I did it with my 2007 280 2 seasons ago. One of my favorite upgrades that I have done thus far. I put in a level 2 (I believe) Mercmonitor with smartcraft link gauges. Awesome to have realtime data and ACCURATE data.
My boat is a 2002 FV270 and was smartcraft capable(I called Mercruiser with engine serial number)... removed all my analog gauges and used a vesselview 4. Love it!!
Keith how was the install on the vessel view and what material did you use for the dash ,nice job by the way looks really neat ,could you post the link for the switch covers mine are on the way out
I ordered the switch actuators(covers) from OTRATTW.com. I built the VV4 mount and the chartplotter mount out of fiberglass. Install was fun(for me) and very rewarding when completed!
If you ditch the analog gauges, you also need to link your fuel tank level to the engine computer. It's easy and cheap ... search on this forum for details.
If you ditch the analog gauges, you also need to link your fuel tank level to the engine computer. It's easy and cheap ... search on this forum for details.
This reminds me of that one more thing I keep forgetting to do.
I have been considering doing this over the last year and a half. Ever since I got the information provided thru VesselView Mobile, I have wanted more, but without the app. I looked at getting VesselView 4, but that is an older unit. Rinker has a VesselView 702 on their parts site for a decent price. I am just concerned that I wouldn't get all of the parts, then I would have to spend extra to get it to work properly.
2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" Go Steelers!!!
The VV4 is on the bottom left and the bigger screen in the middle is(now) a Garmin GPSMAP 742xs chartplotter. The VV4 acts as a SmartCraft gateway allowing information to be displayed on the chartplotter via NMEA2000. I didn’t even realize that there was a new VV4 on the market, mine is just over a year old. For those that are old school and concerned about “too many electronic components” to go bad and “analogue is better”.... The SmartCraft system uses all the same sensors as when you have analog gauges... only information is converted to a digital display.
looks like I could just install the vessel view module its about $300 ,download the app,and mount a iPad to the dash.Leave the gauges that are there and no wiring. Done in 20 minutes
you could, but then you have to connect at least once a day.. (maybe even everytime you start depending on if the module still has power or not).. and launch the app, et tc etc.. i know first world problems.
The wiring is minimal... power/ground, Smartcraft data cable and N2K cable. The beauty of it all comes together when all the information is on multiple devices. With the N2K network I can even control all functions of my stereo system(Fusion) from my chartplotter.
The reason I was looking to upgrade in the first place was last year half away through the season when I got over 4000 rpm the alarm would beep every 2 minutes till I shut the boat off it would reset and be fine till it ran above the 4,000 rpm turns out it was the neutral safety switch .well that took a while for the mechanic to track down so I saw that the smart gauges would tell you what the problem was,probably not that one but any major issues it would give you a code to reference
ok the vessel view 702 is $2000 the vv4 is $1200 the smart gauge is $650 the module is $300 don't they basically all do the same thing and Ill feel Im getting a little more from that crazy phone bill I pay every month
The module does not provide all the information that the vessel views provide. You may get what you need out of the module, but you just won't know until you need to have it. Keep an eye out on ebay/craigslist for used older vesselviews. I bought mine about 4 years ago for ~$250 and then spent ~$50 for cables.
The Rinker parts site has the 702 for $1200. The mobile unit tells you a lot. If the engine is throwing a code, it will show up. It might not give you a description of the code, but it will save you time with the mechanic. It also gives you maintenance numbers, when to change the oil, outdrive lube, anodes and more.
2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" Go Steelers!!!
Comments
2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/gauges-and-controls/gauges-displays/vesselview-mobile/
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Go Steelers!!!
I didn’t even realize that there was a new VV4 on the market, mine is just over a year old.
For those that are old school and concerned about “too many electronic components” to go bad and “analogue is better”.... The SmartCraft system uses all the same sensors as when you have analog gauges... only information is converted to a digital display.
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32832255743.html
Not only would it do vv mobile but also radio control.
Wouldn't hold up in our marine environment though.
to reference
ok the vessel view 702 is $2000
the vv4 is $1200
the smart gauge is $650
the module is $300
don't they basically all do the same thing
and Ill feel Im getting a little more from that crazy phone bill I pay every month
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Go Steelers!!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vessel-View-Link-Single-8M0110639-New/201873326035?epid=718676637&hash=item2f00967fd3:g:tp0AAOSw2gxY3TyV:sc:UPSGround!40356!US!-1&vxp=mtr
https://www.veradoclubparts.com/Vessel_View_4_Kit_p/8m0074096.htm
Says its for 2007 and newer? Did you have to buy any extras to hook it up?
2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX