Worst-Scenario Range Tester App with Subscription Model
I am writing to you not only as a customer but also as a long-time follower of your brand since its inception on Kickstarter, where Pokit's innovative vision captured my attention and support. The acquisition of the Pokit Pro was, for me, an investment in a tool that promised to revolutionize my professional workflow.
However, with deep disappointment, I have recently observed the decision to implement a subscription model for features that I believe should be basic and essential, especially for those of us who have trusted your product from its early stages. The requirement of a subscription to use the tester for such fundamental functions as continuity testing, without the need to connect to a cellphone, undermines the accessibility and functionality for which the product was originally supported and acquired.
I understand Pokit's need to explore business models that ensure its sustainability and growth. Nonetheless, I believe that implementing a subscription system for previously accessible or essential features is not the solution. In the worst case, I would have accepted a freemium model, where certain advanced or additional functions might be behind a paywall, keeping basic functionality accessible, possibly with the option to remove ads through a subscription.
The essence of my complaint lies in the belief that limiting the capabilities of a tool already purchased through a subscription model not only disincentivizes the existing user base but also questions Pokit's commitment to its customers and to innovation. I cannot help feeling frustrated and disappointed with the direction the company has taken, especially when considering the initial investment and trust placed in your product.
As a solution, I urge Pokit to reconsider this decision. It would be beneficial to explore alternatives that do not compromise the basic functionality that many of us have opted for the Pokit Pro. Furthermore, I would suggest the possibility of opening the code so that the community can develop and improve the tool, thus maintaining a spirit of open innovation.
I sincerely hope that my feedback will be taken into consideration, not just for the benefit of a long-term customer but for the well-being of the Pokit Pro user community and the future of Pokit. I look forward to your response and am open to discussing possible solutions that benefit both parties.
I'm quite concerned that replies on these topics require approval before they can be viewed. Could this be considered a form of censorship?
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Official comment
Hello Valued Pokiteers!
We have some exciting news to share with you! After carefully listening to your feedback, we’ve made a significant change to the Range Tester App Module.**NO SUBSCRIPTION, OUTRIGHT PURCHASE**
Starting July 25th, the Range Tester App Module will be available for outright purchase, with no subscription needed. We’ve heard your preferences and are thrilled to provide a more straightforward, user-friendly option.
**SPECIAL PRICE FOR A LIMITED TIME**
To thank you for your continued support, we’re offering an exclusive discount on the Range Tester App Module for a limited time.
If you haven't yet, you may subscribe to our email list to get early access to this special price!I hope this will change your perception about Pokit and the Range Tester Module positively.
Please let me know if you have additional feedback/suggestions so I can pass them on to the team!
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I was also disappointed when I saw the email. I was prepared to pay a one-off fee to access each new module, but not a subscription.
I have occasions when I might really need a given feature, but they aren't often enough to make paying a subscription worthwhile.
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You know something is about to go sideways when you get an unsolicited Message from the CEO.
I agree with others so far. This seems like a betrayal to the community and to the original sales pitch for this tool. I am going to think twice before I invest in more tools for home and my office if this is the way it's going. Which is too bad, I was looking forward to the Amp Clamp.
They are going to have to do a lot more to convince me that subscriptions are the way to go, especially for features like the Range Tester. What exactly am I getting for my subscription? Pokit wrote some code to check if X measurement is within a range and changed the LED color or turned on the Buzzer. Okay great, that took work and I'd be happy to pay a few dollars once for that work. I'm not saying it wasn't difficult and required testing and validation, but now the work is done and there is nothing to change since that App is pretty basic and likely feature complete already. What innovation can Pokit do from there using my monthly subscription to improve this particular App?
This all ignores the fact that a feature like the Range Tester probably should have just been a part of the original product since it really is so basic and pretty necessary given that your product only has that LED and Buzzer. At this point, there is really nothing keeping me from buying a compact Fluke 107. It's also small, it's less expensive, and it doesn't require a phone or subscription to see what the measurement is.
I hope they reconsider this action as well. I'd be happy to discuss this with anyone that's interested. I really enjoy the product and I would love to see it thrive but this is not the way.
EDIT: I'm glad they changed their mind about the subscription HOWEVER the new pricing is ridiculous. $50 for the Range Tester Add-On on top of the price of the Pokit Pro itself takes me well above the cost of a compact multimeter from many of the top reputable brands. I loved the idea of the Pokit Pro but I'm sorry to say, when the time comes, I will likely go with a more traditional meter.
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I will be requesting a refund.
While it is within their right to make this a subscription model going forward. This was not at all advertised to buyers before this and still not even referenced on the product page. All it looks like is I will soon get a free range tester with my purchase in the future. This is a bad idea in general and at least should be free for current early adopters that have got you where you are today.
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Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns regarding the recent implementation of a subscription model for certain features of the Pokit Pro. We deeply appreciate your support as a long-time follower of our brand and your investment in our products since our Kickstarter days.
We want to assure you that our intention is not to limit the capabilities of the Pokit Pro or undermine the trust you have placed in our product.
Allow us to clarify that the introduction of the subscription model is aimed at adding new, advanced features to the Pokit Pro, rather than reducing the functionality of the device you already own. All customers, including yourself, will continue to use their devices without any reduction in capability. The new subscription-based module will only serve to enhance the existing features and provide additional value to our users.
Regarding your specific concern about continuity testing, we'd like to provide some technical explanation on how it works in the current app and how it will function in the new module:
Continuity testing on the Range Tester App Module of Pokit Pro operates differently from continuity testing in the Pokit Pro Multimeter App Module. There are two crucial distinctions:
- Phone-Free Usage: The Pokit Pro's Range Tester allows for continuity testing without the need to connect to your phone. The continuity mode in Multimeter still requires the phone app to be open.
- Customizable Thresholds: The Pokit Pro's Range Tester enables users to set arbitrary thresholds or multiple thresholds, or even a range for continuity testing. This level of customization provides flexibility and precision in measurements, catering to various testing requirements across different applications.
It's important to note that this example is specific to continuity testing, but similar customization options are available for other measurements such as voltage, resistance, current, temperature, and diode testing.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to innovate and improve our products. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to finding solutions that enhance your experience with the Pokit Pro while maintaining the accessibility and functionality you expect.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in our brand. Should you have any further questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to listen and work together toward a solution that meets your needs and expectations.
Rowan
COO
Pokit Innovations0 -
I think a some of the problem other than the subscription in general is you advertised the range tester as coming soon with no mention of this sub. Still do not like the subscription model but the range tester was effectively promised or at least expected with no mention of further fees so overall it's a bait and switch.
The range tester is clearly sitting there next to the other modules in the screenshot. No mention of extra cost. Very deceptive.
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Dear Rowan,
Thank you for taking the time to respond and clarify the intentions behind the new subscription model for the Pokit Pro. I appreciate your sharing and support for my concerns. Despite understanding the drive towards innovation and adding value through advanced features, I must express my deepening disappointment regarding the subscription model. This model is particularly concerning for users like myself, who often work in field conditions with poor or no internet connectivity, making the tool less accessible and potentially unusable in many of my working scenarios.
The shift to a subscription-based system, despite its intention to add new features, remains alarming. It often implies a need for constant internet connectivity to access or validate the subscription status, which is impractical in my line of work. This dependency severely limits the Pokit Pro's utility, undermining its appeal as a portable, versatile tool for professionals who frequently operate in areas with limited internet service.
Moreover, my suggestion for open-source development was aimed at empowering the user community to contribute to the tool's evolution, ensuring that it remains adaptable and relevant to our changing needs. Allowing independent development could also potentially offer solutions to the connectivity issue, as community-driven features might be designed with offline functionality in mind.
Given these additional points, I kindly reiterate my request for Pokit Innovations to reconsider:
- One-Time Payment Model: Offering alternatives for users who prefer accessing new features through a single purchase, thus avoiding the drawbacks of recurring costs and the need for constant connectivity.
- Open Source Development: Opening up the platform for community contributions, which could innovate in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for constant internet access.
- Guarantee of Offline Functionality: Specifically, how Pokit Innovations plans to ensure that users can fully utilize the features they have paid for, regardless of their internet connection status.
Your innovative approach has always distinguished Pokit Innovations, and it is my hope that we can find a solution that accommodates the practical realities of your user community while still fostering sustainable growth and development.
I remain a committed user of the Pokit Pro and supporter of Pokit Innovations, hopeful for a resolution that respects the needs of your dedicated user base amidst these challenges.
Thank you once again for considering my feedback in its entirety. I look forward to a constructive dialogue and am eager to see how we can continue to support each other moving forward.
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You haven't even bothered to change the deceptive product page on your website.
Are you changing your mind or can you process my support request for a refund? (#19798)
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Thank you for taking the time to respond and clarify the intentions behind the new subscription model for the Pokit Pro. I appreciate your sharing and support for my concerns. Despite understanding the drive towards innovation and adding value through advanced features, I must express my deepening disappointment regarding the subscription model. This model is particularly concerning for users like myself, who often work in field conditions with poor or no internet connectivity, making the tool less accessible and potentially unusable in many of my working scenarios.
The shift to a subscription-based system, despite its intention to add new features, remains alarming. It often implies a need for constant internet connectivity to access or validate the subscription status, which is impractical in my line of work. This dependency severely limits the Pokit Pro's utility, undermining its appeal as a portable, versatile tool for professionals who frequently operate in areas with limited internet service.
Moreover, my suggestion for open-source development was aimed at empowering the user community to contribute to the tool's evolution, ensuring that it remains adaptable and relevant to our changing needs. Allowing independent development could also potentially offer solutions to the connectivity issue, as community-driven features might be designed with offline functionality in mind.
Given these additional points, I kindly reiterate my request for Pokit Innovations to reconsider:
One-Time Payment Model: Offering alternatives for users who prefer accessing new features through a single purchase, thus avoiding the drawbacks of recurring costs and the need for constant connectivity.
Open Source Development: Opening up the platform for community contributions, which could innovate in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for constant internet access.
Guarantee of Offline Functionality: Specifically, how Pokit Innovations plans to ensure that users can fully utilize the features they have paid for, regardless of their internet connection status.
Your innovative approach has always distinguished Pokit Innovations, and it is my hope that we can find a solution that accommodates the practical realities of your user community while still fostering sustainable growth and development.I remain a committed user of the Pokit Pro and supporter of Pokit Innovations, hopeful for a resolution that respects the needs of your dedicated user base amidst these challenges.
Thank you once again for considering my feedback in its entirety. I look forward to a constructive dialogue and am eager to see how we can continue to support each other moving forward.
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update: 2024-07-05
Very happy to hear Pokit has reconsidered and is moving towards a one-time purchase model for their new Range App. I will be looking forward to purchasing these new features. Thanks for listening to the customer! -Konrad
I am with everyone here, and am very disappointed. You have a No.1 fan here in Canada. I am a travelling tech and every customer I visited across Canada and USA "was" amazed at your product. I had customer maintenance staff buying them before I left. I have also been pushing our service team to issue these across the board. I won't continue, until this is changed.Now I am not so sure. I know that if i mention anything subscription, I'd shoot myself in the foot. I can see their eye's rolling now.
If this module was a one time developer payment of a new option, sign me up and I will pay. I think there is more going on to all this now with suspicions that my highly regarded set of four Pro's will become door stops soon.
Doing this kind of switch will cost Pokit sales.
--Konrad Bergen A.Sc.T., Product Specialist/Field Service
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Thank you everyone for your feedback. We will be reaching out to you individually through email to discuss more about this and hopefully result in a solution that works best for everybody.
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Like the OP I was also unpleasantly surprised at the news of a subscription model for the range tester and other upcoming modules.
But I do fully understand that Pokit needs some form of continuous revenue stream to keep new development funded, and to keep improving the features. And I immediately joined the Pokit Pro kickstarter because I was so happy with my original Pokit, and the Pro has lived up to all my expectations and more, but I can't imagine what the Pokit Ultra (making this up) could do more to get me to to buy that one too. So in essence I have become a cost center for Pokit and not a profit center.
Still, I don't think that a subscription model is the right way to go, because that sent the wrong message (to me, as a customer). Basically if anything happens to Pokit-the-company, I'm going to be dead in the water. And this is not only about the company folding or something like that, but also if the focus of the company changes, for example after a takeover.
I've had this happen with my still perfectly functional (hardware-wise) Fitbit scale: after the takeover of Fitbit by Google the focus of Fitbit moved to trackers, and the scale is getting less and less functional by the month.
I don't want this to happen to my Pokit...
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A month pass and no news
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I agree with my colleagues that the subscription proposal is unacceptable to me. When purchasing Pokit Pro, I was not informed about plans to introduce a subscription. I was shown current and planned improvements to the device such as
- Range Tester
- Power Meter
- Signal Generator
- Contactless Voltage Wand.
I believe this is luring and cheating the customer. I join the request of PokitMeter forum users to reconsider their plans to introduce subscriptions.
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