Speedo ??

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 4 months ago by Gary Hollander.

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January 23, 2008 at 8:44 am #274479

JSLAW
Participant

Just wondering out loud here (after reading a few reports of speedometers on other site) with all the advancements in todays boats, and I almost dare to say that most now come standard with at least some sort of GPS system. Why do boat manufactures continue to put an unreliable speedometer in boats (not just BCB), most people i know including myself, their speedo does not work, due to being clogged and when it is cleared it takes about two trips to get clogged up again, and they sure do not trust it when it is working. So basically i have a useless gauge in front of me all the time. It does not bother me as I use my GPS for my speed, but it could save money in the long run for the company, and it would be one less part to worry about. I would rather see an engine temp gauge in place of the speedo, for those who do not have smart craft, i am sure would agree. I bet if you took a poll, most would agree to get rid of it, and put something a little more useful in there, at least those without smartcraft would.

January 23, 2008 at 2:51 pm #274480

basscathash
Participant

I totally agree. I have the Yamaha multi function gage that has speed , fuel, voltage, temperature and time. My speedo has only worked once since it was new. I would much rather have individual gages and not have a speedo since I also use the GPS for speed. Brian Hash

January 23, 2008 at 3:05 pm #274481

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I agree also. I have the Yamaha multi function gauge also, but I really dont use the speed on it. It actually does give a fairly accurate speed (within 1-3 mph) compared to GPS. I would much rather have a temp gauge too. KentKent Charles 2002 Pantera Classic & 200 Yamaha VMax

January 23, 2008 at 3:30 pm #274482

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Those are the offerings that are cost efficient for manufacturers. If all had Smart Craft gauges and GPS units, then we would make the GPS connection standard. Each individual with a GPS receiver and the Smart Craft gauges could make a connection between the units, and the sender would activate the speedo. The pitot is the most dependable and functional item, priced efficiently and with simplicity. If another option exists, we are all for it! BCB

January 24, 2008 at 12:44 am #274483

PhilAddison
Participant

Hey wait a minute……………at least the last two boats that I have had, the speedos were dead on. This was with Mercury Smart Craft. These were within 1/2 mph of the gps. Maybe a coincidence?

January 24, 2008 at 2:02 am #274484

BoBo
Participant

I have smartcraft gages, but no gps on my 2002 P3 and a stock 200 Opti. I can easily peg the 80 mph speedo.

January 24, 2008 at 2:34 am #274485

dave h
Participant

i got tired of plugged speedo hole and no reading and tied my smartcraft guages to my lowrance x17 gps so now i read gps speed on smartcraft speedo .no more worries about wood in the speedo hole.just ask for help .someone here sent in pretty easy to read instructions on how to tie them together and i am sure they would do it again.

January 24, 2008 at 3:05 am #274486

PhilAddison
Participant

BoBo You need to calibrate your speedo. There a factor in there that you can tune it up with. Might help.

January 24, 2008 at 1:05 pm #274487

BoBo
Participant

You need to calibrate your speedo. There a factor in there that you can tune it up with. Might help Phil, I figured as much. Ive been wanting to get a buddy with a GPS to run along side of. But then theres that plugging problem and the lakes I fish very often have a lot of that woody crap that quickly ends up in the pitot…Its good to know that I will be able to route a GPS speed connection to the smartcraft…I was planning to buy a lowrance gps/sonar this spring.

January 24, 2008 at 1:38 pm #274488

Gary Hollander
Participant

Im with Phil. My current SmartCraft speedo is within “tenths” of the GPS. My factor is at “12”; which is 1.12 X. If I set it any lower, the Speedo will lag the GPS by 3-5 mph. On my last few rigs I have been between 12-13 and got them in synch.Gunk in the pick-up on a Merc is a fact of life. Get a 5/64″ stainless, long-shaft drill and it will easily clean out when you twirl it BY HAND. A little experimentation on the water and you can very easily fine tune the SmartCraft speedo. As already stated, hard wiring the SC with the GPS is the ultimate if so equipped…. Gary Hollander
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