2016 reviews of the new link software and touch screen with control

[Whitetail15]

Those that have them- better , worse, easier, function, what is review? I find the 2015 screen hard to navigate and not that easy to teach a new driver. Even after putting 70 hours on my G21, I still need a quick refresh every time I get in and almost always forget how to get to something or a function I'm looking for. Maybe I have fallen too many times and its just me. I have to set eveything up before I ride with anyone else driving.

[Tallredrider]

I spent 2 minutes with it and was concerned that my wife is going to take 3 months to figure out how to do anything with it. It seemed not nearly as intuitive as the previous screen, which was not bad once I got used to it. I see myself setting all of my riding preferences and making sure it is on before I get in the water for quite a while. But it took her quite a while for the current screen too. I could see with time, it will be very easy to use. But I suspect I will have a hard time teaching new people how to get things set.

But these days, that is not a Nautique specific issue, every touchscreen I have seen has some getting used to.

[Wayward]

I will be able to chime in soon. Should have the new boat tomorrow. I certainly hope it is easier than the current setup. I kinda wish Nautique would go back to having Seperate gauges for engine data and speed and also add a Seperate audio remote at the helm (I am going to do a helm audio remote on my 16). It would sure free up some space and confusion on LINC. I got used to it pretty quick, but explaining the system in my 15 G21 to another driver was a real PITA. My previous boats were very easy.

[LakeLife]

We have 58 hours on our 2016 G23, the new touch screen and Helm Command rotary controller are so good. The main things you need are right at your fingertips. We have the basic Pebble Watch and it works great. Now all the driver has to do is focus on driving straight and watching for other boats. Feel free to PN message me and I'll call you to discuss. My wife picked up on how the new screen and control knob works in a few minutes.

[Beg4wake]

I agree!! Teaching somebody else (as well as initially learning it yourself) may be fairly difficult. However like Tallredrider stated, so are most of the other digital display systems out there. While the new Link system is complex, I found it to be a little easier to use the main functions than my 2008 XStar which had a basic digital display and analog guages. In my XStar, finding the personal settings and changing them, or switching users, or toggling to different display screens took way more effort than the Nautique Link system! The quick buttons (music, speed, etc) are very useful. I've played in both a new '16 and a new '15 and simply found the '16 controls to be more user friendly. But that may just be me, I tend to welcome new technology. And I personally am a huge fan of the newer dial and not having to lift my hand all the time.

[Wayward]

Ok. Got the boat today. Did a demo, and spent quite a bit of time running it through break in procedure.......

New LINC is easier, and not easier..... Once you know the system, it will be quicker and easier to navigate through functions with the new control setup. That said, I believe that the new system will be even harder to teach to alternate drivers. We had 3 guys that all own boats with LINC 2 systems, and they all struggled a bit, and commented that it will be a PITA to instruct an alternate driver.

I do believe that after some time, this setup will be slick. It is, however, going to take some time to get in the groove with it.

Ballast fill and empty times are less than 8 minutes with these new pumps!! Major bonus. That is almost 5 minutes faster than my G21.

[jbwake]

I had a drive of a mates 2016 G23 recently. I agree it is a tad daunting to start with but soon found it to be really good.

For new drivers I think the shortcut buttons are the key. Most of the stuff they need to access is on the shortcuts so there will be little need to go in to the main menus.