How is the 06 Cruise Control vs PP??

[rob_and_trish]

I know a few out there got their 06 - how does the new Tige cruise control compare to Perfect Pass?

I remember reading that Tige was doing their own vs using PP. Just curious.

THanks
-Rob

[rushin]

It is called speed set if I remember correctly. Unlike PP you do not pre-set the speed. You throttle up and when you get to the speed you want you hit the button to hold. The speed can be adjusted up and down while set also. Like cruise on a car. There are three button's up, down and set.

[exerciz101]

I will have mine in a week and let you know how it works.

[Tip]

This kind of engineering always puzzles me. I can't understand why Tige expended engineering resources to fix something that isn't broke, especially when there are a number of things that need attention.

I have not heard of many problems with Perfect Pass (other than the cost, but nothing's cheap on a Tige anyway so that argument does not fly) and Perfect Pass does offer less expensive models with similar features to the Tige Cruise control.

As an example, the problem with the fuel gauge has been known for sometime. Another problem known for sometime is the Faria hour meter reset problem, and there are always the quality control problems many folks seem to complain about.

If Tige is insistent on redesigning something they should concentrate on something that can really be improved. For example, the 06 Malibus will offer the power wedge, a huge improvement over their previous manual wedge, and it will certainly give Tige's TAPS some competition.

One last thing, with all the inconsistency around Tige service the last thing I would want to do is buy a feature that can only be fixed by a certified Tige dealer. If something goes wrong with my perfect pass I have a much better chance of getting it fixed without having to haul it three hours to a Tige dealer.

[poohpotta]

I totally agree with Tip, why fix something that isn't broke. How about fixing the fuel gauge problem or adding a fuel flow meter as a standard option?

[lee]

It has to do with the fact that the Marine Power engine for 2006 is throttle by wire and Perfect Pass will not work with a wire. You can still get the Perfect Pass with all engines but will loose the throttle by wire if it is a Marine Power engine.

[Tip]

Thanks for the info Lee. Doing a Risk-Benefit analysis I'm not sure I'm convinced the benefit of having throttle by wire is worth the additional cost and complexity. Now, steer by wire sounds a little more beneficial because it would eliminate the troublesome steering cables that seem to need replaced periodically.

It seems as if Tige is doing reactive design engineering rather than proactive design engineering. Did Tige design their own cruise control simply because Marine power eliminated the manual throttle control? If so, Tige is just reacting to something Marine power designed. If Tige was proactive and asked Marine power to design a throttle by wire system then I refer back to my original post "why fix it if it's not broke."

I believe Tiges are great boats for many reasons with one reason being that the Tige engineers have a history of proactive engineering and design(E.g. TAPS, drive shaft seal etc.). I just hope they continue with the proactive engineering and design strategy that made Tige what it is today.

[lee]

I have not seen the new throttle by wire with the cruise yet but what I have been told it is all tied into the Marine Power System not a stand alone.

[Flapjack]

We had our first load of 2006 Tige's land Friday afternoon and pulled the second last stop of the Western Canadian Hyperlite Tour with a 22 Ve, Saturday and Sunday.
After driving the new Ve's and 20v with SpeedSet in Dallas(Lewisville), three weeks ago; I was impressed both with its ability to hold speed in sharp cornering and its ease of use.
The response we have received from both the Pro Level riders and the drivers was very good, and therefore all of our boats will run Tige's SpeedSet for 2006.

[lee]

I drove a 24ve with the Tige speed control last Thursday and thought it did a very good job of holding speed both in the turns and straights.

[Tip]

Does it work like PP Pro where you digitally enter a desired speed? Or does it work like a car cruise where you just accelerate and hit SET when you get to the desired speed?

[bronco991]

It works like a car, I was also very impressed, I drove the 24ve, and unlike pp when you turn it stays up to speed and does not slow down, plus its a lot cheaper!!

[Tip]

If it works like a car I'm not sure how that is easier than PP Pro. Once PP Pro is turned on you don't have to engage it everytime you pull up a rider because it automatically engages, and it consistently engages at the preset speed. This would not be the case with the car setup.

I look at cruise from my wife's ability to use it, if I had to depend on her setting it everytime she pulled me up the SET speed would vary significantly between pulls, especially if she is trying to set it based on an analog speedometer. This, in my opinion, is a set back for cruise control, more so than an advancement.

Just my .02, new is not always better.

[Nick Howard]

Hey Tip,

Just a couple of notes on the Speedset System. It does retain memory of the previous set speed. So just like Perfect Pass, when the rider falls, you throttle down and upon acceleration again, it automatically engages at the speed previously set. The driver is not required to set the speed again.

Also, keep in mind that the speedo is a digital speedo, just converted to a analog display for esthetics.

One benefits of Speedset over Perfect Pass is that it's much more responsive. A common downside to PP is that as you drive into a double up, the boat slowed noticeably, then accelerated hard and searched for the proper speed at the time of crossing your wakes. Speedset is so quick to respond that you almost don't feel it making the adjustments. It's precise enough that it doesn't search for the correct speed. It's also an easier system to use for wakesurfing. I've had a hard time getting PP to set and work properly as wakesurfing speeds. Speedset engages and works as slow as 'no wake' speeds.

All of that being said, I myself was concerned about making the switch from PP to our system. For drivers who are very familiar with PP, it may take a few times of using it to appreciate it. But I can say, from personal experience, that after using Speedset for a couple of days of demos and show exhibitions, I love the system! It is extremely easy to use and extremely precise!

Nick Howard
Tige' Boats

[Nick Howard]

Also, on the topic of fuel gauges. It appears as though all problems have been resolved. We have a new fuel level sensor in the tank, it's been relocated for more accurate readings and the fuel gauge has been modified. I've put about 20 hours on my '06 22Ve' and it appears to be reading accurately, and with no fluctuation or bouncing in the gauge at all.

Nick Howard
Midwest Product Manager
Tige' Boats