Perfect Pass speed accuracy

[talltigeguy]

So I am at Lake Powell this week with my GPS. When cruising about 30MPH on the PP, I noticed that the GPS says I am going 31-32. I wondered if my PP might need to be calibrated.

Then we started wakeboarding, and at 21.5 on Perfect Pass, the GPS was right on the money. So my PP seems accurate at Wakeboarding speed, but it starts to get less accurate as I go faster. We did not surf, but I am interested to see if I am actually going slower than I think I am.

Any thoughts?

[zad0030]

In the manual it says that above 25mph the RPM mode is more accurate.

[dogbert]

zad's right, that's why you're supposed to use RPM mode for skiing.

[zad0030]

God's right, Oh I mean Dog's right

[talltigeguy]

zad's right, that's why you're supposed to use RPM mode for skiing.

We have gone the rounds with that a little before, but how fast are you going if you are in RPM mode? I guess you then depend on the other spedometer?

I thought the reason for using the RPM mode was because the boat then will not respond to the pull of the skier, but instead maintain a constant pull, not because the accuracy is less. I will check my manual, but I wonder if it says you SHOULD use RPM mode when running a slalom course, but not that the speed is not accurate at higher speeds. With the boat on a higher plane, the pull of the rider will make a bigger difference in the traveling speed of the boat, hence RPM mode is better at higher speeds.

[zad0030]

Book says, "RPM mode provides a smooth pull, particularly if you do not have a large load and numerous people. If the boat is heavily loaded the RPM mode may not control well coming out of the turns or recover speed quickly after a strong pull. RPM mode is preferred for slalom skiing and other towed water sports.
The speed based wakeboard mode is generally more accurate and load does not generally affect its ability to control speed. It works best in the 15-25mph range. It is not designed for speeds above 30mph)"

The reason why you use RPM mode for slalom is because if you use the speed mode its constantly feathering the throttle to keep the speed with the pull of the skiier. The RPM locks in the RPM and ensures a constant pull.

And if you run a slalom course you probably shouldnt have PP Wakeboard pro on your boat.

[dogbert]

I'm usually going 30+ (I ski at 32Mph). The way I understand it, the paddle wheel mechanism in the pickup gets less accurate very quickly above 25 Mph.

[Moki]

There is also a slalom mode that relies upon mph, but is somehow managed differently than the wakeboard mode. This is designed for free style waterskiing.

[zad0030]

There is also a slalom mode that relies upon mph, but is somehow managed differently than the wakeboard mode. This is designed for free style waterskiing.

Are you talking about the Digital Pro? On that you input the skiiers weight, crew weight, and then it calculates the RPM needed based on the speed you slected. Then after going through the course it uses magnets to time the pass, and makes adjustments based on wind or current. Pretty amazing... and alot more expensive.

[talltigeguy]

Zad,
I can't quite tell where the quote from the manual starts and ends. Make sure to stay in school. It says pretty much exactly what I was explaining.

I like Dog's explanation best - the paddle wheel becomes less accurate at higher speeds. Now that makes sense to me. It will be interesting to see if it is accurate at surfing speeds. I will have to break out the GPS for that as well.

[zad0030]

Zad,
I can't quite tell where the quote from the manual starts and ends. Make sure to stay in school. It says pretty much exactly what I was explaining.

I took it almost word for word from the book. It was in section 2, the two paragraphs under "Why two choices?"

Maybe you have a different manual.

[talltigeguy]

What I mean is that you can't tell where your quote begins and ends. Most quotes should have quote marks around them like "this" and usually start with a colon like this: "this is a quote". Your quote ends with a parenthesis, but does not begin with one. At least I think that the parenthesis is supposed to be the end of the quote.

[Moki]

Are you talking about the Digital Pro? On that you input the skiiers weight, crew weight, and then it calculates the RPM needed based on the speed you slected. Then after going through the course it uses magnets to time the pass, and makes adjustments based on wind or current. Pretty amazing... and alot more expensive.

No, I have WakebaordPro Version 6.5NG. It looks like they have added a third choice on newer models.

Tall,
My manual states "The speed based mode is not designed for skiing and speeds over 25 mph as the control may not be smooth. RPM or Slalom mode is designed for smooth control over 25 mph." The manual also explains that you can calibrate PerfectPass to match your boat speedometer or GPS system. If you want the instructions on how to do it (at least from my manual) let me know.

[zad0030]

No, I have WakebaordPro Version 6.5NG. It looks like they have added a third choice on newer models.

Your right, So whats the difference between the RPM mode and slalom mode? I guess in slalom mode it controls the speed differently then it would in wakeboard.

[dogbert]

No, I have WakebaordPro Version 6.5NG. It looks like they have added a third choice on newer models.

Tall,
My manual states "The speed based mode is not designed for skiing and speeds over 25 mph as the control may not be smooth. RPM or Slalom mode is designed for smooth control over 25 mph." The manual also explains that you can calibrate PerfectPass to match your boat speedometer or GPS system. If you want the instructions on how to do it (at least from my manual) let me know.

I have the same model. I have to find my manual so I can remember how to get to the different presets I have