MercMonitor or SC1000 Smartcraft Gauge?

This topic has 13 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 6 months ago by CrappieCat1.

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November 23, 2018 at 7:18 pm #465309

TonkaCat
Participant

Any good reason to choose one over the other? I like that I can customize the views on the MercMonitor Monitor.

What do I need to consider when deciding? This one just has me a bit confused. Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

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November 23, 2018 at 7:54 pm #465310

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Yes, the Tachometer is the driver of the other gauges on a SmartCraft system. The SmartCraft Monitor does virtually everything in one gauge and allows toggling between the gauges operations.

The only beef we have are that the SmartCraft Monitor lens is Plastic, while they changed the SmartCraft Gauges are Glass lenses.

Linking happens with both systems and you can daisy chain all the gauges you want through a Junction Block.

November 23, 2018 at 11:55 pm #465311

catmantwo
Participant

I think with the smart craft monitor, you may have to change your trim gauge to digital from analog.

At least I had to, but that was a few years ago.

November 24, 2018 at 12:18 am #465312

oldtimer57
Participant

You have to do the same for the Mercmonitor. Both are digital-based. The mercmonitor can show everything, although not at one time. I replaced my tach with one of these and have been totally happy with it. If you want to use the ECO screen, you will need to replace the sending unit which will disable the analog trim gauge if you currently have one. I’ve seen several that have added the vessel view module and added an iPad mount at the console which will then show everything in real time.

November 24, 2018 at 12:39 am #465313

catdude28
Participant

Merc Vessel View Mobile is something I am going to take a serious look at this year. Lots of data on it, and some cool things that you can do with it. Super easy install, and everything is right under the cowl. All you need is either your smart phone, or your tablet for display. Just another option available from Mercury.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/ca/gau … ew-mobile/

November 24, 2018 at 7:10 am #465318

CrappieCat1
Participant

Oldtimer, they guys you’ve seen running Vessel View Mobile, have they been satisfied with its performance? I’ve been thinking about adding it to mine. I’m just wanting to keep an eye on engine temp’s more than anything. Making sure it’s warmed up before take off, and then making sure it stays cool during the day. I too run the Lowrance HDS Gen 2 touch, but hadn’t heard they sometimes don’t play well together on the NMEA with Merc’s.

November 24, 2018 at 7:35 am #465314

bwp777
Participant

that was a big plus with the Yamaha interface and the lowrance units. I could see all the vital info on one screen. it wasn’t cheap, but well worth the money. I would call merc and see if they offer a way to link the motor info onto the electronics you are running

November 24, 2018 at 7:37 am #465315

bwp777
Participant

oh
and skip the plastic lenses. they crack and then fog up. poor design

November 24, 2018 at 8:00 am #465316

oldtimer57
Participant

You can get merc engine info on a nmea2000 connection, but many say that mercury and nmea don’t play very well together. You need a merc monitor level 2 or higher, plus the nmea interface from Lowrance and it will work reasonably well. Personally I have never wanted to give up a sonar display for engine data.

November 24, 2018 at 9:07 am #465317

TonkaCat
Participant

Guys thank you all for the insight. I thought long and hard about VesselView mobile and don’t trust myself using my phone or iPad while in the boat. I think I have 6 phones in the drink so a permanent Gauge is my only good option. Thanks again for all the insight.

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November 24, 2018 at 11:41 pm #465319

TonkaCat
Participant

Anyone know the difference bettween “level one and level two” I can’t find on the mercury website.

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November 25, 2018 at 12:11 am #465320

Redngoo
Participant

Mine is a level 1. I use mine simply for water temp. Only one item at a time can be viewed. At the time i installed mine iwas interested only in water temp but it will show water psi, engine hours, trim(must add the digital sending unit) ,rpms.and etc. The install is easy and every thing is hooked up at the console with a few harnesses and a junction box. Sherm helped me with my parts. The level2 actually will give english code faults, view up to 3 feature at once and is only 100 or so more dollar. I like the level 2 and for the money is a better purchase imo. I installed mine in the speedo hole and plugged the speedo line at the console. Eventally i will convert to a level 2 if the screen ever clouds over so far after 3 yrs mine is still crystal clear! Plus serves my need. Really in the end its all how much money yo wanna spend. Level1 300 to 350 versus level 2 400 to 450. Contact sherm

November 25, 2018 at 1:14 am #465321

oldtimer57
Participant

Every one I have talked to seems perfectly happy. Some installed vessel view under the cowl. And had a few issues if they placed it in the back where the engine block and wiring interferes with connectivity. Other than that, I have heard no one complain at all. Only issue I can think of is that iPads are not waterproof so rain or sticking a wave would be an issue, and many smart phones are also not water tolerant.

As far as NMEA, in thinking back, I believe Don (Don Weed, BBC) had mentioned humminbird rather than Lowrance as having the problem, but that was a year ago. You might search the merc 3.0 forum on BBC, this comes up every now and then.

November 25, 2018 at 10:38 pm #465322

CrappieCat1
Participant

Thanks Oldtimer..
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