Silverleaf VMSPc

[Rick J Fisher]

I have fallen in love witht the Silverleaf VMSPc and all comments on the forums are positive. I can get the cable and jib from RVUpgrades for $340.55. Can anyone beat that? I need to know if my '07 has a 6 or 9 pin connector. It is at Camping World so I can't check. I will probably get a notebook computer to run it on. Costco has a CTL IL1 with a 8.9" screen for $350. I am replacing the radio with the Pioneer Vadic GPS/radio combination.

[Rick J Fisher]

I have fallen in love witht the Silverleaf VMSPc and all comments on the forums are positive. I can get the cable and jib from RVUpgrades for $340.55. Can anyone beat that? I need to know if my '07 has a 6 or 9 pin connector. It is at Camping World so I can't check. I will probably get a notebook computer to run it on. Costco has a CTL IL1 with a 8.9" screen for $350. I am replacing the radio with the Pioneer Vadic GPS/radio combination.

[dgerstel]

Rick,

Make sure that the VMSPc will work with your transmission. The latest Allison transmissions, with the 2 read outs on the selector panel, use a different "language" to communicate with the controller. When I checked before we got our '07 the VMSPc's did not communicate with the new transmission. I was very disappointed, as I had used the VMSPc on our 2002 and liked it better than the more expensive in-dash unit, that I had to settle for at that time.

[Rick J Fisher]

Thanks, Dale. I sent Lori an email to verify that but it is not a fatal flaw. Do you know if I need the 6 or 9 pin connector?

[dgerstel]

Rick,

When I get a chance I will look at the port and let you know. My concern, about no transmission data, was would the VMSPc calculate and read trip info, like mileage.

I know nothing about it, but just got an email about this computer.

Amazon

I find Amazon a good place to get my toys at, they have a good return policy.

[Rick J Fisher]

Dale,
Here is the conversation I had with Lori at Silverleaf. Hopefully they will update the program soon. USB would be nice too. The notebook from Costco has a 60 gb HD, 1 gb memory, and a 1.2 ghz processor and Windows XP for $50 more. I expect these cheaper notebooks to hit Silverleaf's sales of there display units hard. They are about four grand.

No Transmission Temperature, Transmission Shaft Speed.

That's all.

- Lori

Rick Fisher wrote:

>Thanks, are any other functions affected besides displaying the gear?
>
>Rick Fisher
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Lori Wilbur [mailto:lori@simply-smarter.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 8:57 AM
>To: Rick Fisher
>Subject: Re: VMSPC
>
>Rick,
>
>VMSpc does work fine with Vista. When installing VMSpc under Vista,
>you merely have to be sure to install it to "C:\VMSpc" and not to
>"C:\Program File\VMSpc". And you are correct that the latest version
>of the Allison electronics uses a different interface than VMSpc, and
>therefore is not compatible.
>
>- Lori
>
>
>Rick Fisher wrote:
>
>
>
>>Lori,
>>I have been warned that VMSpc does not properly report the
>>transmission gear for the Allison 3000 6speed with the dual display. Has this been corrected?
>
>>I downloaded the program to a computer running Vista and it seemed to work.
>>Of course it is not connected to a vehicle yet. Will VMSpc work with Vista?
>
>
>>Rick Fisher

[dgerstel]

Rick,

My concern was not with the software, it is free and updated once and a while. The hardware is what won't work with the new transmission and I don't think will be upgradable, it would have to be replaced to have all of the functions.

I wonder where the VMSpc gets the speed and millage information for MPG and trip info.

[Rick J Fisher]

Dale,
I will take Lori at her word that only the three transmission indicators are affected. I expect signal translation is done in the software. I got my coach back and determined the connector is 9 pin. Only 7 are used. I am ordering the adapter today. When I have it operational I will let you know what works.

[dgerstel]

Rick,

Unless I don't understand something, software will not correct problem with the JIB's inability to "talk" to the transmission. See link below.

SilverLeaf fourm

It does sound like the millage info comes from the engine.

[CRAWLINYOTA]

correct... the only thing missing with no trans connected is no gear selected, gear attained, trans shaft speed, and trans temp.... the rest of the unit will still work the same....

[RedHotSoup]

I run Silverleaf VMSPc on an Acer Aspire from Wal-Mart for $349. It has 512MB memory and 140 GB hard drive. I also run Microsoft Streets & Maps simultaneously as my GPS. I'm looking into running two side cameras (X10 type) through a USB port also. The Acer fits nicely over the instrument panel but I’m looking into fabricating a stand to the left of the driver seat. I also connect to the Internet using Verizon’s aircard using EVDO.com’s KR1 WiFi router. ('02 38FDDS)

[Ted III]

Red Hot Soup, That is a very classy wiring setup. I use the X-10 for the side cameras and Microsoft streets & trips in the laptop simulataneously with our GPS. I have disconnected anything and everything that has to do with the Silverleaf. Never found it at all trustworthy although many seem to.There certainly have been a lot of complaints about it.

[Jim&MaryJo]

Another consideration for mounting and the PC purchase is to go with a tablet PC model that has an available Ram Mount cradle.

Tablets cost more, but an interesting option --if you're considering a GPS purchase too -- is the Fujitsu U820, which has an integrated Garmin GPS.

I have an older Fujitsu and have tried other GPS software, but prefer my Garmin 7200 for ease of use when navigating (large touchscreen buttons and simple menus).

It appears the Garmin feature in the Fujitsu provides this type of interface.

But Ram-Mount only lists a U810 cradle, not U820. However, it'd be worth a call to see if it works.

I modified a motion computing cradle (after recognizing almost identical dimensions with my Fujitsu), before they started making cradles for Fujitsus.

http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1326

[RedHotSoup]

Jim: Thanks for the review of the Fujitsu U820. It looks like a great solution for Silverleaf VMSPc. Unfortunately I went another rout using an Acer Aspire-One. I think the Acer can’t come close to your unit. I was fascinated though with your mounting hardware. The picture you supplied got me thinking that was a possible solution for me. Do you have a manufacturer and model number so I can look up the dimensions? My Acer just might fit in that bracket, if I mount it on the slot between the screen and the keyboard. Thank you for your post, it was very informative. RedHot ('02 38FDDS)