star gazer/ faria

[toyota40runner]

does anyone think that the faria replacement guages for the 01 san could be wired to run off the stargazer gps? thought it would be nice to avoid putting in a paddle wheel when i get perfect pass and the faria gauges... sure would be nice

[east tx skier]

RE: star gazer/ faria

This doesn't entirely answer your question, but from everything I've read, Stargazer relies on data from the paddlewheel, which uses the gps signal to regularly recalibrate itself for its speed overlay to an rpm based system. So I don't think you can avoid putting a paddlewheel in the boat if you are using Stargazer.

[j2nh]

From everything I have read I would go along with East_tx_skier on this one.
PP has chosen the route of combining RPM with a GPS corrected paddle wheel for speed control. Makes sense from their point of view as they already have refined the speed RPM/engine interface.

Wish Zero Off had a system for older engines they you could skip the paddle wheel altogether.

[east tx skier]

I don't think you'll see any retrofit system for wired throttle boats for a while. Econtrols (Zero Off) sued Perfect Pass in the federal district court (Western Dist. of Texas) seeking a declaratory judgment that their system doesn't infringe on Perfect Pass's 1997 patent. This was after Perfect Pass's lawyer sent Econtrols a letter asking them to explain how their speed control system did not infringe on PP's patent.

At any rate, I wouldn't expect that Zero Off would expand on its system until all of that is resolved.

[Erik]

Sorry to unearth a long-dead topic but I prefer to do this because it helps search on PlanetNautique.

Does this mean that the promise of Zero Off does not eliminate the need for the paddlewheel entirely. It was something we were thinking of adding as we start the long prep of my 2001 SAN for sale/proceeds toward the 230.

I thought that was the whole point? GPS eliminates the need for the paddlewheel. No?

I am the topic Necromancer!

[east tx skier]

The way I understand it, there is no paddle wheel linked into the zero off system.

Stargazer, on the other hand, incorporates a speed overlay into an rpm based system. The speed information is relayed to the system from the paddlewheel, which checks its accuracy something like 6 times per second with GPS.

That's a long way of saying, Stargazer requires the paddle wheel. Zero Off, from everything I've read, does not.

[Erik]

Ok - thanks very much east_tx_skier.

And the next question... has there been any movement on the pricing information/aftermarket situation for Zero Off?

It costs 1,000,000 kabillion dollars doesn't it...

[east tx skier]

If you mean for older boats, last I checked (a couple of months ago), econtrols and perfect pass were still litigating the issue of Perfect Pass's 1997 patent. Presumably, that would be the reason we haven't seen a retrofit setup for Zero Off announced. But I'm speculating. I plan to opt for the Stargazer upgrade. I already have PP 6.5 ng and a paddle wheel. $400 and some change seems like something my wallet could absorb a bit better.

[Erik]

I mean for a 2001 SAN with RPM based Nautique Cruise and no paddle wheel. So no - not for an "old" boat per se.

[east tx skier]

Zero Off isn't an option today for your boat. Tomorrow or at some other future date, it might be. But currently it is not offered for non DBW boats. Anything that isn't running the econtrols ECM has to be reflashed if I understand correctly. For other company's boats, i.e. MC, this can be pretty problematic for the owner as, last I was made to understand, it voids the warranty on the engine.

As for Stargazer, it will supposedly work on just about any wired throttle boat. It is a $400 (around $429) upgrade for the latest version of Perfect Pass. Add $200 if you have digital pro, but don't have the wide gauge introduced in 2005. If you don't have a paddle wheel (whether it's installed or in the box because it was never installed, it's probably not digital pro, but could be Perfect Pass Plus, which they haven't offered in the last couple of years).

Basically, with the upgrade kit, you get a new master module and gps antenna.

I wasn't aware that Nautique offered their own cruise control. If it's not Perfect Pass digital Pro, the complete Stargazer system is supposed to run $1,350.

[NautiqueJeff]

I wasn't aware that Nautique offered their own cruise control.

Nautique Cruise is new for 2008. I believe they offered something similar in the past though.

[east tx skier]

Jeff, I'm glad you bumped this post. I had a friend who got rid of his Water Ski Mags from the last ten years. I got him to send me what he had from 98--2002. There's an ad in the Aug. 1998 edition for "Nautique Cruise ... by Perfect Pass." First I'd seen of it.

[M3Fan]

I think the Nautique cruise of a few years ago is just the base "PP Cruise" with the Nautiques logo on it. PP Cruise allows you to simply "set" the speed while you were driving, ala a car's cruise control. It doesn't have an LED display at all, just 2 buttons.

http://www.perfectpass.com/pp_cruise.html

[east tx skier]

I think the Nautique cruise of a few years ago is just the base "PP Cruise" with the Nautiques logo on it. PP Cruise allows you to simply "set" the speed while you were driving, ala a car's cruise control. It doesn't have an LED display at all, just 2 buttons.

http://www.perfectpass.com/pp_cruise.html

That's what it looked like from the picture.

[FixerOstuff]

Nautique cruise was an RPM based speed control. It sucked and failed frequently. Party because they mounted most of the control keypads on the driver's armrest facing the sky right next to a cup holder. So needless to say it got wet and died alot.

Star Gazer doesn't use a paddle wheel. It is strictly GPS driven. However, the public does not have access to that accurate of GPS. Only the military has access to GPS specific enough to drive a speed control system. A mathematician came up with an algorithm to make up the difference.

Turns out the paddle wheel is still more accurate than a GPS system. The Star Gazer system works in concert with the GPS to become as accurate as it's gonna get. If your boat has the updated Faria analog gauges that replaced the crappy LCD ones, you had to have a paddle wheel installed to drive the new faria gauge. There is a Y adapter for that boat in the event you have a perfect pass as well. There is no need for two paddle wheels.

Do not fear putting a paddle wheel in your boat. I've been drilling holes for them for over 5 years straight and have yet to get one to leak. All you need to do is make sure you are drilling in the right spot. Dad always told me, measure twice and cut once.

Oh by the way, did I mention Zero off doesn't really work that well in a current. I'm really bent about this becuse Correct Craft will not deliver my 2008 210 with Perfect Pass, Zero off only, and I will be on the river. >