Gratuitous Technology, Why???

MonacoMike

MonacoMike

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2009
14,721
Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
Engines
85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
I am sure there are thousands of examples of gratuitous technology and I find them annoying. Why do product designers feel the need to put worthless features in products.

My marine storage folks picked up my 270 DA and the brakes do not work on their new Chevy truck. They work perfect on my truck with my "dumb" brake controller I have had since 1999.

It appears that the engineers built in the controller to the truck some years ago, that is good, what is not good is the newest controllers send a signal to the brakes and expect a signal back. If they do not get that signal the brakes do not work. Older trailer electric braking systems need a $150 part to work, this particularly affects electric/hydraulic systems like mine.

My truck sends a signal to the trailer brakes if there is a trailer or not, it does not hurt or cost anything. Why did they have to f**k with it? What was gained?

MM
 
I’m literally laughing at this post. Then you have another thread wanting electric start on dinghy engine.... um hello? (It’s all in good fun)

Josh
 
Why did tilt wheel need a motor assembly? Are we humans now to weak to move a steering wheel? Probably costs $500 per vehicle and there are literally a hundred other items like this adding useless cost to vehicles…
 
MonacoMike said:
Why did they have to f**k with it? What was gained?
MM
Click to expand...
I see this with software all the time. It's as if the "engineers" need to keep creating new or "improved" ways of doing things, or they'll be out of a job. Don't dare make it right the first time! "Windows" is a prime example. I had Excel down pat until they decided to "upgrade" it. Now, all of the routines and keyboard shortcuts I had committed to memory were thrown out the window. I still struggle with trying to be as fluent as before, and it's been years! Rant over...
 
MonacoMike said:
Why did tilt wheel need a motor assembly? Are we humans now to weak to move a steering wheel? Probably costs $500 per vehicle and there are literally a hundred other items like this adding useless cost to vehicles…
Click to expand...
Because most nice vehicles have memory features that use motors, gearing and potentiometers to reposition tilt and telescoping steering wheels/columns to preset positions for a number of different drivers with different numbered key fobs.
 
Man you guys are starting to sound old. Remember when Fuel Injection was a new thing and all the old heads were up in arms - "Nothing beats carbed motors, you'll all regret this new fangled tech".

:):)

I can also appreciate that Monaco Mike revived a 4 year old thread here just to continue the bit$hing. This is great stuff.
 
MonacoMike said:
Why did tilt wheel need a motor assembly? Are we humans now to weak to move a steering wheel? Probably costs $500 per vehicle and there are literally a hundred other items like this adding useless cost to vehicles…
Click to expand...
Because people will pay for it.
Heated steering wheel is pretty awesome.
Lane keeping assistance is keeping Darwin's law from working.
Automatic headlights are great, so is auto dimming of high beams.
Seat massage is silly.
Auto parking is goofy, auto trailer backing saves time at the ramps (In theory - but my view is that anyone that can't learn to back a trailer is not going to be able to use the system to auto back the trailer)
There should be an auto pull off and park the car feature when a signal light is left on for more than 5 minutes on the highway. (or maybe a hand comes out of the dash and b17ch slaps the driver)
 
MonacoMike said:
Why did tilt wheel need a motor assembly? Are we humans now to weak to move a steering wheel? Probably costs $500 per vehicle and there are literally a hundred other items like this adding useless cost to vehicles…
Click to expand...
I agree!
I hate the electric tilt / telescoping wheel.
I’ll take the manual everyday of the week.
Same with the seats.
I do like a lot of the newer features though.
On my 1 hour, 2 lane road commute to work every day I love adaptive cruise control. It absolutely takes all of the stress out of the drive.
Adaptive steering though…. That’s another one that sucks.
I actually like the lane assist on our shifting roads. Again makes driving easier and less stressful.
Bottom line though is you’re right. Some of that shit is just so some engineer can justify his existence.
As far as what I’ve seen Ram doesn’t even offer that electric shit on the tilt.
 
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Stee6043 said:
Man you guys are starting to sound old. Remember when Fuel Injection was a new thing and all the old heads were up in arms - "Nothing beats carbed motors, you'll all regret this new fangled tech".

:):)

I can also appreciate that Monaco Mike revived a 4 year old thread here just to continue the bit$hing. This is great stuff.
Click to expand...
Are your 7.4s EFI, MPI, Cool Fueled, Smart Craft controlled, Oxygen Sensors, etc.. ?
How many threads do we see on problems with those systems that can't be tracked down without a scanner and access to the manufacturer tech support?

On boats in particular there is not any significant fuel or performance advantage to most of these systems, boats are not fuel efficient.

Yep, my carburated GM 5.7 (350ci) tried and true...
I don't need the tech is cool factor :cool:
 
hughespat57 said:
Are your 7.4s EFI, MPI, Cool Fueled, Smart Craft controlled, Oxygen Sensors, etc.. ?
How many threads do we see on problems with those systems that can't be tracked down without a scanner and access to the manufacturer tech support?

On boats in particular there is not any significant fuel or performance advantage to most of these systems, boats are not fuel efficient.

Yep, my carburated GM 5.7 (350ci) tried and true...
I don't need the tech is cool factor :cool:
Click to expand...

Seems so 1980's to see someone throwing the throttles forward and back before she fires up though :):)
 
hughespat57 said:
Are your 7.4s EFI, MPI, Cool Fueled, Smart Craft controlled, Oxygen Sensors, etc.. ?
How many threads do we see on problems with those systems that can't be tracked down without a scanner and access to the manufacturer tech support?

On boats in particular there is not any significant fuel or performance advantage to most of these systems, boats are not fuel
Click to expand...

You are missing the point. These improvements are made to save the planet. Without them we will all die in 9.6791 years.
 
164A78E1-2699-440C-9572-EF853C47B249.jpeg
Shoot. I have to kickstart my 1970 Harley chopper. No easy button. She’s a moody bitch. Think I’ve got torn cartilage in my knee. But I’m not complaining. :cool:
 
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