Yamaha Command Link (Round) Gauges Lacking for bass boaters

I just got my 2010 BassCat Pantera IV a couple of weeks ago that came with Command Link Gauges. I had a challenge getting the GPS to split data to communicate properly to my Humminbird Sonars (997 and 788CI) for Interlink sharing and Yamaha Command Link Gauges. I finally got it resolved and things are working as advertised.

Here is my assessment so far with Yamaha Command Link Gauges (Round) for bass boats.

Yamaha needs to upgrade the engine related side to this technology (Tach Gauges). This is typically a $700 plus dollar upgrade for the two 3.5 inch round gauges. For example you can display digital or bar graph style gauge read outs for the Battery voltage but you can only (more importantly) display the bar graph for the WPSI sensor display. To me it's more critical to see the digital display for your Water PSI read outs. With the bar graph only display you can't tell if your water pressure is at 10 psi or 22 psi. All you get is low and high bar meter for the bar graph. Yamaha apparently has more detailed digital displays on their square command link gauges but does not offer the same data for the round gauges (more suitable for bass boats). I asked my dealer about this after the fact with unexpected disappointment per my use so far. I asked why the square gauges had more features and he said he did not understand why Yamaha did this and assumed Yamaha rushed them out to respond to Merc S/C and BRP I-Command/LowranceNet gauges.

The fuel gauge is pretty good but lacks the ability to display GPS speeds in tenths. For example if your GPS speed is 68.5 mph on your Sonar/GPS the command link will only disply 68 mph. I may be splitting hairs here but these gauges are very expensive and I expected more. There are some neat features to be expected but the critical things you want out of this technology is lacking in my opinion. Would I recommend these to future buyers for this premium gauge technology vs. Merc Smart Craft and BRP I-Command no I would not. I had I-Command on my last boat for my Etec engine and their technology is years ahead of the Yamaha curve. This is not a vent but my opinion with computerized gauges. I can live with these gauges since they came with my motor package but Bass Boat buyers beware.

Flyswatter


Modified by Flyswatter at 10:16 AM 8/25/2009


Modified by Flyswatter at 10:16 AM 8/25/2009

You could replace the Yamaha gauges and sell them on e-bay to get some of your money back then put in the Lowrance gauges LMF-400 and LMF-200 and get every thing that you are looking for. You can set them up for Digital or Analog (no bar graph). Network to the GPS and get GPH and MPG and MPH.
I am very pleased with my set up jsut wish the 05 more gave all the info that the 06 and new motors give.

Just a suggestion since you are unhappy with your setup now.

Spider1,

I have thought about that but there is to much hoop jumping to make it all work seamlessly with the LowranceNet gauges and Humminbird GPS antenna 0183 databus . I had this setup on my last boat. Lowarnce Guages and BRP I-Command are 95% exactly the same with the a few BRP Engine related warning for I-Command gauge differences. I had one BRP I-Command and the rest LowranceNet gauges. Unfortunately, since LowranceNet gauge technology is based on NMEA2000 protocols there is a compatibility issue with Humminbird's antenna which is based on NMEA 0183 data bus. I know all to well because I had this setup with my last bass cat. The only fix for LowranceNet gauges and Humminbirds is Actisense NWG-1 bridge that allows NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 to coexist and coummunicate or use a dedicated Lowrance Antenna for the LowranceNet Gauges. However, I am not sure if the Actisense NGW-1 bridge is out yet. If I had Lowrance GPS/Sonars then yes to your suggestion. I appreciate your forward thinking. Don't get me wrong. I am not looking to switch as much as informing the community of Yamaha's shortcomings with their digital gauges. I can always add WPSI analog gauge and may do it for more accurate engine related info. Although, paying $100 plus for the Command Link Water PSI sensor for my Command Link is disappointing per my last post.

Flyswatter


Modified by Flyswatter at 9:57 AM 8/25/2009

There are things that I like with mine and things that I don't like. My gas gauge on the command link is horrible. Bar graph is nowhere close to accurate. I have to monitor my fuel usage and subtract that from my 50 gallon tank to tell me how much fuel is left.

I like the MPG, MPH, total usage feature so I know where my sweetspot is for best fuel economy.

I just wish I could get the bar to stop flashing, I even trid to calibrate per instructions and still no luck.'

If anyone has some command link expertise can you e-mail me at behmiester1@aol.com

I agree totally. I think it's worse with the oil level accuracy bar graph.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by behmer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">T My gas gauge on the command link is horrible. Bar graph is nowhere close to accurate. I have to monitor my fuel usage and subtract that from my 50 gallon tank to tell me how much fuel is left.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Haven't seen any issues with the oil, but also my tank is dead center in the bilge area and I can view it very easily every time I charge batteries or open the back compartment, will have to keep an eye out like you said with the oil. I am hoping someone will see this and help us out since I have done everything on my end that I could do.

I don't have a fix but I agree with you. I have an '06 21i and my Command Link gauge says my oil tank is full, but the tank is actually only about an 1/8th full!

Well the fix is to get rid of the command link and go NMEA 2000. I don't think that you will have the oil level but will have everything else plus more with it hooked to the GPS.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spider1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well the fix is to get rid of the command link and go NMEA 2000. I don't think that you will have the oil level but will have everything else plus more with it hooked to the GPS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is an oil level sensor for I-Command/LowranceNet gauges.

I am getting used to Command Link but like my I-Command gauges on my last boat better. Also, it's definitely not worth it to swap out gauges figuring in the added expense because of a few short comings.