Anyone have an R-COM-20 Incubator?

[KingsCalls]

I was thinking about buying a new bator come spring. This one has digital controls, holds 20 standard chicken eggs, automatic humidity control and in case of power outage stores all info. in memory...............only problem is, it's $450.00! I was just wondering if antone has one and if so, are you pleased with it. If not, please let me know why you are not pleased with it. Thanks, Jeff

 

[silkiechicken]

I personally don't have one but I think it's a fancy high dangled gadget thing that I hear works decently. I would put my money on something that holds more eggs though. You know you won't stop at just 20 eggs.

 

[kstaven]

Brinsea octagon is far better value for the money!!!!!! Only 310.00 through Strombergs. You can get the 40 egg model for the cost of the R-Com. You find them cheaper through ebay stores at times too.

 

[KingsCalls]

Quote:
YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT!! But if I hatch more than a couple dozen at a time, my wife kinda goes into "panic mode"...........(LOL)

 

[KKluckers]

I would go with the Brinsea. I have one and love it. You can get it the cheapest on their site at www.brinsea.com i have looked all over for a cheaper price and could not find it. I paid 399.00 for mine, but that hold 48 hen eggs well. Maybe more if they are bantams.

 

[Cara]

I have an R-COM and I love it. I'm only on my second hatch, but it is very simple and low-maintenance, and i've had good results with shipped eggs and 100% with my own. It would take the fun out of hatching using a less effective incubator. It holds temperature and humidity extremely well. It doesn't hold 20 large eggs though, more like 16-18. I got mine for $370 when Brinsea had a sale; if i'd got it sooner I could have ordered one for $280. They were selling some with cosmetic defects, but they came with the same warranty as the full price incubators. I chose it over the Octagon because of the digital humidity control. You have to buy a separate module to have digital humidity control on the Octagon, and it is extremely expensive ($349). Also, the R-COM has a better window, and it is easier to turn some eggs and not others if you have a staggered hatch over a day or two. The one funny thing about the R-COM is the manual. It's translated from Korean by someone who apparently doesn't speak English as a first language. The $400 was worth the entertainment of the instruction manual alone.

The R-COM 20 is $399 from Brinsea direct at the moment. If you want to wait, they may have a better offer on it.

 

[KingsCalls]

Quote:
THANKS CARA, I WILL WAIT UNTIL CLOSER TO SPRING AND SEE IF MAYBE THEY GET ANY CHEAPER. i'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE HAVING GOOD RESULTS WITH YOURS AND THAT YOU ARE PLEASED WITH IT........JEFF

 

[Poison Ivy]

I have a r-com 20 also and I really like it. I have the chicken egg tray which holds twenty eggs. Then I also have the universal egg tray which I don't really care for but it came in handy when I wanted to incubate quail eggs at the same time.
I also have a hova bator 1588 which has the electronic controlled thermostat. Which I use as a back up incubator or hatcher.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

Quote:
Glad I did a search on this as I threw my Hova Bator away as I got sick of it and want something easier. Anyhow...this 'turning' point you mention...is this applicable for when you have the turning off on the last 3 days or something b/c it does auto turn the eggs, right?
For this kind of money...it does do EVERYTHING for you, right?
I am willing to pay the money IF it works right and all I basically have to do is stick eggs in & 21-28 says later pull out chicks. Is that what I would be looking at with this?
Kristi

 

[Cara]

Yes and no. You have remember to turn the turner off after 18/25 days, as it will turn the eggs indefinitely otherwise. You also have to refill the water every 3-5 days, depending on the humidity where you live. I also take out the dividers that hold the eggs in place at 18 days, and put a piece of shelf liner on the bottom as the floor is very slick. The one really annoying thing about it is that it plays a tune every time it turns, and you can't turn it off.