300XS (2 stroke) and Smart Craft Gauge question

[Reynard38]

Recently purchased a 2008 Superboat 24 Millennium CC with a 2016 300XS. It’s got the Smartcraft gauge package, tach and speedo. I like the setup, but the Speedo doesn’t read accurately. From what I’ve read its a common problem.
There is no paddle wheel installed so its relying on the pitot pressure on the leading edge of the lower unit.
I’m wanting to add GPS to the boat. Ive got the Navionics app on my iPhone and IPad and am very happy with it. Is there a way to use the GPS from the phone to provide speed input to the SmartCraft gauges? I know there is a Bluetooth device that mercury sells to do the inverse of this where the motor sends data to the phone.
Also I’m not getting GPH info on the gauge. I do get info on fuel and oil tank quantity.

If I need to get a stand-alone GPS plotter what’s a good unit to use with the Smartcraft gauge package. I’d like something not too big to fit on the console.

451526

[mjw930]

You should be able to feed gps signals from a chart plotter using the NMEA 0183 interface. See these two links.

http://www.veradoclub.com/index.php?topic=520.0
https://samerwebapp01apncus01.blob.core.windows.net/mmgw-prod/filer_public/e9/6a/e96a7a8c-c378-4553-8e34-4b3505e1c218/smartcraft_system_tachometer_and_speedometer_installation.pdf

i recommend the Garmin Echomap G3 devices. The 4” units can be had for under $400.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmin--echomap-plus-g3-43cv-fishfinder-chartplotter-combo-with-gt20-transducer-and-us-lakev-hd-charts--19386523?recordNum=9

[Reynard38]

Thanks.
Looks pretty straightforward.
I’m trying to decide between 2 options. Get a stand-alone GPS like a Garmin and feed the NMEA signal to the speedo. Simple and most likely easier to read in bright sunlight.
Use my iPad/iPhone and Navionics with their Bluetooth enable transducer. Add a GPS antennae to feed a signal to the Smartcraft speedo. The nice thing about this option is having automatic updates to the charts.

[mjw930]

The problem will be finding a GPS antenna that can feed Smartcraft. The Mercury OEM version is over $500. You may be able to find a generic antenna that sends NMEA 0813 streams to feed the speedo. Personally, I’d do the Garmin or a Navionics compatible chart plotter and not even bother feeding the speedo.

[Reynard38]

451607

Picked up a Garmin today. It’s got an NMEA 0183 output for the Smartcraft Gauges.

[DOUBLETROUBLE SS]

this may help its a gateway allows NMEA 183 and NMEA 2000 to communicate AMEC NK-80 NMEA 2000 ADAPTOR

[Reynard38]

I did get the gauges to work. Took some trial and error with the wiring and settings in the garmin unit.