Maverick et-735

[therapy]

New to the hobby and this is my first thermometer.  You can set the probes to whatever you like (meat, poultry, grill temp, etc.).

Like everyone has stated the range of the Bluetooth connectivity is limited; but, its nice to be in a comfy chair and just glance over at your phone.  I really like the alarm ranges that you can set if you temps get out of line. 

 

[mummel]

Do not get the Bluetooth, for real.  It may work for some who dont need distance, but I like to be able to monitor temps while Im asleep at night on the other side of my house.  You are going to need distance at some point.

 

[wayoung]

Too bad they don't have a four probe RF but it makes sense they (and everyone else) is moving away from it. Costs less to make a Bluetooth device and you get to charge the consumer more.

 

[xray]

I've had the 733 since the thread started and I have never looked back. Mummel is spot on with the Bluetooth's range and it would be impractical for my smoking setup.

If I ever upgrade, it will be for a wifi unit with 4 probe capability and an app that allows you to use your phone.

 

[westby]

Like the Tappecue?

 

[xray]

Like the Tappecue?

Yes, and hopefully it will be cheaper by the time the Maverick sh*ts the bed!

 

[wayoung]

Yes, and hopefully it will be cheaper by the time the Maverick sh*ts the bed!

That thing is insanely expensive, and it must be pure mark up. There is no reason that should cost $200 USD. Someone posted another one called the meater in another thread which is more advanced but has more issues.


I understand the appeal but I see too many problems with it to ever buy into a WiFi thermometer, unless it was a quarter the price, and even then.... It just seems like an over complication that could lead to unnecessary headaches - and my house is full of IoT tech.

 

[endo129]

The features of the 735 mentioned here are great but BT limits it and it needs an app update.

My smoker is on my deck 12' from the house. If I go upstairs and get more than 25' away it disconnects. If I go to far to the front of my house it disconnects (nor more than 30'). And there is no alert that it disconnects if you don't have the app open and active on the screen of your phone. My BT speaker has better range through the house. I do have an ​ watch so I can extend the range and get the out of range alerts on my watch. But there no ​ watch app so all I get are notifications, I can't monitor temps visually from the watch.

 

[westby]

That thing is insanely expensive, and it must be pure mark up. There is no reason that should cost $200 USD. Someone posted another one called the meater in another thread which is more advanced but has more issues.


I understand the appeal but I see too many problems with it to ever buy into a WiFi thermometer, unless it was a quarter the price, and even then.... It just seems like an over complication that could lead to unnecessary headaches - and my house is full of IoT tech.

I'm as tech un-savy as they come and I have had no problems with the Tappecue.   It is a bit spendy, but I've already gone through 3 Mavericks, which add up to the cost of the Tappecue. Can't tell you how nice it is to know what my smoker and meat temps are when I'm running errands or golfing.  I've got a pellet grill, which is almost set and forget, so I can walk away from that for 4-5 hours and monitor from my phone. . . . . that's worth the extra money in my book.

 

[wayoung]

I'm as tech un-savy as they come and I have had no problems with the Tappecue.   It is a bit spendy, but I've already gone through 3 Mavericks, which add up to the cost of the Tappecue. Can't tell you how nice it is to know what my smoker and meat temps are when I'm running errands or golfing.  I've got a pellet grill, which is almost set and forget, so I can walk away from that for 4-5 hours and monitor from my phone. . . . . that's worth the extra money in my book.

If you like it all the more power to you but there are some pretty heavy caveats with this sort of thing.

First, the price. It's over priced to begin with but even if it wasn't overcharging the consumer it still would be more expensive than any other thermometer.

WiFi range. You have to smoke within your WiFi zone.

Battery - maybe not a problem specifically for the tappacue but the Meater probes are wireless running on batteries. To an argue that's the same with any electric thermometer, but it's not. There is a big difference in power consumption for four wireless meat probes connecting to a WiFi bridge connecting to a WiFi network vs.the alternatives.

Interference in your house. Every time you add one of those WiFi bridges you increase wireless interference in your house. The more devices you have, the more they will interfere with each other and cause nothing to work. Say you want to add Sonos (fantastic device, fully recommend it) could be everytime you turn on your tappacue your houses sounds system will cut out.

Lifespan: You've gone through three mavericks - fair enough, I don't own one, I don't know what the are like, but I'm still on the same $15 PC brand meat probe I bought years ago because it doesn't have a remote or Bluetooth or WiFi. The more elaborate the tech, the faster it dies. The balance comes from value - is it worth the extra money and shorter Lifespan for greater convenience? The convenience of WiFi over RF is you can leave your home and do other things - but do you really want to go out for the day leaving your smoker on unattended? I sure don't. There's another recent thread here with people discussing their smokers catching fire....

Anyway, like I said, if you like it, great. I just don't see the value in it. Seems over teched to me.

 

[wayoung]

The features of the 735 mentioned here are great but BT limits it and it needs an app update.

My smoker is on my deck 12' from the house. If I go upstairs and get more than 25' away it disconnects. If I go to far to the front of my house it disconnects (nor more than 30'). And there is no alert that it disconnects if you don't have the app open and active on the screen of your phone. My BT speaker has better range through the house. I do have an ​ watch so I can extend the range and get the out of range alerts on my watch. But there no ​ watch app so all I get are notifications, I can't monitor temps visually from the watch.

Thanks. I'll stop watching the 735 then. I'm in no hurry, maybe they'll come out with a 734 that's RF with four probes.

 

[westby]

Fair enough - I should say that my girlfriend is home when I leave my pellet grill unattended.  I've trained her on how to adjust temps, turn off, etc.  I've never had to call her to adjust temps or anything, but if I notice any issues on the temps, I could have her check on it.