Floscan

[Adeline]

With fuel prices as high as they are I again consider a fuel-flow computer. Since my new plotter(SH CP1000C) lacks NMEA2000 I can't do what Sneaks did(Lowrance EP-10>C-80). And since I want mpg my options are Navman 3100 or Floscan 9000. The Floscan offers a tach, hour meter, gph, mpg, fuel used and more. It would replace my OMC tach. Same hole. Right now they can be had for $460 @ Defender. This is a GREAT price but is only good thru Sunday midnight. Here is the unit http://www.floscan.com/html/marine/models/multifunction/series9000.html Any feedback appreciated.

 

[Pat Anderson]

We have the Navman 3100, and are very happy with it. Quite a bit less than the Floscan, I forget the exact price but south of $300 I think. I wanted it mainly for the economy (instantaneous mpg) feedback (requires connection to GPS NMEA 0183 out) so I could set running speed for the maximum efficiency in any conditions, but it also has flow (gph), fuel used, fuel remaining, trip log, total log, range, hours, speed and voltage. For folks with C-80s, the trip log and total log are great, because if those are even in the C-80 they are deeply buried (advantage Garmin on that). Sounds like a tach is mainly what you get extra with the Floscan, and perhaps it will be a bit more conveniently located. The Navman has really been great, totally debunked some conventional wisdom from prior threads - "sweet spot" for our boat / motor / prop is 4500 rpm NOT 3500 rpm as frequently reported - mileage actually drops significantly at the slower speed, a real eye opener.

With fuel prices as high as they are I again consider a fuel-flow computer. Since my new plotter(SH CP1000C) lacks NMEA2000 I can't do what Sneaks did(Lowrance EP-10>C-80). And since I want mpg my options are Navman 3100 or Floscan 9000. The Floscan offers a tach, hour meter, gph, mpg, fuel used and more. It would replace my OMC tach. Same hole. Right now they can be had for $460 @ Defender. This is a GREAT price but is only good thru Sunday midnight. Here is the unit http://www.floscan.com/html/marine/models/multifunction/series9000.html Any feedback appreciated.

 

[Sneaks]

I agree with Pat, Pete. I too am finding the "sweet spot" is at a much higher RPM and that's on a '22. Do have to clear up one point on the Lowrance LMF200 I experimented with. You can set it up to do everything the Navman 3100 can do, plus add a second GPS backup and do it as a standalone system for under $325 street price. The LMF200 gauge and LowranceNet bus is $149. Add a Lowrance LGC-2000 GPS puck (plug and play) and it all plays together perfectly.

Unlike my nephew, I'm from the cheap North Dakota Andersons. Thus knowing I had GPS info already built into the C80, I didn't want to buy the GPS puck without a fight.

Don :smiled

 

[Adeline]

Pat and Don, I appreciate your input. After examining all the available info I could find online, I must eliminate The Floscan 9000. Multiple posters stated that it must be mounted at eye-level or above. The LCD display cannot be read if it sits below eye-level, which is the case on Adeline. So Pat, where did you mount yours ? I didn't see it in your album.

 

[Alyssa Jean]

I mounted Pats the same as I mounted mine.



It is the square guy with the four blue buttons right under my rode counter.

 

[Pat Anderson]

Yes, I have fallen a little behind photographing David's improvements to our boat for the Daydream album! :lol: David - what is the square dude to the left of the fuel gauge in the photo of your helm? I also have the rode counter, still in the bag, but will not decide whether to mount it until after a certain sea trial!

 

[Alyssa Jean]

Indoor thermometer. I have since replaced that with a digital clock. I now have an indoor/outdoor thermometer mounted between the marine VHF and the CD player. (and NO it is not trimmed in teak) yet.

 

[Byrdman]

Yep, Naveman 3100 waiting to be installed on C-Byrd when the fiberglass hero get's finished... This wait is killing me...

 

[Adeline]

As I consider placement of a fuel-flow computer it appears my best(only ?) option is on the right side of the instrument panel. Will I be able to read the display of the 3100 if located there? Having read the warnings about mounting a Floscan 9000 at or above eye-level I'm wondering if the Navman can be read with a downward gaze. Some LCDs have a very narrow viewing window http://www.altadox.com/lcd/knowledge/lcd_viewing_angle.htm I've laid a 3100 template on the panel and it's a PERFECT fit. However, before I cut a 2" hole I want to be sure the display will be readable. Can anyone speak to this?

 

[Alyssa Jean]

You may be able to make a wedge shaped piece cut with the same size hole and the same size as the Navman that would fit between the Navman and the dash, the wide part of the wedge at the bottom would angle the Navman upward. Like from 0 to 3/8 " or so. You would have to do the reverse on the backside so that the large nut would still tighten down on a flat surface. This was done on my LED light readout/control button panel for the trim tabs. I dont have a problem reading the display where mine is and it is flat. You do have to get closer to read the smaller letters

 

[computer-rooter]

I have the navman 2100f, which is a simple fuel-only computer -- none of that fancy fish finder and other engine stuff going on with it. It might not be a good comparison for this thread. With the total used, total remaining, gph and trip functions, I've been pleased with the data it gives me. I have no problems viewing it from any reasonable angle. It was simple to install and seems accurate when compared to my receipts at the fuel dock. I think I got mine for about $215 (nib) from ebay last year. It was nowhere near $300. The only downside to it I can see it it made me really dissatisfied with the economy of my main motor -- 1.5 - 2mpg regardless of speed. My kicker on the other hand shows 8mpg at hull speed (5.5mph). :roll:
So be careful if you get the navman. My $215 investment has so far cost me about $6,000 in engine replacement and other related upgrades. :sad :lol:

 

[Pete in NY]

Not wanting to make another hole and add to the clutter of wires on the back side of the steering bulkhead, I took the Floscan approach that replaced the Honda analog tachometer and interfaced it to recieve nmea data from my Garmin chartplotter. I too get the MPG, GPH, Gallons used right by the digital rpm. I don't remember the details exactly since I researched it last year, but I liked the engineering of the Floscan sender and the gage's accuracy better than other manufacturers. A few guys in my marina had older navman's that stopped sending accurate data a few years down the line. Sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you don't. Not making a hole was worth the extra cost of the Floscan to me. There is no visibility issue if the Floscan's backlight is on, so instead of wiring it to the navigation lights ifor night use only it can be wired to the key on lead from the ignition switch and is always lit when the ignition is on. Aren't digital LCD's on cars lit up too? To me, I like the lighted digital look of the Floscan.

 

[Pat Anderson]

I would say ditto - no problem reading the large read-out of the flow or economy or even the bottom number, speed or log, on the Navman but the tiny letters that tell which function is active, I have to get my nose down in front of it. Not a problem at all really.

I dont have a problem reading the display where mine is and it is flat. You do have to get closer to read the smaller letters

 

[Byrdman]

Come on Pat... we all know Oscar really tells you what the small print says...

 

[Adeline]

There is no visibility issue if the Floscan's backlight is on

Thanks Pete, that is reassuring. I'd hate to spend $500 on an insturment that I can't read. As I examine the installation instructions it appears that two external switches are required. One for gph/mpg and one for totalizer reset. Did you mount these in the panel ?

 

[Pete in NY]

I mounted two small round black intermittent (small horn) button switches on either side of the gage, level horizontally to each other and the bottom of the gage. I got them at Boatersworld and only required a drillbit and drill (1/2"? or 5/8"?) the left one toggles between mpg and gph, the right one resets the gallons used to "0" after adding fuel. Getting the wires straight was the hardest part, but the harness plug on the back of the Floscan just plugs in so you can do the wiring without it being in the gage. Good luck, these gages are useful. Next step is wondering what prop to use once you get some feedback and the desire to get better fuel economy. Spending money on a boat never ends! (hole in the water into which you throw in $)

 

[Adeline]

Not wanting to make another hole

As I considered my options two things were on my mind. First, whatever I selected I wanted to be sure they it could be easily seen and operated. Second, I was never able to warm to the idea of another hole in the "dash". Happily, I found a solution. and here First, I made a cardboard template of the 3100 and had Tap Plastics ln Portland fabricate two pieces out of black acrylic. One 1/2" thick and the other 1/4" thick(3/4" total). They even cut the hole for me. $10.35 total. Then I glued the pieces together with Testors Modeling Glue. Next, I needed a bracket that I could adapt and the Raymarine DS500X Fishfinder was close. The good folks at Rodgers Marine Electronics in Portland simply gave one to me. Finally I found my knobs in the Hillman Drawers at my local True-Value Hardware Store. $1.60 each and some rubber washers and I was set. I tapped two #10-32 holes in the acrylic and after a little cutting, grinding, filing, and painting I had my bracket.

 

[thataway]

I have used the Navman 2100 on previous boats and will use it on the Tom Cat 255. (one for each tank)---Although MPG is nice--I find that gallons an hour, and a quick mental calcuation works well with the GPS miles. The cost discounted is usually less than $150 each--and easily read from most angles. I am also interested in how much fuel I have used--not wanting to rely on fuel guages which are notoriously unreliable.

Any fuel meter will help to determine the most effecient trim and speeds--you may be surprised at the results, and the amount of $$$ saved in a year!