DigiQ2 v. Stoker

Uglyegg,

Congratulations and welcome.

I had the same problem as you when trying to decide. I ended up buying the DigiQ2 then some months later I also purchased the Stoker. TNW site was great and helped but I really wanted more information.

I was really interested in computer monitoring/control of the cooks.

My reasoning to getting the Q2 1st after a long search and a lot of questions.
I wanted the higher temp probes - less chance of damaging to the probes. Smaller size and more water restance. I was not sure I wanted to deal with the chip inside the probes on the Stoker.

After owning the q2 and several cooks, it is extremely simple (easy to use) and a very quick setup. I ended up using it more than I thought I would. With that said I now only use either unit for longer cooks or cooks where I might be away from the egg.

The Maverick ET-73 dual probe remote thermometer solved my yearing for wireless monitoring of the meat and pit temps. I still wanted remote control, in my cast my computer.

I thought I wanted the ability to plot the cook and still wanted to control and ability to change settings remotely.

At this time I only had a large egg but I ended up getting the Stoker anyway. My first use of the stoker was in very cold weather and after the q2 I was expecting the ease of using the q2. I only glanced throught the manual.

I set up the Stoker and thought I set things up correctly via the front controls. However, I was wrong. I made some errors and got frusterated, as I was not contorling the pit temp. I was freezing so I pulled the Stoker and put the q2 on and went in and got warm.

Second use of the Stoker I again got things going but still not controlling the pit temp. I hooked it up to the computer and on the computer I stumbled onto what I was doing wrong and made the corrections. I still haven't figured how to make the needed changes on the front panel of the stoker itself. That is my fault not that of the stoker.

The computer hook up was pretty slick, but a bit more involved than the q2.

The stoker allows me to use as many meat & pit probes as I want and when I order another fan I will be able to control multiple eggs (which I now have three eggs) and monitor multiple foods.

I lke the q2 for a quick set up, small and simple to use. I havne't used the stoker very much mostly because I haven't taken the time to really learn the unit. Don't take this as the Stoker is hard to use, it is just me and my not following through and using the unit very much.

If I could only have one, I think I would be back to my (and your) original question.

I would say if you think you really want to monitor multiple meats, mulitple eggs and want to control via computer then the only answer is the Stoker.

Guru has a wireless unit but at the time I didn't want to spend that much time and I though the q2 had newer features.

If you are a person who wants simplicity and and speed of setup then the q2. Now with that said I am sure many people will say the Stoker is easy to set up. I seem to use the q2 more.

I just haven't taken the time to learn the Stoker like I should. I need to sit down and take the time to use the Stoker properly.

They are both great units I don't think you would make a mistake with either choice.

GG

Michael, "no power needed" ???

Kent

LOL... Mine uses 12 Volts not much in the scope of things though. You work nights or can't sleep?

Kent

I read the info on TNW's site and bought the Guru.

I think that both will work great.

If you are really into computers and downloading software and monitoring your cook from the office and have designs on controlling multiple cookers, then you have no choice but to get the Stoker.

My belief is (no data here) that if you want a sure thing to use it the first day out of the box, the Guru is the way to go.

If you want to use your computer to control the unit than the Stoker is the way to go. Also, a fellow named Amir on the Virtual Weber Bullet forum has written a great program to control the Stoker. It's called StokerLog and it adds a bunch of features, including graphs, email/text message temperature updates, open lid detection, and much more.

Bill

Ah yes, I forgot about the Whizzeroo, but that is sort of like trying to understand congress.

GG

I went with the stoker. I set it up on the computer and I haven't downloaded one single thing,although I plan to. My 12yr old uses it all the time with no trbl. I like the fact that I can get as complicated or as simple as I want.