New-and-improved i-Pilot remote...grrrrrrrr!

After several failures of the rubber cover on my Ver. 1 i-P remote control (discussed here), I got one of the new Ver. 2 type (shown on the left.)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../P1030553c.jpg

The new unit's keypad is re-engineered using hard plastic keys and cover instead of the rubber. At first, I really appreciated the ease of operation of the buttons. I'm learning, however, that there's a downside to the new-and-improved remote--accidental key strokes.

The Ver. 2's keys require a fairly light stroke...so light that the unit will respond to accidental contact. Yesterday, for example, I'm running from spot to spot at power level #8. I left all 8 cork rigs in the water, but swung my rodholders out to the sides to keep them away from the prop. The remote is always on the lanyard around my neck. While autopilot's controlling the course, I'm busy doing other things. Apparently, I leaned into something or the remote got hung up in my clothes, and the SpotLock button was pressed. On the original remote, this could not happen. The new unit proceeded to lock the spot's location and immediately determined that the boat had moved off the mark (because it was running at more than 3 mph toward my next spot). SpotLock took control, did a 180 and throttled up to #10. It's a good thing I was seated and I'm lucky that only one line was caught and wrapped around the prop shaft. After removing the prop and clearing the line, I put the Ver. 2 remote away and used my Ver. 1 backup unit for the rest of the day.

This time it was SpotLock. Other times it's been the Bunny Button and other controls that do things I'm not expecting. Maybe the improvements to the i-P remote control are too much of a good thing. If there's a Ver. 3 in the works, I vote for reduced key sensitivity and some kind of lock-out option for the Bunny Button.

Am I the only one experiencing this problem?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corker

After several failures of the rubber cover on my Ver. 1 i-P remote control (discussed here), I got one of the new Ver. 2 type (shown on the left.)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i.../P1030553b.jpg

The new unit's keypad is re-engineered using hard plastic keys and cover instead of the rubber. At first, I really appreciated the ease of operation of the buttons. I'm learning, however, that there's a downside to the new-and-improved remote--accidental key strokes.

The Ver. 2's keys require a fairly light stroke...so light that the unit will respond to accidental contact. Yesterday, for example, I'm running from spot to spot at power level #8. I left all 8 cork rigs in the water, but swung my rodholders out to the sides to keep them away from the prop. The remote is always on the lanyard around my neck. While autopilot's controlling the course, I'm busy doing other things. Apparently, I leaned into something or the remote got hung up in my clothes, and the SpotLock button was pressed. On the original remote, this could not happen. The new unit proceeded to lock the spot's location and immediately determined that the boat had moved off the mark (because it was running at more than 3 mph toward my next spot). SpotLock took control, did a 180 and throttled up to #10. It's a good thing I was seated and I'm lucky that only one line was caught and wrapped around the prop shaft. After removing the prop and clearing the line, I put the Ver. 2 remote away and used my Ver. 1 backup unit for the rest of the day.

This time it was SpotLock. Other times it's been the Bunny Button and other controls that do things I'm not expecting. Maybe the improvements to the i-P remote control are too much of a good thing. If there's a Ver. 3 in the works, I vote for reduced key sensitivity and some kind of lock-out option for the Bunny Button.

Am I the only one experiencing this problem?

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Richard, would you please provide a video. I would like to see a replay.:yikes

Doodlum was fishing nearby & said the audio track of that video would have to be bleeped out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corker

Doodlum was fishing nearby & said the audio track of that video would have to be bleeped out.

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:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl:Rofl

as the sayin' goes, pics or it didn't happen. :biggrin Bet that was a wild ride when the IP decided to swing the boat 180 on you. Glad it didn't throw you out, and that could have happened very easily if you had been standing or moving about the boat at the wrong time. I've still got the 1st version/original remote, and I don't use the remote as you do apparently. I sometimes sit at the console so I can watch my "flatscreen" (HDS 8 w/ SS) while LL'g, and will use the remote then. Have noticed my fingertips get sore from making minor course corrections as needed.

Since you have both remotes, why not velcro one up front and one in the back TO the boat, might reduce the # of accidental bumps and such.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jimp

why not velcro one up front and one in the back

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No, that won't work. I use the remote constantly & it's always around my neck. That adds the advantage of being able to stop the boat & bring it back if I should fall overboard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corker

No, that won't work. I use the remote constantly & it's always around my neck. That adds the advantage of being able to stop the boat & bring it back if I should fall overboard.

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Don't get hung by the neck strap!:yikes

I have mine around my neck so I don't loose it. They just disappear sometimes.

I wear mine around my neck as well when at the console, have to wonder if the remotes really are waterproof/resistant or not. Not really interested in finding out the hard way tho. What if you were to attach the remote to one of those keychain retainers that have the retractable string/chain like all the maint guys use to keep up with the 74 keys they need, but wear it/clip it to your shirt collar or some place similar. These will keep it fairly close to the body & on a short leash so to speak, not swinging much and possibly reduce the number of accidental bumps, etc.

I've been inside the Ver. 1 remote several times to replace the rubber cover & I'm sure the unit is waterproof until the rubber cracks (the reason for the replacements.)

Wearing the control anywhere other than around my neck with the standard M-K lanyard will be difficult. I'm slow drifting corks mostly in TMO lakes, so the boat never stops and I'm using the remote constantly. After logging over 2,000 hours with this setup it will be tough to change.

I just purchased the new remote but have not tested it on the water yet. I was tired of having a sore thumb from pushing the hard buttons on the original. Thanks for the heads up!:ThumbsUp

I know what you mean about a sore thumb. Ver. 2 solved that problem, but overcorrected.

I was in the same boat, it is sensitive but I try to be more careful. It is hard to do because I get reminded at least once a trip to protect the remote when I bend over and it makes it harder with the bubble belly in the road. Good luck for a cure for your problem. Ferdi aka Fred

The heavy rubber membrane made the Ver. 1 buttons difficult to push and the exposed buttons on Ver. 2 make it too sensitive. Something in-between might be just the ticket, so I'm thinking about wrapping the Ver. 2 in a trojan to reduce sensitivity.

Do you have any large enough to fit it?:Rofl
Sorry, I couldn't resist.:biggrin

I've used both units extensively and had no problem with either. I say pilot error!!!


Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We sell XPRESS, EXCEL, and ALWELD Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers

I have problems pushing buttons on the old remote model. Of course, my finger is in it's 7th decade, but it can't be me finger cause I can still pick my nose and occasionally poke a hole thru the toilet paper. Gotta be the control.

Love mine no problem yet,but I seem to aways tuck mine in my shirt or coat when im doing other things in the boat ,maybe just a habit I picked up ,but seems to work so far

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

I have problems pushing buttons on the old remote model. Of course, my finger is in it's 7th decade, but it can't be me finger cause I can still pick my nose and occasionally poke a hole thru the toilet paper. Gotta be the control.

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BWAHAHAHAHA


Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We sell XPRESS, EXCEL, and ALWELD Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers

A couple of days ago, I found this little round round cover lying in the floor. Hmmm...looks familiar
...like something out of an electronic device. Unable to remember where I'd seen it before, I put it in my desk drawer.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/P1030564.jpg

Yesterday morning, half way to the lake, I discovered what it was.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i..._/P1030563.jpg

After a flash of panic (how can I control the TM without the remote?...should I turn around
and go home to get the cover?...Do I have a spare battery?) Then I remembered that the old
Ver. 1 remote stays in my tackle box at all times--just for emergencies like this!

I have no idea how this thing worked loose...but it did. Fortunately it waited until I was home to fall apart.
Had this happened elsewhere, it would certainly have gone unnoticed and my remote would have been out
of commission until I could get a replacement part from M-K. This is another "improvement" with a down side.

The Ver. 2 design may look like an improvement, but for most owners, the battery shouldn't need attention for years.
In the meantime, the cover could fall off and leave you stranded. It isn't a big deal to loosen 6 screws
and remove the back of the Ver. 1 remote to replace the battery. Again, if there's a Ver. 3 in the works, I vote
for returning to the more secure battery compartment design of Ver. 1.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

I say pilot error!!!

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OK, so how do we retrain the pilot?
- Don't use the M-K lanyard?
- Don't wear the remote around your neck?
- Don't move while fishing?
- Store the remote in a safe place between uses (even though the unit is used several times a minute throughout the day)?

Without changing the out-of-the-box system design, how do I avoid surprises?

I use a small lanard clip to belt loop or ring on guide wear at waist height always handy to get a hold of still could bump it into something. If I had it around my neck it would always be in the tackle box when I'm tring to get something out.

:fingerdanceI used my new remote today and love it ! No more sore thumb.

I get a lot of accidental function also but it still beats a sore thumb. Like you, I also have my gen 1 remote for backup. Also, sice I have the Terrova, the foot pedal is stowed in a compartment... just in case. Have to take all precautions, that guy Murphy will get ya every time.

You guys need to work with your hands a little more and toughen them thumbs up.

Update on reason why battery cover mysteriously fell out of the Ver. 2 remote: it's broken. (No, I didn't bash it's little head in after it tried to throw me overboard Monday.) The partial threads on the cover are broken off, and so it won't tighten into the body of the remote. Looks like it goes to the repair shop.