After several weeks of using Smartcraft in my 260DA (this is my first experience with Smartcraft) I generally like the information available but with the display only capable of showing two pieces of information at any time (mine displays in the Tach) I also find it very frustrating. I usually wind up with the depth meter showing all the time and nothing else. Personally I think Sea Ray should bite the bullet on this one and put a big display in all their boats, one that will show a lot more information at one time. Aside from the monitoring capabilites, it winds up being of mariginal value most of the time. I guess they do offer a big display in some of their larger boats but what about us folks with smaller ones? At this point in time I am thinking seriously about buying the harnesses and sensors to display similar information in my Navman even though it will be a duplication of what Smartcraft can display. At least with the Navman you can get a whole bunch of information displayed at one time on the screen.
Opinions on Smartcraft?
- Thread starter Dave S
- Start date
CJ Martin
Member
Dave, I know exactly what you mean. That is why I added a SC1000 monitor to my Smartcraft setup on the 260DA. It is very easy to do. You'll need the SC1000 (got mine on eBay for ~$85), a 4-way expansion block (ebay ~$20) and two cables (had to buy those from the dealer as the ones I needed weren't showing up on eBay, thus they were more expensive at ~$50 EACH). The scary part was drilling the big hole in the helm. After that, a couple of screws to secure the 4-way block inside the helm (watch out for the companionway door, it slides back there behind the helm), disconnect the Smartcraft cable from the tach, connect it to the block, then connect the tach and monitor to the block using the 2 new cables. That's it - don't forget to run the setup on the SC1000.
Well worth the cost. Typically I would have depth on the SC1000 (much larger display) and fuel flow on the tach.
I miss Smartcraft on the 320, and it is one my list to add (my engines are Smartcraft-ready, just need the displays and cables).
-CJ
Well worth the cost. Typically I would have depth on the SC1000 (much larger display) and fuel flow on the tach.
I miss Smartcraft on the 320, and it is one my list to add (my engines are Smartcraft-ready, just need the displays and cables).
-CJ
CJ.............The SC5000 is what I was thinking about since that system appears capable of displaying multiple data points simultaneously. My Navman also has the same capabilities if you buy the wiring harnesses and sensors but it seems silly to have to do that when Smartcraft already exisits.
In the end, I suppose the SC1000 would be better than what I have right now though and I may consider that. Thanks for the tip.
In the end, I suppose the SC1000 would be better than what I have right now though and I may consider that. Thanks for the tip.
wastinaweigh
Member
- Oct 4, 2006
- 219
- Boat Info
- 260 Sundancer 2004
Kohler 5E Generator
- Engines
- 350 MAG Bravo III
Dave,
In the short term, remember that you can scroll backwards by holding the button down for 2 seconds or so. It is helps if you ae bouncing between displays.
CJ,
Thanks for the tip on the SC1000. I never thought about that solution. I have been thinking about installing a separate depth finder, but I now I will look at the smartcraft options.
In the short term, remember that you can scroll backwards by holding the button down for 2 seconds or so. It is helps if you ae bouncing between displays.
CJ,
Thanks for the tip on the SC1000. I never thought about that solution. I have been thinking about installing a separate depth finder, but I now I will look at the smartcraft options.
CJ Martin
Member
Dave,
Space was my biggest problem - I really like the features of the SC5000, but there was no good place to put it without a major reconfiguration of the helm. Cost was an issue too - the SC5000 is about 10x the cost of the SC1000. You'll need all the same cables and whatnot for either.
That said, the SC5000 is what I am looking at for the 320. While the motors are Smartcraft ready, all my guages are analog, and I have a Raymarine C70 located directly in front of the wheel. This would be the best place for the SC5000, but that means I need to move C70, which really means I need to upgrade to the C80 (larger screen = better visability since it will be further from the helm). It's a big job, and thanks to Ernesto (and home repairs) it probably won't happen this season.
-CJ
Space was my biggest problem - I really like the features of the SC5000, but there was no good place to put it without a major reconfiguration of the helm. Cost was an issue too - the SC5000 is about 10x the cost of the SC1000. You'll need all the same cables and whatnot for either.
That said, the SC5000 is what I am looking at for the 320. While the motors are Smartcraft ready, all my guages are analog, and I have a Raymarine C70 located directly in front of the wheel. This would be the best place for the SC5000, but that means I need to move C70, which really means I need to upgrade to the C80 (larger screen = better visability since it will be further from the helm). It's a big job, and thanks to Ernesto (and home repairs) it probably won't happen this season.
-CJ
osd9
New Member
CJ:
I am not sure how the dash is laid out on the 320, but if you look at my avatar to the left, you should see where I added the SC5000 systems view. What I did was relocate the Sea Ray systems monitor off to the side. I never look at that thing anyway, and that is actually where they are located on the newer boats today. Then I put the SC5000 where the Sea Ray systems monitor was (to the right of the steering wheel, I can actually see and operate the SC5000 quite well in that position).
Hope this helps....
later,
I am not sure how the dash is laid out on the 320, but if you look at my avatar to the left, you should see where I added the SC5000 systems view. What I did was relocate the Sea Ray systems monitor off to the side. I never look at that thing anyway, and that is actually where they are located on the newer boats today. Then I put the SC5000 where the Sea Ray systems monitor was (to the right of the steering wheel, I can actually see and operate the SC5000 quite well in that position).
Hope this helps....
later,
CJ Martin
Member
osd9 said:
Well that is an idea worth looking into more - I hadn't thought about relocating the SeaRay monitor. Thanks for the tip! I have the installation template for the SC5000, so I can see if it will fit there on my helm.
Now I have a good excuse to sneak over to the boat during lunch...
:grin:
-CJ
SearayPaul
Active Member
Let me show my ignorance. What is a SC1000? I have a 2004 Smartcraft system and also would like a larger display and an easier to manage interface showing multiple displays. This sounds like something I would be intersted in. Boring holes in the dash does not bother me.
Does someone have a link that I could use to read about the SC1000 etc? I found this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...010QQitemZ200029951960QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V. Is this the correct item. I tried mercury's website but got frustrated.
Thanks for your help
Paul
Does someone have a link that I could use to read about the SC1000 etc? I found this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...010QQitemZ200029951960QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V. Is this the correct item. I tried mercury's website but got frustrated.
Thanks for your help
Paul
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,344
- Boat Info
- 2006 300DA Sundancer
- Engines
- 350 Mags / Bravo III
Are all of you refering to the Smartcraft System View?
Paul
Here is the link to Mercury's website which will explain the SC1000 as well as the SC 5000 and other Smartcraft options http://sox.brunswick.com/smartcraft_sc1000_monitor
Dave
Here is the link to Mercury's website which will explain the SC1000 as well as the SC 5000 and other Smartcraft options http://sox.brunswick.com/smartcraft_sc1000_monitor
Dave
SearayPaul
Active Member
Thank you Dave. That is was very helpful.
Have a great day
Paul
Have a great day
Paul
