mac

@ haines...As far as I know the skier to skier price does not require any equipment trade in. DW gives a great description of Accuski...my ski buddy's boat has Accuski and I have SG in my MC; we swap boats everytime we ski. Comparing with SG, Accuski is a little more challenging to use...it requires crew weight, skier weight settings which can be saved, as DW describes above, as long as you remember to change the settings btwn skiers. You also have to adjust the RPM setting for each pass based on the winds that day to get accurate course times. Even though I drive this system alot, I will occasionally forget to press the foot to engage it. Also, as DW mentioned, parts are sometimes challenging to get since the system is no longer produced, but the previous company owner lives in central Florida and does his best to help you out. Accuski does provide a good pull, but I believe SG is more accurate time wise from segment to segment in the course if I understand how both systems work. SG is definitely easier to use and requires no inputs as far crew wt, skier wt, winds, etc, just turn it on and go...perfect times every time!

@ texas6...was also thinking of the inverted mode since this is known problem for some mechanical servo boats. Is this a new upgrade or have you always had the entry speed problem? New lake/shorter setup, new driver? I say new driver due to the fact on mechanical servo systems I've heard you can throttle up too fast past the set speed and system can't slow down fast enough before you enter the course. Basically you should not throttle too far past the beep? I assume you performed the baseline calibration in cal mode for your initial baseline? Post your current baseline, maybe someone else with your boat can trade info. My SG baselines are 3550 @ 36 mph and 3355 @ 34 mph, but I have a 2005 MC 197TT MCX DBW engine...

Also, $649 on http://skiertoskier.com/

@texas6...what boat/engine, mechanical servo or DBW?

Latest off Perfect Pass' website... Oct 26, 2011: PerfectPass sets price for new Z Box and software upgrade at $439. Availability in limited numbers is expected by year end. As part of the new software package, all Star Gazer Three Event Systems will soon feature “No Magnet Timing”, eliminating the need for course magnets and Smart Timer Magnet Sensor. Any existing Star Gazer client will be able to purchase a software upgrade stick at $99 if they wish to add this “No Magnet” feature to their existing system.

Latest off Perfect Pass' website... Oct 26, 2011: PerfectPass sets price for new Z Box and software upgrade at $439. Availability in limited numbers is expected by year end. As part of the new software package, all Star Gazer Three Event Systems will soon feature “No Magnet Timing”, eliminating the need for course magnets and Smart Timer Magnet Sensor. Any existing Star Gazer client will be able to purchase a software upgrade stick at $99 if they wish to add this “No Magnet” feature to their existing system.

Latest off PP's website: Oct 11, 2011: PerfectPass completes testing of its ZO simulation software at Shortline Lakes in California. Feedback was unanimously positive from a variety of skiers on all boats tested (2008 MasterCraft, 2002 American Skier and a 2001 Ski Nautique). According to those involved in the evaluation, the enhanced PerfectPass software produced an entrance gate pull and in course feel that duplicated the ZO system. In addition to the ZO feel, the enhanced software produced even tighter time tolerances pass after pass. PerfectPass plans to produce a small quantity of the Z Box Simulator Kits which will be available late this year. Pricing is yet to be set but is expected to be less than $500 and will be “plug & play” with any Star Gazer System. For an independent view of the testing log on to: http://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/3811/perfectpass-zo-update-final-testing-and-evaluation-shortline-lake-elk-grove-ca

Great tips/visuals for pulling out and starting your turn in, but what speed are you trying to achieve as you are gliding prior to and at your turn in...even with the boat's speed, slowing down/gliding back a little or faster than the boat? Seems when I get "high" on the boat, I am slowing down before I reach my visual turn in point; hence, not high on the boat anymore. Not sure that is right? tks, mac

@Dirt: Nice review/update! Any rumors on when PP might release this option? tks, mac

@edjohnson, Not sure I am following your tip; do you have a pic? tks, mac "Tip for the Tracker Camera mount......If you attach the arm to a shock tube instead of the rope, it is much more accurate. I extended the arm on mine and tie wrapped it to the shock tube. It has been totally accurate through 41 off."

@alex38, I tried 3 different HD flash camcorders on the P4 Trakker in the past couple of months; here are the results: 1. Sony HDRCX160, Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization, 16GB internal flash and a SDXC card slot: Wavy video results; also had to use manual vs auto focus to keep the skier in focus 2. Canon VIXIA HF M301, Dynamic SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, no internal memory, has a SDXC card slot: Shaky video results; auto focus kept the skier in focus 3. JVC GZHM650BUS, Advanced Image Stabilizer, 8GB internal flash and a SDXC card slot: Video is perfect; auto focus also worked great Here's a video clip of the JVC camera on the P4 trakker...hope this helps, mac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRzjSGHIvDU

I had the same issue/'05 MC MCX engine; I took the exhaust manifolds to a TIG welder, had all the plugs replaced, sandblasted inside and out and powered coated for $180...looks like new...mac http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=21728&highlight=casting+plugs&page=4

The 2005 MCs are DBW, but MEFI 4 vs MEFI 5...would be interested in the cost to convert to ZO...tks, mac

I'm a believer! Ran my first set today with the mini VW mounted on the front of the fin per the Goode diagram revision 2. I ski on a 63.75 Goode 9900 Mid which I got at the end of last summer; was previously on a Goode 9800. My avg M5 tournament score is 94.83, and tournament PB .5 @ 38 last year. Bottom line, I run very few 35s in practice and rarely in tournaments. Today, my first set I ran back to back 35s pretty easily; almost felt like 32s...I did check the rope length again when I dropped:)! Needless to say, I was pumped! Unfortunately, the winds came up strong and we did not ski a 2d set. I can pretty much echo what everyone has already said...ski turns quicker, tip stays down on my offside, earlier to the ball and seemed less effort required. Definitely, looking fwd to the next time out! mac PS: Thanks to everyone's VW insights and reviews; it made it easy to pull the trigger on this one!