Community Forums

jacwjames · 05-21-2021, 06:54 PM

I've had the Silverleaf for ~8 or 9 years and although in the past it had been finicky today it was intolerable.

Over the last couple weeks I've been installing the FASS system and today I went to get a new set of tires (which is another story). Got ready to leave the house and started the Silverlead system on a small Sony Viao which has had the system installed from the beginning. Today as soon as the laptop would link to the VMSpc the screen would lock up. Restarted multiple time and finally gave up until I got home.

Parked the rig in the garage and started to try and figure out what was going on with no success. Finally decided to try and load the software my newer Dell XPS laptop. When I hooked to the system I could not get it to recognize the VMSpc module, I knew I had to figure out what Com it was communicating on, on the Sony it was the Com19, did some diagnostics and it came up with a message which made me try and install the drivers. Evidently the original install did not do it. After reinstalling and doing some more diagnostics I finally got my laptop to link with the system and showing real time data.

I then deleted the software off the Sony Laptop and reinstalled the VMSpc software and did a manual install of the drivers. This worked and as of a couple hours ago the system was working, who knows if it will work tomorrow.

But I know one thing, if it acts up again it's going in the trash and I'll get a Bluefire system. This is the VMSpc's last chance.

rpasetto · 05-22-2021, 05:12 AM

I never ran into that problem. I used to have the older RS232-serial port based VMSpc and I recall the virtual COM ports of the RS232-USB adapter was a problem. It only worked with some Serial-to-USB adapters. After I changed over to the USB version that became a non-issue.

Now under Win7 there's this annoying border around the gauges. I asked on Silverleaf's VMSpc forum how to eliminate the wasted apace which forces the letters and numerals to be smaller than need be.... that was about a year ago... it took a long time to get an answer.

I see now Bluefire has a Windows 10 capability; don't recall seeing that the last time I looked. Let us know if you install one.

DennisZ · 05-22-2021, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpasetto

I never ran into that problem. I used to have the older RS232-serial port based VMSpc and I recall the virtual COM ports of the RS232-USB adapter was a problem. It only worked with some Serial-to-USB adapters. After I changed over to the USB version that became a non-issue.

Now under Win7 there's this annoying border around the gauges. I asked on Silverleaf's VMSpc forum how to eliminate the wasted apace which forces the letters and numerals to be smaller than need be.... that was about a year ago... it took a long time to get an answer.

I see now Bluefire has a Windows 10 capability; don't recall seeing that the last time I looked. Let us know if you install one.

Yes, BlueFire will only work on Win 10 for a PC, it does have a lot of must haves to work, unfortunately, a lot of tablets don’t support all the requirements. I would like to upgrade to it, but spending an extra $500 to $800 for a tablet to support this and my VMSPC is a little to much, for now, I’ll stick with my Dell tablet and VMSPC

2.0+ GHz processor
 4+ GB RAM (8 recommended)
 64-bit OS Windows 10 Latest Version
 Open COMM ports. Windows 10 uses two COM ports for Bluetooth so if you have any devices also using the COM ports (eg. USB drives), they could conflict and keep Bluetooth for connecting to the Adapter.
 Power Option - High Performance

jacwjames · 05-22-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisZ

Yes, BlueFire will only work on Win 10 for a PC, it does have a lot of must haves to work, unfortunately, a lot of tablets don’t support all the requirements. I would like to upgrade to it, but spending an extra $500 to $800 for a tablet to support this and my VMSPC is a little to much, for now, I’ll stick with my Dell tablet and VMSPC

2.0+ GHz processor
 4+ GB RAM (8 recommended)
 64-bit OS Windows 10 Latest Version
 Open COMM ports. Windows 10 uses two COM ports for Bluetooth so if you have any devices also using the COM ports (eg. USB drives), they could conflict and keep Bluetooth for connecting to the Adapter.
 Power Option - High Performance

Good to know and something to contemplate.

I'm surprised the Silverleaf isn't trying harder to keep their product up to date. The last update I've found on their website is 2018. They do have a forum but it looks like they hardly respond to questions.

Their missing out a new generation of users.

windsorbill · 05-22-2021, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Good to know and something to contemplate.

I'm surprised the Silverleaf isn't trying harder to keep their product up to date. The last update I've found on their website is 2018. They do have a forum but it looks like they hardly respond to questions.

Their missing out a new generation of users.

I just recently added the BlueFire. I already have a new Ipad pro, so it was an easy transition. Now if my Aladdin Jr. goes south, I have a back up.

BlueFire is only set up for a 9 pin diagnostic post. Some older coaches will have only a 6 pin and BlueFire has you purchase a 6-9 pin adapter from a 3rd party vendor.

Every coach seems different on what information is available from the diagnostic port and you have to wait to get everything hooked up before you can evaluate exactly what information you will be able to display. BlueFire's owner assured me that if I wasn't happy with what my coach's diagnostic port would transmit, he would allow me to return it, nice to know, but I was good with the available information. You design your own dash (or you can upload other's dash), and the display can get as simple or as complex as you would like.

Mr_D · 05-22-2021, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Good to know and something to contemplate.

I'm surprised the Silverleaf isn't trying harder to keep their product up to date. The last update I've found on their website is 2018. They do have a forum but it looks like they hardly respond to questions.

Their missing out a new generation of users.

Silverleaf has recently been sold so don't expect any upgrades to VMSpc.
In my previous rig I ran VMSpc on a tablet with no problems.

jacwjames · 05-22-2021, 10:53 AM

I've run the Silverleaf on a laptop since late 2013, I like the ability to see the engine and transmission operating parameters. So when it wasn't working I felt "naked".

Hopefully uninstalling and installing the software has solved the problem, I'll know this next week on a short trip.

RustyTools · 05-22-2021, 11:04 AM

Any idea who bought them, or if they're going to continue to build/support their products? I'm still waiting for them to build the interface between VMSpc and TST tire monitor.

rpasetto · 05-22-2021, 11:13 AM

Feb 20, 2021: "Winegard Co. announced this week that it has acquired SilverLeaf Electronics"

https://www.thehawkeye.com/story/bus...cs/4488891001/

super_rep · 05-24-2021, 06:14 AM

I'e been using VMSpc since Martin Perlot first introduced it at a Beaver rally in 1995. I am now running it on a Dell 17" laptop running Windows 8 ( yes 8 is correct) I only used the Dell laptop for VMSpc and a copy of the last issue of TOPO USA.
The RV never moves unless these two programs are running.

The VMSpc has saved me several times by showing real time engine data.

I am really p****d at Garman for taking TOPO off the market after they bought DeLorme.

rpasetto · 05-24-2021, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super_rep

I'e been using VMSpc since Martin Perlot first introduced it at a Beaver rally in 1995. I am now running it on a Dell 17" laptop running Windows 8 ( yes 8 is correct) I only used the Dell laptop for VMSpc and a copy of the last issue of TOPO USA.
The RV never moves unless these two programs are running.

The VMSpc has saved me several times by showing real time engine data.

I am really p****d at Garman for taking TOPO off the market after they bought DeLorme.

I still use DeLorme's Street Atlas USA... with VMSpc sharing the screen of a 12" Lenovo Thinkpad. Garmin has done nothing to support any of Delorme products.

Now we see Winegard owns Silverleaf. Expect more of the same.

super_rep · 05-25-2021, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Now we see Winegard owns Silverleaf. Expect more of the same.

Did you know that the Discovery owners group still supports Streets and TOPO overlays. See: https://www.discoveryowners.com/assets/poidownload.asp

I recently called SilerLeaf with a question about VMSpc and got great support with a very detailed answer.

RustyTools · 05-25-2021, 08:28 AM

Good to know! Thanks super_rep.

jacwjames · 05-25-2021, 05:40 PM

We'll over the last couple of days I was working on the coach and would make sure to turn on the laptop & VMSpc and it came up every time without a problem.

Today I drove about 250 miles and the system worked pretty good. There were a couple times where I saw some odd stats on the screen but it straightened itself out without having to shut it down.

So for now the VMSpc has earned a reprieve, for the time being.