Bennett "All in One" product request :-)

[kaz911]

Hi Tom,

I have just bought a "new to me" 2008 310DA - and I'm going through the list of upgrades I would like.

One of them is Auto Tab, the other is NMEA2000 output - and 3rd - I would like a TTI indication as well. (I'm an electronics engineer... so... )

But then I would clutter up my helm with Bennett stuff and documentation about "sensor" usage to multiple indicators (NMEA2000/TTI) are not the best.

So please - can you get your product development to make a new product - with NMEA2000, Indicator and ATC control in ONE control unit/display unit?

Or alternative - make a nice combo kit so I don't end up with 2 spare sensor coils/rods from NMEA2000 and TTI kit.

But I would prefer an "All in one" solution.

 

[Tabman]

Hi Kaz,

I am going to forward this to the product development guys.

I do have one question and observation.

The NMEA kit uses sensors in the actuators and of course displays the Trim Tab position on a NMEA compatible display. So in my mind there is no need for a separate Trim Tab indicator.

Could you please clarify why you would want a separate Trim Tab Indicator display when it is going to be already shown on one of your NMEA displays? I know the engineers will ask me this question, so I want to be able to give them your point of view.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[kaz911]

Well - I only plan on having an MFD (or two) - and for quick situational awareness - it is always faster to glance on a row of LED's than having to change the display to show the Trims. The MFD display's are already "fighting" for available space - have radar, fishfinder, camera's etc. all going in there on one display (or maybe two if you can afford it)

I don't think many people have a NMEA display just for the trim tabs. They might have a "pop - up" when you change trim tab position. I don't know how MFD's with Trim pop up handles Auto Tab though?

But a set of LED's - you can just glance at them and then you know instantly. No buttons or touch screen to press.

And for a purely scientific point of view - I will log my NMEA performance data but that is another story.

 

[Tabman]

Kaz,

Thanks for the info!

Some MFDs have a pop up that show the Trim Tab position is a small window when the Tabs are adjusted. It depends on the manufacturer of the displays.

I will pass your thoughts along to our team.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[fwebster]

The bigger the hull, the less dramatic the effect of the trim tabs. From about 30 ft up, you probably won't adjust them but one time per outing. Just because it can be done doesn't make it cost effective or necessary to do, so my suggestion is that you wait until you sea trial the new boat before investing in more than OEM tab equipment......with one exception. Every boat with Bennett tabs should have their automatic tab retractor installed on it. It is modular and hook directly to the tab switch, a constant 12VDC source, a switched 12VDC source and a ground, plus, Bennett is one of the best marine equipment makers in the industry and they put tons of thought into product design and execution and a plus for boaters is they also have the best customer service in the industry, hands down.

 

[kaz911]

The bigger the hull, the less dramatic the effect of the trim tabs. From about 30 ft up, you probably won't adjust them but one time per outing. Just because it can be done doesn't make it cost effective or necessary to do, so my suggestion is that you wait until you sea trial the new boat before investing in more than OEM tab equipment......with one exception. Every boat with Bennett tabs should have their automatic tab retractor installed on it. It is modular and hook directly to the tab switch, a constant 12VDC source, a switched 12VDC source and a ground, plus, Bennett is one of the best marine equipment makers in the industry and they put tons of thought into product design and execution and a plus for boaters is they also have the best customer service in the industry, hands down.

I'm an Electronics Engineer - so I'm tuning what I can :grin: and I'm working both for my "new" boat and my 240DA loaner The 240DA is very sensitive due to the high Centre of Gravity vs small beam. Move a coke can from on side to the other and you have to adjust

I have ordered one Auto Trim tab (and auto retractor) - and I'll put it in the 240DA first. When my boat arrives i'll check that and then decide what to put in. But it will get NMEA interface for logging purposes.

But regarding pop ups - I would get annoyed if the MFD has a pop up every time the Auto Trim Tab makes an adjustment - especially if it happens many times pr second.