Zero Off

[NCH2oSki]

I skied a boat with Zero Off and PP today back to back passes. I thought the ZO was a very strong pull and found it hard to get free of the boat. When I ran the same pass with PP it seemed slow and soft.

I also drove the ZO and it sure seemed as the engine was all over the place, even though it was probably only 15-25 rpm adjustments it sure did seem to be reving up and down constantly. It was hot in the turns also, it held 34.2 in the turns, unlike PP would have dropped to 30 mph or so.

BTW we are just 15-28 off 34.2 mph skiers. I thought it was cool to have the chance to ski them back to back, but I'll keep my PP.

Just my opinion.

[ClemsonDave]

RE: Zero Off

Funny, I had the exact opposite feeling when switching to ZO. I was definately free of the boat easier. It felt like I was skiing about 1/2mph slower. Which setting did you try? A is a quick hard pull, C is a soft long pull and B is in the middle. I am liking B and possibly C. I'm Mens 3, mid 38off, new school.

I agree with the engine sounds while driving. It is making adjustments quicker than PP.

You will really feel a difference in the wind. Especially if there is only a head/tail in part of the course.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Zero Off

I am not sure what setting it was on. It was set up and ready to go when I jumped out of the boat. I'll ask my buddy how he has it set.

[igkya]

RE: Zero Off

I have no experience with ZO, but have heard/read that many pros think it is similar to manual driving, which they thought was better than PP. PP may not be a better pull, but it is more consistant than manual driving... ZO will be even better, once we all get used to it. And since JB got screwed with his WR, the next WR be set set behind ZO.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Zero Off

Just my opinon, but It was a much hotter pull then manual driving. I guess I just need some time behind the boat with it. I told one of my other skiing friends, I think I am just used to the pull of PP. For the cost difference, I'll stick with PP also.

[michskier]

RE: Zero Off

I've skied multiple sets switching back and forth with PP and Zero off. Same boat, driver, etc--about 7 sets over 5 days with zero off. I was blinded to the device that was being used during the set, only end times were reported to me. At the end of the week we decided I was better and smoother with zero off. This was done in Charleston in the spring, behind an 2007 Mastercraft 197 (350mcx). My normal practice set is 36mph 28x1, 32x2, 35x2, 38x2. I liked the system in the wind as well. I'm ordering my 2008 SN 196 with zero off, only.

David

[Benjidoo]

I am very new to the PerfectPass/ZO systems

I just have a few comments or questions to throw out there to all you experts out there. I am a newbe to the PP/ZO scene so please be gental.
Perfect pass is based off of speed that is generated off of a pitot tube. With that system it generates the speed data from water pressure. Well the way I look at it if you are skiing in a river or a lake with wind that would be the more accurate speed measuring device compaired to GPS. GPS is relative to satalites and give you ground speed. I would think that when you are skiing you would want the speed relative to the speed over water not ground. My 2 cents.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: I am very new to the PerfectPass/ZO systems

PP speed is based on engine rpm, not from a speedo pitot tube. You have to set the rpm values making passes thru a slalom course with magnets to be the most acurate. Then you set the rpm for each speed, it takes a while but it is pretty accurate.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: I am very new to the PerfectPass/ZO systems

Perfect Pass Wakeboard Pro uses a paddle wheel munted under the boat for speed input. I don't know of any Perfect Pass system that uses a pitot tube.

Yes, ZO is satellite-based, but as you may or may not know, as far as tournaments are concerned, speed is the time it takes to get from point A to point B. Currents are NOT considered when in a tournament situation. Therefore, ZO is the better system from a tournament perspective. Of course, speed over the water is different than speed from point A to point B.

Just use whatever system you're more comfortable with. I will say that Zero Off locks in and holds speed much better than Perfect Pass in my 236.

[Laptom]

RE: I am very new to the PerfectPass/ZO systems

ZO sounds real nice and perfect. I always wondored why PP serge alot (within 0.6mph) and I believe ZO will not this. I think ZO will be a great system for alot of people, but not all.
We run in rivers, so waterspeed is important. And I know this is for alot of boats in Europe, so for ZO to become the new leader in this market it needs a paddle wheel for accurate speed control in rivers. Just make some options in the ZO speed control; GPS based speed control, RPM based speed control and paddle wheel based speed control. It could all be in the menu.

[NigelC]

RE: I am very new to the PerfectPass/ZO systems

The older PP Pro system (analogue) prior to the current Digital Pro used to have hose attachments from the pitot tubes.

[jjackkrash]

Old schooler here--anyone miss just driving by feel with a stop watch? I took about fifteen years off and wow, have things changed. Still getting used to PP. Maybe its just naustalgia, but I really enjoyed learning to drive and learning to anticipate the skier in both slalom and jump and to give just the right amount of gas in just the right place. It took a lot of practice and, to some extent, as much skill as skiing. Drivers had reputations for being "soft" and "hard" and it was kinda like having the human factor with refs and no replay. And the really good drivers could stick the time every time and make the pass seem easier. That was just part of it. PP--while probably more fair and consistent--seems a little more sterile to me and takes some of the fun out of driving.

[skiinxs]

PP speed is based on engine rpm, not from a speedo pitot tube. You have to set the rpm values making passes thru a slalom course with magnets to be the most acurate. Then you set the rpm for each speed, it takes a while but it is pretty accurate.

This is true now, but in the early days of PerfectPass, it was pitot based. It was a much different pull at that time and took a lot to get used to.
Dave

[NautiqueJeff]

Interesting. I never knew that.

[skiinxs]

Yeah, it had a transducer in both pitot lines and would use whichever was the higher signal (to continue when one pickup was clogged). The rpm based system was a definite improvement at that time due to the inherent lag caused from the pressure readings. If the paddle wheel was used on the earlier systems they would have been much more responsive.
Dave