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DigiQ vs. Flameboss | Recommendations?

joeybrown105
joeybrown105 Posts: 82
in EggHead Forum
Considering making the leap and buying myself one of these controllers.... just curious from the forum to hear good/bad/ugly on the 2 of them, as they (at first glance) seem to have fairly similar feature sets..

thanks in advance
Nashville, TN

Medium BGE | Large BGE | Little Griddle | Kick Ash Basket | Looftlighter
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  • bhedges1987
    bhedges1987 Posts: 3,201
    FB has a better computer and wires and is wifi. Guru has a better fan. 

    They both work great. I've had both. I like the wifi on the FB. 

    Kansas City, Missouri
    Large Egg
    Mini Egg

    "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Neither. 

    Cook only while at home for safety reasons (so wifi is not needed, assuming you mean FB200). 

    Cook turbo so overnight cooks are unnecessary. I cooked a butt yesterday at 320F. Started cooking at 10:30 AM and ate dinner about 6. Every bit as good as lo n slo. 

    Save your money.  :)

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
    FB 200
    Large BGE - McDonald, PA
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Forgot to mention, I have a DigiQ. Works great, just not needed. 

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • dstearn
    dstearn Posts: 1,705
    CyberQ is what I use, upgraded from the DigiQ. Better fan/damper and not reliant on the Flameboss website to monitor. The CyberQ is more difficult to initially set up port forwarding but once it is done I can easily monitor. 

    My fan cord broke off and BBQ guru sent me a replacement Pit Viper for free even though it was out of warranty.

    FB has a better stand but I use the magnetic mount which is more stable.


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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,761
    bhedges1987 said:
    FB has a better computer and wires and is wifi. Guru has a better fan. 

    They both work great. I've had both. I like the wifi on the FB. 

    I disagree on the fan.  The fan on the guru is on/off only.  The FB is a variable speed fan.  The guru has some shiny stainless steel covers on it and has a manual damper.  The FB is the same plastic fan, just no stainless steel cover.....and no damper because it's a variable speed fan.

    Also, the guru has a 4 character screen, the FB has 32 character back-lit screen.
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,730
    edited January 2017
    FB here.  Used 3 different brands and the FB is my favorite of the blower style controllers.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    FB 200.

    Had a DigiQ DX II go tits up after being gently used.  Guru folks were no help.

    The flame boss has been great so far on the WSM.  I swapped out the OEM fan for the Guru pit viper fan.

    FB is the better all around unit.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    They all work and do what they say. That said, the FB200 is the hot setup unless you are going to monitor multiple proteins, then the cyberq has the advantage. Of course, if you don't have a smart phone or are not interested in that feature, get a FB100 or digiq 
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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,761
    pgprescott said:
    They all work and do what they say. That said, the FB200 is the hot setup unless you are going to monitor multiple proteins, then the cyberq has the advantage. Of course, if you don't have a smart phone or are not interested in that feature, get a FB100 or digiq 

    Even if you aren't going to use the online, I always recommend the 200 so you get the firmware updates.  I had one of the first units, so I didn't have the pit alarm.  Fired it up a few months later and suddenly had a new feature!  The accuracy and features get better every month.
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    stlcharcoal said:
    bhedges1987 said:
    FB has a better computer and wires and is wifi. Guru has a better fan. 

    They both work great. I've had both. I like the wifi on the FB. 

    I disagree on the fan.  The fan on the guru is on/off only.  The FB is a variable speed fan.  The guru has some shiny stainless steel covers on it and has a manual damper.  The FB is the same plastic fan, just no stainless steel cover.....and no damper because it's a variable speed fan.

    Also, the guru has a 4 character screen, the FB has 32 character back-lit screen.
    My understanding is that it's not the fan that is variable speed vs. not. That depends on the controller. Some time last year, I confirmed with the FB folks that a Guru fan plugged into the FB 200 runs at variable speed. I've been using this setup for a while and it works well. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • chuckytheegghead
    chuckytheegghead Posts: 1,201
    I would tend to agree with @caliking. Typically fans are either on or off and modulated through a controller. Oh and I would recommend the FB. 
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    Meant to cast my vote for the FB 200 also. Their service is top notch and they will take care of you as a customer. 

    I wanted to mount a magnet kind of holder to the back of my FB but wasn't sure if the electronics would get messed up if I stuck a strong magnet on the back. My email was answered within hours on a weekend, and they basically said "go ahead. I'll send you a new unit if it goes wonky."

    Have had a few other minor issues and the attitude has been that they will do whatever is needed to make things right.


    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,761
    edited January 2017
    caliking said:
    stlcharcoal said:
    bhedges1987 said:
    FB has a better computer and wires and is wifi. Guru has a better fan. 

    They both work great. I've had both. I like the wifi on the FB. 

    I disagree on the fan.  The fan on the guru is on/off only.  The FB is a variable speed fan.  The guru has some shiny stainless steel covers on it and has a manual damper.  The FB is the same plastic fan, just no stainless steel cover.....and no damper because it's a variable speed fan.

    Also, the guru has a 4 character screen, the FB has 32 character back-lit screen.
    My understanding is that it's not the fan that is variable speed vs. not. That depends on the controller. Some time last year, I confirmed with the FB folks that a Guru fan plugged into the FB 200 runs at variable speed. I've been using this setup for a while and it works well. 
    Yes, that's correct and my point.  Why would the DigiQ fan plugged into a FB be any better?  It has a stainless steel plate on to make it prettier, and a manual damper that you shouldn't be using be because it screws with the controller's logic.  If you already own one and the adapter, then you can save a few bucks by just buying the FB control head--don't use the damper.  But this presumption that the PitViper fan is better because it's shiny and has a slider thingy.........
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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited January 2017
    stlcharcoal said:
    caliking said:
    stlcharcoal said:
    bhedges1987 said:
    FB has a better computer and wires and is wifi. Guru has a better fan. 

    They both work great. I've had both. I like the wifi on the FB. 

    I disagree on the fan.  The fan on the guru is on/off only.  The FB is a variable speed fan.  The guru has some shiny stainless steel covers on it and has a manual damper.  The FB is the same plastic fan, just no stainless steel cover.....and no damper because it's a variable speed fan.

    Also, the guru has a 4 character screen, the FB has 32 character back-lit screen.
    My understanding is that it's not the fan that is variable speed vs. not. That depends on the controller. Some time last year, I confirmed with the FB folks that a Guru fan plugged into the FB 200 runs at variable speed. I've been using this setup for a while and it works well. 
    Yes, that's correct and my point.  Why would the DigiQ fan plugged into a FB be any better?  It has a stainless steel plate on to make it prettier, and a manual damper that you shouldn't be using be because it screws with the controller's logic.  If you already own one and the adapter, then you can save a few bucks by just buying the FB control head--don't use the damper.  But this presumption that the PitViper fan is better because it's shiny and has a slider thingy.........
    The Guru adapters fit on both the WSMs and egg, and fan fit, and finish, are much better(tighter) than the FB.

    FB CS told me it was perfectly fine to run the pit viper.  Is there something you know about this technology, that they don't?  They said I could swap it back and forth on both cookers without issue.  I'm not trying to be an a$$ here, honest question.

    I'm with cali.  The FB controller with a Guru fan seems to be the best of both.  FB runs fine in any of my configurations.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    This is going on a slight tangent (apologies to the OP). The FB will learn and adapt for each cook depending on the fan. I don't think it is specifically designed for the 5cfm fan it comes with. It  will learn and adapt during each cook, in real time. 

    And I'm not advocating spending even more $$ to run an FB with a Guru fan. I had bought a Guru fan for something else,  and already had the LBGE + SBGE adapters. 

    Point is , the FB 200 is a good piece of kit :)


    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    I can only speak for guru. I've got a partyQ that's over 5 years old and works like a champ. So I got a cyberQ. Excited to give it a whirl this weekend. Good luck!


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
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  • SaintJohnsEgger
    SaintJohnsEgger Posts: 1,826
    FB200 is what I have so it gets my vote. Been happy with it.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,761
    Focker said:
    stlcharcoal said:



    Yes, that's correct and my point.  Why would the DigiQ fan plugged into a FB be any better?  It has a stainless steel plate on to make it prettier, and a manual damper that you shouldn't be using be because it screws with the controller's logic.  If you already own one and the adapter, then you can save a few bucks by just buying the FB control head--don't use the damper.  But this presumption that the PitViper fan is better because it's shiny and has a slider thingy.........
    The Guru adapters fit on both the WSMs and egg, and fan fit, and finish, are much better(tighter) than the FB.

    FB CS told me it was perfectly fine to run the pit viper.  Is there something you know about this technology, that they don't?  They said I could swap it back and forth on both cookers without issue.  I'm not trying to be an a$$ here, honest question.

    I'm with cali.  The FB controller with a Guru fan seems to be the best of both.  FB runs fine in any of my configurations.
    Yes, it will run with the PitViper even though it's twice as much fan.  I have been told the same, the logic will learn as it goes.  But the baseline it probably set for 5CFM, then it learns for 10CFM.......I suppose you could damper it down right off the bat.  But where things will get messed up is if you start screwing with the damper during the cook.

    As far as the fit, as long as the daisy wheel is closed, the gaps really are not going to make a difference.  It can pull air through either fan and the tiny bit that the damper would cover is not going to make a diff.  With the daisy wheel closed, the fire needs to be force fed because there isn't a flue going.  The really early units had a flapper door the fan had to blow open to feed the fire......it wasn't needed.  There have been folks here that have aluminum taped up the fans and doors (and I tried it too), it doesn't make a difference for what I've seen running them side by side.

    I'm not trying to be an a$$ here either, but it's just personal preference I suppose.  There is nothing wrong with the FB's fan and the PitViper doesn't do anything better or special for you.  If you already have one and the adapters, it will save you some money--especially if you have multiple cookers.  But folks thinking they're going to get any added performance by dropping another $125+ is completely wrong.  You get a an extra 5CFM you don't need on an Egg, a damper you shouldn't adjust, and a some stainless steel trim on the outside.  I just put chrome wheel simulators on company box truck--doesn't go any faster or get better gas mileage, just looks good.

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  • Judy Mayberry
    Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
    I've had the DigiQ DX II for several years and it works perfectly. I don't monitor with a phone or computer because I wouldn't leave the house for more than a short time with this set-up running anyway. Not after a load of lump mysteriously burning out far too soon some years ago.

    BTW, I had to bend a curve in the Large bottom vent adapter, with a vise. Otherwise, it wouldn't slide shut in the grooves.
    Judy in San Diego
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  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389
    FB200

    great product and great customer service. 
    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
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  • billt01
    billt01 Posts: 1,902
    edited January 2017
    My two pennies...

    take a look at the Stoker as well...

    https://www.rocksbarbque.com/

    Not sure why Flameboss and Digi-que get all the love on here...


    Have:
     XLBGE / Stumps Baby XL / Couple of Stokers (Gen 1 and Gen 3) / Blackstone 36 / Maxey 3x5 water pan hog cooker
    Had:
    LBGE / Lang 60D / Cookshack SM150 / Stumps Stretch / Stumps Baby

    Fat Willies BBQ
    Ola, Ga

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  • billt01
    billt01 Posts: 1,902
    Carolina Q said:
    Neither. 

    Cook only while at home for safety reasons (so wifi is not needed, assuming you mean FB200). 

    Cook turbo so overnight cooks are unnecessary. I cooked a butt yesterday at 320F. Started cooking at 10:30 AM and ate dinner about 6. Every bit as good as lo n slo. 

    Save your money.  :)
    @Carolina Q

    agreed but strictly depends on fat content of the protein....

    I would turbo a picnic before I would turbo a shoulder
    Have:
     XLBGE / Stumps Baby XL / Couple of Stokers (Gen 1 and Gen 3) / Blackstone 36 / Maxey 3x5 water pan hog cooker
    Had:
    LBGE / Lang 60D / Cookshack SM150 / Stumps Stretch / Stumps Baby

    Fat Willies BBQ
    Ola, Ga

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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,730
    billt01 said:
    My two pennies...

    take a look at the Stoker as well...

    https://www.rocksbarbque.com/

    Not sure why Flameboss and Digi-que get all the love on here...


    Customer service is why.  The Stoker folks have a poor reputation for responding to customers.  May be different now, but with simple to use, capable units, with fantastic customer service no reason to test those waters again.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • billt01
    billt01 Posts: 1,902
    Ozzie_Isaac said:
    billt01 said:
    My two pennies...

    take a look at the Stoker as well...

    https://www.rocksbarbque.com/

    Not sure why Flameboss and Digi-que get all the love on here...


    Customer service is why.  The Stoker folks have a poor reputation for responding to customers.  May be different now, but with simple to use, capable units, with fantastic customer service no reason to test those waters again.
    I think the customer service you may be referring to is "why cant I view my stoker away from my house." and many people think the folks are network guru's at Rocks..

    I have never had but positive feedback from the folks there. 

    what ports does the FB use to access your network, and does it retain any of your security settings from your router?

    With the stoker, you have more options to keep your network locked down....but hey, what do I know...
    Have:
     XLBGE / Stumps Baby XL / Couple of Stokers (Gen 1 and Gen 3) / Blackstone 36 / Maxey 3x5 water pan hog cooker
    Had:
    LBGE / Lang 60D / Cookshack SM150 / Stumps Stretch / Stumps Baby

    Fat Willies BBQ
    Ola, Ga

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  • znagle28
    znagle28 Posts: 33
    Flameboss 200. Not a bad to say about it. Definitely worth the money!
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  • Wylecyot
    Wylecyot Posts: 203
    I really appreciate this thread!  I've been weighing the pros and cons to the FB, CyberQue and Stoker.  They all seem like they get the job done.  I was leaning towards the FB, but there are times where I want to hook-up more than one egg to the unit.  If FB could do that, I'd be all in!  But since it currently doesn't, looks like I'm leaning towards the Stoker.  Unless I am missing something...
    Large BGE, Medium BGE, Kamado Joe Jr, 36" Blackstone Griddle Blackstone Tailgater and Roccbox owner/operator from Los Angeles
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  • HofstraJet
    HofstraJet Posts: 1,173
    edited January 2017
    billt01 said:
    Ozzie_Isaac said:
    billt01 said:
    My two pennies...

    take a look at the Stoker as well...

    https://www.rocksbarbque.com/

    Not sure why Flameboss and Digi-que get all the love on here...


    Customer service is why.  The Stoker folks have a poor reputation for responding to customers.  May be different now, but with simple to use, capable units, with fantastic customer service no reason to test those waters again.
    I think the customer service you may be referring to is "why cant I view my stoker away from my house." and many people think the folks are network guru's at Rocks..

    I have never had but positive feedback from the folks there. 

    what ports does the FB use to access your network, and does it retain any of your security settings from your router?

    With the stoker, you have more options to keep your network locked down....but hey, what do I know...
    Your post indicates that you know all this, but I will answer for those who don't.

    FB gets an IP address like anything else on your network. It retains your SSID and encryption key like everything else on your network. It uploads to the FB cloud, presumably using standard HTTP/HTPS ports as I haven't had to open anything special to use it.

    The CyberQ, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated - you connect directly to it (no cloud), which is fine when on the same network but when outside of your network, you need to open a port to access it and be sure traffic is properly forwarded to the CyberQ.

    PS - just got a Stoker. Looking forward to playing with it.
    Two Large Eggs, 6 gal Cajun Fryer, and a MiniMax in Charlotte, NC - My New Table
    Twitter: @ Bags
    Blog: TheJetsFan.com
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,730
    edited January 2017
    billt01 said:
    Ozzie_Isaac said:
    billt01 said:
    My two pennies...

    take a look at the Stoker as well...

    https://www.rocksbarbque.com/

    Not sure why Flameboss and Digi-que get all the love on here...


    Customer service is why.  The Stoker folks have a poor reputation for responding to customers.  May be different now, but with simple to use, capable units, with fantastic customer service no reason to test those waters again.
    I think the customer service you may be referring to is "why cant I view my stoker away from my house." and many people think the folks are network guru's at Rocks..

    I have never had but positive feedback from the folks there. 

    what ports does the FB use to access your network, and does it retain any of your security settings from your router?

    With the stoker, you have more options to keep your network locked down....but hey, what do I know...
    The customer service I was referring to was a few years ago when nobody was getting units they had ordered and been charged for.  The Stoker folks kept talking supply chain issues and board problems, caught during testing (which is a positive that they test).  They kept taking money and charging new customers before they had shipped to people already waiting.  Looked like a pyramid scheme for a while.

    That is the jist of it from what I recall.  I may have just started hearing their name during that time and thus have a jaded perception.

    Luckily, it seems either they sorted out their business model or orders dropped off to a managable level since I haven't heard much on that in a while.

    They have a tremendous amount of options and ability to control multiple fans/cookers is real cool, and they sound like passionate people but for $500 I would just get 2 flame bosses.

    Not sure how to respond to your last snarky quip.

    ***disclaimer: I have never dealt with BBQ Rock's or a Stoker.  The above comments are based purely on my recollection of threads on various forums I read years ago and the impression they left on me. ***

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • dirty_denim86
    dirty_denim86 Posts: 138
    edited January 2017
    For those of you with the FB 200 how does the alert notifications work I know there are options to text you but during an overnight if your sleeping is there anyway to alert you like the maverick does?

    I currently have the partyq with a maverick and it's great for the alert feature if the pit temp is over or under it beeps until turned off I think that's one thing the FB might lack for me to pull the trigger on one...hopefully there is something similar on it?
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