CONTINUOUSWAVE

Mercury has introduced an app for your smartphone that connects to Smartcraft capable engines 2003 and newer via bluetooth to connect your engine performance data to your smart cell phone.

Thanks for adding the related link.

My 2005 Smartcraft gauge display does not work. I could replace it, or I could get the Mercury VesselView mobile for $275 and use my iphone with the Mobileview app.

[The Mercury VesselView Mobile app] will give me all the info the Smartcraft gauge would plus a lot more. And I can read it a lot easier on my phone (or tablet if I want). Ten minutes plug and play.

Has anyone tried the Mobile Vesselview? This one looks like a no-brainer. Go with the current technology.

What are your thoughts?


ASIDE: We just had the 10 year anniversary of the iPhone introduction: unbelievable.

Although VV Mobile is an app for smart phones is it usable on a tablet? Thus far I've been able to resist a smart phone and the huge (to me) costs but it becomes more difficult to resist every year.

It will work on an Android or iOS tablet. That about covers all of them except perhaps the Amazon Fire. The App is a free download.

I was going down the path of setting up my 18 Outrage with a Navionics Charting App and Raymarine Wi-fish sonar displayed on my Ipad Air 2. But I got a TKO (Technical Knock Out). Unfortunately the Ipad screen brightness, even on max, coupled with reflectivity of the screen, is such that I cannot see the screen in direct sunlight. Even with a bimini I am afraid the bright sun here in the Keys will make the information unreadable. After doing some research it seems my Ipad is about the best of the bunch in direct sunlight...but not good enough. And I guess that lets out using Mercury's new Vesselview mobile with the Ipad...So Sad.
Bob

I plan on buying VeselView Mobile for my 150 4stroke Merc soon, as I'd like to know my engine hours and a better idea of fuel usage and tank level.

Before I buy it, I thought I'd ask to see if there are other options worth considering. MercMonitor and VesselView4 are more expensive, but have the advantage of being permanently installed. I'd take your opinions if it makes sense to use any of these on our 190 Montauk:

MercMonitor
VesselView 4
VesselView Mobile

If you have SmartCraft gauges and are happy with them why invest in another data source? My 190 came with SmartCraft and I want Vessel View because my gauges have darkened and can be difficult to read in certain lighting conditions. It should be easy to read on our Android based tablet and the required module is not overly expensive.

Butch - I only have analog gauges, so I'm looking for more information from the engine. Trim would be interesting to me, too.

A quick update. I ordered the VesselView mobile module (from Sue Lodell at Beacon Marine) and last night got it installed on my 2017 Mercury 150:

• I looked in the console of my 2017 Montauk 190 and couldn't see that I had any appropriate harness connectors in there to connect, so I installed it under the engine cowl. I might check again, because I'd rather have it installed in the console.
• It took a few minutes before I realized which harness to attach to, but once I found that it was very easy
• I zip-tied it in place, turned the key to "on" (didn't start the engine - boat is in my driveway).
• In about 20 seconds, I had the app up and running.

I thought I put about 70 hours on the boat since I bought it, but I actually have 52 hours. That data point will be helpful for maintenance.

I'll post up some more feedback once I get out on the water this year.