Speed Control

[BHT]

Already starting to get the bug for the 2011 season and wanting to upgrade from MC Cruise to PP StarGazer or Zero Off (this is for a 07 X1). Did a search on TT and seems that folks are happy with either one. PP is less expensive for mine and I hear nothing but good things about their CS. Would there be any reason to pay more $ and get the ZO?

I know this has been discussed before but I thought I'd ask for a update from users of the GPS based system on rivers. 50% of the time I'm on a river with a reasonable current, will I hate trying to get the speed right and wish I'd stayed with the paddle wheel?

[east tx skier]

I don't think you can make Zero Off work on an 07 (possible you could do some serious reworking of the system, but I don't think it'll work out of the box). SG is a great system. If you have a paddle wheel on your boat and you get SG, order the system from Perfect Pass and tell them (or your dealer if they do it for you) that you want the latest incarnation of SG with the river option. They do not advertise this option, but it basically allows you to utilize the paddle wheel for speed when you are dealing with a river current or turn it off when you want pure gps.

[BHT]

This is the exact reason why I like TT so much! Thanks east tx skier.

[mccobmd]

I had conisdered upgrading but so far the MC cruise has worked well enough I've used that budget for wake boards, wake ski's and more ballast.

[BHT]

The MC Cruise does work pretty well. The problem I run in to is when my wife or friends who are not very experienced with driving pull me they blast through the speed and fumble around a bit getting cruise to pull the speed back. I had PP on other boats and it would pick up the speed early and take it from there. Needless to say the wife and I had a few words over this last summer

[BHT]

I did a search on WakeWorld and a couple people complained about PP SG being slow to stabilize on the target speed. I find that difficult to believe otherwise the system would be useless on a slalom course.

[east tx skier]

Originally Posted by BHT

I did a search on WakeWorld and a couple people complained about PP SG being slow to stabilize on the target speed. I find that difficult to believe otherwise the system would be useless on a slalom course.

Questions that should be asked on this issue is whether the system is mechanical or drive by wire and, if mechanical, what version of SG they are running. The original incarnation of SG for boats with a mechanical throttle was a little slow to lock in. With the current update (the 2008 update), the system settles in nicely. That said, you still have to aim for your speed, set point, whether you you have a mechanical or digital throttle control system. The driver can't push the throttle 3/4--full and expect the system to immediately adjust.

[brucemac]

Originally Posted by BHT

I did a search on WakeWorld and a couple people complained about PP SG being slow to stabilize on the target speed. I find that difficult to believe otherwise the system would be useless on a slalom course.

I do not have this issue. I've been very happy with SG. ETS is right, you can't just burry the throttle.

If anybody here has ordered the paddle wheel software update, please share your experience. I'm considering it.

[east tx skier]

It was described to me by someone at PP as being a complete paddle wheel based system. So if you have ever used WB pro, it's like that.

[brucemac]

yup yup, was just curious what was involved. it's just a software flash with a thumb drive isn't it or does it require a whole new master module? i emailed PP to find out. it would be nice to have the option, but i can't see spending a ton of money on it.