Anyone using the new Bluetooth vesselview module and a smart phone?

Cincy Aquaholic said:
ok, let me add this question. Based on another thread I'm interested in trying my ipad mini with navionics for chartplotting. Since it does not have cellular I need to use a Garmin BT GPS adapter. I also want to use the ipad to stream bluetooth music. I've read where its possible to do both of those things simultaneously. Now, if I want to use this Vessel View thing at the same time can my ipad or any other device really do ALL three things at the same time?? Music, GPS, and Vessel view?? If so, I'm sold!
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The latest iPad mini 4, is using the 64-bit A8, with M8 motion processor. This can definitely handle what your asking. The earlier Mini 3 and 2 both used the 64-bit A7 +M7, you should be good with this too, but you might want to delete everything or just reset and start with a clean slate. Only the original would give you issues. I would make sure you have a 32/64 or higher of storage.

ONE big issue I have with the Mercury Marine app is that it appears to only work in portrait mode on the iPad, that's annoying. All iPad apps should be able to rotate, and Apple provides some nice tools to create multiple layouts (for various orientations and form factors), all using the same code. Hopefully they will get this corrected in the near future.

I purchased the garmin Glo, but not the aviation one, for GOS signal.
Here is where I mounted it, but I have since moved it up to uncover RPM gauges, I was using the SC5000. I was worried the bouncing would dislodge the magnets, but it doesn't, so now I mount it about 4" higher.

33a1e2a654282713a6c554a220193881.jpg



Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive
 
MD185SportGuy said:
Old thread but bringing it back up. I have added this to my boat - absolutely love it so far. I have been in contact with their support regarding additional features. Apparently the web component is coming along and is hoped to be launched within the next month. Tablet enhancements, horizontal view, and more information displays are planned.

This app + Navionics + a really great RAM mount and my iPad Mini 4 with cellular works like a charm and is a hell of a lot cheaper than the Raymarine A67 I was going to install in dash on my boat.

The module was easy to install (on the 3.0 MPI the SmartCraft plug is at the rear of the engine and not grouped with the other connectors at the top of the engine, so that was a bit of a hunt). Here is a pic - the yellow connector ziptied to the lube hose is the other Smartcraft connector with terminator attached. Don't mind my dirty bilge :)
View attachment 49159

For the price it is a bargain - I really hope Mercury can build some steam and support behind this because the possibilities are endless with having this data available to boating apps as an API - just like how the iPad has revolutionized General Aviation.
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Do you have any closer pics of the Vessel View module and how it's installed? Our setup is different but before I give up and hire someone to do it for me I'd like to give it a try. Thanks!
 
I just installed the Smartcraft mobile on my 19spx OB with 150 fourstroke and it was a 10min setup. The instructions that come with the BT module it tells you want to look for and where to plug it in. This boat wasn't wired for smartcraft to the helm so it is nice to be able to get smartcraft info on the motor for short money and time to get it installed. I think the only downfall I see so far is it doesn't show oil pressure. Does anyone get oil pressure on the Inbaord engine install?
 
Jeremygavin said:
I just installed the Smartcraft mobile on my 19spx OB with 150 fourstroke and it was a 10min setup. The instructions that come with the BT module it tells you want to look for and where to plug it in. This boat wasn't wired for smartcraft to the helm so it is nice to be able to get smartcraft info on the motor for short money and time to get it installed. I think the only downfall I see so far is it doesn't show oil pressure. Does anyone get oil pressure on the Inbaord engine install?
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I with our installation was so easy. We have Cummins engines and Zeus pod drives so we do have SmartCraft/VesselView at the helm. We dug around with my husband last night and determined that we may have to pull the entire helm station in order to install this module. Luckily, we're in the process of upgrading our e120 chartplotters to the Axiom so I've asked our installer to take a look while everything is pulled apart to see if he can find the smartcraft port to get this installed. Worst case I'll run down while it's all apart and do it myself.

My other option is looking in the engine room on one of the pod drives to see if I can see anything that looks like I could connect it.

Sandy
 
I am currently trying to figure out if my 2015 280 DA that came from the factory with smartcraft and raymarine plotter has the gateway to provide the info to the plotter. I am slowly starting to think it does not have the gateway to transfer the data. I have been told that gateway is closer to $250. If this device sends data to a phone via bluetooth, does anyone know if it would send the info to the plotter that has bluetooth? Or does the raymarine not have the ability to receive or bluetooth?
 
Rxjoe said:
I am currently trying to figure out if my 2015 280 DA that came from the factory with smartcraft and raymarine plotter has the gateway to provide the info to the plotter. I am slowly starting to think it does not have the gateway to transfer the data. I have been told that gateway is closer to $250. If this device sends data to a phone via bluetooth, does anyone know if it would send the info to the plotter that has bluetooth? Or does the raymarine not have the ability to receive or bluetooth?
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A quick way to test is to download the Vessel View app and if the module is installed you'll be able to connect. My understanding is that the Mercury Marine Bluetooth module discussed in this thread is relatively new so even in a 2015 boat you're unlikely to have it preinstalled. The good news is the unit is inexpensive (see the link I posted above), the bad news of you have Zeus drives is the connection is not easy to find. I haven't tried really hard but keep in mind you might have to hire someone to help with the installation of the dash has to be removed.


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Thank you for the reply. Yes I am fairly certain it does not have the bluetooth installed already. I do not believe it has the older wired gateway installed either. My raymarine can not currently identify the engine at all. My questions is, can I skip the older gateway to get the info to the raymarine and use this new bluetooth module to send to raymarine unit.
 
Rxjoe said:
Thank you for the reply. Yes I am fairly certain it does not have the bluetooth installed already. I do not believe it has the older wired gateway installed either. My raymarine can not currently identify the engine at all. My questions is, can I skip the older gateway to get the info to the raymarine and use this new bluetooth module to send to raymarine unit.
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If you have vessel view 4 or 7 then these units have the gateway built into them and ou do not need another gateway. I had the gateway on my 340 when I had the old SC5000 but when I added the vessel view 7 I didn't need it any longer. It is an NMEA2000 connection so the plotter and VV7 would need to be wired to the nmea2000 network in order for the data to transfer.
 
For those of you with older SC100 smartcraft units, I just got my 2004 system up and running with VVM fairly easily. In my case I had one 6-way junction box at the helm... 2 engine, manual shift setup. Unfortunately all of the 10 pin purple connectors were being used. Instead of moving to an 8-way junction box, which was $122, I ordered a CAN bus cable part# 84-891957-K01 and a 4 way junction box. This was just over $90, plugged both motor connector to 4 way then used can bus cable to daisy chain into the 6-way. Put a weather cap on the remaining open port on the 4 way and connected the Bluetooth module to the now open port on the original 6 way..: pretty cool, total cost for me was just under $375, still less than buying a scan tool, and gives you telemetry data to your phone or iPad..

For the folks running iPad Pro and Navionics ... not sure how you ran both apps (Navionics and vessel view in split screen)... neither of which work in split screen . Not all apps work in split screen on iPad Pro multitask.. be that as it may, still way cool..
 
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sdleo26 said:
For the folks running iPad Pro and Navionics ... not sure how you ran both apps (Navionics and vessel view in split screen)... neither of which work in split screen .
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Not sure what the hell is going on because last time I was out I noticed I could only single screen these apps now. Not a huge inconvenience but an annoyance.
 
Navionics and VesselView mobile need to be updated to support split screen. However, in the meantime on an iPad, you should be able to use 4 finger left/right swipe, and change from current app to the previous. There is a setting, search for gestures, but I think it defaults to on.


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Quick update on this - we were able to get our Vessel View mobile installed tonight. I was able to find an open port on the starboard junction box, remove the weather cap and installed the VVM quickly and easily. Once it's plugged in, turn on the engine keys to power the unit and you should be able to connect via the mobile app pretty quickly. All this being said, even though we only have the original Vessel View on our boat, I was pretty underwhelmed by the bluetooth module. Yes, it connects and provides engine data but at this point the app does not provide any data related to Zeus pod drives. I like having the bluetooth module as a backup to provide engine data however I think that's about the only utility we'll realize with it. If you have pod drives, don't bother with purchasing one of these units.
 
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