site hasn't been on our web site for a long time. 

 

All the functions you're crediting to the APP are actually standard features on all of the cell switches we've looked at, including ours (see User Manual that can be downloaded from our web site).  They are accomplished by either phone call, or by text command. The APP just creates a user interface between your phone and the cell switch. 

[carusoam]

I like Phillip. Were on a first name basis. He flys a Mooney. His products are tested on Mooneys. We get a full disclosure of the tests and how they are done.

I might have a Reiff system on my plane, but i don't know Mr. Reiff. I don't expect that I ever will by the way this thread is going.

If Mr. Reiff would like to post some data about his products mounted or used on a Mooney, I would be interested in reading about it.

If you are selling commercial products, you might start by introducing yourself and your company.

Best regards,

-a-

[SkyBound]

All,

 

A second PIREP on the Reiff heater installed on my Mooney 231 used with the cell switch they promote.  The product has been working well and the cell switch was simple to set-up and use.  The combination has worked perfectly for my needs.  I send a text to the switch 8-12 hours before my flight, depending on the forecasted OAT, arrive at the hangar to find a warm engine - all cylinders about 90 degrees and oil at about 110.  I have gotten great support from Reiff during and after my purchase.

 

The switch does send a text message back when it's activated, whether activation is performed by a phone call or a text message.  One can query the switch to see its status with a text message, check on the cell signal strength, etc.  It also has the capability to set-up whitelists to make sure that only certain numbers can activate and administer the switch.

 

Feel free to PM me if you would like additional details.

 

--Alex

[PTK]

Let's get something straight folks.

The GSM switch offered by Reiff is testament to their continued commitment to customer care.

Reiff is not in the GSM switch business. They're in the preheat systems business and their products are second to none.

Reiff offers this cellular remote switch at cost to help their customers utilize their preheaters with that much more flexibility and convenience.

They do so unselfishly at cost, quietly through their website and with full honesty.

Not through spam advertising in various aviation forums self proclaiming "inventions" that are not theirs.

I do not own the switch they offer because I had configured mine before I realized they had it. But I do have the Reiff standard system on my plane. It works flawlessly.

I have had the pleasure of speaking on the phone with Debbie and Bob and the good folks at Reiff on a few occasions. They're always there to answer any questions and help in any way they can. There is nothing more that I could want.

I am very grateful. Thank you Reiff.

[larryb]

I have a Reiff cell switch, have had it a whole week now. Overall I'm quite please with the value of the product. It works well. Function has been rock-solid in my testing. There were a couple of assembly issues in my unit. Here's my review, both good and bad points.

 

First the bad points:

 

1)  The wire nut for the power cable was loose and the outer jacket insulation was exposed. This was easy enough to fix, the power cable wires are terminated with screw terminals. But it is sloppy.

 

2)   For the screw terminal that connects the wire to the output plug, half of the strands of the wire were not inserted in the screw terminal. Once again, sloppy assembly.

 

3)  The power cable is very very stiff. Especially when it's cold, the operating environment the switch is used in. This is sort of a pet peeve of mine, I dislike stiff power cords. I replaced the cord myself with a more flexible one.

 

Now the good points:

 

1)   The unit has a backup battery. This was un-expected. That means it can detect a power fail and txt you that power is down, and txt you again when power is restored.

 

2)   The unit remembers the previous state, even if the battery is not installed. So if power is lost and restored, the switch state will be the same after the power returns.

 

3)   I use txt msg to turn it on and off. The unit responds with a confirmation txt. I don't see how an app would make it any easier. I just cut/paste a previous txt.

[IndyTim]

I just got my Reiff/Witura switch up and running yesterday.  It took me probably 3-4 hours of on/off work to get everything going.  Some of that was due to issues with T-Mobile's Prepaid Card activation process which frankly left much to be desired.  But that's not an issue with Reiff or Witura.

 

I work in technology for a living, and I generally don't have much difficulty working with stuff like this, but given that I'm getting impatient and distractable in my advancing years it took me a few false starts and an email to tech support at witura.com before I had the switch working.  

 

PIREP:

 

0. There are no indicator lights on the outside of the unit, to tell you that it's ready to receive an activation call.  There IS a big blue light that illuminates after the unit has been switched to ON and is providing power.  But there is no visible sign on the outside surface of the unit to tell you that it's ready to go. I find that irritating and inconvenient.  Especially since it was somewhat challenging to set up and get working to begin with.  Essentially, the only way to tell whether you've configured it correctly, and plugged in the right connectors etc, and haven't messed anything up screwing the cover back down, is to actually turn the unit on, or SMS text it for status.  This is a feature I would add to the product, immediately, if it were in my power.  And I would make sure that light glowed green only when the unit had been fully configured with SIM, battery, connectors, and the correct SMS configuration commands.

 

1. 6 screws must be unscrewed to get in and out of the unit to install SIM card and plug in the backup battery.  I think I unscrewed and screwed in those screws 60 times in the last 24 hours.

 

2. The SIM card must not be a micro SIM.  The unit wants the older, full-sized one.  If you go to T-Mobile and get a prepaid SIM card as Reiff's info recommends, you'll end up a with micro SIM.  That won't work -- be sure to get the little adapter that converts the micro to a full-size SIM.  Undocumented feature, as far as I can tell.  The adapter was free from Walmart, and I feel fortunate that the guy behind the counter there thought to ask me about it, and threw in the adapter to be safe.

 

3. Opening the unit I received, there were two electrical leads that were not connected: one for the backup battery, and another one that looks like a 12V out.  Or something - doesn't matter. Just plug in the battery lead - if you plug in the 2nd lead the unit won't activate.  Don't ask me how I know this.

 

4. Once you have everything set up correctly, which means by now you may have unscrewed and screwed the 6-screw cover about 9 times unless you were smart enough to leave it off until it was really, truly working, you can activate and test the unit.

 

5. When I first tested the unit with a phone call, it would turn on, then immediately back off.  It would not stay on.  In Reiff's Manual Supplement, it says:  "Telephone call – without timer:  Send this text command: *PSSW12345*RLY=ON.   Instructs the relay switch to stay ON permanently when you call it."    I had to do this, and once I did it the unit would stay on when I called it.

 

6. Also in the Manuals Supplement, I discovered that it's possible to activate/deactivate power with SMS.  Those commands are *PSSW12345*RLYP=ON* to turn it on and *PSSW12345*RLYP=OFF* to turn it off.  That assumes you did not change the default password of "12345".  Neither this feature nor #5 above are covered in the base manual, so be sure to get and read both the base manual and the supplement.

 

 

Now that it's up and running, I'm pleased with it.  Pretty darned cool, to be able to turn on preheat over at the hanger.  I've still got it at home, playing with it, and I use it to surreptitiously turn off my wife's desk lamp while she's working.  No end to the fun and games you could have with this thing.

 

Edit: 12/9/2013 7:12pm:  

Just a note on T-Mobile: my prepaid account has been setup with voicemail and not at my request.  So at this point the unit is not responding to calls since they are rolling straight over to voicemail.  I have yet to call T-Mobile and reconfigure the phone service.  Make sure you attend to this on your call to your cellular provider, and deactivate voicemail.

[Marauder]

I just got my Reiff/Witura switch up and running yesterday. It took me probably 3-4 hours of on/off work to get everything going. Some of that was due to issues with T-Mobile's Prepaid Card activation process which frankly left much to be desired. But that's not an issue with Reiff or Witura.

I work in technology for a living, and I generally don't have much difficulty working with stuff like this, but given that I'm getting impatient and distractable in my advancing years it took me a few false starts and an email to tech support at witura.com before I had the switch working.

PIREP:

1. 6 screws must be unscrewed to get in and out of the unit to install SIM card and plug in the backup battery.

2. The SIM card must not be a micro SIM. The unit wants the older, full-sized one. If you go to T-Mobile and get a prepaid SIM card as Reiff's info recommends, you'll end up a with micro SIM. That won't work -- be sure to get the little adapter that converts the micro to a full-size SIM. Undocumented feature, as far as I can tell. The adapter was free from Walmart, and I feel fortunate that the guy behind the counter there thought to ask me about it, and threw in the adapter to be safe.

3. Opening the unit I received, there were two electrical leads that were not connected: one for the backup battery, and another one that looks like a 12V out. Or something - doesn't matter. Just plug in the battery lead - if you plug in the 2nd lead the unit won't activate. Don't ask me how I know this.

4. Once you have everything set up correctly, which means by now you may have unscrewed and screwed the 6-screw cover about 9 times unless you were smart enough to leave it off until it was really, truly working, you can activate and test the unit.

5. When I first tested the unit with a phone call, it would turn on, then immediately back off. It would not stay on. In Reiff's Manual Supplement, it says: "Telephone call – without timer: Send this text command: *PSSW12345*RLY=ON. Instructs the relay switch to stay ON permanently when you call it." I had to do this, and once I did it the unit would stay on when I called it.

6. Also in the Manuals Supplement, I discovered that it's possible to activate/deactivate power with SMS. Those commands are *PSSW12345*RLYP=ON* to turn it on and *PSSW12345*RLYP=OFF* to turn it off. That assumes you did not change the default password of "12345". Neither this feature nor #5 above are covered in the base manual, so be sure to get and read both the base manual and the supplement.

Now that it's up and running, I'm pleased with it. Pretty darned cool, to be able to turn on preheat over at the hanger. I've still got it at home, playing with it, and I use it to surreptitiously turn off my wife's desk lamp while she's working. No end to the fun and games you could have with this thing.

Tim -- can you block telephone numbers? I had an issue with the pre-paid number I had being very active. You can create a "white list" on the SwitchBox to block everyone except you. Can this be done with this system?

[IndyTim]

Tim -- can you block telephone numbers? I had an issue with the pre-paid number I had being very active. You can create a "white list" on the SwitchBox to block everyone except you. Can this be done with this system?

Yes.  I have it set up currently so that it only responds to my own cell #.  I'll add some family members' numbers (up to 5 additional authorized users are supported) so I can still control it in the event I lose my phone.  

[PeytonM]

I had looked at these switches over the past few years, but couldn't justify the cost. I spotted the Reiff on their website. In spite of their warranty disclaimer (which I took tonge-in-cheek), I figured I could buy two or three for the same price as the more expensive ones and still be ahead. Reiff also describes how they tiptoed into this, and tested many units before offering it widely to their Reiff customers. It's also interesting that they only sell to Reiff customers. This gave me more confidence: I doubted they would sell a product to their base if they had any sense that the product would be unreliable. I've had the Reiff cell switch for a couple weeks. Supplemental Manual on Reiff's website spelled out set-up clearly and it has worked flawlessly. Even my wife thinks this is the best gizmo I've bought for the airplane (whatever.) It beats guessing if or when I'm going to fly and having to chase back and forth to the airport. And the Bears are winning!!

[DS1980]

 And the Bears are winning!!

Wait a minute. A guy with a name of PeytonM is a Bears fan? What would #18 think of that?

[IndyTim]

I have two corrections to the information I provided earlier in this thread.

My complaint #0 regarding a lack of external status indicator wasn't valid since there is a small light that flashes green every three seconds when the unit is active. I didn't notice it.

Regarding the 2nd connector (#3 below), the green connector to 12v / GND must also be connected to the circuit board. I discovered that without the connection it runs off the battery but obviously not forever.

I just got my Reiff/Witura switch up and running yesterday.  It took me probably 3-4 hours of on/off work to get everything going.  Some of that was due to issues with T-Mobile's Prepaid Card activation process which frankly left much to be desired.  But that's not an issue with Reiff or Witura.

 

I work in technology for a living, and I generally don't have much difficulty working with stuff like this, but given that I'm getting impatient and distractable in my advancing years it took me a few false starts and an email to tech support at witura.com before I had the switch working.  

 

PIREP:

 

0. There are no indicator lights on the outside of the unit, to tell you that it's ready to receive an activation call.  There IS a big blue light that illuminates after the unit has been switched to ON and is providing power.  But there is no visible sign on the outside surface of the unit to tell you that it's ready to go. I find that irritating and inconvenient.  Especially since it was somewhat challenging to set up and get working to begin with.  Essentially, the only way to tell whether you've configured it correctly, and plugged in the right connectors etc, and haven't messed anything up screwing the cover back down, is to actually turn the unit on, or SMS text it for status.  This is a feature I would add to the product, immediately, if it were in my power.  And I would make sure that light glowed green only when the unit had been fully configured with SIM, battery, connectors, and the correct SMS configuration commands.

 

1. 6 screws must be unscrewed to get in and out of the unit to install SIM card and plug in the backup battery.  I think I unscrewed and screwed in those screws 60 times in the last 24 hours.

 

2. The SIM card must not be a micro SIM.  The unit wants the older, full-sized one.  If you go to T-Mobile and get a prepaid SIM card as Reiff's info recommends, you'll end up a with micro SIM.  That won't work -- be sure to get the little adapter that converts the micro to a full-size SIM.  Undocumented feature, as far as I can tell.  The adapter was free from Walmart, and I feel fortunate that the guy behind the counter there thought to ask me about it, and threw in the adapter to be safe.

 

3. Opening the unit I received, there were two electrical leads that were not connected: one for the backup battery, and another one that looks like a 12V out.  Or something - doesn't matter. Just plug in the battery lead - if you plug in the 2nd lead the unit won't activate.  Don't ask me how I know this.

 

4. Once you have everything set up correctly, which means by now you may have unscrewed and screwed the 6-screw cover about 9 times unless you were smart enough to leave it off until it was really, truly working, you can activate and test the unit.

 

5. When I first tested the unit with a phone call, it would turn on, then immediately back off.  It would not stay on.  In Reiff's Manual Supplement, it says:  "Telephone call – without timer:  Send this text command: *PSSW12345*RLY=ON.   Instructs the relay switch to stay ON permanently when you call it."    I had to do this, and once I did it the unit would stay on when I called it.

 

6. Also in the Manuals Supplement, I discovered that it's possible to activate/deactivate power with SMS.  Those commands are *PSSW12345*RLYP=ON* to turn it on and *PSSW12345*RLYP=OFF* to turn it off.  That assumes you did not change the default password of "12345".  Neither this feature nor #5 above are covered in the base manual, so be sure to get and read both the base manual and the supplement.

 

 

Now that it's up and running, I'm pleased with it.  Pretty darned cool, to be able to turn on preheat over at the hanger.  I've still got it at home, playing with it, and I use it to surreptitiously turn off my wife's desk lamp while she's working.  No end to the fun and games you could have with this thing.

 

Edit: 12/9/2013 7:12pm:  

Just a note on T-Mobile: my prepaid account has been setup with voicemail and not at my request.  So at this point the unit is not responding to calls since they are rolling straight over to voicemail.  I have yet to call T-Mobile and reconfigure the phone service.  Make sure you attend to this on your call to your cellular provider, and deactivate voicemail.

[PTK]

...

2. The SIM card must not be a micro SIM.  The unit wants the older, full-sized one.  If you go to T-Mobile and get a prepaid SIM card as Reiff's info recommends, you'll end up a with micro SIM.  

 

Just a note on T-Mobile: my prepaid account has been setup with voicemail and not at my request...Make sure you attend to this on your call to your cellular provider, and deactivate voicemail....

 

 

To be fair, Reiff states in black and white that you need a standard SIM card. And this is also in the instruction manual.

 

This is off of Reiff's website:

 

 "A SIM card (full size, not micro) activated for a GSM cellular service plan (either T-Mobile or AT&T in the US; any carrier elsewhere)"

 

Also they went to great lengths and provide the information on how to obtain a SIM card. Right down to costs breakdown and what phone number to call to get real live English speaking American on the phone. 

 

They provide the cellular remote control box at cost and spoon feed the info on how to set it up.

 

Short of actually doing it for you I can't see what else they could do!

 

You can disable the voice mail if you wish but it doesn't interfere with anything (at least in my GSM it doesn't), and it can actually help you. The box will recognize authorized numbers in the white list and respond (or not respond) accordingly before going to voice mail. Make sure you have security access enabled and setup authorized number(s) in the white list. Mine goes to voice mail after two rings. The relays have already activated after the first ring so I know by the time it goes to voice mail it has carried out the commands. I use this as confirmation that the relays have triggered. This saves you an SMS message to verify relay status. Mine is different so verify that yours behaves this way.

[IndyTim]

To be fair, Reiff states in black and white that you need a standard SIM card. And this is also in the instruction manual.

 

This is off of Reiff's website:

 

 "A SIM card (full size, not micro) activated for a GSM cellular service plan (either T-Mobile or AT&T in the US; any carrier elsewhere)"

 

Also they went to great lengths and provide the information on how to obtain a SIM card. Right down to costs breakdown and what phone number to call to get real live English speaking American on the phone. 

 

They provide the cellular remote control box at cost and spoon feed the info on how to set it up.

 

Short of actually doing it for you I can't see what else they could do!

 

You can disable the voice mail if you wish but it doesn't interfere with anything (at least in my GSM it doesn't), and it can actually help you. The box will recognize authorized numbers in the white list and respond (or not respond) accordingly before going to voice mail. Make sure you have security access enabled and setup authorized number(s) in the white list. Mine goes to voice mail after two rings. The relays have already activated after the first ring so I know by the time it goes to voice mail it has carried out the commands. I use this as confirmation that the relays have triggered. This saves you an SMS message to verify relay status. Mine is different so verify that yours behaves this way.

Yes, the info about the micro sim was just added, based on my earlier comment. I like the fact that Reiff is following up and updating in real time to help clarify docs and make the product successful.

I'm very happy that I have the switch. It makes my life better, and by eliminating several trips a year over to the hanger to plug in preheat, not to mention avoiding a cold start when I just could not manage to get here, the switch easily pays for itself several times over. I could not imagine not having a device like this, living anywhere temps get low. Unless there is a heated hanger available. ;-)

[larryb]

One thing they don't mention with T-Mobile is that once you pay $100 for minutes, you are on the "Gold Rewards" plan and your minutes don't expire for a year. So after the first year, which costs you $100, you can maintain the number for as little as $10 / yr.

[DS1980]

Plus the T Mobile girl is hot.