Stargazer GPS Puck

[CC2MC]

I am curious to know if anyone has thought about buying a Garmin GPS puck with no connector and adding the required connector for a Stargazer module. Is this even possible or does PP have some kind of proprietary software on embedded in their puck they sell. The reason I ask is bc I can get the puck for about $75 online while PP sells it for $269.

[Traxx822]

I just bought my Stargazer PP and it came with the Garmin GPS puck. I have it on the dash.

[tr6coug]

Probably won't work. Even if it is exactly the same puck, you need to configure the output of the puck like baud rate, refresh rate (Hz), NMEA packets sent, etc.

If you knew exactly what data the PP box was expecting to see from the puck then you could do it. It seems there is at least a $194 premium for that knowledge. Hmmmm.

[CC2MC]

Traxx, I realize that it "comes with" the puck, but you can also just purchase the module only. I am not sure of what the module price is, but I am betting it would be cheaper than the upgrade package price.

TR6, that is interesting. Would there be any way to find out that info using a computer to "hack" the puck? I know there is a USB version that works with a GPS program for a computer, like MS streets and trips. Pretty sure PP would not be too willing to pass the info along.

I do understand PP wanting the upcharge for getting the puck and modifying the connector, as I am sure they do that all in house. Is it worth the $200? For now, I guess so, until someone else figures out a better way.

[bsettle1]

I'm getting tired of controlling on RPM and debating the upgrade as well. Is it worth the $700?

[CC2MC]

I'm getting tired of controlling on RPM and debating the upgrade as well. Is it worth the $700?

I know I installed Stargazer on my neighbor's boat and it is dead on. I assume that you need the 3 line gauge as well. Are you having problems with running with the speed only? I know on my last boat, it would surge with the speed and I just used the RPM, which didn't really bother me. I tried adjusting all the settings and even resetting the system, but it still did the same thing. It would be nice to say I want to go 22mph and not have to figure it out with the amount of weight in the boat to compensate the RPMs. PP sent me the incorrect cable for my new boat so I only had RPM capability and have not had a chance to try out the speed function yet. I got the new cable in the other day and will install it this weekend, but will not have time to put the boat in to try it out.

[Skipper]

bsettle1

I upgraded to Stargazer years ago. It was well worth the money. I usually set up my slalom course and cahlibrate the speed then use GPS Slalom mode. The pull is always within .02 on time. And, I only need a magnet at each gate. It is also useful when free skiing because the GPS will keep the speed consistent without having to use RPM mode.

I don't understand the puck discussion. I know you can buy parts and pieces but really so long as you already have the 3 line display you are just buying the control module and antenna.

Also, there is a new software upgrade that allows you to map your slalom course so you don't need any magnets. Pretty handy, especially if you ski the same course all of the time.

[CC2MC]

bsettle1

I upgraded to Stargazer years ago. It was well worth the money. I usually set up my slalom course and cahlibrate the speed then use GPS Slalom mode. The pull is always within .02 on time. And, I only need a magnet at each gate. It is also useful when free skiing because the GPS will keep the speed consistent without having to use RPM mode.

I don't understand the puck discussion. I know you can buy parts and pieces but really so long as you already have the 3 line display you are just buying the control module and antenna.

Also, there is a new software upgrade that allows you to map your slalom course so you don't need any magnets. Pretty handy, especially if you ski the same course all of the time.

The discussion is simply a price thing. Trying to save a couple hundred dollars, potentially.

[bsettle1]

Thanks guys - I will try a few more adjustments on my existing PP but it looks like I need to bite the bullet and by the upgrade which includes the new display.

[tr6coug]

TR6, that is interesting. Would there be any way to find out that info using a computer to "hack" the puck? I know there is a USB version that works with a GPS program for a computer, like MS streets and trips. Pretty sure PP would not be too willing to pass the info along.

Yeah, at one point I was working on a GPS version of my volume controller so I learned a lot about GPS modules and I'm pretty sure I could figure it out. But....

The puck is only one part of the PP Stargazer system. You also need the control module that is designed to work with the GPS receiver, and a graphic LCD display. Just having the puck won't turn a paddle wheel PP system into a Stargazer system.

If you want to do that, take a look at this. It reads speed from GPS then simulates the paddlewheel signal. So your speedo and PP would be reading a GPS speed. I've never used one but have heard good things from messages on this forum.

http://nauticlaugic.com/nl4-pp.html

Its cheaper than just the PP GPS puck.


After saying all that though, I upgraded from paddle wheel PP to stargazer this year and it has worked very well.

[east tx skier]

Is the $75 puck the same one they use? When my SG puck went bad, I looked into a replacement, and the one I found that was the same spec was more expensive than the "at cost" price I got from PP of $185.

[CC2MC]

I have no idea if it is the same puck. I am not sure if Garmin sells a special version to them or what. I wish I knew.