HELP! Perfect Pass

[EntiatSkier]

Hi, i tried asking this same question of CorrectCraftFan, but after awhile, i realized they are a bunch of old men who care about the 65 CC's and dont help... usually.lol

Anyways, lets see if you guys can help!

My left speedometer wet out in my 98 Ski Nautique.

I am wondering if i should make the investment of installing a Star Gazer or Precision Star by Perfect Pass.

How accurate is the Precision Star to the original Analog Gauges?

[Chexi]

I can't speak to Star Gazer or Precision Star, but my GPS-based system is as accurate as a portable Garmin. Well... they are half a mile per hour apart, but I can adjust that in the PP menu. As far as analog gauges, how do you know they are accurate? If you tested them, you probably tested them against a portable GPS... which brings me back to my point... the GPS-based system will be at least as accurate (and likely more accurate) than analog gauges off either a pitot tube or paddlewheel. The only time I would think a GPS system might be subject to inaccuracy would be in tight turns... but I haven't really noticed any glaring inaccuracy there either. My Perfect Pass maintains speed in the turns (which makes the turns seem fast for the rider) just like a paddlewheel does.

[east tx skier]

Did you check your pitot tube on that speedo for a clog? As for SG, it's a great add on for sure. But if youn aren't in the cours on a fairly regular basis, precision star is probably a better speedo replacement.

Btw, the guys on CCFan have always struck me as an extremely knowledgable bunch. Although I may just be an old dude with a slightly younger boat.

[EntiatSkier]

Thanks for the quick help! I asked this question twice on CCF with no answer.I only use the boat in the course unless some one like my mom wants to go free skiing.I have checked the pitot and everything multiple times.water runs straight through it with no problem ...I want a star gazer but I'm only 16 and still paying off my boat.I don't mind manually controlling the speed, bit I just want something more reliable and accurate to my analog cause left one is out.lolSo,if i want an accurate easy to use gauge that will quickly and accurately pick up the correct speed a precision star will do, right? Our course is sort of sketchy on one end.Thanks again!

[Chexi]

If you primarily ski the course, why do you care about a speedo? If you don't have it already, what your really want is Perfect Pass in rpm mode (and magnets if you can). You can bring a portable GPS to figure out what rpm equals what speed, but you really should want an rpm pull for skiing the course. You may be a good enough driver that it does not matter for who you pull... but who pulls you?!

[EntiatSkier]

Thats true...

Well, i am just going to go ahead and purchase one of the two. Thanks for the Advice guys! A lot more help from this site.

And who pulls me is my dad or a friend who lives down the street... Is that what you meant?? lol. Confusing


Anyways,

east tx skier,

were you the one on that CCF post said you were replacing the blower in your boat...

If so, is it better. I also i have to do that

[81nautique]

Hi, i tried asking this same question of CorrectCraftFan, but after awhile, i realized they are a bunch of old men who care about the 65 CC's and dont help... usually.lol

Anyways, lets see if you guys can help!

My left speedometer wet out in my 98 Ski Nautique.

I am wondering if i should make the investment of installing a Star Gazer or Precision Star by Perfect Pass.

How accurate is the Precision Star to the original Analog Gauges?

I visit both sites and help when I can. I assure you if no one answered your question over on CCFan it's because no one had an answer for you (Or the guys that do just didn't see your post) NOT because they don't care. I hate it when anyone from over there dismisses this site and of course likewise when someone from here does the same. The demographics are certainly different between the sites but the passion isn't. You'd be surprised to learn how many members including me love the old boats but also own newer rigs and ski on a regular basis just like the young guys.

[ClemsonDave]

Might find a used PP here: http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...ory=Speed_Ctrl

[todda]

Hey Entiat Skier, I am over in Entiat and Pateros a few times a year with a '99 SN. I run Perfect Pass, specifically for the RPM mode due to the fact that sometimes the Columbia River runs with a bit of a current. One thing you have to be a bit aware of is the affect of current with GPS. I haven't had the specific experience, but I hear that it does throw off your consistency regarding speed a bit. Where is your course on Entiat? I will look for you as we are driving to Pateros Aug 1st!

Todd

[east tx skier]

were you the one on that CCF post said you were replacing the blower in your boat...

If so, is it better. I also i have to do that

Yes, that was me. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

As for your decision on the speedo, the most cost effective thing to do if you are strapped for cash is figure out your baseline rpm for the speed you ski and just use the tach in the course. Add about 100 rpm for 100 lbs of crew and skier. Will be close enough. If you don't have a GPS to do this, in my 98, the baselines are very close, but slightly under 1:1/100, i.e., 32 mph is 3,200 rpm give or take.

[AirTool]

Yes, that was me. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

As for your decision on the speedo, the most cost effective thing to do if you are strapped for cash is figure out your baseline rpm for the speed you ski and just use the tach in the course. Add about 100 rpm for 100 lbs of crew and skier. Will be close enough. If you don't have a GPS to do this, in my 98, the baselines are very close, but slightly under 1:1/100, i.e., 32 mph is 3,200 rpm give or take.

RPM mode is a great idea because I think paddlewheel PP is working in RPM mode anyway after 26 mph. IIRC.

PS - my 206 with a two man crew matches speed to rpm almost spot on after 28 or so i.e. 3000 = 30 and 4200 = 42

[EntiatSkier]

Hey, todda

Do you know were Suncove is?

Well if not, it is right in fron of the highways that goes up to chelan through the tunnel. Suncove is on the Douglas County side.

Also, The course we ski at is right in front of the development. But in this course there is no current at all compared to the open water. The course is tight against the shoreline and to the side that is open to the open water there is a huge sandbar. You can see it from the highway. The water in the course it like 4-8' deep and in a protected cove. So current is not a big issue at all.

And, is it safe buying a used PP or is getting a new one better. Well obviously and new one is better but still...

[DanielC]

The analog gauges are adjustable. They have to be, because they are really only a pressure gauge calibrated in MPH. A change in barometric pressure, or using the boat at a different altitude will make the reading on the Airguide different, for the same boat speed. Airguide, and paddle wheel speedometer pickup measure speed over water.
GPS based systems, and systems using timers, and magnets measure your speed over land, even if your boat is floating in 30 or 40 feet of water.
Slalom speeds are measured over land. You have a specific time to complete the slalom course. Too slow, and the run does not count, Too fast, and the run may count, but will be more difficult.
For slalom, and (three event) jump, GPS speed is good. For every other towed water sport, you want to know your speed over the water, and GPS does not tell you this.

[EntiatSkier]

Ya. thats true. But if i adjust the messed up speedometer the boat would eb off and it would read i am going 10-15 mph. so that doesn't do much.

[EntiatSkier]

What about a StarGazer Wake Edition. It is a lot cheaper and it works in a course and for skiing, and ect. Would that fit my needs better because it has the full PP package?? I dont want or need the magnet stuff and extra advanced features like the 3 event has.

Would the Wake Edition be better. It sounds like it has what i need. Slalom, RPM, and course