Installed: Mercury’s Vessel View

[AJFishin]

I have been contemplating on getting Mercury's Vessel View so I searched the web for as many answers as I could find before purchasing. After I gathered a little more information about Vessel View and got a better understanding, I decided to purchase it.  What I found is there are actually 2 different versions, Mercury's Vessel View "Mobile" and "Link", which I didn't originally notice.

LINK is the better version since it wires directly to your MFD such as a Simrad/Lowrance or Garmin giving you the motors display directly on your MFD. You'll have dedicated motor and fuel info in the corners of your MFD and a separate head ups display that will have digital gauges. But unfortunately the LINK cost on average $700, so that was a bit too much for me.

MOBILE is the version I purchased and depending on where you buy it, it's around $225. The mobile version uses the Mercury Vessel View app on your smartphone to display your motors information. The app has some nice features such as engine hours, maintenance intervals and reminders, a check list, records your top speed, fuel consumption, etc.. it's a nice app altogether. I have just installed it, so I still need to go into the maintenance records and reset my oil and couple other items.
The connectivity of VV mobile is surprisingly fast, the RPM's have a little lag, but not to noticeable and for me that's not an issue since I have a dedicated tach.
The main display is customizable in the apps menu, so you can pick what info you want to see at all times, very easy to set up. If I don't want to use it on my everyday use iPhone, I can use a small tablet or a another smartphone to run the app, set the screen time to "always on" and place it next to my Simrad.

The install was as easy as it could be with the hardest part being the decision on where to secure the unit under the cowling. I installed mine at the front of the motor where there's a good amount of space. It was a very easy install, basically it took me just as long to install the device as it did removing my cowling and setting it aside. It's a plug and play harness so there are no wires that need to be run anywhere or cut.

Overall I think it's worth it, it's convenient, gives me all the info I want, and has extra info that I recently just found out about. So far it seems like a good option if you have a Mercury and want basic "NMEA2000" information that is easy to set up and won't break the bank.

[GregE]

I wish I could do that for my HOnda 225 '05,
I'm an info nut-  plan ahead, monitor and verify
 

[agoodhi]

I wish I could do that for my HOnda 225 '05,
I'm an info nut-  plan ahead, monitor and verify
 

can't do it on a '04 yammie

[Jeff]

And my 2013 Honda 90 missed their connectivity by 1 year 

[fishmeister]

I had this option when I re-powered.  I opted, instead, for the MercMonitor gauge.  One thing I don't get with that is maintenance info (but, I do see total engine hours).

It connects to my Garmin via NMEA 0183.  I get real-time fuel burn rate, total fuel usage (re-settable), MPG, and many more items.

Sounds like you have everything I do (and a bit more), just on a smartphone/tablet.  I've only got the 7" Garmin.  I didn't want that much screen space taken up by engine info.  I need that for charts and sonar.

It sounds like you're going to love that app.

[AJFishin]

I had this option when I re-powered.  I opted, instead, for the MercMonitor gauge.  One thing I don't get with that is maintenance info (but, I do see total engine hours).

It connects to my Garmin via NMEA 0183.  I get real-time fuel burn rate, total fuel usage (re-settable), MPG, and many more items.

Sounds like you have everything I do (and a bit more), just on a smartphone/tablet.  I've only got the 7" Garmin.  I didn't want that much screen space taken up by engine info.  I need that for charts and sonar.

It sounds like you're going to love that app.

The MercMonitor gauge was something I was considering since you got yours. It would be so easy to drop it in my dash and I would have a clear view of it, but the price was still a bit high for me from the shops I saw that had it.

From my understanding and I'm still learning, the maintenance is estimated off of the engine hours. I'm glad my motor has low hours so the calculation hopefully is correct on a those items, so this should be a good guide for inspection of parts and oils.

So where it says "inspect", once you inspect something you tap on it and it places a ✔️mark. Then after you're done you tap "log maintenance" to record it.
After it's logged, it will show a complete green circle in the "replaced" section that shows a countdown percentage starting at 100%. This is to show you when it's ready for the next inspection and/or change.
The above picture shows I need to do an oil change because it's never been logged. Last weekend I did an oil change, but since I just got the app, I didn't reset it so it showed there's 0% life left in the oil.
I went ahead and logged my oil change and now it shows I'm at 100% life, the oil has now moved to bottom of the list.

There's a lot of information and things the app has, so this weekend I need to play around with it and figure it out.

[AJFishin]

I came up with a couple spots of where I'm thinking to place my extra phone that will run my Mercury's VV.
The first spot I thought of was under my Simrad unit, it's ok stuffed under there and I do have a phone cradle it could sit in that might keep it from falling down.
The second spot I bought another phone cradle and place it next to and a little bit over hanging my Simrad. I like this spot, it's more secure, kind of out of the way and still viewable.

But I'm not sure if the phone (no service) will create any interference with it being right next to, basically touching my Simrad? I didn't have any issues with my cell phone when it was near by, but I'm thinking cautiously, any thoughts?

[fishmeister]

But I'm not sure if the phone (no service) will create any interference with it being right next to, basically touching my Simrad?

If the Simrad says you are in Puget Sound and you didn't tow the boat very far to launch, it's probably interfering.   

[amazing grace]

That sounds neat J. My mind say's what happens if there is some kind of a glitch or pilot error and poof. Everything is gone?
You know how technology is and those whose try to operate it, right:)

[AJFishin]

FM that's what afraid of and AG if that happens, hopefully I can find a good friend like Wilson. You guys are funny, good laugh.